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The Hidden Microbial Communities that Shape Health in Space

A new perspective article in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes outlines a roadmap for studying biofilms during long‑duration spaceflight, emphasizing their dual role in human and plant health. Researchers from the University of Glasgow, Maynooth University and UCD, working within NASA’s GeneLab Microbes Analysis Working Group, argue that spaceflight alters biofilm architecture, gene regulation, and stress responses. The paper advocates using multi‑omics to decode inter‑kingdom biofilm interactions, especially around plant roots, which are critical for future missions. Open‑science collaboration is highlighted as essential for translating space findings to Earth applications.