IIT Madras, NASA join hands to study pathogens in ISS
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Chennai: Researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) are working together to explore multidrug-resistant bacteria on the International Space Station (ISS).
It is anticipated that this research will provide light on critical elements that preserve patients' health in settings such as intensive care units on Earth and astronauts' health during space missions. Enterobacter bugandensis is a common nosocomial pathogen that is found on surfaces within the International Space Station (ISS).
The researchers conducted a thorough study to understand the genomic, functional, and metabolic enhancements observed in multidrug-resistant pathogens, according to a statement from IIT Madras, the New Indian Express reported.
There are particular health issues that astronauts on space missions must deal with because they have weakened immune systems and restricted access to conventional medical facilities. To evaluate the influence of these microbes on astronaut health, it is critical to comprehend the microbial environment on board the International Space Station (ISS).
The statement stated that the results will also have applications in controlled settings on Earth, such as hospital intensive care units and surgical theatres, where multidrug-resistant pathogens pose significant challenges to patient care.
This study emphasises the critical need to investigate the pathogenic potential of microorganisms in space environments to safeguard astronaut health and mitigate the risks associated with opportunistic pathogens.
Using E. bugandensis strains isolated from different parts of the International Space Station, the study team discovered comprehensive genetic characteristics and potential pathways of resistance to antibiotics.
Through tracking the distribution and prevalence of E. bugandensis over time, the research offers important insights into the species' persistence, succession, and possible spatial colonisation patterns.