Utjecaj fizikalnih uvjeta dubokog svemira na infektivnost kolifaga MS2

master's thesis

• Title (english): Impact of physical conditions of deep space on the infectivity of coliphage MS2
• Author: Bruno Pavletić
• Mentor: Ralf Moeller (mentor)
• Mentor: Tomislav Ivanković (sumentor)
• Committee member: Dunja Leljak-Levanić (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Tomislav Ivanković (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Ivan Radosavljević (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Marin Ježić (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2021-02-01, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Posljednjih nekoliko godina demonstrirane su opasnosti koje virusne bolesti predstavljaju za javno zdravstvo. Kada bi se virusna epidemija dogodila u svemirskoj bazi, posljedice bi bile mnogo gore nego na Zemlji. U ovom istraživanju, virioni kolifaga MS2, surogata za enteričke i respiratorne viruse, izloženi su nekim fizikalnim uvjetima dubokog svemira – temperaturama -80 °C i do 80 °C, simulantu mjesečeve prašine, tlaku bliskom vakuumu, visokom intenzitetu rendgenskih zraka i disperziji u hladnim kapljicama u prisutnosti UV-a. Rezultati pokazuju da većina testiranih uvjeta dubokog svemira značajno inaktivira viruse. Na neke od uvjeta, virusi su doduše bili otporniji nego što je očekivano npr. ekstremno niske temperature, nizak tlak i rendgenske zrake. Također, simulant mjesečeve prašine dao je određenu razinu zaštite virusima na termičku inaktivaciju, ali pri niskim temperaturama, djelovala je negativno na viruse. Uz to, pokazano je da se MS2 može širiti preko kapljica suspendiranih u zraku, čak i uz prisutnost UV-a što doprinosi ideji o stabilnosti virusa u kapljicama vode koje nastaju u izbojima vode na ledenim mjesecima sunčevog sustava poput Europe ili Enceladusa. Ovo istraživanje pokazuje da da fizikalni uvjeti dubokog svemira mogu značajno inaktivirati visoko rezistentni virus MS2 i postavlja temelje za buduća istraživanja u području svemirske virologije.

Abstract (english)

Recent years have demonstrated the dangers that viral diseases pose to public health. If an outbreak happens in a space habitat, the consequences would be more devastating than on Earth. In this research, virions of coliphage MS2, a surrogate for enteric and respiratory viruses have been exposed to some of the physical conditions of deep space – temperatures of -80 °C, and up to 80 °C, lunar dust simulant, near-vacuum pressure, high X-ray doses, and dispersion in cold droplets under presence of UV. Results show that most tested conditions of space rapidly inactivate viruses. However, to some of those conditions like extremely low temperatures, near-vacuum, or X-rays, viruses showed a higher degree of resistance than expected. Also, lunar dust simulant showed some degree of protection for viruses at high temperatures but aids their inactivation at low temperatures. Additionally, MS2 has been shown to be transmissible in air droplets and aerosols, even under UV light, aiding the idea of viral stability in water plumes of solar system’s icy moons like Europa or Enceladus. Taken together, this study shows that physical conditions of deep space inactivate highly environmentally resistant MS2 virus to a great extent and paves the way for future research in space virology.

• Keywords: stabilnost virusa; ekstremni uvjeti; MS2; radijacija; nizak tlak; termička inaktivacija; mjesečeva prašina
• Keywords (english): virus stability; extreme conditions; MS2; radiation; low pressure; thermal inactivation; lunar dust.
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:289343
• Study programme: Title: Molecular Biology; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra molekularne biologije (magistar/magistra molekularne biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access; Embargo expiration date: 2023-02-01
• Created on: 2021-02-12 13:53:18