Genomic and proteomic characterization of the Aspergillus niger isolate, JSC-093350089, collected from U.S. segment surfaces of the International Space Station (ISS) is reported, along with a comparison to the experimentally established strain ATCC 1015. Whole-genome sequencing of JSC-093350089 revealed enhanced genetic variance when compared to publicly available sequences of A. niger strains. Analysis of the isolate’s proteome revealed significant differences in the molecular phenotype of JSC-093350089, including increased abundance of proteins involved in the A. niger starvation response, oxidative stress resistance, cell wall integrity and modulation, and nutrient acquisition. Together, these data reveal the existence of a distinct strain of A. niger onboard the ISS and provide insight into the molecular phenotype that is selected for by melanized fungal species inhabiting spacecraft environments.

The on-going Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) revealed the presence of various microorganisms that may be affected by the distinct environment of the ISS. The low-nutrient environment combined with enhanced irradiation and microgravity may trigger changes in the molecular suit of microorganisms leading to increased virulence and resistance of microbes. Proteomic characterization of two Aspergillus fumigatus strains ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4 isolated from HEPA filter debris and cupola surface of the ISS respectively is presented along with a comparison to experimentally established clinical isolates Af293 and CEA10. In-depth analysis highlights variations in the proteome of both ISS-isolated strains when compared to the clinical strains. Proteins up-regulated in ISS isolates were involved in oxidative stress response and carbohydrate and secondary metabolism. This report provides insight into possible molecular adaptation of filamentous fungi to the unique ISS environment. Lastly an attempt was made to elucidate plausible causes of the enhanced virulence of both ISS-isolated A. fumigatus strains.

Genome sequencing and assembly of fungal isolates belonging to Penicilliium and Aspergillus genera isolated from International Space Station

Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprophytic filamentous fungus that is ubiquitous outdoors (soil decaying vegetation) and indoors (hospitals simulated closed habitats etc.). A. fumigatus can adapt to various environmental conditions and form airborne conidia that are the inoculum for a variety of diseases (e.g. non- and invasive pulmonary infections allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis etc.) in immunocompromised hosts. In an on-going Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) molecular phylogeny of several fungal isolates were characterized. Two strains ISSF 21 and IF1SW-F4 were isolated from the HEPA filter and the surface of the Cupola of the ISS respectively. Using primers targeting the internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and 2 both isolates were identified as A. fumigatus. The whole genome sequence analysis of ISSF 21 revealed increased number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) when compared to the reference A. fumigatus 293. Knowing that A. fumigatus is an opportunistic pathogen and microgravity highly influences the antibiotic susceptibility and pathogenicity of microorganisms we examined pathogenicity of both ISS isolates using the zebrafish larval model. The space station isolates (ISSF-021 and IF1SW-F4) were more virulent than two clinical strains (Af293 and CEA10) whose pathogenicity was highly characterized. Here the whole genome sequences of ISSF-021 strain are being deposited.

Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprophytic filamentous fungus that is ubiquitous outdoors (soil decaying vegetation) and indoors (hospitals simulated closed habitats etc.). A. fumigatus can adapt to various environmental conditions and form airborne conidia that are the inoculum for a variety of diseases (e.g. non- and invasive pulmonary infections allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis etc.) in immunocompromised hosts. In an on-going Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) molecular phylogeny of several fungal isolates were characterized. Two strains ISSF 21 and IF1SW-F4 were isolated from the HEPA filter and the surface of the Cupola of the ISS respectively. Using primers targeting the internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and 2 both isolates were identified as A. fumigatus. The whole genome sequence analysis of ISSF 21 revealed increased number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) when compared to the reference A. fumigatus 293. Knowing that A. fumigatus is an opportunistic pathogen and microgravity highly influences the antibiotic susceptibility and pathogenicity of microorganisms we examined pathogenicity of both ISS isolates using the zebrafish larval model. The space station isolates (ISSF-021 and IF1SW-F4) were more virulent than two clinical strains (Af293 and CEA10) whose pathogenicity was highly characterized. Here the whole genome sequences of ISSF-021 strain are being deposited.

,Raw genome sequencing data of 17 isolates of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus collected from peanuts from Ethiopia. These isolates were selected as representative of the genetic diversity of Aspergillus section Flavi found colonizing peanut seeds in four peanut-farming districts of Ethiopia, these are Darolabu, Gursum, Fedis, and Babile.,,

The whole-genome sequences (WGS) of three pathogenic bacterial strains collected from the International Space Station (ISS) were generated and identified as being part of Class Alphaproteobacteria. The WGS studies would enable further genomic/biochemical characterization of taxa for these bacteria that have been subjected to the microgravity conditions of space.

,Genetic fingerprinting of 184 Aspergillus section Flavi isolates from Ethiopia screened with 24 Insertion/Deletion markers located within the aflatoxin-biosynthesis gene cluster. Each file name contains in this order: isolate number, marker number, range of base pairs on the aflatoxin-biosynthesis cluster where the marker is located, and well position within the 384 microplate used for capillary electrophoresis.,,

Draft genomes of various bacterial phyla isolated from different locations on the International Space Station, as part of the Microbial Tracking 2 mission (ISS-MOP).

The data was produced as part of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Peanut Productivity and Aflatoxin Control (the Peanut & Mycotoxin Innovation Lab, PMIL) subaward to the USDA Agricultural Research Service's National Peanut Research Lab in Dawson, GA entitled, Silencing of Aflatoxin Synthesis through RNA Interfence (RNAi) in Peanut Plants. The project has two main objectives, to study the genetic diversity of Aspergillus species collected in PMIL target countries and the USA, and to develop peanut lines containing RNAi gene constructs to reduce aflatoxin contamination by Aspergillus flavus infection. The data were produced as part of the first objective on genetic diversity. The genomes are available at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database found at the landing page identified below using the numbers listed in the reference AccessionNumbers.txt.