Astromycology: A New Horizon in Space Exploration
In the evolving space exploration field, understanding microbial life’s behaviors and potential uses is crucial and part of the focus of astrobiology. Astromycology, a field of astrobiology, focuses particularly on the study of fungi in space (or space-related conditions) and has demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of these organisms in environments beyond our planet. This article explores how current research utilizes fungal power to impact space exploration and biotechnology applications, as well as how negative and dangerous their presence can be.
Exploring Fungi for Space exploration
Fungi are quite robust and have a key role as decomposers on Earth. They are present everywhere on our planet and even in the most extreme environments that we have explored. Furthermore, several fungal species have also been found aboard space structures confirming their survivability in these complex conditions. Regardless, we need a deeper exploration into fungal biology under space conditions in order to understand them better, to fully explore them as assets in extraterrestrial environments, and also identify all challenges and potential risks they might pose [1]. In our daiy lives, we use many products derived from fungal processes (e.g., fermentations products like bread and alcoholic drinks; metabolites like antibiotics, antifungals, anti-tumorals, plant growth hormones, immunosuppressive agents, or cholesterol lowering drugs); enzymes (for many different industries and food products like cheese and tempeth); and, their biomass as food yeast and mycoprotein). Through astromycology research we can study how fungi might be used for processes useful for space exploration like bioremediation or life support systems.
The Role of Microbes in Space Exploration and Astrobiology
Advances in microbiology improve our understanding of life’s potential beyond Earth. Microbes, like fungi, are able to synthesize metal nanoparticles offering green alternatives to traditional production methods. This biological production can be explored for different applications such as detection of life in extraterrestrial environments, like Mars [2]. Earth is full of extreme environments, like our own stratosphere [3], brine pools in the deep ocean, hydrothermal vents, and salterns [4] (just to name a few). These are called terrestrial analogs for being models for understanding how life might survive on Mars or other outerspace locations. Research on extremophiles, the organisms that inhabit many of the terrestrial analogues, helps develop strong habitability models to guide us on the search for life in the solar system and beyond [5]. On the other hand, microorganisms also have the potential to increase their pathogenicity during space missions, which can pose a high risk for crewed missions and highlights the urgency for further research to assure safer missions and crews’ health [6].
Transferring terrestrial biotechnology research for Space applications
Biomineralization, the process by which microorganisms produce minerals, is used to harden or stiffen existing substances, tissues, other minerals. It plays a crucial role in the formation of structures like bones, teeth, or shells. In the context of space exploration, biomineralization holds promise for infrastructure maintenance and construction. For example, the production of bio-bricks using extraterrestrial regolith could facilitate habitat building. Exploring microbes’ capacities, like Microbial-Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP), not only helps to repair concrete cracks on our planet, but also offers relevant insights for building durable habitats on other planets [7].
Nanotechnology, too, has made great progess. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), even though having many broad applications, raise environmental impact concerns. However, biogenic AgNPs, especially those synthesized by fungi, exhibit exceptional antimicrobial properties with minimal toxicity to freshwater species. These mycogenic AgNPs are therefore suitable for water decontamination [8][9]. Similarly, mycogenic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles show great potential for numerous areas, but still remain underexplored [10].
A Symbiotic Future
Imagine a future where microbial research is integrated with astrobiology and biotechnology. As space exploration progresses, the interdependence between space exploration and sustainable development on Earth become more obvious. Microbes hold the key to this symbiotic relationship. Insights from studying life in extreme conditions and at extreme environments contribute to advancing space missions and address environmental challenges right here on our planet. The connection between Earthly and extraterrestrial biospheres is this way reinforced, and research on one can help the other.
*Notes: This article provides research teasers for each reference to showcase the novelties
References
[1] Simões, M. F., Cortesão, M., Azua-Bustos, A., Bai, F. Y., Canini, F., Casadevall, A., … & Antunes, A. (2023). The relevance of fungi in astrobiology research–Astromycology. Mycosphere, 14(1), 1190-1253, doi: 10.5943/mycosphere/14/1/13.
[2] Simões, M. F., Ottoni, C. A., & Antunes, A. (2020). Biogenic metal nanoparticles: A new approach to detect life on mars?. Life, 10(3), 28, doi: 10.3390/life10030028.
[3] DasSarma, P., Antunes, A., Simões, M. F., & DasSarma, S. (2020). Earth’s stratosphere and microbial life. Current issues in molecular biology, 38(1), 197-244, doi: 10.21775/cimb.038.197.
[4] Wu, J. H., McGenity, T. J., Rettberg, P., Simões, M. F., Li, W. J., & Antunes, A. (2022). The archaeal class Halobacteria and astrobiology: Knowledge gaps and research opportunities. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 1023625, doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1023625.
[5] Méndez, A., Rivera-Valentín, E. G., Schulze-Makuch, D., Filiberto, J., Ramírez, R. M., Wood, T. E., … Simões, M. F., … & Haqq-Misra, J. (2021). Habitability models for astrobiology. Astrobiology, 21(8), 1017-1027, doi: 10.1089/ast.2020.2342.
[6] Simões, M. F., & Antunes, A. (2021). Microbial Pathogenicity in Space. Pathogens 2021, 10, 450, doi: 10.3390/pathogens10040450.
[7] Zhang, J., Deng, J., He, Y., Wu, J., Simões, M. F., Liu, B., … & Antunes, A. (2024). A review of biomineralization in healing concrete: Mechanism, biodiversity, and application. Science of The Total Environment, 170445, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170445.
[8] Aguiar, A. P., Ottoni, C. A., Aquaroli, C. D. L. R., Mendes, E. C. V., de Souza Araújo, A. L., Simões, M. F., & Barbieri, E. (2024). Mycogenic silver nanoparticles from Penicillium citrinum IB-CLP11–their antimicrobial activity and potential toxicity effects on freshwater organisms. Environmental Science: Nano, doi: 10.1039/D4EN00002A.
[9] da Silva, C. A., Ribeiro, B. M., do Valle Trotta, C., Perina, F. C., Martins, R., de Souza Abessa, D. M., … Simões, M. F. & Ottoni, C. A. (2022). Effects of mycogenic silver nanoparticles on organisms of different trophic levels. Chemosphere, 308, 136540, doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136540.
[10] Simões, M. F. (2023). Mycosynthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and their applications. In Fungal Cell Factories for Sustainable Nanomaterials Productions and Agricultural Applications (pp. 225-255). Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-99922-9.00004-0.
Astromycology: A New Horizon in Space Exploration
In the evolving space exploration field, understanding microbial life’s behaviors and potential uses is crucial and part of the focus of astrobiology. Astromycology, a field of astrobiology, focuses particularly on the study of fungi in space (or space-related conditions) and has demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of these organisms in environments beyond our planet. This article explores how current research utilizes fungal power to impact space exploration and biotechnology applications, as well as how negative and dangerous their presence can be.
Exploring Fungi for Space exploration
Fungi are quite robust and have a key role as decomposers on Earth. They are present everywhere on our planet and even in the most extreme environments that we have explored. Furthermore, several fungal species have also been found aboard space structures confirming their survivability in these complex conditions. Regardless, we need a deeper exploration into fungal biology under space conditions in order to understand them better, to fully explore them as assets in extraterrestrial environments, and also identify all challenges and potential risks they might pose [1]. In our daiy lives, we use many products derived from fungal processes (e.g., fermentations products like bread and alcoholic drinks; metabolites like antibiotics, antifungals, anti-tumorals, plant growth hormones, immunosuppressive agents, or cholesterol lowering drugs); enzymes (for many different industries and food products like cheese and tempeth); and, their biomass as food yeast and mycoprotein). Through astromycology research we can study how fungi might be used for processes useful for space exploration like bioremediation or life support systems.
The Role of Microbes in Space Exploration and Astrobiology
Advances in microbiology improve our understanding of life’s potential beyond Earth. Microbes, like fungi, are able to synthesize metal nanoparticles offering green alternatives to traditional production methods. This biological production can be explored for different applications such as detection of life in extraterrestrial environments, like Mars [2]. Earth is full of extreme environments, like our own stratosphere [3], brine pools in the deep ocean, hydrothermal vents, and salterns [4] (just to name a few). These are called terrestrial analogs for being models for understanding how life might survive on Mars or other outerspace locations. Research on extremophiles, the organisms that inhabit many of the terrestrial analogues, helps develop strong habitability models to guide us on the search for life in the solar system and beyond [5]. On the other hand, microorganisms also have the potential to increase their pathogenicity during space missions, which can pose a high risk for crewed missions and highlights the urgency for further research to assure safer missions and crews’ health [6].
Transferring terrestrial biotechnology research for Space applications
Biomineralization, the process by which microorganisms produce minerals, is used to harden or stiffen existing substances, tissues, other minerals. It plays a crucial role in the formation of structures like bones, teeth, or shells. In the context of space exploration, biomineralization holds promise for infrastructure maintenance and construction. For example, the production of bio-bricks using extraterrestrial regolith could facilitate habitat building. Exploring microbes’ capacities, like Microbial-Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP), not only helps to repair concrete cracks on our planet, but also offers relevant insights for building durable habitats on other planets [7].
Nanotechnology, too, has made great progess. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), even though having many broad applications, raise environmental impact concerns. However, biogenic AgNPs, especially those synthesized by fungi, exhibit exceptional antimicrobial properties with minimal toxicity to freshwater species. These mycogenic AgNPs are therefore suitable for water decontamination [8][9]. Similarly, mycogenic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles show great potential for numerous areas, but still remain underexplored [10].
A Symbiotic Future
Imagine a future where microbial research is integrated with astrobiology and biotechnology. As space exploration progresses, the interdependence between space exploration and sustainable development on Earth become more obvious. Microbes hold the key to this symbiotic relationship. Insights from studying life in extreme conditions and at extreme environments contribute to advancing space missions and address environmental challenges right here on our planet. The connection between Earthly and extraterrestrial biospheres is this way reinforced, and research on one can help the other.
*Notes: This article provides research teasers for each reference to showcase the novelties
References
[1] Simões, M. F., Cortesão, M., Azua-Bustos, A., Bai, F. Y., Canini, F., Casadevall, A., … & Antunes, A. (2023). The relevance of fungi in astrobiology research–Astromycology. Mycosphere, 14(1), 1190-1253, doi: 10.5943/mycosphere/14/1/13.
[2] Simões, M. F., Ottoni, C. A., & Antunes, A. (2020). Biogenic metal nanoparticles: A new approach to detect life on mars?. Life, 10(3), 28, doi: 10.3390/life10030028.
[3] DasSarma, P., Antunes, A., Simões, M. F., & DasSarma, S. (2020). Earth’s stratosphere and microbial life. Current issues in molecular biology, 38(1), 197-244, doi: 10.21775/cimb.038.197.
[4] Wu, J. H., McGenity, T. J., Rettberg, P., Simões, M. F., Li, W. J., & Antunes, A. (2022). The archaeal class Halobacteria and astrobiology: Knowledge gaps and research opportunities. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 1023625, doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1023625.
[5] Méndez, A., Rivera-Valentín, E. G., Schulze-Makuch, D., Filiberto, J., Ramírez, R. M., Wood, T. E., … Simões, M. F., … & Haqq-Misra, J. (2021). Habitability models for astrobiology. Astrobiology, 21(8), 1017-1027, doi: 10.1089/ast.2020.2342.
[6] Simões, M. F., & Antunes, A. (2021). Microbial Pathogenicity in Space. Pathogens 2021, 10, 450, doi: 10.3390/pathogens10040450.
[7] Zhang, J., Deng, J., He, Y., Wu, J., Simões, M. F., Liu, B., … & Antunes, A. (2024). A review of biomineralization in healing concrete: Mechanism, biodiversity, and application. Science of The Total Environment, 170445, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170445.
[8] Aguiar, A. P., Ottoni, C. A., Aquaroli, C. D. L. R., Mendes, E. C. V., de Souza Araújo, A. L., Simões, M. F., & Barbieri, E. (2024). Mycogenic silver nanoparticles from Penicillium citrinum IB-CLP11–their antimicrobial activity and potential toxicity effects on freshwater organisms. Environmental Science: Nano, doi: 10.1039/D4EN00002A.
[9] da Silva, C. A., Ribeiro, B. M., do Valle Trotta, C., Perina, F. C., Martins, R., de Souza Abessa, D. M., … Simões, M. F. & Ottoni, C. A. (2022). Effects of mycogenic silver nanoparticles on organisms of different trophic levels. Chemosphere, 308, 136540, doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136540.
[10] Simões, M. F. (2023). Mycosynthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and their applications. In Fungal Cell Factories for Sustainable Nanomaterials Productions and Agricultural Applications (pp. 225-255). Elsevier, doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-99922-9.00004-0.
