In the early days of the space age, the Apollo astronauts took part in a visionary plan: Bring samples of the lunar surface material, known as regolith, back to Earth […]
space biology
Posted inGravitational Biology, Moon, Plant Biology, Press Release
Gravitational Action Of Sun And Moon Influences Behavior Of Animals And Plants, Study Shows
The rhythms of activity in all biological organisms, both plants and animals, are closely linked to the gravitational tides created by the orbital mechanics of the Sun-Earth-Moon system. This truth […]
Posted inPlant Biology
Kennedy Space Center Teams with USDA to Study Benefits of Fungus for Growing Space Crops
The research collaboration between the Kennedy Space Center Space Crop Production Team and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) was featured in an article titled “Terrestrial Fungus May Be Key […]
Posted inCourses, Education and Outreach, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Press Release
GeneLab For High School Students (GL4HS) Program Is Expanding Into U.S. Schools
The GL4HS program is a 4-week intensive summer program hosted by NASA Ames Research Center and funded by NASA’s Space Biology program. 2021 was the 5th year of the popular […]
Posted inArtemis & Lunar Exploration, Microbiology & Virology, Microgravity, Press Release, Space Agriculture, Space Stations
Researchers Put Space Garden Microbes Under the Microscope
When people and equipment travel to the International Space Station, microbes like bacteria and fungi also come along for the ride. While some are harmless or even beneficial, some hitchhiking […]
Posted inLife Support Systems, Press Release, Space Life Science, Space Stations
NASA Selects 10 Space Biology Research Projects That Will Enable Organisms To Thrive In Deep Space
NASA announces the award of 10 grants or cooperative agreements for exciting new Space Biology research that will advance NASA’s understanding of how living systems respond, acclimate, and adapt to […]
Posted inGenomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Plant Biology, Press Release, Radiation, Space Life Science, Space Stations
Detection of Plant Genes Involved In Radiation Response
Plants will be a major component of advanced life support systems to enable deep space exploration that will take humans to the moon, Mars and beyond. In a newly-published paper, […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Space Life Science, Tricorders & Sensors
Spectrum Instrument Captures Images of Fluorescent Proteins Expressed in Biological Cells
Understanding which genes are expressed in biological cells is key to understanding how biological organisms respond and adapt to the stresses of spaceflight. This knowledge will help future space researchers […]
Posted inSpace Life Science
Combined Effects of Simulated Microgravity and Isolation Drive Oxidative Stress Response
Spaceflight is known to disrupt the immune system in astronauts. Previous research has also shown immune dysregulation in humans subjected to isolation on Earth. In a newly published paper, researchers […]
Posted inSpace Life Science
Plants Return From Space In Microgravity Research Projects
The plant biology experiments of two NC State researchers are back on Earth after spending weeks at the International Space Station. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Marcela Rojas-Pierce, […]