Studying Impacts of Gravity on Essential Microbe-Animal Interactions in Analogue and Real Nonterran Environments

Baxter, Katherine and Clark, Kevin B. (2021) Studying Impacts of Gravity on Essential Microbe-Animal Interactions in Analogue and Real Nonterran Environments. The National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine, Washington, D.C..

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Abstract

Altered gravity may adversely impact microbe-animal interactions essential for host health, immunity and wellbeing. With the next decades of space exploration posing extreme physiological challenges, disruption of crewmembers' microbiomes by the gravitational continuum is an unknown hazard that requires immediate research focus to mitigate risk. In this paper we discuss current gaps in knowledge and recommend areas of investigation.