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Review
. 2024 Feb 8:14:1237564.
doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1237564. eCollection 2023.

How the adaptation of the human microbiome to harsh space environment can determine the chances of success for a space mission to Mars and beyond

Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi  1 , Ilham Said-Salman  2   3 , Ali Reza Mortazavi  4 , Sami El Khatib  5   6 , Lembit Sihver  7   8
Affiliations
Review

How the adaptation of the human microbiome to harsh space environment can determine the chances of success for a space mission to Mars and beyond

Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi et al. Front Microbiol. .

Abstract

The ability of human cells to adapt to space radiation is essential for the well-being of astronauts during long-distance space expeditions, such as voyages to Mars or other deep space destinations. However, the adaptation of the microbiomes should not be overlooked. Microorganisms inside an astronaut's body, or inside the space station or other spacecraft, will also be exposed to radiation, which may induce resistance to antibiotics, UV, heat, desiccation, and other life-threatening factors. Therefore, it is essential to consider the potential effects of radiation not only on humans but also on their microbiomes to develop effective risk reduction strategies for space missions. Studying the human microbiome in space missions can have several potential benefits, including but not limited to a better understanding of the major effects space travel has on human health, developing new technologies for monitoring health and developing new radiation therapies and treatments. While radioadaptive response in astronauts' cells can lead to resistance against high levels of space radiation, radioadaptive response in their microbiome can lead to resistance against UV, heat, desiccation, antibiotics, and radiation. As astronauts and their microbiomes compete to adapt to the space environment. The microorganisms may emerge as the winners, leading to life-threatening situations due to lethal infections. Therefore, understanding the magnitude of the adaptation of microorganisms before launching a space mission is crucial to be able to develop effective strategies to mitigate the risks associated with radiation exposure. Ensuring the safety and well-being of astronauts during long-duration space missions and minimizing the risks linked with radiation exposure can be achieved by adopting this approach.

Keywords: human microbiome; microorganism; resistance to antibiotics; space environment; space radiation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A possible scenario for the adaptive response of bacteria in space. Pre-exposure of bacteria to a low-level stressor, such as multiple hits of protons, may increase their resistance against a subsequent high-level stressor, such as heavy ions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Three different potential models of adaptive response in a real space environment.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Potential effect of simulated microgravity on astronaut’s microbiome.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Space stressors can lead to creation of extremophile microorganisms with high levels of resistance to radiation, heat, UV, and desiccation.
Figure 5
Figure 5
In the race for adaptation to the harsh environment of space, microorganisms have a much higher chance of success than humans. This difference underscores the need for specific risk reduction strategies to be implemented for human space exploration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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