Columbus, the European Physiology Modules Facility and CADMOS

Columbus, the European Space Agency (ESA) orbital facility laboratory will be launched in December 2007 and attached to the International Space Station (ISS). In its launch configuration, Columbus includes 4 multi-user facilities: one of them is the European Physiology Modules Facility, also called EPM. The EPM will be devoted to Human Physiology; it will be collocated in the Columbus module with two other physiology racks, i.e. the HRF-1 and HRF-2 American racks (Human Research Facility). CADMOS is part of the French Space Agency, located in Toulouse; it has been designated by the European Space Agency as the Facility Responsible Centre (FRC) for the EPM. As a User Support and Operations Centre, CADMOS main tasks are to help the scientists to prepare and perform their experiments in Space and to monitor operations on the ISS.     

Current topics on sample preservation. A report on the progress of the ESA Topical Team. Preservation of fixed and non-fixed samples during space experimentation

The existence of preservation problems is one of the most important consequences of Space Biological Research. The Topical Team is critically analyzing the currently performed procedures and is establishing the bases for a recommendation on new procedures, capable of overcoming the present constraints.     

EPM - The European Facility for human physiology research on ISS

The European Physiology Modules (EPM) Facility is one of the four major Space Station facilities being developed within the framework of ESA's Microgravity Facilities for Columbus (MFC) programme. In order to allow a wide spectrum of physiological studies in weightlessness conditions, the facility provides the infrastructure to accommodate a variable set of scientific equipment. The initial EPM configuration supports experiments in the fields of neuroscience, bone & muscle research, cardiovascular research and metabolism. The International Space Life Science Working Group (ISLSWG) has recommended co-locating EPM with the 2 NASA Human Research Facility racks.     

Agro-biology for bioregenerative Life Support Systems in long-term Space missions: General constraints and the Italian efforts

Abstract

Future Space stations and Space habitats/outposts should be envisioned as self-sufficient ecological closed or semi-closed systems. The Italian Space Agency (ASI) projects have involved many research groups from complementary areas with a final goal of designing a facility for plant cultivation in Space. It has been critical to (i) identify, for this particular environment, highly productive species able to optimize O₂ production/CO₂ consumption, and (ii) develop high-tech controlled environments. Research activities have included seedling production in simulated microgravity and in Space with the two-fold objective of (i) integrating the crew diet with fresh food, and (ii) studying specific biological phenomena. Another research topic concerned pollen biology as a critical component for seed-to-seed cycles but also for gametophytic selection. In this context, a review of the main scientific topics on plant Space biology and of the Italian efforts on agro-biology for bioregenerative Life Support Systems will be presented and discussed in this paper.     

Cell science and protein crystal growth research for the International Space Station

The recent National Research Council report, Future Biotechnology Research on the International Space Station, evaluates NASA's plans for research in cell science and protein crystal growth to be conducted on the International Space Station. This report concludes that the NASA biotechnology programs have the potential to significantly impact relevant scientific fields and to increase understanding and insight into fundamental biological issues. In order to realize the potential impacts, NASA must focus its research programs by selecting specific questions related to gravitational forces' role in cell behavior and by using the microgravity environment as a tool to determine the structure of macromolecules with important biological implications. Given the time and volume constraints associated with space-based experiments, instrumentation to be used on the space station must be designed to maximize the productivity of researchers, and NASA's recruitment of investigators and support for space station experiments should aim to encourage and facilitate cutting-edge research.     

密闭生态系统中大黑甲生长发育及虫沙营养成分的初步研究

密闭受控生态系统中,大黑甲(俗称大麦虫)不仅可以作为乘员日常饮食中动物蛋白的重要来源之一,且对作物秸秆、餐厨垃圾等物质转化起到重要作用,其虫沙可配制新型有机肥料。本试验在密闭受控生态系统中,通过测定大黑甲日增数量、质量及大黑甲各生长阶段呼吸代谢量,研究密闭生态环境对大黑甲的生长发育及其虫沙营养成分价值的影响。试验表明,大黑甲在受控密闭生态系统中生长良好,生长速率为0.79%,大黑甲幼虫时期CO_2产生速率为0.0439 g/g虫/d,O_2消耗速率为0.027 g/g虫/d,大黑甲成年期CO_2产生速率为0.0109 g/g虫/d,O_2消耗速率为0.0126 g/g虫/d,大黑甲的呼吸代谢对密闭系统中大气循环起到一定作用。此外,大黑甲每日能够消耗一定量的植物不可食部分,其虫沙营养全面,具有用作植物培养基质的潜力。     

Physiology research in space and the astronaut countermeasure programme--a potential conflict

Potential conflicts between the use of weightlessness countermeasures during space flight and research into the physiological effects of weightlessness are examined. Research and medical operations goals are presented and experiences reviewed. Anticipated countermeasures for the International Space Station and possible solutions to the conflicts are described.     

National Workshop on Astrobiology: The Life Science Involvement of AAS–I Laben

The search for traces of past and present life is a complex and multidisciplinary research activity involving several scientific heritages and a specific industrial ability for planetary exploration. Laben was established in 1958 to design and manufacture electronic instruments for research in nuclear physics. In the mid 2004 the company was merged with Alenia Spazio. It is now part of Alcatel Alenia Space, a French Italian joint venture. Alcatel Alenia Space Italia SpA is a Finmeccanica Company. Currently the plant of Vimodrone provides a wide heritage in life science oriented to space application. The experience in Space Life Science is consolidated in the following research areas: (1) Physiology: Mouse models related to studies on human physiology Human neuroscience research and dosimetry (2) Animal Adaptation and Behaviour: mice behaviour related to stabling stress (3) Developmental Biology: aquatic microorganisms cultivation (4) Cell culture & Biotechnology: Protein crystal growth General purpose Multiwell Next Biotechnology studies and development: Bio reactor, mainly oriented to tissue engineering Microsensor for tissue control (organ replacement) Multiwell for adherent cell culture or for automated biosensor based on cell culture Experiment Container for organic systems Experiment Container for small animals Instrumentation based on fluorescent Biosensors Sensors for Life science experiments for Biopan capsule and Space Vehicle Ray Shielding Materials Random Positioning Machine specialisation (Support ground equipment) The biological features of this heritage is at disposal for the exobiology multi science. The involvement of industries, from the beginning of the exobiology projects, allows a cost effective technologies closed loop development between Research Centres, Principal Investigators and industry.     

Gravitational biology and space life sciences: Current status and implications for the Indian space programme

This paper is an introduction to gravitational and space life sciences and a summary of key achievements in the field. Current global research is focused on understanding the effects of gravity/microgravity on microbes, cells, plants, animals and humans. It is now established that many plants and animals can progress through several generations in microgravity. Astrobiology is emerging as an exciting field promoting research in biospherics and fabrication of controlled environmental life support systems. India is one of the 14-nation International Space Exploration Coordination Group (2007) that hopes that someday humans may live and work on other planets within the Solar System. The vision statement of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) includes planetary exploration and human spaceflight. While a leader in several fields of space science, India is yet to initiate serious research in gravitational and life sciences. Suggestions are made here for establishing a full-fledged Indian space life sciences programme.     

Venus: Where has all the water gone?

Conditions on the surface of venus are reviewed and evidence for the existence of a hydrosphere assessed. Escape mechanisms are examined and found to be insufficient to explain the presumed absence of liquid water on venus. The consequences of a hot, acidic hydrosphere are explored as is marginal evidence for biological activity.Supported by research grants from National Aeronautics and Space Administration NGR 012-001-042, the Life Insurance Medical Research Foundation, and the University of Hawaii.     

Embryogenesis and swimming behavior of Medaka fish in JUSTSAP STARS Program (STS-107).

JUSTSAP (Japan-US Science, Technology and Space Application Program) Medaka fish experiment was carried out as a part of STARS (Space Technology and Research for Student) experiment, a space shuttle mission, STS-107 in January 2003. Four eggs laid on earth under artificially controlled environment were put in a closed ecological system, AHAB (Aquatic Habitat), and launched by Space Shuttle Columbia. For the control experiment, four eggs were put in the AHAB and remained on the ground. There was no remarkable difference in the time course of the development. In ground experiment embryos were observed to rotate in the egg membrane, whereas in flight unit they did not rotate. One egg hatched out on L (Launch) +8 days in flight unit. Four eggs hatched out in ground unit. Fry in flight unit was observed to face its back usually to the camera with little swimming movement. Fry in ground unit were observed to move actively and also to control their posture with respect to gravity vector.     

γ射线诱变籼稻保持系T98B突变体的鉴定与农艺性状分析

辐射诱变是农作物种质创新的重要手段。本研究以杂交稻骨干亲本T98B为研究对象,以300Gy剂量的60Co-γ射线对其成熟种子进行处理,从辐射后代中鉴定出农艺性状变异材料,划分了变异类群,分析了各类型突变频率,为遗传改良奠定了材料基础。结果显示,经γ射线处理后的M1和M2种子的发芽率受到了显著抑制,分别比对照T98B降低了22.35%和14.67%;从M2群体中初步筛选出了207个变异单株;经M3~M5的遗传稳定性测试后最终获得了168份可稳定遗传的突变体,总突变频率达到了0.673%。按照变异部位将突变体划分成叶变异、茎/蘖变异和穗粒/花变异等3种类群,各类群分别含有34份、37份和97份突变体,占比20.24%、20.02%和57.74%;育性、叶色和株高等性状的突变频率较高,分别达到了0.212%,0.092%和0.088%。此外,本文简要描述了各类群的表型变异特点。结果表明,利用γ射线诱变能产生丰富的农艺性状突变体,本研究为水稻遗传改良提供新的种质资源奠定了基础。     

A modular suite of hardware enabling spaceflight cell culture research

BioServe Space Technologies, a NASA Research Partnership Center (RPC), has developed and operated various middeck payloads launched on 23 shuttle missions since 1991 in support of commercial space biotechnology projects. Modular cell culture systems are contained within the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) suite of flight-qualified hardware, compatible with Space Shuttle, SPACEHAB, Spacelab and International Space Station (ISS) EXPRESS Rack interfaces. As part of the CGBA family, the Isothermal Containment Module (ICM) incubator provides thermal control, data acquisition and experiment manipulation capabilities, including accelerometer launch detection for automated activation and thermal profiling for culture incubation and sample preservation. The ICM can accommodate up to 8 individually controlled temperature zones. Command and telemetry capabilities allow real-time downlink of data and video permitting remote payload operation and ground control synchronization. Individual cell culture experiments can be accommodated in a variety of devices ranging from 'microgravity test tubes' or standard 100 mm Petri dishes, to complex, fed-batch bioreactors with automated culture feeding, waste removal and multiple sample draws. Up to 3 levels of containment can be achieved for chemical fixative addition, and passive gas exchange can be provided through hydrophobic membranes. Many additional options exist for designing customized hardware depending on specific science requirements.     

Developmental testing of the Advanced Animal Habitat to determine compatibility with rats and mice

The Research Animal Holding Facility (RAHF) and the Animal Enclosure Module (AEM) have housed rats during Space Shuttle flights since the 1980s, but the operational constraints of the hardware have limited the scientific return from these Shuttle flights. The RAHF provides environmental control and monitoring for 24 rats with in-flight animal access, but it must be flown in the Spacelab. Due to the infrequent availability of Spacelab flights, rodent experiments rely heavily on the AEM. Unfortunately, the AEM supports only six rats, has no environmental control and provides no animal access in flight. The Advanced Animal Habitat (AAH) is being developed to support up to 12 adult rats or 30 adult mice for up to 30 days, provide active temperature control, animal telemetry and on-orbit video, record environmental parameters in the animal cage, and provide in-flight animal access in the Middeck, the Spacelab or the Space Station. To ensure the AAH can meet these requirements, animal testing is being conducted with rats and mice in every step of development. Testing began with the cage configuration.     

Influence of space flight on red blood cells

Losses of red blood cell mass (RCM) averaging 10-15% have been observed consistently in astronauts after space flight; postflight recovery of RCM requires 4-6 wk. Although apparently not harmful to the health and effectiveness of crews during uncomplicated flights, decreased RCM could compromise health and performance in the event of illness, injury, or partial malfunction of the life support system. Whether the loss of RCM would worsen or stabilize in missions longer than 7 months is unknown. As a biological response, it is a significant, predictable reaction whose etiology, biological mechanisms, and potential operational significance are inadequately defined. Weightlessness is probably the primary cause; however, contributory factors may include hypokinesia/hypodynamia, bone loss, muscle atrophy, altered hemodynamics, stress, and metabolic disturbances. Space medical specialists consider other possible influences such as hypoxia, hypobaria, radiation, toxic contaminants, and launch and reentry accelerations as less likely factors. Because the data base on loss of RCM is insufficient for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's space medical responsibilities, the Life Sciences Research Office ad hoc Working Group on Space Anemia suggested research approaches ranging form fundamental topics such as utilization of erythropoietin and oxygen in target organs and cell-cell interactions, through possible splenic and vascular dysfunctions, metabolic disturbances, and inhibitors of erythropoiesis, to methodology and models.     

北京市六环内城市森林结构总体特征

城市森林结构决定了城市森林的外貌、总体绿量,影响其生态效益.本文对北京市六环外1 km范围内城市森林分层抽样调查,研究其多样性及乔木规格,并根据北京城市特点分析其空间差异,以期找出存在问题及梯度变化规律,为北京城市森林多样性保护及科学管理提供依据.通过对各类城市森林847个标准样方的调查,共记录木本植物50科、106属、159种,本地种占75%;城市森林植物群落仍然是少数物种主导,毛白杨(Populus tomentosa Carr.)与国槐(Sophora japonicaL.)分别为使用数量最多(9.7%)和使用频度最高(28.45%)的树种;乔木平均胸径19.79 cm,平均冠幅5.4 m,规格总体偏小,且规格差异不大.北京市城市森林沿城市发展方向由城内向城外展现出了明显的梯度变化:总物种数4环外多于4环内,最高为4~5环112种;多样性指数逐渐降低;乔木规格减小;“城六区”物种组成、多样性及乔木规格均优于其他行政区.     

Plants in space

Virtually all scenarios for the long-term habitation of spacecraft and other extraterrestrial structures involve plants as important parts of the contained environment that would support humans. Recent experiments have identified several effects of spaceflight on plants that will need to be more fully understood before plant-based life support can become a reality. The International Space Station (ISS) is the focus for the newest phase of space-based research, which should solve some of the mysteries of how spaceflight affects plant growth. Research carried out on the ISS and in the proposed terrestrial facility for Advanced Life Support testing will bring the requirements for establishing extraterrestrial plant-based life support systems into clearer focus.     

Theoretical nuclear database for high-energy,heavy-ion (HZE) transport

Theoretical methods for estimating high-energy, heavy-ion (HZE) particle absorption and fragmentation cross-sections are described and compared with available experimental data. Differences between theory and experiment range from several percent for absorption cross-sections up to about 25%–50% for fragmentation cross-sections.Submitted paper presented at the International Symposium on Heavy Ion Research: Space, Radiation Protection and Therapy, Sophia-Antipolis, France, 21–24 March 1994     

Animal habitats for space experiments.

There has been little opportunity for flight experiments using small animals, due to delay of construction of the International Space Station. Therefore, proposals using small animals have been unfortunately excepted from International Space Life Sciences Experiment application opportunity since 2001. Moreover, NASA has changed their development plan of animal habitats for space experiments according to changes of the U.S. space policy and the outlook is not so bright. However, international researchers have been strongly requesting the opportunity for space experiments using small animals. It will be also important for Japanese researchers to make a request for the opportunity. At the same time, researchers have to make an advance in ground based studies toward space experiments and to respond future application opportunities immediately. In this symposium, we explain the AEM (Animal Enclosure Module), the RAHF (Research Animal Holding Facility), and the AAH (Advanced Animal Habitat). It will be helpful for investigators to have wide knowledge of what space experiment is technically possible. In addition, the sample share program will be introduced into our communities. The program will provide many researchers with the organs and tissues from space-flown animals. We will explain the technical aspect of sample share program.