Mutated bacteria on space, is it dangerous for astronaut?

News24xx.com - For years scientists have carried out research on the International Space Station (ISS) which aims to see the effects of living in space on humans and micro-organisms. It is estimated, high levels of high radiation exposure and also micro gravity can cause genetic mutations. These genetic mutations that are feared can cause bacteria to become malignant and immune to drugs.

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But, based on recent research this concern finally can be answered. The study, led by Erica Hartmann from Northwestern University, stated that bacteria do mutate but not to make bacteria resistant to drugs. In her research, Hartmann and her team mentioned that the purpose of the mutation was not to be a 'superbug' but only to survive.

"There is a lot of speculation about radiation, microgravity, and lack of ventilation and how it affects living organisms, including bacteria," Hartmann said in hed official statement, quoted from BGR on Monday, January 14th 2019.

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The bacteria examined by Hartmann's team were Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus which grew on the ISS. She added that bacteria that live in human skin are in ideal conditions. But, when these bacteria lived off the human skin, they have to find ways to survive in space.

Hartmann's team member Ryan Blaustein also mentioned that he did not find anything special about antibiotic resistance or virulence in bacteria originating from the ISS. Hartmann also stressed that this does not mean that the disease cannot spread in space. But, at this time it seems that the bacteria found on the ISS do not have a different behavior from the bacteria that are on Earth.

 

 

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