Work

Biofilm and human spaceflight

Year: 2023

Type: editorial

Abstract: On Earth, biofilms are ubiquitous and represent the predominant mode of growth by microorganisms in their natural environments including those of biomedical and industrial importance [1,2]. While microbial contamination has been reported on the Mir (1986–2001) and earlier spacecraft, notably Skylab (1973–1979) [3], the first experimental evidence of biofilm formation during spaceflight was reported with Burkholderia cepacia flown on STS-81 in 1997 [4] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa during a 1998 experiment on STS-95 [5]. Biofilm formation has since been confirmed in a number of other spaceflight and microgravity analog studies (reviewed in Ref. [6]). Due to the potential risk of damage to key spacecraft materials and instrumentation, biofilms represent a risk that must be addressed for future human space missions beyond low Earth orbit [7]. In this special issue of Biofilm, several notable publications are presented that all enhance the understanding and the importance of biofilms in space.

Source: Biofilm

DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100150

Authors: Darla M. Goeres, Yo-Ann Velez-Justiniano, Birthe Veno Kjellerup, Robert JC. McLean

Institutions: Montana State University, Marshall Space Flight Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Texas State University

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,410