Microgravity reshapes bacteriophage-host coevolution aboard the International Space Station.

ABSTRACT: Bacteriophage-host interactions play a fundamental role in shaping microbial ecosystems. While extensively studied on Earth, their behavior in microgravity remains largely unexplored. Here, we report the dynamics between T7 bacteriophage and Escherichia coli in microgravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Phage activity was initially delayed in microgravity but ultimately successful. We identified de novo mutations in both phage and bacteria that enhanced fitness in microgravity. Deep mutational scanning of the phage receptor binding domain revealed striking differences in the number, position, and mutational preferences between terrestrial and microgravity conditions, reflecting underlying differences in bacterial adaptation. Combinatorial libraries informed by microgravity

SUBMITTER: Huss P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12798971 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature