Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31355: Space Hygiene: Studying Harmful Microbes with the ISS-MOP Project
- Agnirva.com
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
The space station might look sterile in pictures, but it’s far from microbe-free. Just like any closed environment, the ISS accumulates microorganisms, some of which can be harmful. The International Space Station—Microbial Observatory of Pathogenic Viruses, Bacteria, and Fungi (ISS-MOP) Project set out to understand which microbes live aboard the ISS and whether they pose health risks to astronauts.
Led by Dr. Crystal Jaing from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and supported by NASA Ames, this project spanned Expeditions 51 through 58. It was among the most comprehensive efforts to identify pathogenic organisms in the ISS environment.
The team collected air and surface samples from various ISS modules, targeting high-touch areas. These were analyzed using cutting-edge DNA and RNA sequencing techniques to detect even the smallest traces of viral, bacterial, or fungal presence.
The results? A diverse array of microbes, including some known to cause infections on Earth. Although none posed an immediate threat, their presence highlighted the importance of continuous monitoring. Some microbes also showed mutations—possible signs of adaptation to space.
One of the key outcomes was identifying how microbial communities change over time. Microbes brought by new crew members or cargo added to the mix, while others adapted to survive in the ISS’s artificial atmosphere. This dynamic ecosystem demands careful oversight.
The ISS-MOP project has since become a model for pathogen surveillance in space. Its protocols and findings are shaping the microbial safety policies for future deep-space missions.
Join the Agnirva Space Internship Program
Comments