For nearly 25 years, humans have occupied the International Space Station (ISS), living in a unique environment that is both fascinating and hostile to life as we know it. As the ISS has been home to around 270 people and various animal guests, microorganisms have also found their way on board, evolving in ways that can affect human health.
To better understand the ISS’s microbial ecosystem, researchers sent swabs to space, where astronauts collected samples from hundreds of surfaces. The resulting study revealed a surprising lack of bacterial diversity, with most bacteria being those that live on human skin, such as Staphylococcus species. This finding suggests that humans in space may be more susceptible to illness due to the limited microbial environment.
The ISS’s unique conditions make it an ideal location for studying microorganisms in isolation. However, this also raises concerns about the long-term effects of a human microbiome depleted of natural diversity. As we plan for future long-term off-world missions, researchers stress the need to take care of our human microbes, as they may be essential for maintaining our health.
The study’s findings have significant implications for space travel and colonization. With the potential for establishing settlements beyond Earth, it is crucial to understand how microorganisms evolve in extreme environments. The researchers suggest that intentionally introducing beneficial microbes could help mitigate the risks associated with low microbial diversity.
Ultimately, developing ways to include microorganisms that we evolved with in our built environments will be key to maintaining human health in space and on Earth. By adopting a more nuanced approach to hygiene and sanitation, we can reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance and ensure a healthier future for humanity.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-international-space-station-may-need-more-microbes-to-keep-astronauts