Chennai: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are conducting the study. multi-drug resistant germs But International Space Station (ISS), which could also have important applications for the health of astronauts on Earth.

The researchers conducted a comprehensive study to understand the genomic, functional and metabolic enrichments observed in multidrug-resistant microbes, with a particular focus on Enterobacter bugandensis, a prevalent nosocomial microbe found on surfaces within the ISS.

Astronauts working in altered immune conditions with limited conventional medical facilities face unique health challenges during space missions. Understanding the microbial landscape on the ISS is of paramount importance to assess the impact of these microorganisms on astronauts’ well-being.

The present study emphasizes the critical need to investigate the pathogenic potential of microorganisms in the space environment to protect astronaut health and minimize risks associated with astronaut health. Opportunistic microbes,

The collaborative effort between IIT Madras and NASA’s JPL underscores the importance of international partnerships in advancing scientific knowledge and addressing the challenges of space exploration. The research has been published in the journal Microbiome. This research represents a significant advance in understanding Microorganism motility in a confined environment.

The findings are promising for the following applications: Controlled Settings On Earth, including in hospital intensive care units and operating theaters, where multidrug-resistant pathogens pose significant challenges to patient care.

The research was carried out by Professor Karthik Raman, Department of Data Science and AI, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI), Dr. Kasturi Venkateswaran, Senior Research Scientist, JPL, NASA, Pratyaya Sengupta, Shobhan Karthik MS, Research Scholar, IIT Madras and Nitin Kumar Singh from JPL, NASA. The work was funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board and the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship to Sengupta from the Ministry of Education.

Commenting on the need for such research, Professor Raman said, “Microorganisms continue to puzzle us by evolving in the most challenging conditions – studies such as these help us unravel the web of complex interrelationships underlying the evolution and survival of microorganisms in such unique environments.”

Emphasising on the wider implications of the research, Dr. Venkateswaran said, “Our research highlights the interactions among microbial communities and how some benign microorganisms help the opportunistic human pathogen, E. bugandensis, adapt and survive in the adverse conditions of the International Space Station. The knowledge gained from this study will shed light on the behaviour, adaptation and evolution of microorganisms in extreme, isolated environments, allowing the design of new countermeasure strategies to eliminate opportunistic pathogens, thereby protecting the health of astronauts.”

The research team gave detailed information Genomic features and potential Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms within E. bugandensis strains isolated from different locations of the ISS.

The study elucidated the evolution of key genes and their responses to underlying stresses. Space EnvironmentLeveraging advanced systems biology approaches, the researchers uncovered a complex web of interactions between E. bugandensis and other microorganisms on the ISS, highlighting both parasitic and symbiotic relationships that influence microbial growth dynamics.

By mapping the prevalence and distribution of E. bugandensis over time, the study provides valuable information about its persistence, succession, and potential colonization patterns in space.

Some of the key real-world applications of the research include understanding the genomic adaptation of multidrug-resistant E. bugandensis, which may aid in developing targeted antimicrobial treatments. Insights into the persistence and succession patterns of E. bugandensis in space may inform strategies for managing microbial contamination in closed environments such as spacecraft and hospitals.

The methodology used in the study, integrating genomics, metagenomics, and metabolic modeling, can be applied to study microbial dynamics in other extreme environments, thereby improving understanding of microbial ecology and adaptation.