Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus nidulans Growth Rate using Live Microscopy and Open-Source Software
Published on: July 24, 2021
Phenotypic characterization of Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans grown under simulated microgravity using a
Takashi Yamazaki1, Maki Yoshimoto, Yayoi Nishiyama
1Laboratory of Space and Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Teikyo University, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan.
Abstract:
The living and working environments of spacecraft become progressively contaminated by a number of microorganisms. A large number of microorganisms, including pathogenic microorganisms, some of which are fungi, have been found in the cabins of space stations. However, it is not known how the characteristics of microorganisms change in the space environment. To predict how a microgravity environment might affect fungi, and thus how their characteristics could change on board spacecraft, strains of the pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans were subjected to on-ground tests in a simulated microgravity environment produced by a three-dimensional (3D) clinostat. These fungi were incubated and cultured in a 3D clinostat in a simulated microgravity environment. No positive or negative differences in morphology, asexual reproductive capability, or susceptibility to antifungal agents were observed in cultures grown under simulated microgravity compared to those grown in normal earth gravity (1 G). These results strongly suggest that a microgravity environment, such as that on board spacecraft, allows growth of potentially pathogenic fungi that can contaminate the living environment for astronauts in spacecraft in the same way as they contaminate residential areas on earth. They also suggest that these organisms pose a similar risk of opportunistic infections or allergies in astronauts as they do in people with compromised immunity on the ground and that treatment of fungal infections in space could be the same as on earth.
Insights
Space microgravity does not alter pathogenic fungi like Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. These fungi grow similarly in space and on Earth, posing comparable risks of infection and allergy to astronauts.
Area of Science:
- Space microbiology
- Mycology
- Astrobiology
Background:
- Spacecraft environments are susceptible to microbial contamination, including pathogenic fungi.
- Understanding how microgravity affects fungal characteristics is crucial for astronaut health and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of simulated microgravity on the pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.
- To predict potential changes in fungal characteristics relevant to spaceflight conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a three-dimensional (3D) clinostat to simulate microgravity conditions on Earth.
- Incubated and cultured Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans in the simulated microgravity environment.
- Compared fungal cultures grown in simulated microgravity with those grown under normal Earth gravity (1 G).
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in fungal morphology between simulated microgravity and 1 G conditions.
- Asexual reproductive capabilities of the fungi remained unchanged under simulated microgravity.
- Susceptibility to antifungal agents was consistent in both simulated microgravity and 1 G environments.
Conclusions:
- Microgravity environments, like those on spacecraft, support the growth of pathogenic fungi similarly to terrestrial environments.
- These fungi present comparable risks of opportunistic infections and allergies to astronauts as they do to immunocompromised individuals on Earth.
- Current antifungal treatments are likely effective for fungal infections in space, mirroring terrestrial medical practices.
