What is "Space Bug"?

A bug has been discovered by scientists. However, what makes it a big news is the fact that this bug is not found on the Earth, but rather in the International Space Station (ISS). What's more? This space bug can infect the respiratory system!

Sunita Williams, the Indian-origin astronaut is on board the International Space Station (ISS). the space big lurking there has become an alarming issue for astronauts like her.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA and IIT Madras have researchers studying about multi-drug resistant pathogens on the International Space Station. The study is centered around the Enterobacter bugandensis.

The closed vicinity of the ISS has made it possible for the bacteria to evolve. The result is that currently, the bacteria has become more potent.

NASA has said that the strains of this bacterium were under study. It said that over 13 strains of the Enterobacter bugandensis were actually isolated from the International Space Station.

Under stress, the strains isolated from the ISS were actually mutated. These then became functionally and genetically different as compared to their counterparts on Earth.

Dr Kasthuria Venkateswaran of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA led the study. It has been suggested that over time, the strains of the bacterium were able to persist in the ISS greatly. There have been a myriad of other microorganisms that persisted with the bug on the ISS, as suggested by NASA.

The researchers expressed that their comprehensive analysis has put forward not only the manners in which such interactions sculpt the microbial diversity. The factors that may encourage the growth and succession of the bacterium in the environment of the ISS have also been illuminated.

The paper that has been published by the researches in Microbiome, the scientific journal. 

There are various impacts of such findings. Firstly, such studies talk about the microbial behavior. It throws light on how microbes adapt and evolve in environments that are extreme and isolated. Additionally, such studies talk about the importance of effective preventive measures. This would further ensure the safety and heath of astronauts.

ISS is a closed environment designed by humans. NASA is of the view that environments like these are unique regions. These regions offer extreme environments that are subject to radiation, microgravity, and increased levels of carbon dioxide. NASA further suggested that in order to survive in such regions, microorganisms here must adapt. It further noted that research in microbial dynamics in extreme environments paves the way to effective preventative measures for the health of astronauts.