IIT Madras and NASA Collaborate to Explore Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens on ISS

Researchers from IIT Madras and NASA are investigating multi-drug resistant pathogens aboard the ISS. Their work could have significant implications for the health of astronauts and people on Earth. Know details here

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are studying multi-drug resistant pathogens on the International Space Station (ISS). This research could have significant applications for the health of astronauts and people on Earth. The study focuses on understanding the genomic, functional, and metabolic changes in multidrug-resistant pathogens, particularly Enterobacter bugandensis, a common nosocomial pathogen found on ISS surfaces.

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. Published in the esteemed journal Microbiome (DOI - https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-024-01777-1). 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.

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, Pratyay Sengupta, Shobhan Karthick MS, Research Scholars, IIT Madras and Nitin Kumar Singh from JPL, NASA. This work was funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board and the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship from the Ministry of Education to Pratyay Sengupta.

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 discerned intricate genomic characteristics and potential antimicrobial resistance mechanisms present in E. bugandensis strains collected from different sites within the ISS. Their study shed light on the evolutionary pathways of crucial genes and their reactions to the stressors encountered in space. Utilizing sophisticated systems biology methods, the researchers revealed a sophisticated network of interactions between E. bugandensis and other microorganisms on the ISS, showcasing both parasitic and symbiotic relationships that impact microbial growth dynamics.

Some of the Important Real-World Applications of this Research include

• Understanding the genomic adaptations of multidrug-resistant E. bugandensis can aid in developing targeted antimicrobial treatments
• Insights into the persistence and succession patterns of E. bugandensis in space can inform strategies for managing microbial contamination in closed environments like spacecraft and hospitals
• The methodology employed in this study, which merges genomics, metagenomics, and metabolic modeling, holds promise for investigating microbial dynamics in diverse extreme environments. This approach could enhance our comprehension of microbial ecology and adaptation across various contexts.

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