Best Books to Read in 2023
Best Books to Read in 2023 Are you a bookworm or a bibliophile, if yes, then this is the ...
IIT Madras and NASA researchers are studying multi-drug resistant pathogens on the international space stations.
This can have key applications for astronauts health as well on earth.
Researchers from NASA were from its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The researchers conducted a comprehensive study to understand the genomic, functional, and metabolic enhancements observed in multidrug-resistant pathogens with a particular focus on Enterobacter bugandensis, a prevalent nosocomial pathogen found on surfaces within the ISS, say sources from IIT Madras.
Astronauts operating in altered immune conditions with limited access to traditional medical facilities face unique health challenges during space missions, say sources from IIT Madras.
Understanding the microbial landscape aboard the ISS is paramount for assessing the impact of these microorganisms on astronaut well-being.
The current study emphasises the critical need to investigate the pathogenic potential of microorganisms in space environments to safeguard astronaut health and mitigate the risks associated with opportunistic pathogens.
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.
A video explaining this research can be viewed through the following link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92ulcKPo4AY
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.
Also Read – Top 20 MA History Colleges in Delhi NCR
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, Mr. Pratyay Sengupta, Mr. Shobhan Karthick MS, Research Scholars, IIT Madras and Mr. Nitin Kumar Singh from JPL, NASA. This work was funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board, and Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship from the Ministry of Education to Mr. Pratyay Sengupta.
Prof. Karthik Raman spoke about the need for such research. He said microbes continue to puzzle us by growing in the most challenging conditions – studies such as these serve to help us unravel the complex web of interactions underlying microbial growth and survival in such unique environments.
Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran, Senior Research Scientist at JPL, NASA spoke about broader implications of the research.
He said the 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, he said.
The research team identified detailed genomic features and potential antimicrobial resistance mechanisms within E. bugandensis strains isolated from various locations within the ISS, say IIT Madras researchers.
The study elucidated the evolution of key genes and their responses to the stressors inherent to the space environment.
Leveraging advanced systems biology approaches, the researchers uncovered a complex web of interactions between E. bugandensis and other microorganisms aboard the ISS, highlighting both parasitic and symbiotic relationships that influence microbial growth dynamics, say sources from IIT Madras.
By mapping the prevalence and distribution of E. bugandensis over time, the study provides valuable insights into its persistence, succession, and potential colonization patterns in space.
Some of the Key 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 used in this study, integrating genomics, metagenomics, and metabolic modelling, can be applied to study microbial dynamics in other extreme environments, potentially improving our understanding of microbial ecology and adaptation
S Vishnu Sharmaa now works with collegechalo.com in the news team. His work involves writing articles related to the education... (Full bio)
Best Books to Read in 2023 Are you a bookworm or a bibliophile, if yes, then this is the ...
In the exhilarating journey of 10 Proven Memorize Techniques for Students learning, memory is your trusty companion. Whether ...
Top 20 toughest exams in world is about exams in the world that required very hard work to ...
Top 20 toughest exams in India - Exams are the perhaps most toughest moments for any student. A ...
Top 20 Colleges of DU Getting admissions to the top 20 colleges of DU is a dream for every ...
Top 20 NITs of India - Amongst the 31 NITs in India, today, we are talking ...
Here are the Top 12 Artificial Intelligence in Mumbai. Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human ...
As you stand on the Best Science Courses after 12th academic journey, the realm of science beckons, offering ...
Millions of students have entrusted CollegeChalo to facilitate their seamless and smooth admission process to their dream colleges and universities. With CollegeChalo, you can gain a competitive edge by easily accessing exam and course details to stay ahead of the admission journey. What are you waiting for?
Search your dream college