Ichijo Tomoaki, Yamaguchi Nobuyasu, Tanigaki Fumiaki, Shirakawa Masaki, Nasu Masao
Environmental Science and Microbiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka , Japan.
Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tsukuba , Japan.
NPJ Microgravity. 2016 Apr 21;2:16007. doi: 10.1038/npjmgrav.2016.7. eCollection 2016.
Studies on the relationships between humans and microbes in space habitation environments are critical for success in long-duration space missions, to reduce potential hazards to the crew and the spacecraft infrastructure. We performed microbial monitoring in the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo", a part of the International Space Station, for 4 years after its completion, and analyzed samples with modern molecular microbiological techniques. Sampling was performed in September 2009, February 2011, and October 2012. The surface of the incubator, inside the door of the incubator, an air intake, air diffuser, and handrail were selected as sampling sites. Sampling was performed using the optimized swabbing method. Abundance and phylogenetic affiliation of bacteria on the interior surfaces of Kibo were determined by quantitative PCR and pyrosequencing, respectively. Bacteria in the phyla (γ-subclass) and were frequently detected on the interior surfaces in Kibo. Families and were dominant. Most bacteria detected belonged to the human microbiota; thus, we suggest that bacterial cells are transferred to the surfaces in Kibo from the astronauts. Environmental bacteria such as spp. were also detected. From the data on bacterial abundance and phylogenetic affiliation, Kibo has been microbiologically well maintained; however, the microbial community structure in Kibo may change with prolonged stay of astronauts. Continuous monitoring is required to obtain information on changes in the microbial community structure in Kibo.
研究太空居住环境中人类与微生物之间的关系对于长期太空任务的成功至关重要,这有助于减少对宇航员和航天器基础设施的潜在危害。我们在国际空间站的一部分——日本实验舱“希望号”建成后的4年里进行了微生物监测,并使用现代分子微生物技术分析样本。采样分别在2009年9月、2011年2月和2012年10月进行。选择培养箱表面、培养箱门内侧、进气口、空气扩散器和扶手作为采样点。采用优化的擦拭法进行采样。分别通过定量PCR和焦磷酸测序确定“希望号”内表面细菌的丰度和系统发育归属。在“希望号”内表面经常检测到γ-亚类和其他门的细菌。某某科和某某科占主导地位。检测到的大多数细菌属于人类微生物群;因此,我们认为细菌细胞是从宇航员转移到“希望号”表面的。也检测到了如某某属的环境细菌。从细菌丰度和系统发育归属的数据来看,“希望号”在微生物学方面保持良好;然而,随着宇航员停留时间的延长,“希望号”内的微生物群落结构可能会发生变化。需要持续监测以获取“希望号”内微生物群落结构变化的信息。