scholarly journals Characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates from Air and Surfaces of the International Space Station

mSphere ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin P. Knox ◽  
Adriana Blachowicz ◽  
Jonathan M. Palmer ◽  
Jillian Romsdahl ◽  
Anna Huttenlocher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Human Health ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space ◽  
Human Habitat ◽  
Manned Space

ABSTRACT As durations of manned space missions increase, it is imperative to understand the long-term consequence of microbial exposure on human health in a closed human habitat. To date, studies aimed at bacterial and fungal contamination of space vessels have highlighted species compositions biased toward hardy, persistent organisms capable of withstanding harsh conditions. In the current study, we assessed traits of two independent Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from the International Space Station. Ubiquitously found in terrestrial soil and atmospheric environments, A. fumigatus is a significant opportunistic fungal threat to human health, particularly among the immunocompromised. Using two well-known clinical isolates of A. fumigatus as comparators, we found that both ISS isolates exhibited normal in vitro growth and chemical stress tolerance yet caused higher lethality in a vertebrate model of invasive disease. These findings substantiate the need for additional studies of physical traits and biological activities of microbes adapted to microgravity and other extreme extraterrestrial conditions. One mission of the Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) is to examine the traits and diversity of fungal isolates to gain a better understanding of how fungi may adapt to microgravity environments and how this may affect interactions with humans in a closed habitat. Here, we report an initial characterization of two isolates, ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4, of Aspergillus fumigatus collected from the ISS and a comparison to the experimentally established clinical isolates Af293 and CEA10. Whole-genome sequencing of ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4 showed 54,960 and 52,129 single nucleotide polymorphisms, respectively, compared to Af293, which is consistent with observed genetic heterogeneity among sequenced A. fumigatus isolates from diverse clinical and environmental sources. Assessment of in vitro growth characteristics, secondary metabolite production, and susceptibility to chemical stresses revealed no outstanding differences between ISS and clinical strains that would suggest special adaptation to life aboard the ISS. Virulence assessment in a neutrophil-deficient larval zebrafish model of invasive aspergillosis revealed that both ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4 were significantly more lethal than Af293 and CEA10. Taken together, these genomic, in vitro, and in vivo analyses of two A. fumigatus strains isolated from the ISS provide a benchmark for future investigations of these strains and for continuing research on specific microbial isolates from manned space environments. IMPORTANCE As durations of manned space missions increase, it is imperative to understand the long-term consequence of microbial exposure on human health in a closed human habitat. To date, studies aimed at bacterial and fungal contamination of space vessels have highlighted species compositions biased toward hardy, persistent organisms capable of withstanding harsh conditions. In the current study, we assessed traits of two independent Aspergillus fumigatus strains isolated from the International Space Station. Ubiquitously found in terrestrial soil and atmospheric environments, A. fumigatus is a significant opportunistic fungal threat to human health, particularly among the immunocompromised. Using two well-known clinical isolates of A. fumigatus as comparators, we found that both ISS isolates exhibited normal in vitro growth and chemical stress tolerance yet caused higher lethality in a vertebrate model of invasive disease. These findings substantiate the need for additional studies of physical traits and biological activities of microbes adapted to microgravity and other extreme extraterrestrial conditions.

scholarly journals Pangenomic Approach To Understanding Microbial Adaptations within a Model Built Environment, the International Space Station, Relative to Human Hosts and Soil

mSystems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan A. Blaustein ◽  
Alexander G. McFarland ◽  
Sarah Ben Maamar ◽  
Alberto Lopez ◽  
Sarah Castro-Wallace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space ◽  
Selective Pressures

ABSTRACT Understanding underlying mechanisms involved in microbial persistence in the built environment (BE) is essential for strategically mitigating potential health risks. To test the hypothesis that BEs impose selective pressures resulting in characteristic adaptive responses, we performed a pangenomics meta-analysis leveraging 189 genomes (accessed from GenBank) of two epidemiologically important taxa, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, isolated from various origins: the International Space Station (ISS; a model BE), Earth-based BEs, soil, and humans. Our objectives were to (i) identify differences in the pangenomic composition of generalist and host-associated organisms, (ii) characterize genes and functions involved in BE-associated selection, and (iii) identify genomic signatures of ISS-derived strains of potential relevance for astronaut health. The pangenome of B. cereus was more expansive than that of S. aureus, which had a dominant core component. Genomic contents of both taxa significantly correlated with isolate origin, demonstrating an importance for biogeography and potential niche adaptations. ISS/BE-enriched functions were often involved in biosynthesis, catabolism, materials transport, metabolism, and stress response. Multiple origin-enriched functions also overlapped across taxa, suggesting conserved adaptive processes. We further characterized two mobile genetic elements with local neighborhood genes encoding biosynthesis and stress response functions that distinctively associated with B. cereus from the ISS. Although antibiotic resistance genes were present in ISS/BE isolates, they were also common in counterparts elsewhere. Overall, despite differences in microbial lifestyle, some functions appear common to remaining viable in the BE, and those functions are not typically associated with direct impacts on human health. IMPORTANCE The built environment contains a variety of microorganisms, some of which pose critical human health risks (e.g., hospital-acquired infection, antibiotic resistance dissemination). We uncovered a combination of complex biological functions that may play a role in bacterial survival under the presumed selective pressures in a model built environment—the International Space Station—by using an approach to compare pangenomes of bacterial strains from two clinically relevant species (B. cereus and S. aureus) isolated from both built environments and humans. Our findings suggest that the most crucial bacterial functions involved in this potential adaptive response are specific to bacterial lifestyle and do not appear to have direct impacts on human health.

scholarly journals Whole-Genome Sequences of Clinical Enterobacter bugandensis Isolates from Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (29) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Falgenhauer ◽  
Can Imirzalioglu ◽  
Linda Falgenhauer ◽  
Yancheng Yao ◽  
Anja M. Hauri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Pathogenic Species ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
First Time

Enterobacter bugandensis is the most pathogenic species of the genus Enterobacter and is a cause of life-threatening infections in neonates. Curiously, it was also detected in samples from the International Space Station. Here, we present complete closed genome sequences of two clinical E. bugandensis isolates recognized for the first time in Germany.

NASA sets sights on private space stations

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Private Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space ◽  
Foreign Governments ◽  
Corporate Clients

Subject Space stations. Significance As Washington returns its sights to the moon, it is reforming its policies regarding the International Space Station (ISS) with a view to jump-starting a 'low-earth orbit economy' in which private firms offer services to corporate clients, foreign governments and wealthy individuals. Impacts China's space station, due for completion in 2022, could draw third-country projects away from commercial US space stations. Governments are more promising clients for commercial crewed spaceflight than 'space tourists' are. Commercial stations and passenger spacecraft could make human spaceflight accessible to allied states. Spaceflight will remain politicised.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequence of Solibacillus kalamii, Isolated from an Air Filter Aboard the International Space Station

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (35) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arman Seuylemezian ◽  
Nitin K. Singh ◽  
Parag Vaishampayan ◽  
Kasthuri Venkateswaran
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Space Station ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Draft Genome Sequence ◽  
Air Filter ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space

ABSTRACT We report here the draft genome of Solibacillus kalamii ISSFR-015, isolated from a high-energy particulate arrestance filter aboard the International Space Station. The draft genome sequence of this strain contains 3,809,180 bp with an estimated G+C content of 38.61%.

Methodological approaches to emergency recovery onboard the International Space Station

2020 ◽  
pp. 48-59
Author(s):  
Aleksandr I. SPIRIN ◽  
Olga A. NIKOLAEVA
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Atmospheric Parameters ◽  
International Space ◽  
Toxic Contamination ◽  
Manned Space ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Small Change

Keeping parameters of the atmosphere within a manned space complex close to those on Earth is a pre-requisite for the crew’s being able to live and work in space. Any relatively small change in atmospheric parameters may pose a threat to the life of the crew and calls for an immediate response to the situation. The emergencies which are to be handled exclusively by the crew of the manned space complex include depressurization of pressurized volumes, fire and toxic contamination of the atmosphere. Crew actions in such situations are governed by special flight procedures. The paper describes main assumptions and requirements taken as a basis for developing crew procedures for response to emergencies onboard the International Space Station (ISS), as well as methodological techniques embodies in the flight procedures, which make it possible to optimize crew emergency response taking into account the locations of the modules and crew rescue vehicles within the Russian Segment of the ISS. Key words: manned space station, emergency, International Space Station

Russia will tailor space ambitions to limited means

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Market Share ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Space Station ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
World Class ◽  
The Way

Significance This clears the way for SpaceX and Soyuz craft to carry each other's passengers to the International Space Station (ISS). The loss of Russia's monopoly on such flights is emblematic of broader troubles. Moscow's space programme is being left behind as US companies forge ahead and China competes as a world-class rival. Impacts The space programme's Soviet-era symbolic importance will be more difficult to uphold without new achievements. Roskosmos will be unable to recapture former market share and may be reduced to satellite launches for states unable to use US services. The Arktika-M satellite is the first of two planned to monitor climate and environmental changes in the Arctic.

75th anniversary of S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia

2021 ◽  
pp. 5-38
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. SOLOVIEV ◽  
RESHETNIKOV Mikhail N. RESHETNIKOV Mikhail N ◽  
Viktor V. SINYAVSKIY ◽  
Sergey Yu. SHACHNEV
Keyword(s):  
International Space Station ◽  
Rocket Engine ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Launch Vehicle ◽  
Earth Satellite ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Launch Vehicles ◽  
International Space ◽  
Hard Times ◽  
Manned Space

The article briefly discusses the key achievements of the enterprise over 75 years from the formation of OKB-1 headed by S.P. Korolev for producing intercontinental range missiles to the current status of RSC Energia being the country’s and world leader in manned space flight. The developed intercontinental missiles R-7 and a closed-loop oxygen-hydrocarbon liquid-propellant rocket engine provided the basis for developing integrated launch vehicles which were used to launch the world's first Earth satellite, the first cosmonaut on the Earth, automatic interplanetary stations to the Moon, Venus, Mars. The diversification of the enterprise impeded S.P. Korolev to concentrate on manned space flights, and he initiated the transfer of development and manufacture of combat missiles to Makeyev DB, integrated launch vehicles to TsSKB Progress, communication and other satellites to M.F. Reshetnev ISS, lunar and interplanetary stations to S.A.Lavochkin NPO. In the 1980s under the guidance of V.P. Glushko the Energia super-heavy launch vehicle and Energia-Buran system in unmanned configuration were developed and successfully launched on the first try. The Salyut manned single-module orbital stations, Mir multifunctional multi-module space laboratory and successfully operating upgraded manned transportation (Soyuz) and logistics (Progress) spacecraft were developed. In the hard times of 1990s, RSC Energia under the guidance of Yu.P. Semenov saved the national cosmonautics through commercial research performed on the Mir station. At present, by launching three additional modules RSC Energia is completing assembly and integration of the Russian Segment into the International Space Station. Keywords. ОKB-1, S.P.Korolev RSC Energia, V.P. Glushko, Yu.S. Semenov, integrated launch vehicle, orbital station, crew transportation spacecraft, logistics transportation spacecraft, International Space Station.

The AMINO experiment: RNA stability under solar radiation studied on the EXPOSE-R facility of the International Space Station

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Vergne ◽  
Hervé Cottin ◽  
Laura da Silva ◽  
André Brack ◽  
Didier Chaput ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Rna World ◽  
Rna Stability ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Careful Examination ◽  
International Space ◽  
Catalytic Rnas ◽  
World Hypothesis

AbstractCareful examination of the present metabolism and in vitro selection of various catalytic RNAs strongly support the RNA world hypothesis as a crucial step of the origins and early life evolution. Small functional RNAs were exposed from 10 March 2009 to 21 January 2011 to space conditions on board the International Space Station in the EXPOSE-R mission. The aim of this study was to investigate the preservation or modification properties such as integrity of RNAs after space exposition. The exposition to the solar radiation has a strong degradation effect on the size distribution of RNA. Moreover, the comparison between the in-flight samples, exposed to the Sun and not exposed, indicates that the solar radiation degrades RNA bases.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequences of Fungi Isolated from the International Space Station during the Microbial Tracking-2 Experiment

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (37) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna C. Simpson ◽  
Camilla Urbaniak ◽  
John R. Bateh ◽  
Nitin K. Singh ◽  
Jason M. Wood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Biotechnological Applications ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
International Space ◽  
Fungal Strains

As part of the Microbial Tracking-2 study, 94 fungal strains were isolated from surfaces on the International Space Station, and whole-genome sequences were assembled. Characterization of these draft genomes will allow evaluation of microgravity adaption, risks to human health and spacecraft functioning, and biotechnological applications of fungi.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequences of Two Fusarium oxysporum Isolates Cultured from Infected Zinnia hybrida Plants Grown on the International Space Station

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Urbaniak ◽  
Gioia Massa ◽  
Mary Hummerick ◽  
Christina Khodadad ◽  
Andrew Schuerger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Oxysporum ◽  
International Space Station ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Space

ABSTRACT Here, we present the whole-genome sequences of two Fusarium oxysporum isolates cultured from infected Zinnia hybrida plants that were grown onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

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