Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Forward and Backward Microbial Contamination in a Mars Analog Mission

As human exploration missions to Mars are on the horizon, microbial cross-contamination remains a key issue address. These issues can be approached today using advances in molecular metagenomics methods, which include rapid and sensitive sequencing platforms for characterizing populations. Combined with analog missions, these methods provide powerful tools assessing challenges associated planetary exploration. Here, we designed protocol monitor forward backward contamination events progression an 11-days mission Ramon crater Israel. Forward soil samples were collected daily from three sites–two sites close proximity habitat one isolated site. Backward was determined nitrile gloves of six astronauts before after extravehicular activities Temperature, relative humidity composition data also all sites. Environmental DNA extracted main 16S (bacterial) 18S (eukaryotic, fungal) rRNA gene amplicons sequenced analyzed study population diversity composition. Shannon Diversity index analysis Principal Coordinates (PCoA) genes indicated that differences significant closer when compared reference demonstrated introduction human-associated taxa environment. consisted bacterial found upon return EVA detected soil, altogether 44 genera, indicating events. To our knowledge, this is first utilize advanced technologies investigate mission.