A Strategy for Research in Space Biology and Medicine in the New Century

Construction of the international space station, scheduled to start in late 1998, ushers in a new era for laboratory sciences in space. This is especially true for space life sciences, which include not only the use of low gravity as an experimental parameter to study fundamental biological processes but also the study of the serious physiological changes that occur in astronauts as they remain in space for increasingly longer missions. This book addresses both of these aspects and provides a comprehensive review of ground-based and space research in eleven disciplines, ranging from bone physiology to plant biology. It also offers detailed, prioritized recommendations for research during the next decade, which are expected to have a considerable impact on the direction of NASA's research program. The volume is also a valuable reference tool for space and life scientists. The Committee On Space Biology And Medicine Reviewed And Updated Prior Reports To Suggest Strategies For Research In Space Biology And Medicine Based On Information Gathered Since 1987. The Report Provides A Review Of Biology And Medicine That Can Be Studied In The Space Environment, Discusses The Fundamental Research Issues And Questions With Space Biology And Medicine Disciplines, Identifies The Most Promising Experimental Challenges In Those Disciplines, Evaluates The Potential For Space Research To Provide Advances Within Each Discipline, And Prioritizes Research Topics To The Extent Feasible. Disciplines Include Sciences Which Study Plant, Animal, And Human Systems At The Molecular, Cellular, System, And Whole-organism Levels. The Section About Physiology, Gravity, And Space Includes Cell Biology; Developmental Biology; Plants, Gravity, And Space; Sensorimotor Integration; Bone Physiology; Skeletal Muscle; Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Systems; Endocrinology; And Immunology. The Section About Additional Space Environment Issues Includes Radiation Hazards And Behavioral Issues. The Final Section Examines Setting Priorities In Research And Programmatic And Policy Issues. Introduction -- Cell Biology -- Developmental Biology -- Plants, Gravity, And Space -- Sensorimotor Integration -- Bone Physiology -- Skeletal Muscle -- Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Systems -- Endocrinology -- Immunology -- Radiation Hazards -- Behavioral Issues -- Setting Priorities In Research -- Programmatic And Policy Issues. Committee On Space Biology And Medicine, Space Studies Board, Commission On Physical Sciences, Mathematics, And Applications, National Research Council Includes Bibliographical References. Construction of the international space station, schedule to start in the late 1998, ushers in a new era for laboratory sciences in space. This is especially true for space life sciences, which inlude not only the use of low gravity as an experimental parameter to study fundamental biological processes but also the study of the serious physiological changes that occur in astronauts as they remain in space for increasingly longer missionsThis book addresses both of these aspects, and provides a comprehensive review of ground-based and space research in eleven disciplines, ranging from bone physiology to plant biology. It also offers detailed, prioritized recommendations for research during the next decade, which are expected to have a considerable impact on the direction of NASA's research program. The volume is also valuable reference tool for space and life scientist. Provides a review of ground-based and space research in eleven disciplines, ranging from bone physiology to plant biology. This book offers recommendations for research. It is useful as a reference tool for space and life scientists.