Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit
Abstract With the construction of the International Space Station, humans have been continuously living and working in space for 22 years. Microbial studies in space and other extreme environments on Earth have shown the ability for bacteria and fungi to adapt and change compared to “normal” conditi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-06-01
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| Series: | npj Microgravity |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-023-00285-0 |
| _version_ | 1797429066248224768 |
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| author | Allison P. Koehle Stephanie L. Brumwell Emily P. Seto Anne M. Lynch Camilla Urbaniak |
| author_facet | Allison P. Koehle Stephanie L. Brumwell Emily P. Seto Anne M. Lynch Camilla Urbaniak |
| author_sort | Allison P. Koehle |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract With the construction of the International Space Station, humans have been continuously living and working in space for 22 years. Microbial studies in space and other extreme environments on Earth have shown the ability for bacteria and fungi to adapt and change compared to “normal” conditions. Some of these changes, like biofilm formation, can impact astronaut health and spacecraft integrity in a negative way, while others, such as a propensity for plastic degradation, can promote self-sufficiency and sustainability in space. With the next era of space exploration upon us, which will see crewed missions to the Moon and Mars in the next 10 years, incorporating microbiology research into planning, decision-making, and mission design will be paramount to ensuring success of these long-duration missions. These can include astronaut microbiome studies to protect against infections, immune system dysfunction and bone deterioration, or biological in situ resource utilization (bISRU) studies that incorporate microbes to act as radiation shields, create electricity and establish robust plant habitats for fresh food and recycling of waste. In this review, information will be presented on the beneficial use of microbes in bioregenerative life support systems, their applicability to bISRU, and their capability to be genetically engineered for biotechnological space applications. In addition, we discuss the negative effect microbes and microbial communities may have on long-duration space travel and provide mitigation strategies to reduce their impact. Utilizing the benefits of microbes, while understanding their limitations, will help us explore deeper into space and develop sustainable human habitats on the Moon, Mars and beyond. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:07:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-27b1db59916249ae97462f1da6796255 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2373-8065 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T09:07:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Microgravity |
| spelling | doaj.art-27b1db59916249ae97462f1da67962552023-12-02T09:36:12ZengNature Portfolionpj Microgravity2373-80652023-06-019112710.1038/s41526-023-00285-0Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbitAllison P. Koehle0Stephanie L. Brumwell1Emily P. Seto2Anne M. Lynch3Camilla Urbaniak4Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State UniversityDepartment of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western OntarioHoneybee RoboticsDepartment of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterZIN Technologies IncAbstract With the construction of the International Space Station, humans have been continuously living and working in space for 22 years. Microbial studies in space and other extreme environments on Earth have shown the ability for bacteria and fungi to adapt and change compared to “normal” conditions. Some of these changes, like biofilm formation, can impact astronaut health and spacecraft integrity in a negative way, while others, such as a propensity for plastic degradation, can promote self-sufficiency and sustainability in space. With the next era of space exploration upon us, which will see crewed missions to the Moon and Mars in the next 10 years, incorporating microbiology research into planning, decision-making, and mission design will be paramount to ensuring success of these long-duration missions. These can include astronaut microbiome studies to protect against infections, immune system dysfunction and bone deterioration, or biological in situ resource utilization (bISRU) studies that incorporate microbes to act as radiation shields, create electricity and establish robust plant habitats for fresh food and recycling of waste. In this review, information will be presented on the beneficial use of microbes in bioregenerative life support systems, their applicability to bISRU, and their capability to be genetically engineered for biotechnological space applications. In addition, we discuss the negative effect microbes and microbial communities may have on long-duration space travel and provide mitigation strategies to reduce their impact. Utilizing the benefits of microbes, while understanding their limitations, will help us explore deeper into space and develop sustainable human habitats on the Moon, Mars and beyond.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-023-00285-0 |
| spellingShingle | Allison P. Koehle Stephanie L. Brumwell Emily P. Seto Anne M. Lynch Camilla Urbaniak Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit npj Microgravity |
| title | Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit |
| title_full | Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit |
| title_fullStr | Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit |
| title_short | Microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low Earth orbit |
| title_sort | microbial applications for sustainable space exploration beyond low earth orbit |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-023-00285-0 |
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