IIT Madras, NASA Study Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens To Safeguard Astronaut Health, Mitigate Risks

The study primarily aims to help in protecting the health of astronauts and make space travel safer. The researchers of IIT Madras and NASA's JPL are studying the evolution, behaviour and adaptation of the multidrug-resistant pathogens at ISS.

Chennai:Researchers of Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Madras and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are studying multidrug-resistant pathogens at the International Space Station (ISS) to help in safeguarding the health of the astronauts about 400-km above the earth's surface.

The study aims to get a comprehensive understanding on the genomic, functional and metabolic enhancements observed in multidrug-resistant pathogens with a particular focus on Enterobacter bugandensis, a prevalent nosocomial pathogen found on surfaces within the ISS.

Astronauts operating in altered immune conditions with limited access to traditional medical facilities face unique health challenges during space missions. By understanding the microbial landscape aboard the ISS will in turn help in assessing the impact of these microorganisms on the well-being of the astronauts. Infact, the study emphasises on investigating the pathogenic potential of microorganisms in space environments to safeguard astronaut health and mitigate the risks associated with opportunistic pathogens.

This research represents a significant advancement in understanding microbial dynamics in confined environments. The findings hold promise for applications in controlled settings on Earth, including hospital intensive care units and surgical theatres, where multidrug-resistant pathogens pose significant challenges to patient care.

Emphasising the broader implications of the research, Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran, Senior Research Scientist at JPL, NASA, said, “Our research uncovers the microbial community interactions of how certain benign microorganisms help to adapt and survive opportunistic human pathogen, E. bugandensis, in the unfavourable conditions of the International Space Station. The knowledge gained from this study would shed light on microbial behaviour, adaptation, and evolution in extreme, isolated environments that allow in designing novel countermeasure strategies to eradicate opportunistic pathogens, thus protecting the health of astronauts.”

The research team identified detailed genomic features and potential antimicrobial resistance mechanisms within E. bugandensis strains isolated from various locations within the ISS.

Elaborating on the need for such research, Prof. Karthik Raman, Department of Data Science and AI, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI) said, “Microbes continue to puzzle us by growing in the most challenging conditions - studies such as these serve to help us unravel the complex web of interactions underlying microbial growth and survival in such unique environments.”

The study elucidated the evolution of key genes and their responses to the stressors inherent to the space environment. Leveraging advanced systems biology approaches, the researchers uncovered a complex web of interactions between E. bugandensis and other microorganisms aboard the ISS, highlighting both parasitic and symbiotic relationships that influence microbial growth dynamics.

By mapping the prevalence and distribution of E. bugandensis over time, the study provides valuable insights into its persistence, succession, and potential colonisation patterns in space.

Key real-world applications of this research:

• Understanding the genomic adaptations of multidrug-resistant E. bugandensis can aid in developing targeted antimicrobial treatments
• Insights into persistence and succession patterns of E. bugandensis in space can inform strategies for managing microbial contamination in closed environments like spacecraft and hospitals
• Methodology used in this study, namely integrating genomics, metagenomics and metabolic modelling, can be applied to study microbial dynamics in other extreme environments, potentially improving our understanding of microbial ecology and adaptations.
• The collaborative efforts between IIT Madras and NASA’s JPL underscore the importance of international partnerships in advancing scientific knowledge and addressing the challenges of space exploration.

The research was undertaken by Prof. Karthik Raman, Department of Data Science and AI, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI), Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran, Senior Research Scientist at JPL, NASA, Mr. Pratyay Sengupta, Mr. Shobhan Karthick MS, Research Scholars, IIT Madras and Mr. Nitin Kumar Singh from JPL, NASA.

Read more