Immunology is responsible for
investigating the effects of space flight on various aspects
of human physiology.
The 2 primary areas of research deal with the effects of
space flight on the human immune system and increased risk
of kidney stone formation during flight because of bone
demineralization. The goal of the CML is to investigate the
mechanisms responsible
for these physiologic changes so that appropriate countermeasures
can be developed for future exploration-class space missions.
Laboratory personnel conduct ground-based research and
spaceflight experiments onboard the Space Shuttle and the
International
Space Station. Laboratory personnel also perform conceptual
design and prototype development for specific flight hardware.
Laboratory personnel recently initiated design and validation
of a prototype spaceflight-compatible flow cytometer for
in- flight medical and research support.
 Bioastronautics
team scientists comprise the core research staff of the CML.
In addition, postdoctoral associates, visiting scientists,
graduate students and high school students routinely perform
rotations of varying lengths in the laboratory. The laboratory
currently possesses an impressive array of sophisticated
research equipment, including a clinical flow cytometer,
fluorescent microscopes, a spectrophotometer and a high performance
liquid chromatograph. Recent upgrades to the laboratory have
included a six-color research flow cytometer, a confocal
microscope, and an environmental scanning electron microscope.
Image left: Detection
of Activated T Cells
 Specific research currently conducted includes a pre- and postflight immune assessment
of Shuttle and ISS crewmembers, the investigation of spaceflight
effects (and microgravity model systems) on T cell signal transduction,
and determining the risk of the renal stone formation to crewmembers
during long-duration space flight. These studies support the
multidisciplinary assessment of crew health risks and the development
of potential countermeasure to mitigate these risks. Laboratory
personnel also performs microgravity studies and hardware validation
onboard the
NASA C-9 parabolic flight research aircraft.
 Laboratory personnel have published research findings in many
reputable scientific journals including: FASEB Journal, Journal
of the Leukocyte Biology, Cytometry, Journal of Gravitational Physiology,
Journal of Interferon and Cytokine Research, Mineral Electrolyte
and Metabolism and Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
In addition, they routinely present data at both national
and international scientific meetings.
Image left: Tubulin
Polarization
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