Microbial Dynamics in Space Environments

The study of microbial dynamics in space explores how microgravity, spacecraft design, confined habitats and space radiation shape the composition, activity and evolution of microorganisms. In the absence of Earth’s convection‐driven fluid dynamics, microbes experience altered nutrient exchange, leading to enhanced biofilm formation and shifts in growth rates. Continuous human occupancy introduces a human‐associated microbiome that intermingles with environmental communities on surfaces and in life‐support systems. Radiation and low‐dose ionising flux impose selective pressures favouring resistant and repair‐proficient strains, while confined volumes enable succession and persistence of particular taxa. Advances in culture‐independent sequencing, metagenomics and real‐time in situ analysis have revealed both opportunistic pathogens and novel species, highlighting the need to monitor antimicrobial resistance, maintain astronaut health and inform planetary protection protocols for long‐duration missions.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Comprehensive analysis of the antimicrobial resistance genes present on International Space Station surfaces employed metagenomics and targeted gene panels to map the station’s resistome. A combination of whole‐genome sequencing of isolated strains and direct amplification from environmental swabs revealed over one hundred resistance determinants, dominated by β-lactam and trimethoprim gene families. Isolates of Enterobacter bugandensis demonstrated multidrug resistance across nine antibiotic classes, while other staphylococci showed minimal resistance profiles. These findings emphasise the ubiquity of resistance elements in closed habitats and underpin the development of tailored sanitation protocols and antibiotic stewardship practices for future crewed missions.

Microbial Dynamics in Space Environments publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microbial dynamics in space environments across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Microgravity: A condition of very low apparent gravity experienced in orbit, affecting fluid dynamics and microbial physiology.

Metagenome-assembled genome (MAG): A draft genome reconstructed bioinformatically from mixed-community sequencing data.

Resistome: The collection of all antimicrobial resistance genes present in a microbial community or environment.

Biofilm: A structured consortium of microbial cells embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix attached to a surface.

Propidium monoazide (PMA): A DNA-intercalating agent used to distinguish viable from non-viable cells in molecular assays.

References

1. The International Space Station has a unique and extreme microbial and chemical environment driven by use patterns. Cell (2025).
2. Characterization of metagenome-assembled genomes from the International Space Station. Microbiome (2023).
3. Characterization of the total and viable bacterial and fungal communities associated with the International Space Station surfaces. Microbiome (2019).
4. Detection of antimicrobial resistance genes associated with the International Space Station environmental surfaces. Scientific Reports (2018).
5. Multi-drug resistant Enterobacter bugandensis species isolated from the International Space Station and comparative genomic analyses with human pathogenic strains. BMC Microbiology (2018).