Latest news with #KasthuriVenkateswaran
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA 'cleanrooms' found crawling with 26 new bacterial species
Wait, aren't "clean" rooms supposed to be, well, "clean" of germs and other pesky microscopic particles? Maybe not: A new study reports 26 new bacterial species were found growing inside cleanrooms associated with NASA space missions. Specifically, scientists looked in the cleanrooms used to prepare the Phoenix Mars lander for its August 2007 launch. In the study, scientists analyzed microorganisms growing in the NASA cleanrooms, and discovered many of the new species possessed genes that made them resilient to decontamination and radiation. "We are unraveling the mysteries of microbes that withstand the extreme conditions of space – organisms with the potential to revolutionize the life sciences, bioengineering, and interplanetary exploration," said Kasthuri Venkateswaran, retired senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a lead author of the study, in a statement. Spacecraft are assembled in cleanrooms, which are highly specialized facilities engineered to maintain exceptionally low levels of dust and microorganisms. Cleanrooms are key as spacecraft are built and tested: Even tiny particles or contamination can impact delicate instruments and sensitive components. These controlled environments are extreme in their own right, with tightly regulated airflow, temperature and humidity that inhibit microbial survival. However, some microorganisms – known as "extremophiles" – thrive in such environments. "Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and to identify which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space," said study team member Alexandre Rosado from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. "This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination and safeguarding against unintentional colonization of exploring planets," he added. These previously unknown and newly described species carry genetic traits associated with resilience to extreme environments such as those found in space. Some of the discovered genes were associated with DNA repair, the detoxification of harmful molecules and improved metabolism, all of which increased the species' survivability. Scientists said these genes could lead to new biotechnologies that benefit food preservation and medicine. "These findings not only raise important considerations for planetary protection but also open the door for biotechnological innovation," said Junia Schultz, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST, who was the first author of the study. "Space travel provides an opportunity to study microorganisms that possess relevant stress-resistance genes," Schultz added. "The genes identified in these newly discovered bacterial species could be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation, and other industries." The study was published May 12 in the journal Microbiome. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA 'cleanrooms' found crawling with new species of bacteria
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Science
- USA Today
NASA 'cleanrooms' found crawling with 26 new bacterial species
NASA 'cleanrooms' found crawling with 26 new bacterial species Show Caption Hide Caption NASA's Space Launch System, Orion capsule face budget uncertainty A budget proposal from the White House could reduce NASA's budget by about $6 billion, or 25%. Many of these species possess genes that make them resistant to decontamination and radiation, potentially posing a risk of interplanetary contamination. These "extremophile" microorganisms could lead to new biotechnologies in fields like medicine and food preservation. Scientists believe studying these extremophiles could revolutionize life sciences, bioengineering, and space exploration. Wait, aren't "clean" rooms supposed to be, well, "clean" of germs and other pesky microscopic particles? Maybe not: A new study reports 26 new bacterial species were found growing inside cleanrooms associated with NASA space missions. Specifically, scientists looked in the cleanrooms used to prepare the Phoenix Mars lander for its August 2007 launch. In the study, scientists analyzed microorganisms growing in the NASA cleanrooms, and discovered many of the new species possessed genes that made them resilient to decontamination and radiation. "We are unraveling the mysteries of microbes that withstand the extreme conditions of space – organisms with the potential to revolutionize the life sciences, bioengineering, and interplanetary exploration," said Kasthuri Venkateswaran, retired senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a lead author of the study, in a statement. What is a cleanroom? Spacecraft are assembled in cleanrooms, which are highly specialized facilities engineered to maintain exceptionally low levels of dust and microorganisms. Cleanrooms are key as spacecraft are built and tested: Even tiny particles or contamination can impact delicate instruments and sensitive components. These controlled environments are extreme in their own right, with tightly regulated airflow, temperature and humidity that inhibit microbial survival. However, some microorganisms – known as "extremophiles" – thrive in such environments. 'Extremophiles' can survive in space "Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and to identify which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space," said study team member Alexandre Rosado from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. "This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination and safeguarding against unintentional colonization of exploring planets," he added. New biotechnologies possible These previously unknown and newly described species carry genetic traits associated with resilience to extreme environments such as those found in space. Some of the discovered genes were associated with DNA repair, the detoxification of harmful molecules and improved metabolism, all of which increased the species' survivability. Scientists said these genes could lead to new biotechnologies that benefit food preservation and medicine. "These findings not only raise important considerations for planetary protection but also open the door for biotechnological innovation," said Junia Schultz, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST, who was the first author of the study. "Space travel provides an opportunity to study microorganisms that possess relevant stress-resistance genes," Schultz added. "The genes identified in these newly discovered bacterial species could be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation, and other industries." The study was published May 12 in the journal Microbiome.
NDTV
16-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
NASA's Cleanrooms Discover 26 New Types Of Bacteria That Could Survive Space
New Delhi: Scientists have discovered 26 new types of bacteria growing inside NASA's cleanrooms - the place where spacecraft are built. These species can survive in extreme conditions similar to those found in space, according to a study published in Microbiome. The study, conducted by scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia and in collaboration with NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, appears to be a surprising discovery given how clean and sterilised NASA's cleanrooms are to keep spacecraft free from contamination. NASA builds satellite rovers in cleanrooms where temperature, humidity and airflow are controlled to keep the environment super clean, making it impossible for bacteria to survive. The team noted that some can even survive radiation or resist harmful chemicals. This suggests that they could potentially withstand the harsh environment of space travel. Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran, retired Senior Research Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a lead author of the study, said, "This partnership not only supports Saudi Arabia's ambitious vision through the Saudi Space Agency but also reinforces KAUST's emergence as a global leader in microbial and space biology research." He added, "Together, we are unravelling the mysteries of microbes that withstand the extreme conditions of space." Professor Alexandre Rosado, the lead KAUST researcher on the project, said the study helps understand the types of microbes that could survive and travel to space. It is crucial to avoid spreading these Earth germs to other planets during space missions, he said. "Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions by analysing their genetic traits," he said. Postdoctoral researcher Junia Schultz, who supervised the study, mentioned that these microbes weren't just a warning but could also be useful as their special genes might help us create new medicines, ensure food safety, or be used for other experiements in the future.
