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Teaching Resources

New Frontiers

Microbes are essential to life on Earth, with billions living in our bodies as part of the human microbiome, supporting our health. Despite sterile spacecraft assembly, astronauts bring their own microbes into space, which eventually colonize spacecraft surfaces.

Space presents extreme conditions: fluctuating temperatures, near-zero pressure and oxygen, increased radiation, and microgravity. These environments differ from the controlled conditions inside space stations like the ISS, and from planetary environments like Mars. Studying how microbes adapt to these extremes offers insights into the origins of life and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Microbial responses in space also impact human health, as astronaut immune systems are weakened, and some microbes become more virulent. Additionally, microbes can damage spacecraft through corrosion.

Understanding microbes in space has practical applications, such as using them for food production, oxygen generation, or biomining in future space missions. As spaceflights lengthen, particularly with missions to Mars, this knowledge will be vital for sustaining life and has potential benefits for biotechnological advancements on Earth.

Microbiology and space exploration

Teacher - I heard that an astronaut got an infection while in space! How can that happen?

Millions of microorganisms, collectively known as our "human microbiota," inhabit our bodies and work alongside our cells to maintain our health. Around 90% of these microbes are bacteria, with the majority residing in the gut. Each person harbors a unique gut microbial community that aids in digesting food, producing vitamins, and protecting against infections. However, research has shown that gut bacteria can also break down medical drugs, altering their effects on our bodies. Moreover, these bacteria are not only influenced by antibiotics but can also be impacted by other medications we take.

In this lesson, we explore the fascinating interaction between medical drugs and our microbiota, and how this knowledge can be leveraged to enhance the efficacy of medical treatments.

Photo by Efrem Efre : https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-sitting-on-bench-with-a-dog-12794999/

Medicines, Our Gut Microbiota and Us

Your grandmother and my grandmother were both treated with the same medicine. Why is your grandmother recovering faster than mine?

The female reproductive tract is home to a complex and unique community of microorganisms, collectively known as the microbiota. These microbes play a crucial role in influencing health and disease throughout different stages of a woman's life. At birth, microbes acquired during or shortly after delivery begin to colonize the infant's gut and lower reproductive tract, including the vagina and cervix. The gradual dominance of Lactobacillus species in the lower reproductive tract microbiome is linked to good health and is shaped by hormonal changes, such as those occurring during puberty and after menopause.

During a woman's reproductive years, the composition of the vaginal microbiome can fluctuate in response to the menstrual cycle or external factors like antibiotic use or certain hygiene practices. A reduction in Lactobacillus species and increased microbial diversity can heighten the risk of infections, including sexually transmitted diseases.

During pregnancy, shifts in the microbiome can trigger premature inflammation in gestational tissues, potentially leading to preterm labor and birth. Given its role in these health outcomes, the reproductive tract microbiome has significant implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being.

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The reproductive tract microbiome and health

Mummy: my vagina has bacteria growing in it?

Food provides essential energy and nutrients for growth and health. However, poor dietary choices—excess unhealthy food and insufficient nutrients—can harm well-being. A balanced intake of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and healthy fats is vital.

Digestion breaks down food for absorption, but plant fiber remains undigested and feeds the gut microbiome in the large intestine. This fermentation process produces short-chain fatty acids and beneficial phytochemicals, influencing metabolism and immunity. Consuming fiber-rich foods like cereals, fruits, and vegetables supports a healthy gut microbiome, promoting overall health.

Photo by Fernanda Lima: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-eating-pizza-16014835/

Food and Health

Sir: why do my parents always tell me I need to eat more fruit and vegetables instead of pasta and pizza?

The human microbiota, a community of microbes on and in our bodies, is influenced by environmental contact and varies with location and lifestyle. It begins forming at birth through exposure to the mother's microbes and continues as infants acquire microbes from their surroundings. These microbes, shared through contact with caregivers, help shape the immune system, influencing health and development. Promoting practices that support healthy microbiota development is crucial for linking environmental, family, and infant health, aligning with sustainable development goals.

Where does my microbiome come from? Early environments matter: microbiome acquisition and influence on health

When do I start to have microbes on my body and how do I get them?

Microorganisms are ubiquitous on Earth, although they are not always visible to the naked eye, which can make them difficult for children to perceive. They are part of the biosphere, which includes all living and non-living ecosystems on the planet, from soils and waters to minerals and sunlit surfaces. Through a microscope, a vast microscopic world is revealed, composed of bacteria, archaea, viruses, microscopic fungi and protists, some of which have existed for more than 3.5 billion years. These organisms are incredibly diverse and have evolved to perform complex biochemical functions, adapting to environments ranging from the commonplace to the extremely hostile.

Microorganisms are primary agents of change in the biosphere, influencing its structure and functioning through biochemical interactions with other organisms and the environment. Exploring their habitats and ecological functions is essential to understanding how they sustain life on Earth. In addition, these microbes play a crucial role in microbiology, microbial diversity, and sustainability issues such as biodiversity, climate change, circular economy, food security, environmental pollution, human health, and global pandemic management.

Illustration by Jose Arce Gómez

The microorganisms define the biosphere

Are microorganisms important for our planet?

Outdoor play is crucial in childhood, but urbanization is reducing children's contact with nature. This trend is linked to increased allergies and inflammatory diseases, possibly due to less exposure to soil microorganisms. These microbes not only enrich our microbiome and strengthen our immune system, but are also vital for agriculture, water purification and antibiotic production. Soil biodiversity conservation and climate management are crucial not only for human health, but also for global environmental sustainability.

Dirt is good for you!

Why should I wash my hands before snack if we have been told that dirt is good for you?

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