Enterobacter bugandensis analyzed by a joint research team including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Indian Institute of Technology. Provided by NASA
It was analyzed that the bacteria discovered on the International Space Station (ISS) were mutant bacteria that do not exist on Earth. It is said that bacteria linked to sepsis could pose a risk to astronauts.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a joint research team including NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Indian Institute of Technology has found that the bacterium detected on the ISS is a strain of Enterobacter bugandensis that can cause illness in astronauts . stay on the ISS. The article was published on the 16th (local time) on PubMed, a site for publishing biotechnology and medical articles.
The presence of mold and bacteria on the ISS was first discovered in 2019. The research team analyzed that 13 of these bacteria were Enterobacter bugadensis, which can cause sepsis, urinary tract infections and endocarditis.
The research team examined how the genome and function of this bacterium changed in the extreme environment of space. Research results showed that they mutated and became genetically different from bacteria on Earth.
The research team said: “The genome of ISS bacteria has an average of 4,568 genes, which is higher than the average number of genes present in the genome of Earth bacteria, which is 4,416.” The problem is that these bacteria have mutated and acquired genes that can cause resistance to various drugs.
The research team mentioned the possibility that these genetic changes occurred due to extreme environments such as microgravity, solar radiation and high concentrations of carbon dioxide. The analysis showed that the bacteria managed to survive thanks to internal factors of the ISS such as ventilation, humidity and atmospheric pressure. It is expected that the results of this study will provide clues for preparing preventive measures to protect the health of astronauts.
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