Genomic and proteomic characterization of the Aspergillus niger isolate JSC-093350089 collected from U.S. segment surfaces of the International Space Station (ISS) is reported along with a comparison to the experimentally established strain ATCC 1015. Whole-genome sequencing of JSC-093350089 revealed enhanced genetic variance when compared to publicly available sequences of A. niger strains. Analysis of the isolate xe2 x80 x9a xc3 x84 xc3 xb4s proteome revealed significant differences in the molecular phenotype of JSC-093350089 including increased abundance of proteins involved in the A. niger starvation response oxidative stress resistance cell wall integrity and modulation and nutrient acquisition. Together these data reveal the existence of a distinct strain of A. niger onboard the ISS and provide insight into the molecular phenotype that is selected for by melanized fungal species inhabiting spacecraft environments.

While it has been shown that astronauts suffer immune disorders after spaceflight the underlying causes are still poorly understood and there are many variables to consider when investigating the immune system in a complex environment. Additionally there is growing evidence that suggests that not only is the immune system being altered but the pathogens that infect the host are significantly influenced by spaceflight and ground-based spaceflight conditions. In this study we demonstrate that Serratia marcescens (strain Db11) was significantly more lethal to Drosophila melanogaster after growth on the International Space Station than ground-based controls but that the host immune system is not significantly altered amongst known immune genes. High-throughput sequencing of wild-type (w1118) adult hosts infected with either space or ground-reared S. marcescens revealed few changes in gene expression with 11 genes significantly differentially expressed (q-values <0.05) and only one gene related to the immune system. This data supports the main findings of the paper which state that both spaceflight and low-shear modeled microgravity conditions increase the virulence of this pathogen independent of the host immune system. This data which shows that there are no significant immune-related changes to the host when infected with space-grown sample compared to ground-grown sample provides further evidence that there are likely phenotypic changes to the pathogen itself that is causing increased virulence in spaceflight and in low-shear modeled microgravity. RNA was extracted in triplicate from 2 pooled adult (2-3 day old female) Drosophila melanogaster (w1118) per treatment with 4 total treatment groups (no injection control sham injection with PBS ground bacteria-injected and space bacteria-injected) with poly(A)+ RNA libraries. Samples were multiplexed and sequenced 100bp paired-end ready were sequenced on one lane of the Illumina HiSeq-4000.

The on-going Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) revealed the presence of various microorganisms that may be affected by the distinct environment of the ISS. The low-nutrient environment combined with enhanced irradiation and microgravity may trigger changes in the molecular suit of microorganisms leading to increased virulence and resistance of microbes. Proteomic characterization of two Aspergillus fumigatus strains ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4 isolated from HEPA filter debris and cupola surface of the ISS respectively is presented along with a comparison to experimentally established clinical isolates Af293 and CEA10. In-depth analysis highlights variations in the proteome of both ISS-isolated strains when compared to the clinical strains. Proteins up-regulated in ISS isolates were involved in oxidative stress response and carbohydrate and secondary metabolism. This report provides insight into possible molecular adaptation of filamentous fungi to the unique ISS environment. Lastly an attempt was made to elucidate plausible causes of the enhanced virulence of both ISS-isolated A. fumigatus strains.

With extended stays aboard the International Space Station (ISS) becoming commonplace there is a need to better understand the effects of microgravity on cardiac function. We utilized human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to study the effects of microgravity on cell-level cardiac function and gene expression. The hiPSC-CMs were cultured aboard the ISS for 5.5 weeks and their gene expression structure and functions were compared to ground control hiPSC-CMs. Exposure to microgravity on the ISS caused alterations in hiPSC-CM calcium handling. RNA-sequencing analysis demonstrated 2,635 genes were differentially expressed among flight post-flight and ground control samples including genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism. This study represents the first use of hiPSCs to model the effects of spaceflight on human cardiomyocyte structure and function.

Arabidopsis thaliana wild type cell cultures were exposed to a 5-day space flight onboard of Shenzhou 8 to identify microgravity and space effect related gene expression.

Prolonged residence of mice in spaceflight is a scientifically robust and ethically ratified model of muscle atrophy caused by continued unloading. Under the Rodent Research Program of NASA we assayed the genomic and metabolomics perturbations in the quadriceps of C57BL/6j male mice that lived on the spaceflight (FLT) or at Ground Control (CTR) for approximately four weeks. Wet weight of quadriceps were significantly reduced in FLT mice. Deep next generation sequencing and untargeted mass spectroscopic assay interrogated the gene-metabolite landscape of same tissues. A majority of top ranked differentially suppressed genes in FLT encode proteins from myosin or troponin family suggesting a sarcomere alteration in space. Significantly enriched gene-metabolite networks were found linked to saromeric integrity immune fitness and oxidative stress response; all inhibited in space as per in silico prediction. A significant loss of FLT mitochondrial DNA copy numbers underlined the energy deprivation associated with spaceflight induced stress and this hypothesis was reinforced by the omics analysis that showed inhibited networks related to protein lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and ATP synthesis and hydrolysis. Finally we reported a list of upstream regulators which could be targeted for next generation therapeutic intervention for the betterment of the musculoskeletal system in male mice subjected to chronic disuse.

Our study aims to comprehensively understand effects induced by the space environment on mammals. To achieve this aim we analyze the male mice housed under environments as the artificial gravity and the microgravity (space environment) in Japanese Experiment Module JEM) of the International Space Station (ISS) on orbit for 35 days. After recovered these mice on the ground transcriptome analysis by next-generation sequencing technology is performed about spleen to examine alteration of gene expression in the space.

Omics analyses of RNA and protein isolated from heads of microgravity reared adult Drosophila.

Genome sequencing and assembly of fungal isolates belonging to Penicilliium and Aspergillus genera isolated from International Space Station

Articular and sterno-costal cartilages were isolated from skeletally-mature mice flown for 30 days on the BION-M1 mission. Samples were characterized histologically for proteoglycan loss and at the gene expression levels using Affymetrix gene arrays.