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Molecular microbial community structure of the Regenerative Enclosed Life Support Module Simulator air system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2007

Christine Moissl ,
Naofumi Hosoya ,
James Bruckner ,
Tara Stuecker ,
Monsi Roman  and
Kasthuri Venkateswaran
Christine Moissl
Affiliation:
Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
Naofumi Hosoya
Affiliation:
Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
James Bruckner
Affiliation:
Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
Tara Stuecker
Affiliation:
Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
Monsi Roman
Affiliation:
ECLS Design and Development Branch, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812, USA e-mail: kjvenkat@jpl.nasa.gov
Kasthuri Venkateswaran
Affiliation:
Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
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Abstract

The Regenerative Enclosed Life Support Module Simulator (REMS) was designed to simulate the conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This unique terrestrial, encapsulated environment for humans and their associated organisms allowed investigations into the microbial communities within an enclosed habitat system, primarily with respect to diversity, phylogeny and the possible impact on human health. To assess time- and/or condition-dependent changes in microbial diversity within REMS, a total of 27 air samples were collected during three consecutive months. The microbial burden and diversity were elucidated using culture-dependent and culture-independent molecular methods. The results indicate that during controlled conditions the total microbial burden detected by culture-dependent techniques (below a detectable level to 102 cells m−3 of air) and intracellular ATP assay was significantly low (102–103 cells m−3 of air), but increased during the uncontrolled post-operation phase (∼104 cells m−3 of air). Only Gram-positive and α-proteobacteria grew under tested culture conditions, with a predominant occurrence of Methylobacterium radiotolerans, and Sphingomonas yanoikuyae. Direct DNA extraction and 16S rDNA sequencing methodology revealed a broader diversity of microbes present in the REMS air (51 species). Unlike culture-dependent analysis, both Gram-positive and proteobacteria were equally represented, while members of a few proteobaterial groups dominated (Rhodopseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Acidovorax, Ralstonia, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Psychrobacter). Although the presence of several opportunistic pathogens warrants further investigation, the results demonstrated that routine maintenance such as controlling the humidity, crew’s daily cleaning, and air filtration were effective in reducing the microbial burden in the REMS.

Keywords

clean roombioaerosolREMS16S rDNAmicrobial communityISS
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , April 2007 , pp. 131 - 145
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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