Characterization of Aspergillus niger Isolated from the International Space Station

Romsdahl, Jillian; Blachowicz, Adriana; Chiang, Abby J.; Singh, Nitin Kumar; Stajich, Jason E.; Kalkum, Markus; Venkateswaran, Kasthuri; Wang, Clay C. C.

doi:10.1128/msystems.00112-18

Cited by 43 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 73 publications

(96 reference statements)

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“…condensate) could support biofouling, biofilm formation and material damage through acid production (6,73–75). This is particularly important with respect to fungal growth, as these might affect human health indirectly by causing allergic reactions and asthmatic responses (17,76–78).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent publications focused on the microbial analysis of ISS debris and dust (12–15), the study of the astronauts’ microbiome (16), the characterization of bacterial and fungal isolates from the ISS (17,18) and the (molecular) microbial analysis of swab and wipe samples taken inside the ISS (19). A study investigating the growth behavior of non-pathogenic (terrestrial) bacteria aboard the ISS found no changes in most bacteria, given that they have enough nutrients (11).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The International Space Station selects for microorganisms adapted to the extreme environment, but does not induce genomic and physiological changes relevant for human health

Mora

Wink

et al. 2019

Preprint

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The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique, completely confined habitat for the human crew and co-inhabiting microorganisms. Here, we report on the results of the ISS experiment “EXTREMOPHILES”. We aimed to exploit the microbial information obtained from three surface and air sampling events aboard the International Space Station during increments 51 and 52 (2017) with respect to: i) microbial sources, diversity and distribution within the ISS, ii) functional capacity of microbiome and microbial isolates, iii) extremotolerance and antibiotics-resistance (compared to ground controls), and iv) microbial behavior towards ISS-relevant materials such as biofilm formation, or potential for degradation. We used wipe samples and analyzed them by amplicon and metagenomics sequencing, cultivation, comparative physiological studies, antibiotic resistance tests, genome analysis of isolates and co-incubation experiments with ISS-relevant materials. The major findings were: i) the ISS microbiome profile is highly similar to ground-based confined indoor environments, ii) the ISS microbiome is subject to fluctuations and indicative for the (functional) location, although a core microbiome was present over time and independent from location, iii) the ISS selects for microorganisms adapted to the extreme environment, but does not necessarily induce genomic and physiological changes which might be relevant for human health, iv) cleanrooms and cargo seems to be a minor source of microbial contamination aboard, and v) microorganisms can attach to and grow on ISS-relevant materials. Biofilm formation might be a threat for spacecraft materials with the potential to induce instrument malfunctioning with consequences for mission success. We conclude that our data do not raise direct reason for concern with respect to crew health, but indicate a potential threat towards biofilm formation and material integrity in moist areas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The International Space Station selects for microorganisms adapted to the extreme environment, but does not induce genomic and physiological changes relevant for human health

Mora

Wink

et al. 2019

Preprint

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“…Similarly, the sterilization of food and equipment prior to launch, the harsh conditions of space travel, and the isolation from any outside microbial source, contributes to the development of a low-diversity microbial community which is both sparse and tough [28,216,217], and does not make for pleasant company [218][219][220]. The harsh conditions and increase in radiation can contribute to accelerated evolution; a distinct strain of Aspergillus niger was isolated from the International Space Station [221]. Over time, rapid evolution to support hardiness can lead to the development of 'survivor strains' which are extremely difficult to kill or eradicate, and recent research has demonstrated this in the built environment [222].…”

Section: The Lifelong Impact Of Microbial Roommatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

Horve

Lloyd

Mhuireach

et al. 2019

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

111

103

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In the constructed habitat in which we spend up to 90% of our time, architectural design influences occupants' behavioral patterns, interactions with objects, surfaces, rituals, the outside environment, and each other. Within this built environment, human behavior and building design contribute to the accrual and dispersal of microorganisms; it is a collection of fomites that transfer microorganisms; reservoirs that collect biomass; structures that induce human or air movement patterns; and space types that encourage proximity or isolation between humans whose personal microbial clouds disperse cells into buildings. There have been recent calls to incorporate building microbiology into occupant health and exposure research and standards, yet the built environment is largely viewed as a repository for microorganisms which are to be eliminated, instead of a habitat which is inexorably linked to the microbial influences of building inhabitants. Health sectors have re-evaluated the role of microorganisms in health, incorporating microorganisms into prevention and treatment protocols, yet no paradigm shift has occurred with respect to microbiology of the built environment, despite calls to do so. Technological and logistical constraints often preclude our ability to link health outcomes to indoor microbiology, yet sufficient study exists to inform the theory and implementation of the next era of research and intervention in the built environment. This review presents built environment characteristics in relation to human health and disease, explores some of the current experimental strategies and interventions which explore health in the built environment, and discusses an emerging model for fostering indoor microbiology rather than fearing it.

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“…Characterization of different Aspergillus strains isolated from the ISS, e.g. A. fumigatus (Knox et al 2016) and A. niger (Romsdahl et al 2018b), revealed significant spaceflight-induced changes. For instance, more pigmentation, increased growth rate and differences in proteome profiles (mainly stress resistance and nutrient acquisition) were observed, when compared with the Earth-type strains.…”

Section: Fungi In the Space Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, more pigmentation, increased growth rate and differences in proteome profiles (mainly stress resistance and nutrient acquisition) were observed, when compared with the Earth-type strains. Characterization of A. niger showed an overall increased secondary metabolite production (Romsdahl et al 2018b). Draft genome sequences of fungal strains exposed to microgravity at the ISS, among them A. niger, were made available and have been published (Singh et al 2017).…”

Section: Fungi In the Space Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal Biotechnology in Space: Why and How?

Cortesão

Schütze

Marx³

et al. 2020

Grand Challenges in Biology and Biotechnology

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Human space exploration is envisioning long-term spaceflight missions that go far beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). However, maintaining the necessary resources on a long-duration manned mission has its many challenges. Currently, on the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts are provided with resources in resupply missions. These missions transport all kinds of resources such as food, spacecraft materials, medical supplies or scientific experiments. The frequent exchange between Earth and spacecraft will not be possible for long-duration far-reaching missions, such as a 500-day human mission to Mars or the colonization of the Moon. Moreover, the cost per kilo calculated to be around $12,600 when launching a spacecraft (Harper et al. 2016) makes it impractical to bring all the needed supplies at once. The success of space exploration requires the ability to be Earthindependent, particularly when it comes to resources. The ideal scenario would be M. Cortesão

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Characterization of Aspergillus niger Isolated from the International Space Station

Cited by 43 publications

References 73 publications

The International Space Station selects for microorganisms adapted to the extreme environment, but does not induce genomic and physiological changes relevant for human health

The International Space Station selects for microorganisms adapted to the extreme environment, but does not induce genomic and physiological changes relevant for human health

Building upon current knowledge and techniques of indoor microbiology to construct the next era of theory into microorganisms, health, and the built environment

Fungal Biotechnology in Space: Why and How?

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