The astronaut microbiome
Oleg Kotsyurbenko
Daddy: we know that microbes live in our body, but how do they like to travel in space with us?
The microbiome is often referred to as the “new organ” of the human body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining human health, and its microbial composition serves as an important indicator of the body’s overall condition. Various stress factors can alter the microbiome and, consequently, its influence on the host.
During space travel, such stressors include microgravity, radiation, confinement within a closed environment, limited personal space, and continuous interaction with other crew members. Furthermore, we still do not fully understand how the microbes within our bodies respond to prolonged space missions.
Understanding the microbiomes of astronauts and their specific changes in response to space environments is essential for predicting astronauts’ health during long-term stays on orbital stations and future missions to other planets. Additionally, insights gained from studying the human microbiome in space may help scientists uncover the underlying causes of various human disorders on Earth.