ena-STUDY-Medical University of Graz-29-05-2017-15:01:15:179-156
Preparing for the manned Mars journey: Microbiome dynamics in the confined MARS 500 habitat during simulated Mars flight and landing
The MARS 500 project was the first full duration simulation of a manned flight to Mars. For 520 days, a six-man crew lived like astronauts in a specifically designed and hermetically sealed spacecraft-like environment. The MICHAm (MIcrobial ecology of Confined Habitats and humAn health, modified) study aimed to survey the microbial distribution and its community structure within the facility from the start to the end of the simulation study, and to investigate the impact of confinement. Therefore, the microbial load and biodiversity in the air and on surfaces as well as their changes over time were monitored.The cultivation approach showed that the overall microbial inventory in the air and on different surfaces was moderate compared to other non-confined rooms (air: 0 to 716 CFU/m³; average=86 CFU/m³; surface: 0 to 29,760 CFU/10 m²; average=675 CFU/10 m²). Despite the detection of fluctuations in microbial load over time and places, microbial hotspots were identified. Phylogenetic investigations revealed a higher diversity on surfaces than in air indicating the dominance of human-associated microorganisms (e.g. staphylococci). Besides cultivation-based analyses, the microbial community was also studied on the molecular level via PhyloChip analysis and next generation sequencing. The whole microbiome structure exhibited a significant change in structure and decrease in diversity over time, but potentially pathogenic microorganisms containing mobile elements increased during the confinement. Additionally, significantly different microbiome structures were identified for investigated modules.Since the majority of microorganisms were not harmful there was no alert and health concern due to potential danger caused by microorganisms. The scientific information obtained by our study is essential to evaluate biosafety risks, predict and mitigate the possible occurrence of biocorrosion, and improve the sanitary and hygienic quality of life for the crew inside closed habitats.
The MARS 500 project was the first full duration simulation of a manned flight to Mars. For 520 days, a six-man crew lived like astronauts in a specifically designed and hermetically sealed spacecraft-like environment. The MICHAm (MIcrobial ecology of Confined Habitats and humAn health, modified) study aimed to survey the microbial distribution and its community structure within the facility from the start to the end of the simulation study, and to investigate the impact of confinement. Therefore, the microbial load and biodiversity in the air and on surfaces as well as their changes over time were monitored.The cultivation approach showed that the overall microbial inventory in the air and on different surfaces was moderate compared to other non-confined rooms (air: 0 to 716 CFU/m³; average=86 CFU/m³; surface: 0 to 29,760 CFU/10 m²; average=675 CFU/10 m²). Despite the detection of fluctuations in microbial load over time and places, microbial hotspots were identified. Phylogenetic investigations revealed a higher diversity on surfaces than in air indicating the dominance of human-associated microorganisms (e.g. staphylococci). Besides cultivation-based analyses, the microbial community was also studied on the molecular level via PhyloChip analysis and next generation sequencing. The whole microbiome structure exhibited a significant change in structure and decrease in diversity over time, but potentially pathogenic microorganisms containing mobile elements increased during the confinement. Additionally, significantly different microbiome structures were identified for investigated modules.Since the majority of microorganisms were not harmful there was no alert and health concern due to potential danger caused by microorganisms. The scientific information obtained by our study is essential to evaluate biosafety risks, predict and mitigate the possible occurrence of biocorrosion, and improve the sanitary and hygienic quality of life for the crew inside closed habitats.