Time traveling through the International Space Station dust microbiome using amplicon and metagenomic nanopore sequencing
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The International Space Station (ISS) is a testament to human innovation, offering valuable insights into space exploration. Through the analysis of dust samples collected over the past two decades of ISS operation, we aim to identify how the microbial communities have evolved and adapted to the space environment over time. This temporal dimension adds an important layer of understanding, allowing us to discern patterns of microbial succession, respond to shifts in relative abundance, and discover genomic adaptations of terrestrial microbes within the extreme environment of the ISS. The temporal analysis of the dust microbiome enriches our knowledge of the dynamic interactions between microorganisms and the ISS habitat, providing valuable insights for future space exploration endeavors and enhancing our comprehension of life's resilience in extreme conditions.