Why studying astronaut microbiomes is crucial to ensuring the success of deep space missions

Space exploration is a complex and risky mission that requires careful preparation and a deep understanding of the challenges inherent to life in space.

One of the most critical aspects of this endeavor is the health of astronauts, who are exposed to extreme conditions, such as microgravity, ionizing radiation and environmental changes. In this context, research on the human microbiome and its adaptation to the space environment has become a crucial area of ​​study for the success of long-duration space missions, particularly for trips to Mars.

The human microbiome is all the microorganisms that live in symbiosis with our body, particularly in the intestine, skin and mucous membranes. These microorganisms play a crucial role in digestion, immunity and the regulation of various physiological processes.

However, the space environment can disrupt the balance of the microbiome, which can have adverse consequences on the health of astronauts. Therefore, space microbiome research has become a crucial area of ​​study to understand how microorganisms can adapt to the space environment and how this can affect the health of astronauts. My co-authors and I discuss this need in our new Frontiers of microbiology article.

Preparing the microbiome for spaceflight

Integrating astromicrobiological preparedness into mission planning and execution is necessary to preserve the health and well-being of astronauts as well as the overall success of deep space efforts.

Astromicrobiology – the study of microorganisms in space – involves understanding the effects of microbial persistence and succession on closed systems, such as spacecraft and habitats, and developing technologies, such as space agriculture and the extraction of microbial secondary metabolites for medicine, flavors, and nutritional drugs. The composition and function of the microbiome are likely to undergo changes during spaceflight.

Taking appropriate steps to support a healthy microbiome in astronauts can not only help maintain their health during the mission, but also contribute to their rehabilitation upon their return to Earth. Radiation exposure is one of the main health problems for astronauts. Space radiation is very different and much more intense than terrestrial radiation, which can have harmful effects on the health of astronauts.

Microorganisms exposed to radiation can induce resistance to antibiotics, UV, heat, extreme dryness and other potentially lethal factors. It is therefore essential to understand the potential effects of radiation not only on humans, but also on their microbiome in order to develop effective risk reduction strategies for space missions.

By exploring the microbiome of astronauts in space, we can also better understand how the space environment affects microbiome composition and diversity. The unique conditions of space, such as microgravity, radiation exposure, and dietary changes, can potentially disrupt the balance of the microbiome. By studying changes in the microbiome during space travel, scientists are gaining knowledge about how these alterations can affect astronauts’ health and are currently developing strategies to mitigate the negative effects.

Fighting pathogens in space

Additionally, studying the microbiome can help researchers understand the impact of space travel on the immune system. Microorganisms that inhabit different parts of the human body play a crucial role in maintaining good health by producing essential vitamins and contributing to the development and regulation of our immune system.

Changes in the composition of the intestinal flora caused by genetic and environmental factors can increase the risk of infection with pathogens, favor the spread of harmful organisms which, under certain environmental or genetic changes, can begin to induce diseases and contribute to the emergence of inflammatory diseases. troubles.

Thus, the microbiome plays a crucial role in the formation and modulation of the immune system, and any disruption of this can potentially affect immune function. Understanding how space travel affects the interaction between the microbiome and the immune system can help develop strategies to maintain astronaut health and prevent infections during long-duration space missions.

Opportunities and challenges

By exploring the microbiome of astronauts in space, scientists are also able to discover new microorganisms that may possess unique properties and abilities that could be harnessed for various applications, including the development of new drugs, antimicrobial agents or biotechnological advances.

Additionally, spatially altered environmental conditions, such as temperature, oxygen levels, and diffusion limitations, provide the opportunity to optimize the production of valuable metabolites by genetically modified microorganisms.

However, studying the microbiome of astronauts in space also presents several challenges and obstacles. A potential danger of studying the microbiome of astronauts in space is the possible spread of pathogenic microorganisms in the enclosed environment of a spacecraft. Confined spaces and recirculated air systems can encourage the spread of pathogenic microorganisms, which can be dangerous to the health of astronauts for multiple reasons.

The confined environment of a spacecraft, combined with prolonged exposure to microgravity, can lead to suppression of astronauts’ immune systems. This compromised immune state makes astronauts more susceptible to infections, as indicated by studies demonstrating a diminished immune response that hampers their ability to effectively fight potentially harmful microorganisms.

Additionally, concerns arise about the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria in astronauts’ gut microbiota, facilitated by small circular DNA entities called plasmids. This diffusion can potentially harm the effectiveness of antibiotics.

Incomplete understanding of the complex interactions between microbial life in space and the human immune system exacerbates the risk of infection. Therefore, the release of a pathogen inside a spacecraft could significantly compromise the health of astronauts, especially those with compromised immune systems, especially during extended missions.

Neglecting astromicrobiological concerns during a manned deep space mission significantly decreases the chances of success. The potential release of pathogens poses immediate health risks to astronauts, compromising their immune systems and the performance of their tasks. Additionally, the spread of antibiotic resistance genes could compromise medical interventions, thereby exacerbating health problems during the mission. Addressing these concerns is crucial to the success of the mission and the well-being of the astronauts.