Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32640: Biofilms in Space: How NASA Studies Microbial Growth on the ISS

Microbes are everywhere—even in space. On Earth, we can clean and sterilize environments to keep bacterial colonies under control, but what happens in the closed, humid microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS)?

The eValuatIon And monitoring of microBiofiLms insidE International Space Station (VABLEISS) experiment tackled this very question. Led by Professor Francesco Canganella from the University of Tuscia, the study focused on understanding how microbial biofilms form and behave aboard the ISS.

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that stick to surfaces and produce a protective matrix. On the ISS, these can form on walls, equipment, or even astronaut suits. Over time, biofilms can degrade materials, block air and water systems, and potentially harbor harmful pathogens. VABLEISS sought to monitor and evaluate these microbial communities under space conditions.

The study involved collecting samples from various surfaces inside the station and analyzing them for microbial composition and biofilm development. Special emphasis was placed on how the absence of gravity and higher radiation levels affected microbial behavior.

Results showed that some microbes became more virulent and resistant in space. They also found that biofilm structures were different from those formed on Earth, suggesting that microgravity fundamentally changes microbial life.

The implications are significant. Understanding how microbes adapt to space conditions helps scientists develop better cleaning protocols, resistant materials, and even new types of space-grade disinfectants. Moreover, this research is vital for long-term missions, where a stable and healthy microbial balance could be critical to astronaut health.

The study’s insights could also help manage biofilms in hospitals, water systems, and food production facilities on Earth.

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