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Fahrion J, Mastroleo F, Dussap CG, Leys N. Use of Photobioreactors in Regenerative Life Support Systems for Human Space Exploration. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:699525. [PMID: 34276632 PMCID: PMC8281973 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.699525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There are still many challenges to overcome for human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) (e.g., to the Moon) and for long-term missions (e.g., to Mars). One of the biggest problems is the reliable air, water and food supply for the crew. Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) aim to overcome these challenges using bioreactors for waste treatment, air and water revitalization as well as food production. In this review we focus on the microbial photosynthetic bioprocess and photobioreactors in space, which allow removal of toxic carbon dioxide (CO2) and production of oxygen (O2) and edible biomass. This paper gives an overview of the conducted space experiments in LEO with photobioreactors and the precursor work (on ground and in space) for BLSS projects over the last 30 years. We discuss the different hardware approaches as well as the organisms tested for these bioreactors. Even though a lot of experiments showed successful biological air revitalization on ground, the transfer to the space environment is far from trivial. For example, gas-liquid transfer phenomena are different under microgravity conditions which inevitably can affect the cultivation process and the oxygen production. In this review, we also highlight the missing expertise in this research field to pave the way for future space photobioreactor development and we point to future experiments needed to master the challenge of a fully functional BLSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Fahrion
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Claude-Gilles Dussap
- CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Natalie Leys
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
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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 Sci Space Res (Amst) 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Wagner I, Posten C. Pressure reduction affects growth and morphology of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Eng Life Sci 2016; 17:552-560. [PMID: 32624800 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201600131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular perception of pressure is a largely unknown field in microalgae research although it should be addressed for optimization of a photobioreactor design regarding typically occurring pressure cycles. Also for the purpose of using microalgae as basic modules for material cycles in controlled ecological life support systems, the absence of pressure in outer space or the low absolute pressures on other planets is an abiotic factor that needs to be considered for design of integrated microalgae-based modules. The aim of this work is to study the effects of lowered pressure and pressure changes on photosynthesis as well as morphology. Two Chlamydomonas reinhardtii wild-type strains were exposed to controlled pressure patterns during batch cultivations. Sudden pressure changes should test for existing threshold values for cell survival to mimic such events during space missions. Algae were grown inside a 2 L photobioreactor with an integrated vacuum pump ensuring constant pressures down to 700 mbar. Cultivation samples were analyzed for OD750, cell dry weight, and morphology via light microscope. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CC-1690 cells showed decreased growth rates, higher carbon dioxide uptake rates, and unchanged oxygen production rates at lower pressures. For sudden pressures changes in the range of 300 mbar no fatal threshold was determined. This study shows that pressure reduction affects growth, gas exchange rates, and morphology. Within the tested pressure range no fatal threshold value was reached.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Wagner
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Clemens Posten
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering KIT Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Karlsruhe Germany
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Wagner I, Steinweg C, Posten C. Mono- and dichromatic LED illumination leads to enhanced growth and energy conversion for high-efficiency cultivation of microalgae for application in space. Biotechnol J 2016; 11:1060-71. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201500357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ines Wagner
- Dept. of Bioprocess Engineering; KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Christian Steinweg
- Dept. of Bioprocess Engineering; KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology; Karlsruhe Germany
| | - Clemens Posten
- Dept. of Bioprocess Engineering; KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology; Karlsruhe Germany
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Alidoust L, Soltani N, Modiri S, Haghighi O, Azarivand A, Khajeh K, Shahbani Zahiri H, Vali H, Akbari Noghabi K. Cadmium uptake capacity of an indigenous cyanobacterial strain, Nostoc entophytum ISC32: new insight into metal uptake in microgravity-simulating conditions. Microbiology (Reading) 2016; 162:246-255. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Alidoust
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Soltani
- Department of Petroleum Microbiology, ACECR, Research Institute of Applied Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Modiri
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Haghighi
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aisan Azarivand
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosro Khajeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Shahbani Zahiri
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hojatollah Vali
- Facility for Electron Microscopy Research, McGill University, 3640 Street, Montreal, Canada
| | - Kambiz Akbari Noghabi
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
Life support systems for long-term space missions or extraterrestrial installations have to fulfill major functions such as purification of water and regeneration of atmosphere as well as the generation of food and energy. For almost 60 years ideas for biological life support systems have been collected and various concepts have been developed and tested. Microalgae as photosynthetic organisms have played a major role in most of these concepts. This review deals with the potentials of using eukaryotic microalgae for life support systems and highlights special requirements and frame conditions for designing space photobioreactors especially regarding illumination and aeration. Mono- and dichromatic illumination based on LEDs is a promising alternative for conventional systems and preliminary results yielded higher photoconversion efficiencies (PCE) for dichromatic red/blue illumination than white illumination. Aeration for microgravity conditions should be realized in a bubble-free manner, for example, via membranes. Finally, a novel photobioreactor concept for space application is introduced being parameterized and tested with the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This system has already been tested during two parabolic flight campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Wagner
- Department Bioprocess Engineering, KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 2, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Markus Braun
- OHB Ag Life Sciences, Universitätsallee 27-29, Bremen, Germany
| | - Klaus Slenzka
- Gravitational Biology, DLR, Königswinterer Str. 522-524, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Clemens Posten
- Department Bioprocess Engineering, KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 2, Karlsruhe, Germany
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Xiao Y, Liu Y, Wang G, Hao Z, An Y. Simulated microgravity alters growth and microcystin production in Microcystis aeruginosa (cyanophyta). Toxicon 2010; 56:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2009] [Revised: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 01/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Rea G, Esposito D, Damasso M, Serafini A, Margonelli A, Faraloni C, Torzillo G, Zanini A, Bertalan I, Johanningmeier U, Giardi MT. Ionizing radiation impacts photochemical quantum yield and oxygen evolution activity of Photosystem II in photosynthetic microorganisms. Int J Radiat Biol 2009; 84:867-77. [DOI: 10.1080/09553000802460149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Deng Z, Yan C, Lu F, Hu Q, Hu Z. Growth kinetics of 1–2 mm and 3–4 mm colonies of Nostoc sphaeroides (Cyanophyta) in outdoor culture. Biotechnol Lett 2008; 30:1741-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-008-9753-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2008] [Revised: 05/15/2008] [Accepted: 05/27/2008] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Liu Y, Cockell CS, Wang G, Hu C, Chen L, De Philippis R. Control of Lunar and Martian dust--experimental insights from artificial and natural cyanobacterial and algal crusts in the desert of Inner Mongolia, China. Astrobiology 2008; 8:75-86. [PMID: 18240967 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2007.0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Studies on the colonization of environmentally extreme ground surfaces were conducted in a Mars-like desert area of Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China, with microalgae and cyanobacteria. We collected and mass-cultured cyanobacterial strains from these regions and investigated their ability to form desert crusts artificially. These crusts had the capacity to resist sand wind erosion after just 15 days of growth. Similar to the surface of some Chinese deserts, the surface of Mars is characterized by a layer of fine dust, which will challenge future human exploration activities, particularly in confined spaces that will include greenhouses and habitats. We discuss the use of such crusts for the local control of desert sands in enclosed spaces on Mars. These experiments suggest innovative new directions in the applied use of microbe-mineral interactions to advance the human exploration and settlement of space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongding Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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