A box full of viruses and bacteria recently returned to Earth after an interesting trip to the International Space Station (ISS). The changes these tiny life forms underwent can help us fight against drug-resistant infections.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Rhodium Scientific Inc. sent Escherichia coli bacteria into space. This bacteria is often challenged by its viral enemy, the T7 bacteriophage. They have been in an evolutionary struggle for ages, but never in the unique environment of microgravity—until now.
While scientists on the ISS incubated these bacteria and phages for 25 days, a team in Madison conducted similar experiments on Earth. Biochemist Vatsan Raman, who led the research, noted that in space, the way bacteria and phages interact changes dramatically. In microgravity, infections occur more slowly, and both organisms evolve differently than they do back home.
On the ISS, bacteria developed mutations related to stress response and nutrient management. Their surface proteins transformed as well. Although the phages initially lagged, they eventually mutated to continue latching onto their bacterial targets.
Interestingly, the research revealed that some of the phage mutations that occurred in space effectively killed the bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs). It’s worth noting that over 90% of UTI-causing bacteria are now resistant to antibiotics, making phage treatments a promising solution.
By studying these adaptations from space, researchers found valuable insights that allowed them to design phages that work better against drug-resistant bacteria on Earth. The findings were published in PLOS Biology.
This research not only opens new doors in medicine but also highlights how space exploration can lead to breakthroughs in understanding life on our planet. As we face rising antibiotic resistance, the insights gained from these tiny organisms could make a big difference in healthcare.
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