Next-gen probiotics to support space exploration
As humans prepare for longer missions into space beyond low Earth orbit, protecting astronaut health requires innovative solutions to understand how space influences immune function, behavioral health and cognitive performance. To help answer these questions, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) supported research from Holobiome to explore how gut microbes could support astronaut health.
Holobiome develops gut microbe-derived therapies and next-gen probiotics to unlock new ways of improving human health using organic gut bacteria. Through its large collection of microbes that live in the human gut, the company’s research centers on investigating bacteria’s role in maintaining overall health and influencing digestion, immune function, metabolism, mood and cognitive performance. The approach explores the complex communication network connecting the gut and the brain, also known as the gut-brain axis. By identifying bacterial strains that produce beneficial compounds, Holobiome is working to develop targeted therapies to support mental well-being, gastrointestinal health and cognitive performance.
For TRISH, this research offered an exciting opportunity to better understand the unique behavioral health challenges in spaceflight. Environmental factors such as microgravity, radiation exposure and mission-related stress can disrupt the balance of beneficial gut bacteria. Researchers are increasingly discovering that these challenges may influence mission-critical functions such as digestive health, mood, stress resilience and cognitive function.
Recognizing the potential of microbiome science to support astronaut health, TRISH awarded Holobiome funding in 2020 to advance the development of its next-generation probiotics aimed at combating behavioral health risks for long-duration space missions. This support helped to accelerate research into microbial strains capable of producing neuroactive compounds that interact with the body’s signaling systems, opening new possibilities for maintaining well-being and performance in extreme environments.
“TRISH’s support allowed exploration of innovative approaches that may not have been possible otherwise,” said Dr. Phil Strandwitz, founder and CEO of Holobiome. “The collaboration helped advance understanding of how the gut microbiome can influence behavioral and physical health in spaceflight, while creating opportunities to translate those discoveries into solutions that can benefit people on Earth.”
Holobiome’s innovative approach to microbiome science has attracted recognition across the biotech and health sectors, with TRISH support. Through collaborations with TRISH and other leading consumer health, food and pharmaceutical organizations, Holobiome has continued to expand the reach and impact of its research. These milestones underscore TRISH’s investment in this research and its potential to translate scientific discoveries into meaningful health solutions for spaceflight and life on Earth.
Insights gained from developing microbiome-based countermeasures for astronauts and spaceflight participants may benefit people living and working in isolated, remote or extreme environments on Earth, including military personnel, polar researchers, offshore workers and individuals with limited access to healthcare resources.
By Madison Hever, communications manager for the Center for Space Medicine
