In an on-going Microbial Observatory experimental investigation on the International Space Station (ISS) multiple bacterial isolates of Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) were isolated and identified. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was tested in these BSL-2 isolates for the following antibiotics: cefazolin ciprofloxacin cefoxitin erythromycin gentamycin oxacillin penicillin rifampin tobramycin and many of the BSL-2 isolates showed multiple drug resistance. Among these isolates 21 strains were chosen for whole genome sequencing (WGS) for a possible lead to develop appropriate countermeasures. In addition the genomic data would enable to determine the influence of microgravity on the pathogenicity and virulence in the BSL-2 microorganisms.

The whole-genome sequences of eight fungal strains that were selected for exposure to microgravity at the International Space Station are presented here. These baseline sequences will help to understand the observed production of novel bioactive compounds.

Technology demonstration of a nanopore sequencer operating aboard the ISS in comparison with the same sequencer on the ground.

The vestibular system receives a permanent influence from gravity and reflexively controls equilibrium. If we assume gravity has remained constant during the species evolution will its sensory system adapt to abrupt loss of that force? We address this question in the land snail Helix lucorum exposed to 30 days of near weightlessness aboard the Bion-M1 satellite and studied geotactic behavior of postflight snails differential gene expressions in statocyst transcriptome and electrophysiological responses of mechanoreceptors to applied tilts. Each approach revealed plastic changes in the snail s vestibular system assumed in response to spaceflight. Absence of light during the mission also affected statocyst physiology as revealed by comparison to dark-conditioned control groups. Readaptation to normal tilt responses occurred at ~20 h following return to Earth. Despite the permanence of gravity the snail responded in a compensatory manner to its loss and readapted once gravity was restored.

Results from C-20A science flights (30 October to 2 November 2017) collecting airborne microorganisms in the troposphere and lower stratosphere.

Female C57BL/6 mice were flown onboard STS-135 for 13 days and returned to Earth for analysis. Livers were collected within 3-4 hours of landing and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen. Purified RNA samples that were used for microarray analysis for GLDS-25 were provided to GeneLab. GeneLab added ERCC control spike-in to the samples and performed RNA-Seq analysis.

The MARS500 project the longest ground-based space simulation ever provided us with a unique opportunity to trace the crew microbiota over 520 days of isolated confinement such as that faced by astronauts in real long-term interplanetary space flights and after returning to regular life for a total of 2 years.

The Rodent Research-3 (RR-3) mission was sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co. and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space to study the effectiveness of a potential countermeasure for the loss of muscle and bone mass that occurs during spaceflight. Twenty BALB/c 18-weeks old female mice (ten controls and ten treated) were flown to the ISS and housed in the Rodent Habitat for 39-42 days. Twenty mice of similar age sex and strain were used for ground controls housed in identical hardware and matching ISS environmental conditions. Basal controls were housed in standard vivarium cages. Spaceflight ground controls and basal groups had blood collected then were euthanized had one hind limb removed and finally whole carcasses were stored at -80 C until dissection. All mice in this data set received only the control/sham injection. Microdissection of retinae from previously frozen eyes and RNA isolation were performed in the laboratory of Dr. Xiao Mao at Loma Linda University.

Methods: RNA-seq libraries were prepared using the Illumina TruSeq RNA kit and the TrueSeq method was employed for mRNA enrichment. The libraries were quantified and samples were multiplexed in each lane of the flowcell. Cluster generation was performed and then sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq1000 system. Reads were mapped on the Human Genome Reference and normalized expression table was generated. Results: Among differentially expressed genes 53 of them were up-regulated and 75 were down-regulated. Conclusions: Data demonstrate increased expression of genes associated with growth development and pro-survival in cardiac progenitors cultured under simulated microgravity compared with those cultured under standard gravity. RNA-sequencing analysis was performed to compare global gene expression profiles of cells at differentiation day 8 under simulated microgravity vs. standard gravity.

Our study focuses on the hardiest microorganisms inhabiting the ISS in order to assess their diversity and capabilities to resist certain stresses. We specifically selected dust samples from the Russian modules that were obtained 8-10 years ago and stored since then under sealed conditions on Earth. Targeting long-time survivors and spore-forming microorganisms we assessed consequently the cultivable microbial community of these samples in order to obtain model microbial strains that could help to analyze specific adaptation towards environmental stresses such as desiccation and lack of nutrients. In this study we analyzed these microorganisms with respect to their resistance towards thermal stress and exposure to clinically relevant antibiotics. In addition we assessed the bacterial and archaeal community via molecular methods (NGS sequencing) and compared our new data with the previously derived information from the ISS microbiome.