Gut microbiome of hardy species: Bridging Earth and Space Medicine

Several lines of evidence suggest the need for the development of effective countermeasure tools against endothelial disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, atherosclerosis, cancer/metastasis, kidney diseases, etc. Notably, the health risk impacts due to microgravity environment during space missions have also shown a higher risk of vascular damage, especially endothelial dysfunction that may trigger and increase capillaries permeability, immune dysfunction and inflammation which results in various disorders. Crocodiles thrive in unsanitary conditions, endure high levels of radiation, feed on rotten meat, are exposed to heavy metals, are among the very few species to endure the catastrophic Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event, and yet they can live up to a 100 years. Similarly, cockroaches are another hardy species that can tolerate high levels of radiation and thrive in the most challenging environments. We postulate that the microbial gut flora of such species produce substances contributing to their “hardiness”. Our preliminary studies have already demonstrated that microbial gut flora of crocodile and cockroaches exhibit remarkable properties and these findings will be discussed. Understanding the mechanisms is not only critical for combating several impairments here on Earth, but also critical for space related disorders for the development of effective countermeasure tools of the increasing trend in space travel. Currently, we are working with different research modalities in gravity and microgravity-related environments to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying those changes and exploring therapeutic targets.