Resilient microorganisms in dust samples of the International Space Station-survival of the adaptation specialists.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The International Space Station (ISS) represents a unique biotope for the human crew but also for introduced microorganisms. Microbes experience selective pressures such as microgravity, desiccation, poor nutrient-availability due to cleaning, and an increased radiation level. We hypothesized that the microbial community inside the ISS is modified by adapting to these stresses. For this reason, we analyzed 8-12 years old dust samples from Russian ISS modules with major focus on the long-time surviving portion of the microbial community. We consequently assessed the cultivable microbiota of these samples in order to analyze their extremotolerant potential against desiccation, heat-shock, and clinically relevant antibiotics. In addition, we studied the bacterial and archae

SUBMITTER: Mora M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5175303 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature