Genomic insights into novel extremotolerant bacteria isolated from the NASA Phoenix mission spacecraft assembly cleanrooms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human-designed oligotrophic environments, such as cleanrooms, harbor unique microbial communities shaped by selective pressures like temperature, humidity, nutrient availability, cleaning reagents, and radiation. Maintaining the biological cleanliness of NASA's mission-associated cleanrooms, where spacecraft are assembled and tested, is critical for planetary protection. Even with stringent controls such as regulated airflow, temperature management, and rigorous cleaning, resilient microorganisms can persist in these environments, posing potential risks for space missions.

Results

During the Phoenix spacecraft mission, genomes of 215 bacterial isolates were sequenced and based on overall genome-related indices, 53 strains belonging to 26 novel species were recogni

SUBMITTER: Schultz J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12067966 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature