Why studying astronauts’ microbiomes is crucial to ensure deep space mission success

In a new Frontiers’ guest editorial, Prof Dr Lembit Sihver and his co-authors explore the impact the microbiome has on human health in space. They also discuss potential applications as well as challenges of the study of the microbiome of astronauts.

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08 Aug 2023

Holidaymakers be warned: Short, intense sun-seeking trips can disrupt skin’s microbiome

By Deborah Pirchner, Frontiers science writer Image: Shutterstock.com Heightened exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the leading cause of preventable skin cancer and other skin problems. To prevent sun-induced damage, protecting the skin is crucial. If no protection measures are taken, new research by The University of Manchester scientists in collaboration with the No7 Beauty Company, has shown that the skin microbiota composition can change in as little as seven days. Although the bacterial communities living on the skin bounced back to their original structure within a few weeks, researchers pointed out that damaging effects on skin health cannot be ruled out. Skin, the largest organ of the human body, is home to a vast array of bacteria, fungi, and viruses – microorganisms that compose the skin microbiota. Among other things, these microbial populations, which are organized in complex community structures, protect against pathogens. Prolonged exposure to UVR is associated with damage to DNA in skin cells, inflammation, and premature skin aging, yet intentional sun-seeking behaviors remain common. Due to a lack of studies focusing on how individual behavior influences UVR-associated microbiota shifts, and how this may relate to skin health, researchers in the UK have now examined the effects […]

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24 Oct 2019

Where the Sun doesn’t shine? Skin UV exposure reflected in poop

Exposure of the skin to UVB light alters the mix of bacteria found in the gut, possibly via vitamin D; Frontiers in Microbiology

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11 Sep 2019

The vagina monocultures

Johns Hopkins team develops donor screening for vaginal microbiota transplantation; Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

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10 Sep 2019

Skin bacteria could save frogs from virus

Ranavirus can wipe out entire common frog populations, but researchers say their latest study could help the species; Frontiers in Microbiology

Microbiome differences in cesarean and vaginally born babies are most likely due to antibiotics given to mothers delivering by C-section rather than lack of exposure to vaginal microbes at birth: Frontiers in Medicine

Featured news

19 Jun 2018

Swabbing cesarean-born babies with vaginal fluids potentially unsafe and unnecessary

Microbiome differences in cesarean and vaginally born babies are most likely due to antibiotics given to mothers delivering by C-section: Frontiers in Medicine