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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2014

Microorganism Utilization for Synthetic Milk

A desired architecture for long duration spaceflight, like aboard the International Space Station or for future missions to Mars, is to provide a supply of fresh food crops for the astronauts. However, some crops can create a high proportion of inedible plant waste. The main goal of the Synthetic Biology project, Cow in a Column, was to produce the components of milk (sugar, lipid, protein) from inedible plant waste by utilizing microorganisms (fungi, yeast, bacteria). Of particular interest was utilizing the valuable polysaccharide, cellulose, found in plant waste, to naturally fuel-through microorganism cellular metabolism- the creation of sugar (glucose), lipid (milk fat), and protein (casein) in order to produce a synthetic edible food product. Environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, carbon source, aeration, and choice microorganisms were optimized in the laboratory and the desired end-products, sugars and lipids, were analyzed. Trichoderma reesei, a known cellulolytic fungus, was utilized to drive the production of glucose, with the intent that the produced glucose would serve as the carbon source for milk fat production and be a substitute for the milk sugar lactose. Lipid production would be carried out by Rhodosporidium toruloides, yeast known to accumulate those lipids that are typically found in milk fat. Results showed that glucose and total lipid content were below what was expected during this phase of experimentation. In addition, individual analysis of six fatty acids revealed that the percentage of each fatty acid was lower than naturally produced bovine milk. Overall, this research indicates that microorganisms could be utilized to breakdown inedible solid waste to produce useable products. For future work, the production of the casein protein for milk would require the development of a genetically modified organism, which was beyond the scope of the original project. Additional trials would be needed to further refine the required environment/organisms for the production of desired sugar and lipid end-products.

Microorganisms↗
DOE OSTI2020

Expanded Phylogenetic Diversity and Metabolic Flexibility of Mercury-Methylating Microorganisms

Methylmercury is a potent bioaccumulating neurotoxin that is produced by specific microorganisms that methylate inorganic mercury. Methylmercury production in diverse anaerobic bacteria and archaea was recently linked to the hgcAB genes. However, the full phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of mercury-methylating microorganisms has not been fully unraveled due to the limited number of cultured experimentally verified methylators and the limitations of primer-based molecular methods. Here, we describe the phylogenetic diversity and metabolic flexibility of putative mercury-methylating microorganisms by hgcAB identification in publicly available isolate genomes and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) as well as novel freshwater MAGs. We demonstrate that putative mercury methylators are much more phylogenetically diverse than previously known and that hgcAB distribution among genomes is most likely due to several independent horizontal gene transfer events. The microorganisms we identified possess diverse metabolic capabilities spanning carbon fixation, sulfate reduction, nitrogen fixation, and metal resistance pathways. We identified 111 putative mercury methylators in a set of previously published permafrost metatranscriptomes and demonstrated that different methylating taxa may contribute to hgcA expression at different depths. Overall, we provide a framework for illuminating the microbial basis of mercury methylation using genome-resolved metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to identify putative methylators based upon hgcAB presence and describe their putative functions in the environment.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1986

The ecology of microorganisms in a small closed system: Potential benefits and problems for space station

The inevitble presence on the space station of microorganisms associated with crew members and their environment will have the potential for both benefits and a range of problems including illness and corrosion of materials. This report reviews the literature presenting information about microorganisms pertinent to Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) on the space station. The perspective of the report is ecological, viewing the space station as an ecosystem in which biological relationships are affected by factors such as zero gravity and by closure of a small volume of space. Potential sites and activities of microorganisms on the space station and their environmental limits, microbial standards for the space station, monitoring and control methods, effects of space factors on microorganisms, and extraterrestrial contamination are discussed.

Rodgers, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS2007

A Comprehensive Characterization of Microorganisms and Allergens in Spacecraft Environment

The determination of risk from infectious disease during long-duration missions is composed of several factors including (1) the host#s susceptibility, (2) the host#s exposure to the infectious disease agent, and (3) the concentration of the infectious agent, and (4) the characteristics of the infectious agent. While stringent steps are taken to minimize the transfer of potential pathogens to spacecraft, several medically significant organisms have been isolated from both the Mir and International Space Station (ISS). Historically, the method for isolation and identification of microorganisms from spacecraft environmental samples depended upon their growth on culture media. Unfortunately, only a fraction of the organisms may grow on a culture medium, potentially omitting those microorganisms whose nutritional and physical requirements for growth are not met. Thus, several pathogens may not have been detected, such as Legionella pneumophila, the etiological agent of Legionnaire#s disease. We hypothesize that environmental analysis using non-culture-based technologies will reveal microorganisms, allergens, and microbial toxins not previously reported in spacecraft, allowing for a more complete health assessment. The development of techniques for this flight experiment, operationally named SWAB, has already provided advances in NASA laboratory processes and beneficial information toward human health risk assessment. The first accomplishment of the SWAB experiment was the incorporation of 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing for the identification of bacteria. The use of this molecular technique has increased bacterial speciation of environmental isolates from previous flights three fold compared to conventional methodology. This increased efficiency in bacterial speciation provides a better understanding of the microbial ecology and the potential risk to the crew. Additional SWAB studies focused on the use of molecular-based DNA fingerprinting using repetitive sequencebased polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR). This technology has allowed contamination tracking of microorganisms between crewmembers and their environment. This study not only demonstrated that ISS has a greater diversity of organisms than originally expected, but also provided insight into possible routes of infection to the crew. Additional ground-based studies used rep-PCR and protein based assays to determine the potential of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) aboard ISS. MRSA has become increasingly common on Earth and pose a treatment problem for infections during flight. While no MRSA have been isolated from ISS to date, the mecA gene product that is responsible for methicillin resistance was isolated in other Staphylococcus species aboard ISS suggesting a potential of MRSA through gene transfer. Using improved sample collection technologies, flight sampling for SWAB was initiated in August 2006 and should continue through spring of 2007. The focus of these flight samples is the collection of DNA for evaluation by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE). Unlike other techniques, DGGE does not depend on any microbial growth on culture media allowing a more comprehensive assessment of the spacecraft interior. This study should provide insight into the true microbial ecology that is experienced by the crew during flight. This information will lead toward an accurate microbial risk assessment to help set flight requirements to protect the safety, health, and performance of the crew.

Ott, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Process and apparatus for analyzing specimens for the presence of microorganisms therein

Microorganisms in a specimen are detected, identified, and enumerated by introducing the specimen into a sampling cartridge and diluting the specimen with a known volume of water within the cartridge. The cartridge has a manifold and several cassettes attached to the manifold. Each cassette contains a serpentine flow channel having a series of filters therein and a detection cell located downstream from each filter. The flow channel in each cassette also contains a culture medium which is freeze dried and is highly selective in the sense that it promotes the growth of one type of microorganism, but not others. The mixture of the specimen and water flows from the manifold into the flow channel of each cassette where it rehydrates the culture medium therein and further flows through the filters. Each filter removes a known proportion of the microorganisms from the mixture of specimen, water and medium, thereby effecting a serial dilution. After the cassettes are heated to incubate the microoganisms, the detection cells are observed for growth of the microorganisms therein which is manifested in a change in the light transmitting characteristics of the mixtures within the cells.

Aldridge, Jr., Clifton↗
NASA NTRS2009

Surface, Water and Air Biocharacterization - A Comprehensive Characterization of Microorganisms and Allergens in Spacecraft Environment

A Comprehensive Characterization of Microorganisms and Allergens in Spacecraft (SWAB) will use advanced molecular techniques to comprehensively evaluate microbes on board the space station, including pathogens (organisms that may cause disease). It also will track changes in the microbial community as spacecraft visit the station and new station modules are added. This study will allow an assessment of the risk of microbes to the crew and the spacecraft. Research Summary: Previous microbial analysis of spacecraft only identify microorganisms that will grow in culture, omitting greater than 90% of all microorganisms including pathogens such as Legionella (the bacterium which causes Legionnaires' disease) and Cryptosporidium (a parasite common in contaminated water) The incidence of potent allergens, such as dust mites, has never been systematically studied in spacecraft environments and microbial toxins have not been previously monitored. This study will use modern molecular techniques to identify microorganisms and allergens. Direct sampling of the ISS allows identification of the microbial communities present, and determination of whether these change or mutate over time. SWAB complements the nominal ISS environmental monitoring by providing a comparison of analyses from current media-based and advanced molecular-based technologies.

Pierson, Duane L.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Fossil Microorganisms and Formation of Early Precambrian Weathering Profiles

Weathering crusts are the only reliable evidences of the existence of continental conditions. Often they are the only source of information about exogenous processes and subsequently about conditions under which the development of the biosphere occurred. A complex of diverse fossil microorganisms was discovered as a result of Scanning Electron Microscope investigations. The chemical composition of the discovered fossils is identical to that of the host rocks and is represented by Si, Al, Fe, Ca and Mg. Probably, the microorganisms fixed in rocks played the role of catalyst. The decomposition of minerals comprising the rocks and their transformation into clayey (argillaceous) minerals, most likely occurred under the influence of microorganisms. And may be unique weathering crusts of Early Precambrian were formed due to interaction between specific composition of microorganism assemblage and conditions of hypergene transformations. So it is possible to speak about colonization of land by microbes already at that time and about existence of single raw from weathering crusts (Primitive soils) to real soils.

Rozanov, A. Yu↗
DOE OSTI2021

Oleaginous microorganisms and uses of same

Recombinant microorganisms including one or more modifications that enhance lipid production and uses of same for producing lipid. The modifications alter cell surface functions, envelope functions, and other functions. The modifications are capable of converting non-oleaginous microorganisms into oleaginous microorganisms. The lipids produced by some of the recombinant microorganisms are excreted.

Donohue, Timothy James↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microorganisms and methods for producing 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid and other compounds

Recombinant microorganisms configured for enhanced production of compounds such as 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) and methods of using the recombinant microorganisms for the production of these compounds. The recombinant microorganisms include one or more modifications that reduce 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) hydrolase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) cis-trans isomerase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) methyl esterase activity, and/or vanillate/3-O-methylgallate O-demethylase activity. The recombinant microorganisms can be used to generate PDC from media comprising plant-derived phenolics, such as syringyl phenolics, guaiacyl phenolics, and p-hydroxyphenyl phenolics. The plant-derived phenolics can be derived from pretreated lignin, including depolymerized lignin or other chemically altered lignin.

Noguera, Daniel R.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Recombinant microorganisms and uses therefor

Microorganisms are genetically engineered to produce 3-hydroxypropionate (3-HP). The microorganisms are carboxydotrophic acetogens. The microorganisms produce acetyl-coA using the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for fixing CO/CO 2 . A β-alanine pyruvate aminotransferase from a microorganism that contains such an enzyme is introduced. Additionally, an acetyl-coA carboxylase may also be introduced. The production of 3-HP can be improved. This can be effected by improved promoters or higher copy number or enzymes that are catalytically more efficient.

Liew, Fungmin↗
DOE OSTI2024

The Impact of Sorbent Amendments for Mercury Remediation on the Viability of Soil Microorganisms

Mercury (Hg) remediation across contaminated environments in the United States is an ongoing project. As part of the Hg cleanup strategy at East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC), located in Oak Ridge, TN, the deployment of sorbents is considered. However, the impact of sorbents on soil microorganisms is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of sorbents on soil microorganism viability and biofilm formation to assess soil health during sorbent application for Hg remediation. We specifically investigated the effect of two engineered sorbents, Organoclay PM-199 and Organoclay MRM (which are manufactured from clay minerals formulated for various remediation applications), on two gram-negative organisms ( Serratia marcescens and Burkholderia thailandensis ) isolated from the Hg-contaminated EFPC bank soil. Pure cultures of S. marcescens or B. thailandensis were amended with 5% (w/v) and 25% (w/v) PM-199 and MRM, respectively, for 9 days. The samples were harvested, and bacterial cell viability was determined using a BacLight staining kit. Results showed that the growth of sorbent-amended S. marcescens was inhibited in contrast to that of unamended control. Furthermore, biochemical assays were used to analyze bacterial biofilm formation and integral biofilm components. Our results suggest that biofilm formation by sorbent-amended S. marcescens was negatively affected. In contrast, B. thailandensis amended with low concentrations of MRM showed enhanced growth and notable differences in biofilm morphology. These results suggest that the use of organoclay PM-199 and MRM at higher concentrations in field studies may hinder the growth of specific soil microorganisms.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2014

Microorganism Utilization for Synthetic Milk Production

A desired architecture for long duration spaceflight, such as aboard the International Space Station (ISS) or for future missions to Mars, is to provide a supply of fresh food crops for the astronauts. However, some crops can create a high proportion of inedible plant waste. The main goal of this project was to produce the components of milk (sugar, lipid, protein) from inedible plant waste by utilizing microorganisms (fungi, yeast, bacteria). Of particular interest was utilizing the valuable polysaccharide, cellulose, found in plant waste, to naturally fuel- through microorganism cellular metabolism- the creation of sugar (glucose), lipid (milk fat), and protein (casein) to produce a synthetic edible food product. Environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, carbon source, aeration, and choice microorganisms.

Microorganism↗
DOE OSTI2025

Protection and enrichment: how two different carbonaceous biofilm supports improve methane yield from encapsulated anaerobic microorganisms

Encapsulating anaerobic microorganisms allows for the separation of the solids retention time from the hydraulic retention time during anaerobic wastewater treatment. The harsh chemistries involved in the process of encapsulation can have adverse effects on microorganisms for anaerobic digestion, especially methanogens, and can lead to lower methane yields after encapsulation. Improving the survival and maintaining activity of anaerobic communities during encapsulation will likely be the key to improving methane yield. In this study, we investigated the encapsulation of biomass grown as biofilms on two carbonaceous materials, biochar and powdered activated carbon (PAC), to improve methane yield. Microorganisms grown as biofilms on biochar and PAC were encapsulated in polyethylene glycol (PEG) and incubated for 10 days. After 10 days, the unamended control capsules produced 81.6 ± 5.4 μmol of methane, while PAC-amended capsules produced 129.8 ± 1.9 μmol and biochar-amended capsules produced 432.96 ± 20.8 μmol methane, with the differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). In biochar, a higher relative abundance of methanogens led to increased methane production capacity. The ratio of the methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA) genes to total 16S rRNA genes in the encapsulated biochar-supported biofilms was significantly higher than that in the encapsulated unsupported (p = 4.9 × 10 −5 ) and the PAC-supported biofilms (p = 0.012). Biochar-supported biofilms also had higher methane output per mcrA or 16S rRNA gene copy number. For the PAC, biofilms were protected from ammonium persulfate (APS), a powerful oxidant used in the encapsulation process. PAC removed 92% of dissolved APS, reducing exposure of the methanogens to this chemical. Unfortunately, this removal of APS compromised capsule stability, limiting the amount of PAC that could be added to the capsules. Furthermore, amendments that improve survival and activity of methanogens should be used in the capsules instead of those that protect methanogens by interfering with encapsulant polymerization chemistry.

Resource recovery↗
DOE OSTI2024

Priorities, opportunities, and challenges for integrating microorganisms into Earth system models for climate change prediction

ABSTRACT Climate change jeopardizes human health, global biodiversity, and sustainability of the biosphere. To make reliable predictions about climate change, scientists use Earth system models (ESMs) that integrate physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring on land, the oceans, and the atmosphere. Although critical for catalyzing coupled biogeochemical processes, microorganisms have traditionally been left out of ESMs. Here, we generate a “top 10” list of priorities, opportunities, and challenges for the explicit integration of microorganisms into ESMs. We discuss the need for coarse-graining microbial information into functionally relevant categories, as well as the capacity for microorganisms to rapidly evolve in response to climate-change drivers. Microbiologists are uniquely positioned to collect novel and valuable information necessary for next-generation ESMs, but this requires data harmonization and transdisciplinary collaboration to effectively guide adaptation strategies and mitigation policy.

Microbiology↗
DOE OSTI2023

Investigation of microorganisms in cannabis after heating in a commercial vaporizer

There are concerns about microorganisms present on cannabis materials used in clinical settings by individuals whose health status is already compromised and are likely more susceptible to opportunistic infections from microbial populations present on the materials. Most concerning is administration by inhalation where cannabis plant material is heated in a vaporizer, aerosolized, and inhaled to receive the bioactive ingredients. Heating to high temperatures is known to kill microorganisms including bacteria and fungi; however, microbial death is dependent upon exposure time and temperature. It is unknown whether the heating of cannabis at temperatures and times designated by a commercial vaporizer utilized in clinical settings will significantly decrease the microbial loads in cannabis plant material. To assess this question, bulk cannabis plant material supplied by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) was used to assess the impact of heating by a commercial vaporizer. Initial method development studies using a cannabis placebo spiked with Escherichia coli were performed to optimize culture and recovery parameters. Subsequent studies were carried out using the cannabis placebo, low delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency and high THC potency cannabis materials exposed to either no heat or heating for 30 or 70 seconds at 190°C. Phosphate-buffered saline was added to the samples and the samples agitated to suspend the microorganism. Microbial growth after no heat or heating was evaluated by plating on growth media and determining the total aerobic microbial counts and total yeast and mold counts. Overall, while there were trends of reductions in microbial counts with heating, these reductions were not statistically significant, indicating that heating using standard vaporization parameters of 70 seconds at 190°C may not eliminate the existing microbial bioburden, including any opportunistic pathogens. When cultured organisms were identified by DNA sequence analyses, several fungal and bacterial taxa were detected in the different products that have been associated with opportunistic infections or allergic reactions including Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and Aspergillus.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Insights through Genetics of Halophilic Microorganisms and Their Viruses

Halophilic microorganisms are found in all domains of life and thrive in hypersaline (high salt content) environments. These unusual microbes have been a subject of study for many years due to their interesting properties and physiology. Study of the genetics of halophilic microorganisms (from gene expression and regulation to genomics) has provided understanding into mechanisms of how life can occur at high salinity levels. Here we highlight recent studies that advance knowledge of biological function through study of the genetics of halophilic microorganisms and their viruses.

Montalvo-Rodríguez, Rafael↗
NASA NTRS1972

Fluorescent antibody detection of microorganisms in terrestrial environments

The fluorescent antibody technique and its use in direct microscopic examination of the soil is discussed. Feasibility analyses were made to determine if the method could be used to simultaneously observe and recognize microorganisms in the soil. Some data indicate this may be possible. Data are also given on two related problems involving the interaction of soil microorganisms with plant roots to form symbiotic structures. One was concerned with the developmental ecology and biology of the root nodule of alder and the second was concerned with the ectotrophic mycorrhizal structure on forest trees, especially pines. In both, the fluorescent antibody detection of the microbial symbiont both as a free living form in soil, and as a root inhabiting form in the higher plant was emphasized. A third aspect of the research involved the detection of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing microorganisms in soil.

Schmidt, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Limitations to growth of microorganisms on Uranus, Neptune, and Titan

Reappraisal of the probabilistic policy toward planetary contamination by terrestrial microorganisms carried aboard space probes is suggested on the grounds that assignment of numerical probabilities to qualitatively unknown phenomena, as expressed in Phillips's (1974) formulation of the probability of contamination, is inappropriate. As an alternative, it is proposed that fundamental knowledge of the interacting nature of life on earth, interrelations between terrestrial organisms, and continuing effects of these organisms on earth's atmosphere and surface should guide the formulation of a sounder scientific quarantine policy. Simple conservative atmospheric models most favorable for life on Uranus and Neptune are examined. It is concluded that terrestrial microorganisms will not grow on either planet due to limitations of liquid water, atmospheric convection to lethal depths, the absence of energy sources and nutrients, the presence of ammonia and hydrogen, insufficient concentrations of biologically necessary ions, and the lack of a surface. The likelihood of terrestrial microorganism growth on Titan is found to be vanishingly small.

Margulis, L.↗