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Schubert WW, Seto EP, Hinzer AA, Guan L. Identification and Archive of Mars 2020 Spacecraft Microbial Isolates. ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:835-845. [PMID: 37584746 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
To support NASA's Mars 2020 mission, bioassays were performed to ensure the biological cleanliness of the spacecraft, instruments, and hardware assembly areas. Bioassays began in May 2014, as the first components were assembled, and continued until their launch in July 2020. Over this 6-year period, 1811 bioassay sampling sessions were conducted. To understand the nature of microbiological presence on and around the spacecraft, an archive of organisms resulting from the bioassays was assembled. This archive included 4232 microbial specimens preserved as frozen stocks. To date, more than 3489 microbial isolates have been tested by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis. Identifications were based on high confidence level matches to known microorganisms in the reference spectra database where 39 distinct genera were identified. Gram-positive bacteria were isolated almost exclusively. Most, but not all, were spore-forming genera. The most prevalent genera isolated in order of frequency were Bacillus, Priestia, Paenibacillus, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, and Streptomyces. Within the largely represented Bacillus-like genera, the five most prevalent species were cereus, licheniformis, horneckiae, subtilis, and safensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne W Schubert
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Emily P Seto
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Akemi A Hinzer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Northridge, California, USA
| | - Lisa Guan
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, USA
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2
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Deane CS, da Silveira WA, Herranz R. Space omics research in Europe: Contributions, geographical distribution and ESA member state funding schemes. iScience 2022; 25:103920. [PMID: 35265808 PMCID: PMC8898910 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The European research community, via European Space Agency (ESA) spaceflight opportunities, has significantly contributed toward our current understanding of spaceflight biology. Recent molecular biology experiments include "omic" analysis, which provides a holistic and systems level understanding of the mechanisms underlying phenotypic adaptation. Despite vast interest in, and the immense quantity of biological information gained from space omics research, the knowledge of ESA-related space omics works as a collective remains poorly defined due to the recent exponential application of omics approaches in space and the limited search capabilities of pre-existing records. Thus, a review of such contributions is necessary to clarify and promote the development of space omics among ESA and ESA state members. To address this gap, in this review, we i) identified and summarized omics works led by European researchers, ii) geographically described these omics works, and iii) highlighted potential caveats in complex funding scenarios among ESA member states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen S Deane
- Department of Sport and Health Science, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK.,Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | | | - Willian A da Silveira
- Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida MSD, 2080, Malta
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Hendrickson R, Urbaniak C, Minich JJ, Aronson HS, Martino C, Stepanauskas R, Knight R, Venkateswaran K. Clean room microbiome complexity impacts planetary protection bioburden. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:238. [PMID: 34861887 PMCID: PMC8643001 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01159-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Spacecraft Assembly Facility (SAF) at the NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the primary cleanroom facility used in the construction of some of the planetary protection (PP)-sensitive missions developed by NASA, including the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover that launched in July 2020. SAF floor samples (n=98) were collected, over a 6-month period in 2016 prior to the construction of the Mars rover subsystems, to better understand the temporal and spatial distribution of bacterial populations (total, viable, cultivable, and spore) in this unique cleanroom. RESULTS Cleanroom samples were examined for total (living and dead) and viable (living only) microbial populations using molecular approaches and cultured isolates employing the traditional NASA standard spore assay (NSA), which predominantly isolated spores. The 130 NSA isolates were represented by 16 bacterial genera, of which 97% were identified as spore-formers via Sanger sequencing. The most spatially abundant isolate was Bacillus subtilis, and the most temporally abundant spore-former was Virgibacillus panthothenticus. The 16S rRNA gene-targeted amplicon sequencing detected 51 additional genera not found in the NSA method. The amplicon sequencing of the samples treated with propidium monoazide (PMA), which would differentiate between viable and dead organisms, revealed a total of 54 genera: 46 viable non-spore forming genera and 8 viable spore forming genera in these samples. The microbial diversity generated by the amplicon sequencing corresponded to ~86% non-spore-formers and ~14% spore-formers. The most common spatially distributed genera were Sphinigobium, Geobacillus, and Bacillus whereas temporally distributed common genera were Acinetobacter, Geobacilllus, and Bacillus. Single-cell genomics detected 6 genera in the sample analyzed, with the most prominent being Acinetobacter. CONCLUSION This study clearly established that detecting spores via NSA does not provide a complete assessment for the cleanliness of spacecraft-associated environments since it failed to detect several PP-relevant genera that were only recovered via molecular methods. This highlights the importance of a methodological paradigm shift to appropriately monitor bioburden in cleanrooms for not only the aeronautical industry but also for pharmaceutical, medical industries, etc., and the need to employ molecular sequencing to complement traditional culture-based assays. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Hendrickson
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA
| | - Camilla Urbaniak
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA
| | - Jeremiah J Minich
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Heidi S Aronson
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA
| | - Cameron Martino
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Rob Knight
- Center for Microbiome Innovation, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA.
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Schwendner P, Nguyen AN, Schuerger AC. Use of NanoSIMS to Identify the Lower Limits of Metabolic Activity and Growth by Serratia liquefaciens Exposed to Sub-Zero Temperatures. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11050459. [PMID: 34065549 PMCID: PMC8161314 DOI: 10.3390/life11050459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Serratia liquefaciens is a cold-adapted facultative anaerobic astrobiology model organism with the ability to grow at a Martian atmospheric pressure of 7 hPa. Currently there is a lack of data on its limits of growth and metabolic activity at sub-zero temperatures found in potential habitable regions on Mars. Growth curves and nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) were used to characterize the growth and metabolic threshold for S. liquefaciens ATCC 27,592 grown at and below 0 °C. Cells were incubated in Spizizen medium containing three stable isotopes substituting their unlabeled counterparts; i.e., 13C-glucose, (15NH4)2SO4, and H218O; at 0, −1.5, −3, −5, −10, or −15 °C. The isotopic ratios of 13C/12C, 15N/14N, and 18O/16O and their corresponding fractions were determined for 240 cells. NanoSIMS results revealed that with decreasing temperature the cellular amounts of labeled ions decreased indicating slower metabolic rates for isotope uptake and incorporation. Metabolism was significantly reduced at −1.5 and −3 °C, almost halted at −5 °C, and shut-down completely at or below −10 °C. While growth was observed at 0 °C after 5 days, samples incubated at −1.5 and −3 °C exhibited significantly slower growth rates until growth was detected at 70 days. In contrast, cell densities decreased by at least half an order of magnitude over 70 days in cultures incubated at ≤ −5 °C. Results suggest that S. liquefaciens, if transported to Mars, might be able to metabolize and grow in shallow sub-surface niches at temperatures above −5 °C and might survive—but not grow—at temperatures below −5 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Schwendner
- Space Life Sciences Lab, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, 505 Odyssey Way, Exploration Park, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Ann N. Nguyen
- Jacobs, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA;
| | - Andrew C. Schuerger
- Space Life Sciences Lab, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, 505 Odyssey Way, Exploration Park, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA;
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Mhatre S, Wood JM, Sielaff AC, Mora M, Duller S, Singh NK, Karouia F, Moissl-Eichinger C, Venkateswaran K. Assessing the Risk of Transfer of Microorganisms at the International Space Station Due to Cargo Delivery by Commercial Resupply Vehicles. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:566412. [PMID: 33240227 PMCID: PMC7677455 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.566412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With increasing numbers of interplanetary missions, there is a need to establish robust protocols to ensure the protection of extraterrestrial planets being visited from contamination by terrestrial life forms. The current study is the first report comparing the commercial resupply vehicle (CRV) microbiome with the International Space Station (ISS) microbiome to understand the risks of contamination, thus serving as a model system for future planetary missions. RESULTS Samples obtained from the internal surfaces and ground support equipment of three CRV missions were subjected to various molecular techniques for microbial diversity analysis. In total, 25 samples were collected with eight defined locations from each CRV mission prior to launch. In general, the internal surfaces of vehicles were clean, with an order of magnitude fewer microbes compared to ground support equipment. The first CRV mission had a larger microbial population than subsequent CRV missions, which were clean as compared to the initial CRV locations sampled. Cultivation assays showed the presence of Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes and members of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. As expected, shotgun metagenome analyses revealed the presence of more microbial taxa compared to cultivation-based assays. The internal locations of the CRV microbiome reportedly showed the presence of microorganisms capable of tolerating ultraviolet radiation (e.g., Bacillus firmus) and clustered separately from the ISS microbiome. CONCLUSIONS The metagenome sequence comparison of the CRV microbiome with the ISS microbiome revealed significant differences showing that CRV microbiomes were a negligible part of the ISS environmental microbiome. These findings suggest that the maintenance protocols in cleaning CRV surfaces are highly effective in controlling the contaminating microbial population during cargo transfer to the ISS via the CRV route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehit Mhatre
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Jason M. Wood
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Aleksandra Checinska Sielaff
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Maximilian Mora
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefanie Duller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nitin Kumar Singh
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Fathi Karouia
- Space Bioscience Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
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Schwendner P, Jobson ME, Schuerger AC. Addition of anaerobic electron acceptors to solid media did not enhance growth of 125 spacecraft bacteria under simulated low-pressure Martian conditions. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18290. [PMID: 33106561 PMCID: PMC7588431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75222-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To protect Mars from microbial contamination, research on growth of microorganisms found in spacecraft assembly clean rooms under simulated Martian conditions is required. This study investigated the effects of low atmospheric pressure on the growth of chemoorganotrophic spacecraft bacteria and whether the addition of Mars relevant anaerobic electron acceptors might enhance growth. The 125 bacteria screened here were recovered from actual Mars spacecraft. Growth at 7 hPa, 0 °C, and a CO2-enriched anoxic atmosphere (called low-PTA conditions) was tested on five TSA-based media supplemented with anaerobic electron acceptors. None of the 125 spacecraft bacteria showed active growth under the tested low-PTA conditions and amended media. In contrast, a decrease in viability was observed in most cases. Growth curves of two hypopiezotolerant strains, Serratia liquefaciens and Trichococcus pasteurii, were performed to quantify the effects of the added anaerobic electron acceptors. Slight variations in growth rates were determined for both bacteria. However, the final cell densities were similar for all media tested, indicating no general preference for any specific anaerobic electron acceptor. By demonstrating that a broad diversity of chemoorganotrophic and culturable spacecraft bacteria do not grow under the tested conditions, we conclude that there may be low risk of growth of chemoorganotrophic bacteria typically recovered from Mars spacecraft during planetary protection bioburden screenings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Schwendner
- Space Life Sciences Lab, University of Florida, 505 Odyssey Way, Exploration Park, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA.
| | - Mary-Elizabeth Jobson
- Space Life Sciences Lab, University of Florida, 505 Odyssey Way, Exploration Park, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
| | - Andrew C Schuerger
- Space Life Sciences Lab, University of Florida, 505 Odyssey Way, Exploration Park, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
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Zhang Y, Zhang LT, Li ZD, Xin CX, Li XQ, Wang X, Deng YL. Microbiomes of China's Space Station During Assembly, Integration, and Test Operations. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2019; 78:631-650. [PMID: 30809693 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-019-01344-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sufficient evidence indicates that orbiting space stations contain diverse microbial populations, which may threaten astronaut health and equipment reliability. Understanding the composition of microbial communities in space stations will facilitate further development of targeted biological safety prevention and maintenance practices. Therefore, this study systematically investigated the microbial community of China's Space Station (CSS). Air and surface samples from 46 sites on the CSS and Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) center were collected, from which 40 bacteria strains were isolated and identified. Most isolates were cold- and desiccation-resistant and adapted to oligotrophic conditions. Bacillus was the dominant bacterial genus detected by both cultivation-based and Illumina MiSeq amplicon sequencing methods. Microbial contamination on the CSS was correlated with encapsulation staff activities. Analysis by spread plate and qPCR revealed that the CSS surface contained 2.24 × 103-5.47 × 103 CFU/100 cm2 culturable bacteria and 9.32 × 105-5.64 × 106 16S rRNA gene copies/100cm2; BacLight™ analysis revealed that the viable/total bacterial cell ratio was 1.98-13.28%. This is the first study to provide important systematic insights into the microbiome of the CSS during assembly that describes the pre-launch microbial diversity of the space station. Our findings revealed the following. (1) Bacillus strains and staff activities should be considered major concerns for future biological safety. (2) Autotrophic and multi-resistant microbial communities were widespread in the AIT environment. Although harsh cleaning methods reduced the number of microorganisms, stress-resistant strains were not completely removed. (3) Sampling, storage and analytical methods for the space station were thoroughly optimized, and are expected to be applicable to low-biomass environments in general. Microbiology-related future works will follow up to comprehensively understand the changing characteristics of microbial communities in CSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Lan-Tao Zhang
- Institute of Manned Space System Engineering, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Zhi-Dong Li
- Beijing Institute of Spacecraft System Engineering, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Cong-Xin Xin
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiao-Qiong Li
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Institute of Manned Space System Engineering, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, 100094, China.
| | - Yu-Lin Deng
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Mogul R, Barding GA, Lalla S, Lee S, Madrid S, Baki R, Ahmed M, Brasali H, Cepeda I, Gornick T, Gunadi S, Hearn N, Jain C, Kim EJ, Nguyen T, Nguyen VB, Oei A, Perkins N, Rodriguez J, Rodriguez V, Savla G, Schmitz M, Tedjakesuma N, Walker J. Metabolism and Biodegradation of Spacecraft Cleaning Reagents by Strains of Spacecraft-Associated Acinetobacter. ASTROBIOLOGY 2018; 18:1517-1527. [PMID: 29672134 PMCID: PMC6276816 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Spacecraft assembly facilities are oligotrophic and low-humidity environments, which are routinely cleaned using alcohol wipes for benchtops and spacecraft materials, and alkaline detergents for floors. Despite these cleaning protocols, spacecraft assembly facilities possess a persistent, diverse, dynamic, and low abundant core microbiome, where the Acinetobacter are among the dominant members of the community. In this report, we show that several spacecraft-associated Acinetobacter metabolize or biodegrade the spacecraft cleaning reagents of ethanol (ethyl alcohol), 2-propanol (isopropyl alcohol), and Kleenol 30 (floor detergent) under ultraminimal conditions. Using cultivation and stable isotope labeling studies, we show that ethanol is a sole carbon source when cultivating in 0.2 × M9 minimal medium containing 26 μM Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2. Although cultures expectedly did not grow solely on 2-propanol, cultivations on mixtures of ethanol and 2-propanol exhibited enhanced plate counts at mole ratios of ≤0.50. In support, enzymology experiments on cellular extracts were consistent with oxidation of ethanol and 2-propanol by a membrane-bound alcohol dehydrogenase. In the presence of Kleenol 30, untargeted metabolite profiling on ultraminimal cultures of Acinetobacter radioresistens 50v1 indicated (1) biodegradation of Kleenol 30 into products including ethylene glycols, (2) the potential metabolism of decanoate (formed during incubation of Kleenol 30 in 0.2 × M9), and (3) decreases in the abundances of several hydroxy- and ketoacids in the extracellular metabolome. In ultraminimal medium (when using ethanol as a sole carbon source), A. radioresistens 50v1 also exhibits a remarkable survival against hydrogen peroxide (∼1.5-log loss, ∼108 colony forming units (cfu)/mL, 10 mM H2O2), indicating a considerable tolerance toward oxidative stress under nutrient-restricted conditions. Together, these results suggest that the spacecraft cleaning reagents may (1) serve as nutrient sources under oligotrophic conditions and (2) sustain extremotolerances against the oxidative stresses associated with low-humidity environments. In perspective, this study provides a plausible biochemical rationale to the observed microbial ecology dynamics of spacecraft-associated environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Mogul
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Gregory A. Barding
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Sidharth Lalla
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Sooji Lee
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Steve Madrid
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Ryan Baki
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Mahjabeen Ahmed
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Hania Brasali
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Ivonne Cepeda
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Trevor Gornick
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Shawn Gunadi
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Nicole Hearn
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Chirag Jain
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Eun Jin Kim
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Thi Nguyen
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Vinh Bao Nguyen
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Alex Oei
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Nicole Perkins
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Joseph Rodriguez
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Veronica Rodriguez
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Gautam Savla
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Megan Schmitz
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Nicholas Tedjakesuma
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
| | - Jillian Walker
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), Pomona, California
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Koskinen K, Rettberg P, Pukall R, Auerbach A, Wink L, Barczyk S, Perras A, Mahnert A, Margheritis D, Kminek G, Moissl-Eichinger C. Microbial biodiversity assessment of the European Space Agency's ExoMars 2016 mission. MICROBIOME 2017; 5:143. [PMID: 29070062 PMCID: PMC5657055 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-017-0358-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ExoMars 2016 mission, consisting of the Trace Gas Orbiter and the Schiaparelli lander, was launched on March 14 2016 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan and reached its destination in October 2016. The Schiaparelli lander was subject to strict requirements for microbial cleanliness according to the obligatory planetary protection policy. To reach the required cleanliness, the ExoMars 2016 flight hardware was assembled in a newly built, biocontrolled cleanroom complex at Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy. In this study, we performed microbiological surveys of the cleanroom facilities and the spacecraft hardware before and during the assembly, integration and testing (AIT) activities. METHODS Besides the European Space Agency (ESA) standard bioburden assay, that served as a proxy for the microbiological contamination in general, we performed various alternative cultivation assays and utilised molecular techniques, including quantitative PCR and next generation sequencing, to assess the absolute and relative abundance and broadest diversity of microorganisms and their signatures in the cleanroom and on the spacecraft hardware. RESULTS Our results show that the bioburden, detected microbial contamination and microbial diversity decreased continuously after the cleanroom was decontaminated with more effective cleaning agents and during the ongoing AIT. The studied cleanrooms and change room were occupied by very distinct microbial communities: Overall, the change room harboured a higher number and diversity of microorganisms, including Propionibacterium, which was found to be significantly increased in the change room. In particular, the so called alternative cultivation assays proved important in detecting a broader cultivable diversity than covered by the standard bioburden assay and thus completed the picture on the cleanroom microbiota. CONCLUSION During the whole project, the bioburden stayed at acceptable level and did not raise any concern for the ExoMars 2016 mission. The cleanroom complex at Thales Alenia Space in Turin is an excellent example of how efficient microbiological control is performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa Koskinen
- Department for Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Pukall
- Leibniz-Institute DSMZ - German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anna Auerbach
- Department for Microbiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Lisa Wink
- Department for Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Simon Barczyk
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexandra Perras
- Department for Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department for Microbiology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Mahnert
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Department for Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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Schwendner P, Mahnert A, Koskinen K, Moissl-Eichinger C, Barczyk S, Wirth R, Berg G, Rettberg P. Preparing for the crewed Mars journey: microbiota dynamics in the confined Mars500 habitat during simulated Mars flight and landing. MICROBIOME 2017; 5:129. [PMID: 28974259 PMCID: PMC5627443 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-017-0345-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Mars500 project was conceived as the first full duration simulation of a crewed return flight to Mars. For 520 days, six crew members lived confined in a specifically designed spacecraft mock-up. The herein described "MIcrobial ecology of Confined Habitats and humAn health" (MICHA) experiment was implemented to acquire comprehensive microbiota data from this unique, confined manned habitat, to retrieve important information on the occurring microbiota dynamics, the microbial load and diversity in the air and on various surfaces. In total, 360 samples from 20 (9 air, 11 surface) locations were taken at 18 time-points and processed by extensive cultivation, PhyloChip and next generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. RESULTS Cultivation assays revealed a Staphylococcus and Bacillus-dominated microbial community on various surfaces, with an average microbial load that did not exceed the allowed limits for ISS in-flight requirements indicating adequate maintenance of the facility. Areas with high human activity were identified as hotspots for microbial accumulation. Despite substantial fluctuation with respect to microbial diversity and abundance throughout the experiment, the location within the facility and the confinement duration were identified as factors significantly shaping the microbial diversity and composition, with the crew representing the main source for microbial dispersal. Opportunistic pathogens, stress-tolerant or potentially mobile element-bearing microorganisms were predicted to be prevalent throughout the confinement, while the overall microbial diversity dropped significantly over time. CONCLUSIONS Our findings clearly indicate that under confined conditions, the community structure remains a highly dynamic system which adapts to the prevailing habitat and micro-conditions. Since a sterile environment is not achievable, these dynamics need to be monitored to avoid spreading of highly resistant or potentially pathogenic microorganisms and a potentially harmful decrease of microbial diversity. If necessary, countermeasures are required, to maintain a healthy, diverse balance of beneficial, neutral and opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms. Our results serve as an important data collection for (i) future risk estimations of crewed space flight, (ii) an optimized design and planning of a spacecraft mission and (iii) for the selection of appropriate microbial monitoring approaches and potential countermeasures, to ensure a microbiologically safe space-flight environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Schwendner
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
- Institute for Microbiology, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
- Present address: UK Center for Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh, School of Physics and Astronomy, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FD UK
| | - Alexander Mahnert
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12/I, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Kaisa Koskinen
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Simon Barczyk
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Wirth
- Institute for Microbiology, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12/I, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center e.V. (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
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11
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Mora M, Perras A, Alekhova TA, Wink L, Krause R, Aleksandrova A, Novozhilova T, Moissl-Eichinger C. Resilient microorganisms in dust samples of the International Space Station-survival of the adaptation specialists. MICROBIOME 2016; 4:65. [PMID: 27998314 PMCID: PMC5175303 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-016-0217-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The International Space Station (ISS) represents a unique biotope for the human crew but also for introduced microorganisms. Microbes experience selective pressures such as microgravity, desiccation, poor nutrient-availability due to cleaning, and an increased radiation level. We hypothesized that the microbial community inside the ISS is modified by adapting to these stresses. For this reason, we analyzed 8-12 years old dust samples from Russian ISS modules with major focus on the long-time surviving portion of the microbial community. We consequently assessed the cultivable microbiota of these samples in order to analyze their extremotolerant potential against desiccation, heat-shock, and clinically relevant antibiotics. In addition, we studied the bacterial and archaeal communities from the stored Russian dust samples via molecular methods (next-generation sequencing, NGS) and compared our new data with previously derived information from the US American ISS dust microbiome. RESULTS We cultivated and identified in total 85 bacterial, non-pathogenic isolates (17 different species) and 1 fungal isolate from the 8-12 year old dust samples collected in the Russian segment of the ISS. Most of these isolates exhibited robust resistance against heat-shock and clinically relevant antibiotics. Microbial 16S rRNA gene and archaeal 16S rRNA gene targeting Next Generation Sequencing showed signatures of human-associated microorganisms (Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, Coprococcus etc.), but also specifically adapted extremotolerant microorganisms. Besides bacteria, the detection of archaeal signatures in higher abundance was striking. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal (i) the occurrence of living, hardy microorganisms in archived Russian ISS dust samples, (ii) a profound resistance capacity of ISS microorganisms against environmental stresses, and (iii) the presence of archaeal signatures on board. In addition, we found indications that the microbial community in the Russian segment dust samples was different to recently reported US American ISS microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Mora
- Department for Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Alexandra Perras
- Department for Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Department for Microbiology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Lisa Wink
- Department for Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Robert Krause
- Department for Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Alina Aleksandrova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Department for Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Krenngasse 37, 8010 Graz, Austria
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12
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Mora M, Mahnert A, Koskinen K, Pausan MR, Oberauner-Wappis L, Krause R, Perras AK, Gorkiewicz G, Berg G, Moissl-Eichinger C. Microorganisms in Confined Habitats: Microbial Monitoring and Control of Intensive Care Units, Operating Rooms, Cleanrooms and the International Space Station. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1573. [PMID: 27790191 PMCID: PMC5061736 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Indoor environments, where people spend most of their time, are characterized by a specific microbial community, the indoor microbiome. Most indoor environments are connected to the natural environment by high ventilation, but some habitats are more confined: intensive care units, operating rooms, cleanrooms and the international space station (ISS) are extraordinary living and working areas for humans, with a limited exchange with the environment. The purposes for confinement are different: a patient has to be protected from infections (intensive care unit, operating room), product quality has to be assured (cleanrooms), or confinement is necessary due to extreme, health-threatening outer conditions, as on the ISS. The ISS represents the most secluded man-made habitat, constantly inhabited by humans since November 2000 – and, inevitably, also by microorganisms. All of these man-made confined habitats need to be microbiologically monitored and controlled, by e.g., microbial cleaning and disinfection. However, these measures apply constant selective pressures, which support microbes with resistance capacities against antibiotics or chemical and physical stresses and thus facilitate the rise of survival specialists and multi-resistant strains. In this article, we summarize the available data on the microbiome of aforementioned confined habitats. By comparing the different operating, maintenance and monitoring procedures as well as microbial communities therein, we emphasize the importance to properly understand the effects of confinement on the microbial diversity, the possible risks represented by some of these microorganisms and by the evolution of (antibiotic) resistances in such environments – and the need to reassess the current hygiene standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Mora
- Department for Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz Austria
| | - Alexander Mahnert
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz Austria
| | - Kaisa Koskinen
- Department for Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, GrazAustria; BioTechMed-Graz, GrazAustria
| | - Manuela R Pausan
- Department for Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz Austria
| | | | - Robert Krause
- Department for Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz Austria
| | - Alexandra K Perras
- Department for Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, GrazAustria; Department for Microbiology, University of Regensburg, RegensburgGermany
| | - Gregor Gorkiewicz
- BioTechMed-Graz, GrazAustria; Department of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, GrazAustria
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz Austria
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Weinmaier T, Probst AJ, La Duc MT, Ciobanu D, Cheng JF, Ivanova N, Rattei T, Vaishampayan P. A viability-linked metagenomic analysis of cleanroom environments: eukarya, prokaryotes, and viruses. MICROBIOME 2015; 3:62. [PMID: 26642878 PMCID: PMC4672508 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-015-0129-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies posit a reciprocal dependency between the microbiomes associated with humans and indoor environments. However, none of these metagenome surveys has considered the viability of constituent microorganisms when inferring impact on human health. RESULTS Reported here are the results of a viability-linked metagenomics assay, which (1) unveil a remarkably complex community profile for bacteria, fungi, and viruses and (2) bolster the detection of underrepresented taxa by eliminating biases resulting from extraneous DNA. This approach enabled, for the first time ever, the elucidation of viral genomes from a cleanroom environment. Upon comparing the viable biomes and distribution of phylotypes within a cleanroom and adjoining (uncontrolled) gowning enclosure, the rigorous cleaning and stringent control countermeasures of the former were observed to select for a greater presence of anaerobes and spore-forming microflora. Sequence abundance and correlation analyses suggest that the viable indoor microbiome is influenced by both the human microbiome and the surrounding ecosystem(s). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this investigation constitute the literature's first ever account of the indoor metagenome derived from DNA originating solely from the potential viable microbial population. Results presented in this study should prove valuable to the conceptualization and experimental design of future studies on indoor microbiomes aimed at inferring impact on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Weinmaier
- Division of Computational Systems Biology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Alexander J Probst
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Myron T La Duc
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA.
- Precis Scientific, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Rattei
- Division of Computational Systems Biology, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Parag Vaishampayan
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA.
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14
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Till H, Castellani C, Moissl-Eichinger C, Gorkiewicz G, Singer G. Disruptions of the intestinal microbiome in necrotizing enterocolitis, short bowel syndrome, and Hirschsprung's associated enterocolitis. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1154. [PMID: 26528281 PMCID: PMC4607865 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Next generation sequencing techniques are currently revealing novel insight into the microbiome of the human gut. This new area of research seems especially relevant for neonatal diseases, because the development of the intestinal microbiome already starts in the perinatal period and preterm infants with a still immature gut associated immune system may be harmed by a dysproportional microbial colonization. For most gastrointestinal diseases requiring pediatric surgery there is very limited information about the role of the intestinal microbiome. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge and outline future perspectives for important pathologies like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) of the newborn, short bowel syndrome (SBS), and Hirschsprung’s disease associated enterocolitis (HAEC). Only studies applying next generation sequencing techniques to analyze the diversity of the intestinal microbiome were included. In NEC patients intestinal dysbiosis could already be detected prior to any clinical evidence of the disease resulting in a reduction of the bacterial diversity. In SBS patients the diversity seems to be reduced compared to controls. In children with Hirschsprung’s disease the intestinal microbiome differs between those with and without episodes of enterocolitis. One common finding for all three diseases seems to be an overabundance of Proteobacteria. However, most human studies are based on fecal samples and experimental data question whether fecal samples actually represent the microbiome at the site of the diseased bowel and whether the luminal (transient) microbiome compares to the mucosal (resident) microbiome. In conclusion current studies already allow a preliminary understanding of the potential role of the intestinal microbiome in pediatric surgical diseases. Future investigations could clarify the interface between the intestinal epithelium, its immunological competence and mucosal microbiome. Advances in this field may have an impact on the understanding and non-operative treatment of such diseases in infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Till
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz Graz, Austria
| | - Christoph Castellani
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Georg Singer
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz Graz, Austria
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15
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Mahnert A, Vaishampayan P, Probst AJ, Auerbach A, Moissl-Eichinger C, Venkateswaran K, Berg G. Cleanroom Maintenance Significantly Reduces Abundance but Not Diversity of Indoor Microbiomes. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0134848. [PMID: 26273838 PMCID: PMC4537314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cleanrooms have been considered microbially-reduced environments and are used to protect human health and industrial product assembly. However, recent analyses have deciphered a rather broad diversity of microbes in cleanrooms, whose origin as well as physiological status has not been fully understood. Here, we examined the input of intact microbial cells from a surrounding built environment into a spacecraft assembly cleanroom by applying a molecular viability assay based on propidium monoazide (PMA). The controlled cleanroom (CCR) was characterized by ~6.2*103 16S rRNA gene copies of intact bacterial cells per m2 floor surface, which only represented 1% of the total community that could be captured via molecular assays without viability marker. This was in contrast to the uncontrolled adjoining facility (UAF) that had 12 times more living bacteria. Regarding diversity measures retrieved from 16S rRNA Illumina-tag analyzes, we observed, however, only a minor drop in the cleanroom facility allowing the conclusion that the number but not the diversity of microbes is strongly affected by cleaning procedures. Network analyses allowed tracking a substantial input of living microbes to the cleanroom and a potential enrichment of survival specialists like bacterial spore formers and archaeal halophiles and mesophiles. Moreover, the cleanroom harbored a unique community including 11 exclusive genera, e.g., Haloferax and Sporosarcina, which are herein suggested as indicators of cleanroom environments. In sum, our findings provide evidence that archaea are alive in cleanrooms and that cleaning efforts and cleanroom maintenance substantially decrease the number but not the diversity of indoor microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Mahnert
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Parag Vaishampayan
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Alexander J. Probst
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Anna Auerbach
- Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Center, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Center, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Medical University Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- * E-mail:
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16
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Muster N, Derecho I, Dallal F, Alvarez R, McCoy KB, Mogul R. Purification, biochemical characterization, and implications of an alkali-tolerant catalase from the spacecraft-associated and oxidation-resistant Acinetobacter gyllenbergii 2P01AA. ASTROBIOLOGY 2015; 15:291-300. [PMID: 25826195 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2014.1242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we report on the purification, characterization, and sequencing of catalase from Acinetobacter gyllenbergii 2P01AA, an extremely oxidation-resistant bacterium that was isolated from the Mars Phoenix spacecraft assembly facility. The Acinetobacter are dominant members of the microbial communities that inhabit spacecraft assembly facilities and consequently may serve as forward contaminants that could impact the integrity of future life-detection missions. Catalase was purified by using a 3-step chromatographic procedure, where mass spectrometry provided respective subunit and intact masses of 57.8 and 234.6 kDa, which were consistent with a small-subunit tetrameric catalase. Kinetics revealed an extreme pH stability with no loss in activity between pH 5 and 11.5 and provided respective kcat/Km and kcat values of ∼10(7) s(-1) M(-1) and 10(6) s(-1), which are among the highest reported for bacterial catalases. The amino acid sequence was deduced by in-depth peptide mapping, and structural homology suggested that the catalases from differing strains of A. gyllenbergii differ only at residues near the subunit interfaces, which may impact catalytic stability. Together, the kinetic, alkali-tolerant, and halotolerant properties of the catalase from A. gyllenbergii 2P01AA are significant, as they are consistent with molecular adaptations toward the alkaline, low-humidity, and potentially oxidizing conditions of spacecraft assembly facilities. Therefore, these results support the hypothesis that the selective pressures of the assembly facilities impact the microbial communities at the molecular level, which may have broad implications for future life-detection missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Muster
- California State Polytechnic University , Pomona, California
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17
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Moissl-Eichinger C, Auerbach AK, Probst AJ, Mahnert A, Tom L, Piceno Y, Andersen GL, Venkateswaran K, Rettberg P, Barczyk S, Pukall R, Berg G. Quo vadis? Microbial profiling revealed strong effects of cleanroom maintenance and routes of contamination in indoor environments. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9156. [PMID: 25778463 PMCID: PMC4361859 DOI: 10.1038/srep09156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Space agencies maintain highly controlled cleanrooms to ensure the demands of planetary protection. To study potential effects of microbiome control, we analyzed microbial communities in two particulate-controlled cleanrooms (ISO 5 and ISO 8) and two vicinal uncontrolled areas (office, changing room) by cultivation and 16S rRNA gene amplicon analysis (cloning, pyrotagsequencing, and PhyloChip G3 analysis). Maintenance procedures affected the microbiome on total abundance and microbial community structure concerning richness, diversity and relative abundance of certain taxa. Cleanroom areas were found to be mainly predominated by potentially human-associated bacteria; archaeal signatures were detected in every area. Results indicate that microorganisms were mainly spread from the changing room (68%) into the cleanrooms, potentially carried along with human activity. The numbers of colony forming units were reduced by up to ~400 fold from the uncontrolled areas towards the ISO 5 cleanroom, accompanied with a reduction of the living portion of microorganisms from 45% (changing area) to 1% of total 16S rRNA gene signatures as revealed via propidium monoazide treatment of the samples. Our results demonstrate the strong effects of cleanroom maintenance on microbial communities in indoor environments and can be used to improve the design and operation of biologically controlled cleanrooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- 1] Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Center, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany [2] Medical University Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria [3] BioTechMed Graz, Krenngasse 37, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Anna K Auerbach
- Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Center, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alexander J Probst
- Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Center, University of Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Mahnert
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Lauren Tom
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, 1 Cyclotron Rd., Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yvette Piceno
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, 1 Cyclotron Rd., Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Gary L Andersen
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, 1 Cyclotron Rd., Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | - Petra Rettberg
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine and Radiation Biology, Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln, Germany
| | - Simon Barczyk
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine and Radiation Biology, Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Pukall
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Inhoffenstraβe 7 B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, 8010 Graz, Austria
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18
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Sivakumar P, Fernández-Bravo A, Taleh L, Biddle J, Melikechi N. Detection and classification of live and dead Escherichia coli by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. ASTROBIOLOGY 2015; 15:144-53. [PMID: 25683088 PMCID: PMC4323123 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2014.1181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/06/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A common goal for astrobiology is to detect organic materials that may indicate the presence of life. However, organic materials alone may not be representative of currently living systems. Thus, it would be valuable to have a method with which to determine the health of living materials. Here, we present progress toward this goal by reporting on the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to study characteristics of live and dead cells using Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain K12 cells as a model organism since its growth and death in the laboratory are well understood. Our goal is to determine whether LIBS, in its femto- and/or nanosecond forms, could ascertain the state of a living organism. E. coli strain K12 cells were grown, collected, and exposed to one of two types of inactivation treatments: autoclaving and sonication. Cells were also kept alive as a control. We found that LIBS yields key information that allows for the discrimination of live and dead E. coli bacteria based on ionic shifts reflective of cell membrane integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Sivakumar
- Optical Science Center for Applied Research and Applications, Department of Physics and Engineering, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware
| | - A. Fernández-Bravo
- Optical Science Center for Applied Research and Applications, Department of Physics and Engineering, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware
| | - L. Taleh
- Optical Science Center for Applied Research and Applications, Department of Physics and Engineering, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware
| | - J.F. Biddle
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware, Lewes, Delaware
| | - N. Melikechi
- Optical Science Center for Applied Research and Applications, Department of Physics and Engineering, Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware
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19
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Derecho I, McCoy KB, Vaishampayan P, Venkateswaran K, Mogul R. Characterization of hydrogen peroxide-resistant Acinetobacter species isolated during the Mars Phoenix spacecraft assembly. ASTROBIOLOGY 2014; 14:837-847. [PMID: 25243569 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2014.1193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The microbiological inventory of spacecraft and the associated assembly facility surfaces represent the primary pool of forward contaminants that may impact the integrity of life-detection missions. Herein, we report on the characterization of several strains of hydrogen peroxide-resistant Acinetobacter, which were isolated during the Mars Phoenix lander assembly. All Phoenix-associated Acinetobacter strains possessed very high catalase specific activities, and the specific strain, A. gyllenbergii 2P01AA, displayed a survival against hydrogen peroxide (no loss in 100 mM H2O2 for 1 h) that is perhaps the highest known among Gram-negative and non-spore-forming bacteria. Proteomic characterizations reveal a survival mechanism inclusive of proteins coupled to peroxide degradation (catalase and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase), energy/redox management (dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase), protein synthesis/folding (EF-G, EF-Ts, peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase, DnaK), membrane functions (OmpA-like protein and ABC transporter-related protein), and nucleotide metabolism (HIT family hydrolase). Together, these survivability and biochemical parameters support the hypothesis that oxidative tolerance and the related biochemical features are the measurable phenotypes or outcomes for microbial survival in the spacecraft assembly facilities, where the low-humidity (desiccation) and clean (low-nutrient) conditions may serve as selective pressures. Hence, the spacecraft-associated Acinetobacter, due to the conferred oxidative tolerances, may ultimately hinder efforts to reduce spacecraft bioburden when using chemical sterilants, thus suggesting that non-spore-forming bacteria may need to be included in the bioburden accounting for future life-detection missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Derecho
- 1 California State Polytechnic University , Pomona, California
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