Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Microenvironments01:22

Microenvironments

1
Microorganisms inhabit highly localized spaces known as microenvironments, which are defined by distinct physical and chemical characteristics. These include oxygen concentration, pH, temperature, light availability, and nutrient levels. The conditions within a microenvironment can differ markedly from those in the surrounding area and significantly influence microbial growth, metabolism, and community structure.Microenvironments often display sharp physicochemical gradients over small spatial...
1
Deep Sea Microbial Ecology01:18

Deep Sea Microbial Ecology

1
The deep ocean and its underlying sediments represent vast, largely unexplored microbial habitats that extend far beyond the sunlit photic zone. The photic (euphotic) zone typically spans the upper ~100–200 meters of pelagic waters in the open ocean, but its depth varies geographically and seasonally, where sufficient light supports photosynthetic life. Below this lies the deep sea, spanning roughly 1000–6000 meters (bathypelagic to abyssal zones), with deeper hadal trenches...
1
Microbes and Climate Change01:27

Microbes and Climate Change

1
Microorganisms are pivotal agents in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, significantly influencing climate dynamics through their metabolic activities. These microbes modulate the levels of key greenhouse gases by both contributing to and helping mitigate climate change.Microbial Contributions to Greenhouse Gas EmissionsRising global temperatures accelerate microbial metabolism, which, in turn, speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) through...
1
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

22
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
22
Key Techniques in Microbiology01:19

Key Techniques in Microbiology

2.9K
Aseptic techniques prevent contamination, ensure experimental accuracy, and protect researchers and microbial cultures. These techniques are essential in clinical, industrial, and research settings where sterility is required.Maintaining Sterility in Laboratory PracticesScientists maintain sterility by sterilizing tools with heat or chemicals, disinfecting work surfaces, and handling cultures in controlled environments. Working near an open flame or within a laminar flow hood reduces the risk...
2.9K
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

1
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
1

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Elucidating the interplay between intracellular manganese-iron-ratio and radiotolerance across all domains of life.

FEMS microbes·2026
Same author

Cultivation and molecular profiling reveal ammonia-oxidizing archaea as skin commensals.

The ISME journal·2026
Same author

The EDEN ISS mobile test facility microbiome changes by cleaning and continued use.

Frontiers in microbiomes·2026
Same author

Exploring the Habitability of the Outer Solar System Icy Moons for the Extremotolerant Yeast Rhodotorula frigidalcoholis.

Environmental microbiology·2026
Same author

Cross-domain metabolic interactions link Methanobrevibacter smithii to colorectal cancer microbial ecosystems.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

The COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection and the COSPAR Policy on Planetary Protection: an overview of governance and activities.

Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences·2026
Same journal

Feeding the invaders: How metabolic imbalance shapes infection and biofilm development.

FEMS microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

Interactions between extracellular vesicles and viruses: lessons learned across species and kingdoms.

FEMS microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

Killer Peptide: an antibody-derived self-assembling peptide bridging antimicrobial and host-defense mechanisms.

FEMS microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

From gatekeeper to target: MAPK cascades as control circuits at the insect-microbe interface.

FEMS microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

The role of fungal G protein-coupled receptors in interspecies cell-cell communication.

FEMS microbiology reviews·2026
Same journal

Convergent symbioses: morphology, life history, and niche specialization in coral and lichen mutualisms.

FEMS microbiology reviews·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Investigating the Detrimental Effects of Low Pressure Plasma Sterilization on the Survival of Bacillus subtilis Spores Using Live Cell Microscopy
10:03

Investigating the Detrimental Effects of Low Pressure Plasma Sterilization on the Survival of Bacillus subtilis Spores Using Live Cell Microscopy

Published on: November 30, 2017

10.1K

Venturing into new realms? Microorganisms in space.

Christine Moissl-Eichinger1, Charles Cockell2, Petra Rettberg3

  • 1Department for Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria christine.moissl-eichinger@medunigraz.at.

FEMS Microbiology Reviews
|June 30, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists study extremotolerant microbes to understand potential extraterrestrial life and space mission risks. Research on International Space Station (ISS) microbiology is crucial for crew safety during long-duration spaceflights.

Keywords:
International Space StationMars-analoguePanspermiaextremophileshabitabilityplanetary protection

More Related Videos

Quantifying Microorganisms at Low Concentrations Using Digital Holographic Microscopy DHM
07:27

Quantifying Microorganisms at Low Concentrations Using Digital Holographic Microscopy DHM

Published on: November 1, 2017

11.0K
Culturing Lymphocytes in Simulated Microgravity Using a Rotary Cell Culture System
09:28

Culturing Lymphocytes in Simulated Microgravity Using a Rotary Cell Culture System

Published on: August 25, 2022

3.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Investigating the Detrimental Effects of Low Pressure Plasma Sterilization on the Survival of Bacillus subtilis Spores Using Live Cell Microscopy
10:03

Investigating the Detrimental Effects of Low Pressure Plasma Sterilization on the Survival of Bacillus subtilis Spores Using Live Cell Microscopy

Published on: November 30, 2017

10.1K
Quantifying Microorganisms at Low Concentrations Using Digital Holographic Microscopy DHM
07:27

Quantifying Microorganisms at Low Concentrations Using Digital Holographic Microscopy DHM

Published on: November 1, 2017

11.0K
Culturing Lymphocytes in Simulated Microgravity Using a Rotary Cell Culture System
09:28

Culturing Lymphocytes in Simulated Microgravity Using a Rotary Cell Culture System

Published on: August 25, 2022

3.8K

Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology
  • Microbiology
  • Space Science

Background:

  • The search for extraterrestrial life is a major scientific challenge.
  • Extremotolerant microbes can survive harsh conditions, suggesting potential for life beyond Earth.
  • Understanding microbial survival and adaptation in space is critical for exploration and crew safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for microbial life in extraterrestrial environments.
  • To assess the risks of forward contamination from Earth to other planets.
  • To understand microbial adaptation within the International Space Station (ISS) ecosystem.

Main Methods:

  • Studying extremotolerant terrestrial microbes in Mars-analogue sites.
  • Analyzing microbial diversity and adaptation in the enclosed ISS habitat.
  • Evaluating the impact of space environments on microbial survival and behavior.

Main Results:

  • Extremotolerant microbes demonstrate resilience to combined environmental stressors relevant to space.
  • Terrestrial Mars-analogue sites provide insights into potential extraterrestrial microbial habitats.
  • Microbial communities exist and adapt within the ISS, with unknown implications for crew health.

Conclusions:

  • Microbial life may exist in various extraterrestrial environments.
  • Space missions require stringent protocols to prevent biological contamination.
  • Further research on ISS microbiology is essential for ensuring the safety and success of long-term human spaceflight.