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Spry JA, Siegel B, Bakermans C, Beaty DW, Bell MS, Benardini JN, Bonaccorsi R, Castro-Wallace SL, Coil DA, Coustenis A, Doran PT, Fenton L, Fidler DP, Glass B, Hoffman SJ, Karouia F, Levine JS, Lupisella ML, Martin-Torres J, Mogul R, Olsson-Francis K, Ortega-Ugalde S, Patel MR, Pearce DA, Race MS, Regberg AB, Rettberg P, Rummel JD, Sato KY, Schuerger AC, Sefton-Nash E, Sharkey M, Singh NK, Sinibaldi S, Stabekis P, Stoker CR, Venkateswaran KJ, Zimmerman RR, Zorzano-Mier MP. Planetary Protection Knowledge Gap Closure Enabling Crewed Missions to Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2024; 24:230-274. [PMID: 38507695 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2023.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
As focus for exploration of Mars transitions from current robotic explorers to development of crewed missions, it remains important to protect the integrity of scientific investigations at Mars, as well as protect the Earth's biosphere from any potential harmful effects from returned martian material. This is the discipline of planetary protection, and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) maintains the consensus international policy and guidelines on how this is implemented. Based on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA) studies that began in 2001, COSPAR adopted principles and guidelines for human missions to Mars in 2008. At that point, it was clear that to move from those qualitative provisions, a great deal of work and interaction with spacecraft designers would be necessary to generate meaningful quantitative recommendations that could embody the intent of the Outer Space Treaty (Article IX) in the design of such missions. Beginning in 2016, COSPAR then sponsored a multiyear interdisciplinary meeting series to address planetary protection "knowledge gaps" (KGs) with the intent of adapting and extending the current robotic mission-focused Planetary Protection Policy to support the design and implementation of crewed and hybrid exploration missions. This article describes the outcome of the interdisciplinary COSPAR meeting series, to describe and address these KGs, as well as identify potential paths to gap closure. It includes the background scientific basis for each topic area and knowledge updates since the meeting series ended. In particular, credible solutions for KG closure are described for the three topic areas of (1) microbial monitoring of spacecraft and crew health; (2) natural transport (and survival) of terrestrial microbial contamination at Mars, and (3) the technology and operation of spacecraft systems for contamination control. The article includes a KG data table on these topic areas, which is intended to be a point of departure for making future progress in developing an end-to-end planetary protection requirements implementation solution for a crewed mission to Mars. Overall, the workshop series has provided evidence of the feasibility of planetary protection implementation for a crewed Mars mission, given (1) the establishment of needed zoning, emission, transport, and survival parameters for terrestrial biological contamination and (2) the creation of an accepted risk-based compliance approach for adoption by spacefaring actors including national space agencies and commercial/nongovernment organizations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Corien Bakermans
- Department of Biology, Penn. State University (Altoona), Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David W Beaty
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | | | - Rosalba Bonaccorsi
- SETI Institute, Mountain View, California, USA
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | | | - David A Coil
- School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | | | - Peter T Doran
- Department of Geology & Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Lori Fenton
- SETI Institute, Mountain View, California, USA
| | - David P Fidler
- Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Brian Glass
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | | | - Fathi Karouia
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Joel S Levine
- College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Javier Martin-Torres
- School of Geoscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Armilla, Spain
| | - Rakesh Mogul
- California Polytechnic (Pomona), Pomona, California, USA
| | - Karen Olsson-Francis
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | | | - Manish R Patel
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - David A Pearce
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - John D Rummel
- Friday Harbor Associates LLC, Friday Harbor, Washington, USA
| | | | - Andrew C Schuerger
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Merritt Island, Florida, USA
| | | | - Matthew Sharkey
- US Department of Health & Human Services, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Nitin K Singh
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | | | - Carol R Stoker
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
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Nardi L, Davis NM, Sansolini S, Baratto de Albuquerque T, Laarraj M, Caputo D, de Cesare G, Shariati Pour SR, Zangheri M, Calabria D, Guardigli M, Balsamo M, Carrubba E, Carubia F, Ceccarelli M, Ghiozzi M, Popova L, Tenaglia A, Crisconio M, Donati A, Nascetti A, Mirasoli M. APHRODITE: A Compact Lab-on-Chip Biosensor for the Real-Time Analysis of Salivary Biomarkers in Space Missions. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:72. [PMID: 38391991 PMCID: PMC10887022 DOI: 10.3390/bios14020072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
One of the main challenges to be faced in deep space missions is to protect the health and ensure the maximum efficiency of the crew by preparing methods of prevention and in situ diagnosis. Indeed, the hostile environment causes important health problems, ranging from muscle atrophy, osteopenia, and immunological and metabolic alterations due to microgravity, to an increased risk of cancer caused by exposure to radiation. It is, therefore, necessary to provide new methods for the real-time measurement of biomarkers suitable for deepening our knowledge of the effects of space flight on the balance of the immune system and for allowing the monitoring of the astronaut's health during long-term missions. APHRODITE will enable human space exploration because it fills this void that affects both missions in LEO and future missions to the Moon and Mars. Its scientific objectives are the design, production, testing, and in-orbit demonstration of a compact, reusable, and reconfigurable system for performing the real-time analysis of oral fluid samples in manned space missions. In the frame of this project, a crew member onboard the ISS will employ APHRODITE to measure the selected target analytes, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), in oral fluid, in four (plus one additional desired session) separate experiment sessions. The paper addresses the design of the main subsystems of the analytical device and the preliminary results obtained during the first implementations of the device subsystems and testing measurements on Earth. In particular, the system design and the experiment data output of the lab-on-chip photosensors and of the front-end readout electronics are reported in detail along with preliminary chemical tests for the duplex competitive CL-immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of cortisol and DHEA-S. Different applications also on Earth are envisaged for the APHRODITE device, as it will be suitable for point-of-care testing applications (e.g., emergency medicine, bioterrorism, diagnostics in developing countries, etc.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Nardi
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, I-00138 Rome, Italy; (N.M.D.); (S.S.); (T.B.d.A.); (M.L.); (A.N.)
| | - Nithin Maipan Davis
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, I-00138 Rome, Italy; (N.M.D.); (S.S.); (T.B.d.A.); (M.L.); (A.N.)
| | - Serena Sansolini
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, I-00138 Rome, Italy; (N.M.D.); (S.S.); (T.B.d.A.); (M.L.); (A.N.)
| | - Thiago Baratto de Albuquerque
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, I-00138 Rome, Italy; (N.M.D.); (S.S.); (T.B.d.A.); (M.L.); (A.N.)
| | - Mohcine Laarraj
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, I-00138 Rome, Italy; (N.M.D.); (S.S.); (T.B.d.A.); (M.L.); (A.N.)
| | - Domenico Caputo
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, I-00184 Rome, Italy; (D.C.); (G.d.C.)
| | - Giampiero de Cesare
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, I-00184 Rome, Italy; (D.C.); (G.d.C.)
| | - Seyedeh Rojin Shariati Pour
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Tecnopolo di Rimini, Via Dario Campana 71, I-47922 Rimini, Italy; (S.R.S.P.); (M.Z.); (M.M.)
| | - Martina Zangheri
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Tecnopolo di Rimini, Via Dario Campana 71, I-47922 Rimini, Italy; (S.R.S.P.); (M.Z.); (M.M.)
| | - Donato Calabria
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.G.)
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Canaccini 12, I-47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - Massimo Guardigli
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, I-40126 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.G.)
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Canaccini 12, I-47121 Forlì, Italy
| | - Michele Balsamo
- Kayser Italy S.r.l. Unipersonale, Via di Popogna 501, I-57128 Livorno, Italy; (M.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (M.G.); (L.P.); (A.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Elisa Carrubba
- Kayser Italy S.r.l. Unipersonale, Via di Popogna 501, I-57128 Livorno, Italy; (M.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (M.G.); (L.P.); (A.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Fabrizio Carubia
- Kayser Italy S.r.l. Unipersonale, Via di Popogna 501, I-57128 Livorno, Italy; (M.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (M.G.); (L.P.); (A.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Marco Ceccarelli
- Kayser Italy S.r.l. Unipersonale, Via di Popogna 501, I-57128 Livorno, Italy; (M.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (M.G.); (L.P.); (A.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Michele Ghiozzi
- Kayser Italy S.r.l. Unipersonale, Via di Popogna 501, I-57128 Livorno, Italy; (M.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (M.G.); (L.P.); (A.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Liyana Popova
- Kayser Italy S.r.l. Unipersonale, Via di Popogna 501, I-57128 Livorno, Italy; (M.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (M.G.); (L.P.); (A.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Andrea Tenaglia
- Kayser Italy S.r.l. Unipersonale, Via di Popogna 501, I-57128 Livorno, Italy; (M.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (M.G.); (L.P.); (A.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Marino Crisconio
- Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), Italian Space Agency, Via del Politecnico, I-00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Donati
- Kayser Italy S.r.l. Unipersonale, Via di Popogna 501, I-57128 Livorno, Italy; (M.B.); (E.C.); (F.C.); (M.C.); (M.G.); (L.P.); (A.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Augusto Nascetti
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, I-00138 Rome, Italy; (N.M.D.); (S.S.); (T.B.d.A.); (M.L.); (A.N.)
| | - Mara Mirasoli
- Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Tecnopolo di Rimini, Via Dario Campana 71, I-47922 Rimini, Italy; (S.R.S.P.); (M.Z.); (M.M.)
- Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research (CIRI AEROSPACE), Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Via Baldassarre Canaccini 12, I-47121 Forlì, Italy
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3
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Fan Y, Dai R, Lu S, Liu X, Zhou T, Yang C, Hu X, Lv X, Li X. Oscillatory-Flow PCR Microfluidic Chip Driven by Low Speed Biaxial Centrifugation. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13050555. [PMID: 37232917 DOI: 10.3390/bios13050555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
PCR is indispensable in basic science and biotechnology for in-orbit life science research. However, manpower and resources are limited in space. To address the constraints of in-orbit PCR, we proposed an oscillatory-flow PCR technique based on biaxial centrifugation. Oscillatory-flow PCR remarkably reduces the power requirements of the PCR process and has a relatively high ramp rate. A microfluidic chip that could perform dispensing, volume correction, and oscillatory-flow PCR of four samples simultaneously using biaxial centrifugation was designed. An automatic biaxial centrifugation device was designed and assembled to validate the biaxial centrifugation oscillatory-flow PCR. Simulation analysis and experimental tests indicated that the device could perform fully automated PCR amplification of four samples in one hour, with a ramp rate of 4.4 ∘C/s and average power consumption of less than 30 W. The PCR results were consistent with those obtained using conventional PCR equipment. Air bubbles generated during amplification were removed by oscillation. The chip and device realized a low-power, miniaturized, and fast PCR method under microgravity conditions, indicating good space application prospects and potential for higher throughput and extension to qPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Fan
- Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China 2 Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Rongji Dai
- Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China 2 Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Shuyu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China 2 Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China 2 Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Taiyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China 2 Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chunhua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China 2 Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoming Hu
- Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China 2 Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xuefei Lv
- Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China 2 Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoqiong Li
- Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China 2 Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Separation and Analysis in Biomedicine and Pharmaceuticals, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
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Berliner AJ, Lipsky I, Ho D, Hilzinger JM, Vengerova G, Makrygiorgos G, McNulty MJ, Yates K, Averesch NJH, Cockell CS, Wallentine T, Seefeldt LC, Criddle CS, Nandi S, McDonald KA, Menezes AA, Mesbah A, Arkin AP. Space bioprocess engineering on the horizon. COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING 2022; 1:13. [PMCID: PMC10955938 DOI: 10.1038/s44172-022-00012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Space bioprocess engineering (SBE) is an emerging multi-disciplinary field to design, realize, and manage biologically-driven technologies specifically with the goal of supporting life on long term space missions. SBE considers synthetic biology and bioprocess engineering under the extreme constraints of the conditions of space. A coherent strategy for the long term development of this field is lacking. In this Perspective, we describe the need for an expanded mandate to explore biotechnological needs of the future missions. We then identify several key parameters—metrics, deployment, and training—which together form a pathway towards the successful development and implementation of SBE technologies of the future. Space bioprocess engineering integrates synthetic biology and bioprocess engineering with the specific goal to support human life in long term space missions. In this Perspective, Berliner and colleagues describe a pathway towards the development and implementation of space bioprocessing technologies of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J. Berliner
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Isaac Lipsky
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Davian Ho
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Jacob M. Hilzinger
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Gretchen Vengerova
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Georgios Makrygiorgos
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Matthew J. McNulty
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Kevin Yates
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Nils J. H. Averesch
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Charles S. Cockell
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tyler Wallentine
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT USA
| | - Lance C. Seefeldt
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT USA
| | - Craig S. Criddle
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Somen Nandi
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
- Global HealthShare Initiative, Davis, CA USA
| | - Karen A. McDonald
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Amor A. Menezes
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Ali Mesbah
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Adam P. Arkin
- Center for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space (CUBES), Berkeley, CA USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
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Absence of increased genomic variants in the cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis exposed to Mars-like conditions outside the space station. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8437. [PMID: 35589950 PMCID: PMC9120168 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12631-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasing interest in using microbial-based technologies to support human space exploration, many unknowns remain not only on bioprocesses but also on microbial survivability and genetic stability under non-Earth conditions. Here the desert cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 was investigated for robustness of the repair capability of DNA lesions accumulated under Mars-like conditions (UV radiation and atmosphere) simulated in low Earth orbit using the EXPOSE-R2 facility installed outside the International Space Station. Genomic alterations were determined in a space-derivate of Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 obtained upon reactivation on Earth of the space-exposed cells. Comparative analysis of whole-genome sequences showed no increased variant numbers in the space-derivate compared to triplicates of the reference strain maintained on the ground. This result advanced cyanobacteria-based technologies to support human space exploration.
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Liu Y, Tang W, Ao J, Zhang J, Feng L. Transcriptomics integrated with metabolomics reveals the effect of Bisphenol F (BPF) exposure on intestinal inflammation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 816:151644. [PMID: 34774955 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
As a viable alternative to Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol F (BPF) has been detected in humans at comparable concentrations and detection frequencies. Emerging evidence reveals that BPF induces intestinal toxicity. However, less information is available concerning BPF and its potential effects on intestinal inflammation, which has been associated with numerous disorders. The results from the present study showed that BPF exposure triggered lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced explosion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-17A (IL-17A), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and impairment of the intestinal epithelial barrier by downregulating the expression of tight junction proteins Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Claudin-1 (CLDN1) in normal colonic epithelial cells (NCM460). A multi-omics analysis integrating the transcriptomics with metabolomics revealed an altered transcripts and metabolites profile following BPF exposure. Correlation analysis indicated that RAS Guanyl Releasing Protein 2 (RASGRP2) and Phospholipase A2 Group IVE (PLA2G4E) were positively associated with the increased serotonin which was positively associated with the stimulated IFN-γ in BPF-treated NCM460 cells. Pyrogallol, pyridoxine, and N-acetylputrescine were positively associated with IL-17A levels. Collectively, the integrative analyses demonstrated an orchestrated coordination between the inflammatory response, transcriptomic, and metabolomics changes. Data presented herein provide evidence for the possible roles of BPF in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation. These results illustrate the advantages of using integrative analyses of high throughput datasets for characterizing the effects and mechanisms of toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Liu
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Institute of Early Life Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Weifeng Tang
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Institute of Early Life Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junjie Ao
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Institute of Early Life Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Institute of Early Life Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Feng
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Institute of Early Life Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA.
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7
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Morrison MD, Thissen JB, Karouia F, Mehta S, Urbaniak C, Venkateswaran K, Smith DJ, Jaing C. Investigation of Spaceflight Induced Changes to Astronaut Microbiomes. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:659179. [PMID: 34149649 PMCID: PMC8207296 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.659179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The International Space Station (ISS) is a uniquely enclosed environment that has been continuously occupied for the last two decades. Throughout its operation, protecting the health of the astronauts on-board has been a high priority. The human microbiome plays a significant role in maintaining human health, and disruptions in the microbiome have been linked to various diseases. To evaluate the effects of spaceflight on the human microbiome, body swabs and saliva samples were collected from four ISS astronauts on consecutive expeditions. Astronaut samples were analyzed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing and microarrays to characterize the microbial biodiversity before, during, and after the astronauts’ time onboard the ISS. Samples were evaluated at an individual and population level to identify changes in microbial diversity and abundance. No significant changes in the number or relative abundance of taxa were observed between collection time points when samples from all four astronauts were analyzed together. When the astronauts’ saliva samples were analyzed individually, the saliva samples of some astronauts showed significant changes in the relative abundance of taxa during and after spaceflight. The relative abundance of Prevotella in saliva samples increased during two astronauts’ time onboard the ISS while the relative abundance of other commensal taxa such as Neisseria, Rothia, and Haemophilus decreased. The abundance of some antimicrobial resistance genes within the saliva samples also showed significant changes. Most notably, elfamycin resistance gene significantly increased in all four astronauts post-flight and a CfxA6 beta-lactam marker significantly increased during spaceflight but returned to normal levels post-flight. The combination of both shotgun metagenomic sequencing and microarrays showed the benefit of both technologies in monitoring microbes on board the ISS. There were some changes in each astronaut’s microbiome during spaceflight, but these changes were not universal for all four astronauts. Two antimicrobial resistance gene markers did show a significant change in abundance in the saliva samples of all four astronauts across their collection times. These results provide insight for future ISS microbial monitoring studies and targets for antimicrobial resistance screenings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Morrison
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - James B Thissen
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
| | - Fathi Karouia
- KBRwyle, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Satish Mehta
- JesTech, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Camilla Urbaniak
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - David J Smith
- Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Crystal Jaing
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, United States
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8
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Sun P, Yang J, Wang B, Ma H, Zhang Y, Guo J, Chen X, Zhao J, Sun H, Yang J, Yang H, Cui Y. The effects of combined environmental factors on the intestinal flora of mice based on ground simulation experiments. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11373. [PMID: 34059794 PMCID: PMC8166921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91077-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The composition and function of intestinal microbial communities are important for human health. However, these intestinal floras are sensitive to changes in the environment. Adverse changes to intestinal flora can affect the health of astronauts, resulting in difficulties in implementing space missions. We randomly divided mice into three groups and placed each group in either a normal environment, simulated microgravity environment or a combined effects environment, which included simulated microgravity, low pressure and noise. Fecal samples of the mice were collected for follow-up analysis based on metagenomics technology. With the influence of different space environmental factors, the species composition at the phylum and genus levels were significantly affected by the combined effects environment, especially the abundance of the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Furthermore, screening was conducted to identify biomarkers that could be regarded as environmental markers. And there have also been some noticeable changes in the function of intestinal floras. Moreover, the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was also found to be changed under different environmental conditions, such as bacitracin and vancomycin. The combined effects environment could significantly affect the species composition, function, and the expression of ARGs of intestinal flora of mice which may provide a theoretical basis for space medical supervision and healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiming Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jiaqi Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of General Surgery, The 306th Hospital of Chinese PLA-Peking University Teaching Hospital, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Bo Wang
- China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Huan Ma
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yin Zhang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jinhu Guo
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Jianwei Zhao
- China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Haidian District, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Hongwei Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jianwu Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Heming Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Yan Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China.
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9
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A Microbial Monitoring System Demonstrated on the International Space Station Provides a Successful Platform for Detection of Targeted Microorganisms. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11060492. [PMID: 34072140 PMCID: PMC8229003 DOI: 10.3390/life11060492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Closed environments such as the International Space Station (ISS) and spacecraft for other planned interplanetary destinations require sustainable environmental control systems for manned spaceflight and habitation. These systems require monitoring for microbial contaminants and potential pathogens that could foul equipment or affect the health of the crew. Technological advances may help to facilitate this environmental monitoring, but many of the current advances do not function as expected in reduced gravity conditions. The microbial monitoring system (RAZOR® EX) is a compact, semi-quantitative rugged PCR instrument that was successfully tested on the ISS using station potable water. After a series of technical demonstrations between ISS and ground laboratories, it was determined that the instruments functioned comparably and provided a sample to answer flow in approximately 1 hour without enrichment or sample manipulation. Post-flight, additional advancements were accomplished at Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, USA, to expand the instrument’s detections of targeted microorganisms of concern such as water, food-borne, and surface microbes including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Aeromonas hydrophilia. Early detection of contaminants and bio-fouling microbes will increase crew safety and the ability to make appropriate operational decisions to minimize exposure to these contaminants.
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10
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Abstract
Microbial research in space is being conducted for almost 50 years now. The closed system of the International Space Station (ISS) has acted as a microbial observatory for the past 10 years, conducting research on adaptation and survivability of microorganisms exposed to space conditions. This adaptation can be either beneficial or detrimental to crew members and spacecraft. Therefore, it becomes crucial to identify the impact of two primary stress conditions, namely, radiation and microgravity, on microbial life aboard the ISS. Elucidating the mechanistic basis of microbial adaptation to space conditions aids in the development of countermeasures against their potentially detrimental effects and allows us to harness their biotechnologically important properties. Several microbial processes have been studied, either in spaceflight or using devices that can simulate space conditions. However, at present, research is limited to only a few microorganisms, and extensive research on biotechnologically important microorganisms is required to make long-term space missions self-sustainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Bijlani
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Elisa Stephens
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Nitin Kumar Singh
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, 1985 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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11
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Acres JM, Youngapelian MJ, Nadeau J. The influence of spaceflight and simulated microgravity on bacterial motility and chemotaxis. NPJ Microgravity 2021; 7:7. [PMID: 33619250 PMCID: PMC7900230 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00135-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
As interest in space exploration rises, there is a growing need to quantify the impact of microgravity on the growth, survival, and adaptation of microorganisms, including those responsible for astronaut illness. Motility is a key microbial behavior that plays important roles in nutrient assimilation, tissue localization and invasion, pathogenicity, biofilm formation, and ultimately survival. Very few studies have specifically looked at the effects of microgravity on the phenotypes of microbial motility. However, genomic and transcriptomic studies give a broad general picture of overall gene expression that can be used to predict motility phenotypes based upon selected genes, such as those responsible for flagellar synthesis and function and/or taxis. In this review, we focus on specific strains of Gram-negative bacteria that have been the most studied in this context. We begin with a discussion of Earth-based microgravity simulation systems and how they may affect the genes and phenotypes of interest. We then summarize results from both Earth- and space-based systems showing effects of microgravity on motility-related genes and phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jay Nadeau
- grid.262075.40000 0001 1087 1481Portland State University, Portland, OR USA
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12
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Fujita SI, Rutter L, Ong Q, Muratani M. Integrated RNA-seq Analysis Indicates Asynchrony in Clock Genes between Tissues under Spaceflight. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E196. [PMID: 32933026 PMCID: PMC7555136 DOI: 10.3390/life10090196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent models have been widely used as analogs for estimating spaceflight-relevant molecular mechanisms in human tissues. NASA GeneLab provides access to numerous spaceflight omics datasets that can potentially generate novel insights and hypotheses about fundamental space biology when analyzed in new and integrated fashions. Here, we performed a pilot study to elucidate space biological mechanisms across tissues by reanalyzing mouse RNA-sequencing spaceflight data archived on NASA GeneLab. Our results showed that clock gene expressions in spaceflight mice were altered compared with those in ground control mice. Furthermore, the results suggested that spaceflight promotes asynchrony of clock gene expressions between peripheral tissues. Abnormal circadian rhythms are associated not only with jet lag and sleep disorders but also with cancer, lifestyle-related diseases, and mental disorders. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of elucidating the causes of circadian rhythm disruptions using the unique approach of space biology research to one day potentially develop countermeasures that benefit humans on Earth and in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichiro Fujita
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Lindsay Rutter
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Quang Ong
- Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
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13
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Walker LP, Buhler D. Catalyzing Holistic Agriculture Innovation Through Industrial Biotechnology. Ind Biotechnol (New Rochelle N Y) 2020. [DOI: 10.1089/ind.2020.29222.lpw] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Larry P. Walker
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai, India
- Biological and Environmental Engineering Department, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Douglas Buhler
- Michigan State University AgBioResearch and Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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14
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Amalfitano S, Levantesi C, Copetti D, Stefani F, Locantore I, Guarnieri V, Lobascio C, Bersani F, Giacosa D, Detsis E, Rossetti S. Water and microbial monitoring technologies towards the near future space exploration. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 177:115787. [PMID: 32315899 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Space exploration is demanding longer lasting human missions and water resupply from Earth will become increasingly unrealistic. In a near future, the spacecraft water monitoring systems will require technological advances to promptly identify and counteract contingent events of waterborne microbial contamination, posing health risks to astronauts with lowered immune responsiveness. The search for bio-analytical approaches, alternative to those applied on Earth by cultivation-dependent methods, is pushed by the compelling need to limit waste disposal and avoid microbial regrowth from analytical carryovers. Prospective technologies will be selected only if first validated in a flight-like environment, by following basic principles, advantages, and limitations beyond their current applications on Earth. Starting from the water monitoring activities applied on the International Space Station, we provide a critical overview of the nucleic acid amplification-based approaches (i.e., loop-mediated isothermal amplification, quantitative PCR, and high-throughput sequencing) and early-warning methods for total microbial load assessments (i.e., ATP-metry, flow cytometry), already used at a high readiness level aboard crewed space vehicles. Our findings suggest that the forthcoming space applications of mature technologies will be necessarily bounded by a compromise between analytical performances (e.g., speed to results, identification depth, reproducibility, multiparametricity) and detrimental technical requirements (e.g., reagent usage, waste production, operator skills, crew time). As space exploration progresses toward extended missions to Moon and Mars, miniaturized systems that also minimize crew involvement in their end-to-end operation are likely applicable on the long-term and suitable for the in-flight water and microbiological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute - National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015, Monterotondo, Roma, Italy.
| | - Caterina Levantesi
- Water Research Institute - National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015, Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - Diego Copetti
- Water Research Institute - National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Via del Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio, Monza-Brianza, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Stefani
- Water Research Institute - National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Via del Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio, Monza-Brianza, Italy
| | - Ilaria Locantore
- Thales Alenia Space Italia SpA, Strada Antica di Collegno, 253 - 10146, Turin, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Guarnieri
- Thales Alenia Space Italia SpA, Strada Antica di Collegno, 253 - 10146, Turin, Italy
| | - Cesare Lobascio
- Thales Alenia Space Italia SpA, Strada Antica di Collegno, 253 - 10146, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Bersani
- Centro Ricerche SMAT, Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.p.A., C.so Unità d'Italia 235/3, 10127, Torino, Italy
| | - Donatella Giacosa
- Centro Ricerche SMAT, Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.p.A., C.so Unità d'Italia 235/3, 10127, Torino, Italy
| | - Emmanouil Detsis
- European Science Foundation, 1 quai Lezay Marnésia, BP 90015, 67080, Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute - National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015, Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
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15
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Ballerini A, Chua CYX, Rhudy J, Susnjar A, Di Trani N, Jain PR, Laue G, Lubicka D, Shirazi‐Fard Y, Ferrari M, Stodieck LS, Cadena SM, Grattoni A. Counteracting Muscle Atrophy on Earth and in Space via Nanofluidics Delivery of Formoterol. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ballerini
- Department of Nanomedicine Houston Methodist Research Institute 6670 Bertner Ave Houston TX 77030 USA
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine University of Milan Milan 20122 Italy
| | - Corrine Ying Xuan Chua
- Department of Nanomedicine Houston Methodist Research Institute 6670 Bertner Ave Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Jessica Rhudy
- Department of Nanomedicine Houston Methodist Research Institute 6670 Bertner Ave Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Antonia Susnjar
- Department of Nanomedicine Houston Methodist Research Institute 6670 Bertner Ave Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Nicola Di Trani
- Department of Nanomedicine Houston Methodist Research Institute 6670 Bertner Ave Houston TX 77030 USA
- College of Materials Science and Opta‐Electronic Technology University of Chinese Academy of Science Shijingshan, 19 Yuquan Road Beijing 100049 China
| | - Priya R. Jain
- Department of Nanomedicine Houston Methodist Research Institute 6670 Bertner Ave Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Grit Laue
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research Novartis Campus Basel 4056 Switzerland
| | - Danuta Lubicka
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research 181 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Yasaman Shirazi‐Fard
- Bone and Signaling Laboratory Space BioSciences Division NASA Ames Research Center Mail‐Stop 236‐7, Moffett Field, CA, 94035 USA
| | - Mauro Ferrari
- University of Washington Box 357630H375 Health Science Building Seattle WA 98195‐7630 USA
| | - Louis S. Stodieck
- BioServe Space Technologies Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences University of Colorado Boulder CO 80309 USA
| | - Samuel M. Cadena
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research 181 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Alessandro Grattoni
- Department of Nanomedicine Houston Methodist Research Institute 6670 Bertner Ave Houston TX 77030 USA
- Department of Surgery Houston Methodist Research Institute 6670 Bertner Ave Houston TX 77030 USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology Houston Methodist Research Institute 6670 Bertner Ave Houston TX 77030 USA
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16
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Wong S. Diagnostics in space: will zero gravity add weight to new advances? Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2020; 20:1-4. [PMID: 31774344 PMCID: PMC7004879 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2020.1699061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Season Wong
- AI Biosciences, Inc, 1902 Pinon Dr., Suite C College Station, TX 77845-5816
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17
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Cortesão M, Schütze T, Marx R, Moeller R, Meyer V. Fungal Biotechnology in Space: Why and How? GRAND CHALLENGES IN FUNGAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-29541-7_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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18
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Snyder JE, Walsh D, Carr PA, Rothschild LJ. A Makerspace for Life Support Systems in Space. Trends Biotechnol 2019; 37:1164-1174. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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19
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Peyvan K, Karouia F, Cooper JJ, Chamberlain J, Suciu D, Slota M, Pohorille A. Gene Expression Measurement Module (GEMM) for space application: Design and validation. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2019; 22:55-67. [PMID: 31421849 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In order to facilitate studies on the impact of the space environment on biological systems, we have developed a prototype of GEMM (Gene Expression Measurement Module) - an automated, miniaturized, integrated fluidic system for in-situ measurements of gene expression in microbial samples. The GEMM instrument is capable of (1) lysing bacterial cell walls, (2) extracting and purifying RNA released from cells, (3) hybridizing the RNA to probes attached to a microarray and (4) providing electrochemical readout, all in a microfluidics cartridge. To function on small, uncrewed spacecraft, the conventional, laboratory protocols for both sample preparation and hybridization required significant modifications. Biological validation of the instrument was carried out on Synechococcus elongatus, a photosynthetic cyanobacterium known for its metabolic diversity and resilience to adverse conditions. It was demonstrated that GEMM yielded reliable, reproducible gene expression profiles. GEMM is the only high throughput instrument that can be deployed in near future on space platforms other than the ISS to advance biological research in space. It can also prove useful for numerous terrestrial applications in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fathi Karouia
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Research Branch, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; NASA Ames Research Center, Exobiology Branch, MS 239-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew Pohorille
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; NASA Ames Research Center, Exobiology Branch, MS 239-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
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20
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Amalfitano S, Levantesi C, Garrelly L, Giacosa D, Bersani F, Rossetti S. Water Quality and Total Microbial Load: A Double-Threshold Identification Procedure Intended for Space Applications. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2903. [PMID: 30574126 PMCID: PMC6291452 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During longer-lasting future space missions, water renewal by ground-loaded supplies will become increasingly expensive and unmanageable for months. Space exploration by self-sufficient spacecrafts is thus demanding the development of culture-independent microbiological methods for in-flight water monitoring to counteract possible contamination risks. In this study, we aimed at evaluating total microbial load data assessed by selected early-warning techniques with current or promising perspectives for space applications (i.e., HPC, ATP-metry, qPCR, flow cytometry), through the analysis of water sources with constitutively different contamination levels (i.e., chlorinated and unchlorinated tap waters, groundwaters, river waters, wastewaters). Using a data-driven double-threshold identification procedure, we presented new reference values of water quality based on the assessment of the total microbial load. Our approach is suitable to provide an immediate alert of microbial load peaks, thus enhancing the crew responsiveness in case of unexpected events due to water contamination and treatment failure. Finally, the backbone dataset could help in managing water quality and monitoring issues for both space and Earth-based applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute – National Research Council of Italy, Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Caterina Levantesi
- Water Research Institute – National Research Council of Italy, Monterotondo, Italy
| | | | - Donatella Giacosa
- Centro Ricerche SMAT, Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.p.A., Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Bersani
- Centro Ricerche SMAT, Società Metropolitana Acque Torino S.p.A., Turin, Italy
| | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute – National Research Council of Italy, Monterotondo, Italy
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21
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Huang B, Li DG, Huang Y, Liu CT. Effects of spaceflight and simulated microgravity on microbial growth and secondary metabolism. Mil Med Res 2018; 5:18. [PMID: 29807538 PMCID: PMC5971428 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-018-0162-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight and ground-based microgravity analog experiments have suggested that microgravity can affect microbial growth and metabolism. Although the effects of microgravity and its analogs on microorganisms have been studied for more than 50 years, plausible conflicting and diverse results have frequently been reported in different experiments, especially regarding microbial growth and secondary metabolism. Until now, only the responses of a few typical microbes to microgravity have been investigated; systematic studies of the genetic and phenotypic responses of these microorganisms to microgravity in space are still insufficient due to technological and logistical hurdles. The use of different test strains and secondary metabolites in these studies appears to have caused diverse and conflicting results. Moreover, subtle changes in the extracellular microenvironments around microbial cells play a key role in the diverse responses of microbial growth and secondary metabolisms. Therefore, "indirect" effects represent a reasonable pathway to explain the occurrence of these phenomena in microorganisms. This review summarizes current knowledge on the changes in microbial growth and secondary metabolism in response to spaceflight and its analogs and discusses the diverse and conflicting results. In addition, recommendations are given for future studies on the effects of microgravity in space on microbial growth and secondary metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Huang
- Nanlou Respiratory Diseases Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Postgraduate Medical School, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Dian-Geng Li
- Nanlou Respiratory Diseases Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Postgraduate Medical School, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Chang-Ting Liu
- Nanlou Respiratory Diseases Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital/Chinese PLA Postgraduate Medical School, Beijing, 100853, China.
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22
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Unbiased Strain-Typing of Arbovirus Directly from Mosquitoes Using Nanopore Sequencing: A Field-forward Biosurveillance Protocol. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5417. [PMID: 29615665 PMCID: PMC5883038 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23641-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The future of infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response is trending towards smaller hand-held solutions for point-of-need pathogen detection. Here, samples of Culex cedecei mosquitoes collected in Southern Florida, USA were tested for Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEEV), a previously-weaponized arthropod-borne RNA-virus capable of causing acute and fatal encephalitis in animal and human hosts. A single 20-mosquito pool tested positive for VEEV by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) on the Biomeme two3. The virus-positive sample was subjected to unbiased metatranscriptome sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore MinION and shown to contain Everglades Virus (EVEV), an alphavirus in the VEEV serocomplex. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the use of unbiased sequence-based detection and subtyping of a high-consequence biothreat pathogen directly from an environmental sample using field-forward protocols. The development and validation of methods designed for field-based diagnostic metagenomics and pathogen discovery, such as those suitable for use in mobile “pocket laboratories”, will address a growing demand for public health teams to carry out their mission where it is most urgent: at the point-of-need.
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23
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Roda A, Mirasoli M, Guardigli M, Zangheri M, Caliceti C, Calabria D, Simoni P. Advanced biosensors for monitoring astronauts' health during long-duration space missions. Biosens Bioelectron 2018; 111:18-26. [PMID: 29631159 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2018.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Long-duration space missions pose important health concerns for astronauts, especially regarding the adverse effects of microgravity and exposure to high-energy cosmic rays. The long-term maintenance of crew health and performance mainly relies on prevention, early diagnoses, condition management, and medical interventions in situ. In-flight biosensor diagnostic devices and medical procedures must use few resources and operate in a microgravity environment, which complicates the collection and management of biological samples. Moreover, the biosensors must be certified for in-flight operation according to strict design and safety regulations. Herein, we report on the state of the art and recent advances in biosensing diagnostic instrumentation for monitoring astronauts' health during long-duration space missions, including portable and wearable biosensors. We discuss perspectives on new-format biosensors in autonomous space clinics. We also describe our own work in developing biosensing devices for non-invasively diagnosing space-related diseases, and how they are used in long-duration missions. Finally, we discuss the benefits of space exploration for Earth-based medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Roda
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Mara Mirasoli
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Guardigli
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Zangheri
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristiana Caliceti
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; Interdepartmental Center of Industrial Research (CIRI) - Energy and Environment, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Donato Calabria
- Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy; Interdepartmental Center of Industrial Research (CIRI) - Energy and Environment, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Simoni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy
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