Since 1969, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA), a private, nonprofit corporation, has worked closely with NASA. USRA's Division of Space Biomedicine was founded in 1983 to address the biomedical issues faced by humans in space. Harrison Schmitt, lunar module pilot of Apollo 17, was named as the first Director of the Division. In late 1990, the Division was renamed the Division of Space Life Sciences (DSLS) reflecting a broader charter: "to stimulate, encourage, and assist research in the NASA life sciences." This charter continues today and is encapsulated within three broad programs: the Science Program, the Extramural Support Program and the Education Program.

 

Scientist of the Month

 

Dr. Virginia Wotring

May

 

Dr. Virginia Wotring's poster, Changes in Liver Metabolic Gene Expression after Radiation Exposure was presented at the Experimental Biology Meeting held in San Diego, California in April 2012.

 

Although this was a preliminary study, it seems likely that radiation exposure triggers a variety of homeostatic mechanisms, which could include alterations of gene expression. Better understanding of these pathways could aid in development of new countermeasures to ameliorate or prevent radiation-induced damage to cells and tissues.

 


Previously Featured Posters

 

April

 

Dr. Ianik Plante's poster, New modeling approaches to investigate cell signaling in radiation response was presented at the 14th International Congress of Radiation Research in Warsaw, Poland, August 28–September 1, 2011

 

Following radiation exposure, a flow of information is exchanged between cells in tissues, and cells not directly hit are also affected. These so-called non-targeted effects (NTE) may have important consequences.  Therefore, several elements should be included in irradiated tissue models. (see poster for more)

 

March

Dr. Susana Zanello's poster Contribution of Spaceflight Environmental Factors to Vision Risks was presented at the NASA Human Research Program Investigators Workshop, February 2012, in Houston, Texas.

 

The poster presents an overview of current studies on the effects of various environmental factors present during space exploration missions on ocular health.

 




 

Multimedia Highlights

 

 

 

Upcoming Events


Aerospace Medicine Grand Rounds

 

May 22, 2012
VIIP Risk
Christian Otto, M.D.
Universities Space Research Association
Division of Space Life Sciences
Houston, Texas

 

June 26, 2012
The Impact of Exponential and Disruptive Technologies in Aerospace Medicine
Melchor J. Antuñano, M.D., M.S.
Director, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Federal Aviation Administration
Oklahoma City, OK

 

 

 

 

 

A Message from the Director

Dr. Neal R. PellisWelcome to the Division of Space Life Sciences (DSLS) at USRA Houston. As part of a non-profit entity, DSLS has the mission to support NASA and other Federal entities by conducting and managing research that addresses the risks to humans before, during, and after space exploration. DSLS provides high profile scientists, physicians, collaborators, and science managers to the NASA Space Life Sciences Directorate and the Human Research Program (HRP). Additionally, DSLS conducts and hosts major science meetings, seminars, and workshops. The full-time scientist team is made up of 36 scientists from many disciplines within life sciences. DSLS provides an excellent working environment for collegial intellectual exchange.

 

Research Projects

USRA Announces the Winner of the New Investigator Award

USRA New Investigator Award
International Youth Art Competition

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