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Updated: Sep 4, 2025

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Melanin protects Cryptococcus neoformans from spaceflight effects.

Radames J B Cordero1, Quigly Dragotakes1, Phyllis J Friello2

  • 1Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.

Environmental Microbiology Reports
|July 19, 2022
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Fungal melanin significantly enhances yeast survival in space. Melanized yeast showed 50% higher viability after spaceflight compared to non-melanized strains, suggesting melanin protects biological assets from space conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Astrobiology
  • Mycology
  • Space Biology

Background:

  • Increasing human space activity necessitates understanding biological responses to spaceflight.
  • Melanin-producing fungi have demonstrated survival in simulated and actual space conditions.
  • The protective role of melanin in fungal space survival remains unquantified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the protective effects of melanin on fungal viability during spaceflight.
  • To compare the survival rates of melanized and non-melanized Cryptococcus neoformans following a mission to the International Space Station.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured Cryptococcus neoformans yeast colonies, both melanized and non-melanized.
  • Exposed one set of samples to spaceflight conditions aboard the International Space Station for 29 days.
  • Maintained a parallel Earth-bound control group under identical conditions.

Main Results:

  • Melanized yeast exhibited 50% higher viability post-spaceflight compared to non-melanized counterparts.
  • No significant difference in viability was observed between melanized and non-melanized yeasts in the Earth-bound control group.
  • These findings indicate a protective role for melanin against spaceflight stressors.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal melanin confers a significant survival advantage to yeast exposed to spaceflight conditions.
  • Melanin may enhance the longevity of biological payloads and organisms in space environments.
  • This research supports the potential application of melanin-based strategies for protecting biological assets in space.