Comments submitted to the Microgravity Review Panel
Interested parties were invited through the web site to submit comments to the Microrogravity Review Panel during October and November 2002.
There were 45 responses, all of which were presented to the Panel for consideration.
Each respondent was asked if their submission could be published, and 39 replied that they were content (no reply was taken to mean consent was withheld). These responses are given below:
Prof J E Allen, Oxford University
Prof O Alpar, School of Pharmacy, University of London
Dr LG Briarty, ex University of Nottingham
Dr Rob Buckle, Medical Research Council
Dr Anthony MJ Bull, Imperial College London
Prof Naomi Chayen, Imperial College London
Prof WT Coakley, Cardiff University
Dr Charles Cockell, British Antarctic Survey
Prof JL Culhane, FRS, University College London/Mullard
Space Science Laboratory
Dr Nick Davey, Imperial College London
Prof Howell G.M Edwards, Bradford University
Dr Kevin Fong BSc MBBS MRCP, University College London
Dr Peter J. Fraser, Aberdeen University
Prof Allen Goodship, Royal Veterinary College and University
College London
Dr Monica M. Grady, Natural History Museum
Dr Mike Grocott MBBS MRCP FRCA, University College London
Prof LD Hall, University of Cambridge
Dr M H Harrison, QinetiQ Ltd
Prof. JD Hunt FRS, University of Oxford
Dr DBR Kenning, University of Oxford
Dr Peter D. Lee, Imperial College London
Dr Denny Levett MA BM BCh MRCP, University College London
Dr Nicholas Lockerbie, University of Strathclyde
Roger Longstaff, Guest Associates (Europe) Ltd.
Prof. Matthew J. Dring & Dr. Thomas Wiedemann, Queen's
University Belfast
Dr Patrick Magee, University of Bath
Dr M. A. Mendes-Tatsis, Imperial College London
Dr Hugh Montgomery, University College London
Prof Marco Narici, Manchester Metropolitan University
Prof Terence Partridge, Medical Research Council
Dr Peter Quested, NPL & Prof Ken Mills, Imperial College
London
Dr Jonathan Reeve, Addenbrooke's Hospital
Professor Michael J Rennie PhD FRSE, University of Dundee
(now Nottingham)
Dr TJ Stevenson, University of Leicester
Dr J R R Stott, QinetiQ Ltd
Prof Ian A. Sutherland, Brunel Institute for Bioengineering
Prof Pankaj Vadgama, Queen Mary, University of London
Dr T L Whateley, University of Strathclyde
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Address |
Department of Engineering Science |
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Telephone |
01865 273000 |
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Fax |
01865 273010 |
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E-mail |
john.allen.eng.ox.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
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I wish to make a firm proposal that the I have been a
member of the Advisory Board for the International Microgravity Plasma
Facility (IMPF) since its inception. All the recommendations of this board
are readily available on the web at <http:/www.microgravity.net>. I am
also a member of an active European Network on Complex (Dusty) Plasmas; seven
laboratories are engaged in this activity, in |
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Further details and
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.Scientific and Technological Relevance The basic science in this project is that of the study of the behaviour of dust particles in a plasma. Such particles are somewhat like floating Langmuir probes in that no net current flows to them. In the steady state case the electron current and the ion current must therefore be equal, if secondary emission is negligible. The dust particle then acquires a negative charge, of the order of 10,000 electrons and a corresponding negative potential. The particles then interact with each other and can form "crystal-like" structures, or behave more like liquids or gases. The mixture of dust particles, ions and electrons is sometimes referred to as a "colloidal plasma". However the analogy cannot be carried too far, because the system is not in thermal equilibrium. The interaction between particles is not completely understood. Clearly there is a repulsive force, since they are all negatively charged (in the vast majority of cases). Some experimental reports in
the literature describe a screened Coulomb potential, but agreement has not
yet been reached on the factors that determine the screening length. One of
the difficulties here is that laboratory experiments have been carried out on
the behaviour of dust particles in a space charge sheath. This is because the
weight of the dust pulls the dust particles out from the plasma and into the
adjacent sheath. These experiments are of considerable interest but
experiments in the central plasma region are essential, which is the reason
for devising experiments to be performed on the International Space Station,
where gravitational effects are practically eliminated. The technological
relevance relates largely, but not exclusively, to nanotechnology. As an
example, microcrystals can be grown in plasma
discharges in Silane or Methane and very
interesting results have been obtained on the growth of microcrystalline
silicon films at the Ecole Polytechnique
in In general the research is of interest to
three different communities: those working in space science, those working in
technological plasmas and those working in basic plasma physics. In space
science dust is important in interstellar clouds, comets, interplanetary dust,
the magnetosphere, the ionosphere and planetary rings. Needless to say,
plasma is ubiquitous, so the dust particles will become charged. Much of this
dust is in regions where gravity is unimportant. The technological relevance
has already been referred to. One can add that nowadays particles are grown
in gas discharge plasmas for use as chemical catalysts and for compression
into new materials with improved mechanical properties; such research has
been carried out for some years at the Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne, |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Centre for Drug Delivery Research 29 – |
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Telephone |
020 7753 5928 |
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Fax |
020 7753 5942 |
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E-mail |
Oya.alpar@ams1.ulsop.ac.uk |
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As a member of the ESA Topical Team, I would like to impress the
importance of an active |
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Further details and background |
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Microsphere and microencapsulation technologies have
found application in a range of industries, from pharmaceutical and
biomedical to agrochemical and electronics. There are however, fundamental
processes involved in the microencapsulation process for which a more
detailed and mechanistic understanding is required. For example the
interfacial phenomena occurring during solvent exchange at the solid/liquid
and liquid/liquid interfaces, and the increased crystallinity
of large polymer molecules. The microgravity environment of the ISS provides
the ideal environment to isolate the different aspect of the
microencapsulation process for a more comprehensive approach to the work. Using a requisite
multidisciplinary approach, elucidation of these mechanisms will provide a
strong platform for further development of microsphere
delivery systems for gene, vaccine and drug delivery, as well as biomedical
diagnostic technologies. In addition to the
contribution to the advancement of science, and its implication on
terrestrial health, there is also considerable commercial benefit to be
gained by improving on microencapsulation technology. |
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Dr LG Briarty |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
9 The Cloisters Beeston NG9 2FR |
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Telephone |
(44) (0) 115 9250 964 |
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E-mail |
lgbriarty@waitrose.com |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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The microgravity research, but the current
research organisation and funding climate mitigates against their taking up this
interest. Goodwill towards the significant in the past as I can testify
from my own experience as a PI on various missions (Shuttle IML-1, two parabolic
flights, Foton 12 mission). This can't last much longer unless we make some real investment in the programme; the result of the off and even antagonism towards Throughout nearing retirement. In most other countries a further generation
is being brought on and it is these who will
understand and make use of the ISS as a research facility.
This isn't the case in the left out. As well as being a research facility the
ISS is a major stimulus to international scientific collaboration. It will result in new and expanded research programmes from which the Hope this helps Greg Briarty |
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Further details and
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Dr Rob Buckle |
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Affiliation |
Medical Research Council |
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Address |
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Telephone |
020 7636 5422 |
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Fax |
020 7670 5124 |
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E-mail |
robin.buckle@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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MRC has recently been examining its research strategy in relation to space-based biomedical research programmes, and to this end the MRC and BNSC recently hosted an international workshop to discuss this issue, and the benefits that such programmes might provide for terrestrial health needs. More specifically: · While biomedical research in space is clearly needed to support the programmes of manned space flight, the main benefit of such research is to the health of astronauts, rather than to the health of the terrestrial population. ·
The · Any decision to commit funding towards space research programmes should only be taken once a rigorous cost / benefit analysis has been undertaken. |
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Further details and
background |
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The MRC and BNSC recently hosted a one-day workshop
entitled ‘Space for health, or health for space?’ at the Royal Society in
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Anthony MJ Bull |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Department of Bioengineering |
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Telephone |
+44 20 7594 5186 |
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Fax |
+44 870 125 4985 |
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E-mail |
a.bull@imperial.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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To quickly summarise my relevant research
interest, it is chiefly in the field of movement analysis and the mechanics
of joints in microgravity. I have some experience of microgravity research,
undertaking flights with both ESA and with the Russians. I and my colleagues would wish to be able
to maintain and obtain extended access to parabolic flight programmes in the
future. This work simply cannot be attempted without these experimental
conditions. If you wish to know a little more about the
work, then do contact me. |
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Further details and
background |
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Joint loading in
microgravity: muscle optimisation of movement. Different muscular control
strategies for movement. Applications of the work: devising different control
strategies of bone loading - redistributing load on the joint, bone
re-modelling (osteoporosis applications). |
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Naomi
Chayen |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Biological
Structure and Function Section, Division
of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty
of Medicine, Technology
and Medicine, |
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Telephone |
020-75943240 |
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Fax |
020-75943169 |
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E-mail |
n.chayen@ic.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Why crystallise proteins? Protein
crystallisation has gained a strategic and commercial relevance in the
post-Genomic era in which X-ray crystallography will play a major role.
Current genome projects are expected to reveal numerous new targets for
therapy of human disease. However, it
is usually not the genes themselves which are the targets, but the proteins
encoded by them. The function of these proteins is determined by their three-dimensional
structure and drugs can influence the function by precise atomic interactions
with the protein. The most powerful technique for determining protein
structure is X-ray crystallography, which is totally dependent on highly
ordered crystals. Obtaining such crystals is the major bottleneck to
structure determination. With the advent of Structural Genomics this problem
is becoming increasingly acute giving rise to an urgent need for designing
new and improved methods for producing high quality crystals. The demand for
structures is not only in the medical sector but also in industries that
utilise protein engineering for making a variety of products (agricultural, washing
powders, sugars and many other products).
It is often the case that crystals are produced, but they are not of
good enough quality to undergo X-ray analysis. It is still not understood why
some proteins (as well as other biological macromolecules) do crystallise
with ease, while most refuse to produce suitable crystals. Better
understanding of the fundamental principles of the crystallisation process
will enable the design of new and improved methods for producing the desired
crystals. Current
problems regarding crystallization in Space The
issue of crystallisation in Space is a controversial one due to conflicting
results reported in the scientific literature. A large number of scientific publications
report that crystallisation of macromolecules in microgravity does indeed
improve the quality of the crystals obtained. On the other hand, there are
other reports opposing this claim, this is mailnly
due to the fact that the success rate of protein crystallisation in Space has
to date, only been 20%. The reasons
for this are only now beginning to emerge.
In recent years, experiments in micogravity
are being conducted in a far more systematic way compared to previous
experiments which were heavily reliant on luck. This is due to improved
apparatus and awareness of the subject. With the aid of CCD video and other
diagnostic tools it is now possible to monitor crystal growth in Space. As a
result, researchers are beginning to realise the crucial factors on which to
focus when conducting experiments in Space. (e.g.
the importance of finding the optimal conditions in Space which may be totally different from the optimal conditions
on Earth as well as the consequence of choosing the right method of
crystallization). A variety of
apparatus made by NASA and The European Space Agency (ESA) for conducting
both screening and diagnostic experiments in microgravity is now available
using all methods of crystallization. British Experiments British
scientists have set some bench marks and have influenced the way of
conducting protein experiments in microG which
others are following (e.g. highlighting of the work done by Helliwell in Science (1995) 270, 1921;
discontinuation of the vapour diffusion method by ESA based on the results of
Chayen and Helliwell
(1999) Nature 398, 20). Dr Skinner who was in During
the period of flying via ESA, We UK Scientists did the microG
work without any support, really in our spare time, while the other Europeans
received handsom funding form their National
Agencies. But, at least we had the flight opportunities which are now at
threat. Because the Protein
crystallisation in MicroG lost credibility in its
early days due to over stating of its merits by some American Scientists. In
recent years the experiments are being done more thoroughly and
critically. It is apparent that we are
only now grasping how best to utilise the microgravity environment. Hence it
would be a great shame if we would have to stop now when we have better
understanding combined with possibilities of continuous access to the
International Space station. Moreover for the British scientists, it would be
a pity if others will reap the benefits of the effort that we have invested,
while we will become bystanders. Imperial Experiments in microgravity: · Crystallisation of Reverse transcriptase on the Russian Photon 7 ('Kashtan Mission') · Crystallisation of lysozyme on Spacehab 1 · Crystallisation of crustacyanin on the IML-2 mission · Crystallisation of crustacyanin on the UMSL-2 mission · Crystallisation of crustacyanin on the LMS mission PUBLICATIONS · Chayen, N.E., "Microgravity Protein Crystallisation Aboard the Photon Satellite" J. Cryst. Growth 153 (1995), 175-179. ·
Chayen, N.E.,
Gordon, E.J. and Zagalsky, P.F., "The
Crystallisation of Apocrustacyanin C1 on the
International Microgravity Laboratory (IML-2) · Chayen, N.E., Snell, E.H., Helliwell, J.R. and Zagalsky, P.F., "CCD video Observation of Microgravity Crystallisation: Apocrustacyanin C1" J. Cryst.Growth 171 (1997), 219-225. · Snell, E.H., Cassetta, A., Helliwell, J.R., Boggon, T.J., Chayen, N.E., Weckert, E., Holzer, K., Schroer, K. Gordon, E.J. and Zagalsky, P.F., "Partial Improvement of Crystal Quality for Microgrvity Grown Apocrustacyanin C1" Acta Cryst. D 53 (1997), 231-239. · Ries Kautt, M., Broutin, I., Ducruix, A., Shepard, W., Kahn, R., Chayen, N., Blow, D., Paal, K., Littke, W., Lorber, B., Theobald-Dietrich, A. and Giege, R., "Crystallogenesis Studies in Microgravity with the Advanced Protein Crystallisation Facility on SpaceHab-01" J. Cryst. Growth 181 (1997), 79-96. · Boggon, T.J., Chayen, N.E., Snell, E.H., Dong J., Lautenschlager, P., Potthast, L., Siddons, P. Stojanoff, V., Gordon, E., Thompson, A., Zagalsky, P.F., Bi, R.C.and Helliwell, J.R., "Protein Crystal Movements and Fluid Flows During Growth" Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A. 356 (1998), 1045-1061. · Dong, J., Boggon, T.J., Chayen, N.E., Rafetry, J., Bi R-C and Helliwell, J.R., "Bound Solvent Structures for Microgravity, Ground Control, Gel and Microbatch Grown HEW Lysozyme Crystals at 1.8Å Resolution" Acta Cryst. D 55(1999) 745-752. · Snell, E.H., Chayen, N.E. and Helliwell, J.R., "Crystallisation of Biological Macromolecules in Microgravity" (1999). The Biochemist December issue 19-24. · Chayen, N.E. and Helliwell, J.R., "Space-grown Crystals May Prove their Worth" Nature 398, (1999) 20. · Helliwell, J.R., Snell, E.H., Chayen, N.E., Judge, R.A., Boggon, T.J. and Pusey, M.L. "Fluid Physics and Macromolecular Crystal Growth in Microgravity" in "Physics of Fluids in Microgravity" Monti R. ed (2002) · Chayen, N.E. and Helliwell, J.R. (2002) "Protein Crystallization in Microgravity: Are We Reaping the Full Benefit of Outer Space?" New York Academy of Sciences in press. What I have written above is a short summary of the
situation. I can of course supply much more detail if necessary as well as
references for all the statements made |
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Prof. WT Coakley |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
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Telephone |
02920 874287 |
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Fax |
02920 874305 |
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E-mail |
Coakley@cf.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Physical, chemical
and biological components of research and development projects in space
involve studies with fluidic systems and suspensions. The ability to
manipulate the location of suspended materials, for example cells, colloidal
materials and bubbles (including intrusive bubbles) can be provided by
ultrasound standing wave traps. Standing waves in the MHz frequency range
have been applied terrestrially as force field cell culture perfusion
filters, water filters, for suspension washing and for studies of cell
adhesion away from container boundaries. The technology is readily applicable
in space for non-intrusive force field manipulations in suspensions. |
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Further details and
background |
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Staff from our bio-ultrasonics laboratory have already been involved
in self-funded studies of ultrasonic manipulation in two ESA microgravity
parabolic flight programmes (Hawkes JJ, et al. Ultrasonic
manipulation of particles in
microgravity |
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Charles Cockell |
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Affiliation |
British Antarctic Survey |
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Address |
High Cross, CB3 0ET |
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Telephone |
01223 411722 |
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Fax |
01223 415769 |
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E-mail |
csco@bas.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Membership of
ELIPS will ensure that British scientists can lead ESA programmes. For
example, I was recently informed that after successfully leading an effort to
establish a new ESA topical team – |
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Further details and
background |
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Name |
Charles Cockell |
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Affiliation |
British Antarctic Survey |
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Address |
High Cross, CB3 0ET |
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Telephone |
01223 411722 |
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Fax |
01223 415769 |
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E-mail |
csco@bas.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Being
a member of ELIPS will allow us to play a more important role in defining the
future of space station experiments. I am Principal Investigator on one of
the experiments (EXPOSE) on the International Space Station to be flown in
2004 by ESA. My experiment involves studying response of photosynthetic microorganisms to the space environment. The lack of
ELIPS membership comes up at our science meetings and it is only by the good
faith of my fellow scientists that they turn a blind eye. But this is no way
to conduct ourselves as a member of ESA. We need to be a member of ELIPS so
future experiments are fully open to us and we can participate in defining
space experiments. |
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Further details and
background |
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Dr Nick Davey |
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Address |
Division of Neuroscience & Psychological Medicine, W6 8RF |
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Telephone |
020 8846 7284 / 7293 |
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Fax |
020 8846 7338 |
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E-mail |
n.davey@ic.ac.uk |
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Brief summary
of main points |
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The “plastic” central nervous system is subjected to unchanging gravity throughout life. Postural control and more complex motor programmes are established against the backdrop of this unchanging force. We ask:
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Further details
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Human beings are born and grow up with the constant force of the earth’s gravity on their bodies. Exquisite motor programmes are established by allowing us to perform very complex motor tasks with extreme precision – for example playing the piano or balancing on a narrow beam. All these tasks whether dextrous or postural are performed taking into account the earth’s gravitational field. Many of the human body’s receptor systems (for example pressure receptors in the skin, joint receptors and muscle spindles) provide feedback about the way the body interacts within this field. If this constant field is suddenly removed or changed then the gain of these servo systems will be disrupted which will presumably affect the precision of postural or dextrous tasks. Since the nervous system has the ability to adjust or rewire its control systems according to need then we might expect re-learning to occur directed at regaining this lost control in the new gravitational conditions. If these processes do occur it is important to learn how quickly they are established and how permanent they are. This kind of research is of obvious importance if humans are going to spend long periods of time in altered gravitational fields. Equally, they will add to our knowledge of the way the central nervous system adapts to trauma (such as stroke or spinal cord injury) and the subsequent rehabilitation programmes aimed at restoring function. In particular, it will help to differentiate spinal cord reflexes involved in compensatory posture (for example when the centre of gravity is disturbed by a limb movement such as picking up a cup) from centrally programmed control mechanisms. Centrally programmed postural compensation for limb movement is likely to prove more amenable to rehabilitation, making restoration of lost function in trunk muscles more possible. This kind of work can only be conducted using microgravity resources such as parabolic flight, centrifuges or experiments in orbit. |
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Howell G.M Edwards |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Professor of Molecular Spectroscopy Department of Chemical and Forensic Sciences BD7 1DP |
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Telephone |
01274-233787 |
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Fax |
01274-235350 |
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E-mail |
h.g.m.edwards@bradford.ac.uk |
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Brief summary
of main points |
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1. Project ENDO/ROSE ; response of organisms
to a space environment, coordinated by Dr. Gerda Horneck (DLR, for next year (?) to assess the response of
Antarctic extremophiles (in collaboration with the BAS, mats to a near-space situation. The extremophiles can survive in the most hostile terrestrial environments exemplified
by the Oasis and the project will test their capabilities
in a "worst-case terrestrial ozone-hole scenario". 2. Project FOTON /STONE : an on-going, multi-stage
artificial meteorite experiment to test geological modification and biological survival incurred
as a result of entry into the Earth's atmosphere by extraterrestrial material (coordinated by
Dr. Andre Brack, CNRS Biomoleculaire et Biophysique,
and have so far tested their survival on the
external mounting of a Russian satellite as part of the series of Biopan experiments. The most recent of these suffered a disaster just two weeks ago
when the Soyuz rocket exploded during launch from Plesetsk, with the loss of the satellite
and our specimens. 3. Several projects with NASA and ESA for
the miniaturisation of remote sensing Raman spectroscopic equipment for
the detection of biomolecular markers in planetary surface exploration (especially
Mars). Links with NASA involvement includes Beagle 2 and Vanguard. |
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Further details
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Dr. Kevin Fong BSc MBBS MRCP |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Room 121, 1st Floor Crosspiece, W1T 3AA |
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Telephone |
+44 7770 422 091 |
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Fax |
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E-mail |
Fong22@hotmail.com |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Summary: A
working strategy for A working business plan currently supports a first class
programme of space life science education and a limited programme of research. With appropriate resources this
infrastructure has the potential to deliver world class undergraduate and
postgraduate training opportunities as well as the ability to take advantage
of commercial opportunities in the field of biotechnology. The space environment provides a unique and powerful tool with which to investigate a host of biological and biomedical phenomena. In addition the vast network of international field centres that support the space programme allows researchers to share information, generate new ideas, acquire new research skills and engage in first class collaborative research. The science in this field has matured in recent years and there is recognition amongst the academic community that this research is of excellent quality. The huge rise in the impact scores of journals in which space life science research is published is clear evidence of this fact. In the There exists at this time in the CASE has been successful in building links with other
institutions in the
Through these efforts a range of British researchers and laboratories involved in work relevant to the wider space programme have been identified. These groups are all keen to investigate the potential for collaborative research.
It is intended
that CASE should serve to co-ordinate a multi-centre effort under the
executive control of the UK Space Biomedical Advisory Committee that
meets annually at British National Space Centre. The
CASE infrastructure has been developed over the past 5 years in an effort to
create an environment capable of supporting the nascent interest in
Meetings with
representatives from University College London (Prof. Mythen,
Prof. Mobbs, Prof. Lieberman), King's College London (Prof. Linden,
Olga Rutherford) and Imperial College London (Prof. Ellaway,
John Lever) to discuss the possibility of establishing a tri-centre doctoral
and post-doctoral programme in integrative physiology are to be held in late
November. These meetings will be
followed by further discussions with the British Consulate and the National
Space Biomedical Research Institute in In summary it is
possible to demonstrate that the science in the field of space life sciences
is of excellent quality and that this programme is of both medical and
commercial value to terrestrial communities.
With this knowledge and the emergence of a working |
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Further details and
background |
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Dr Peter J. Fraser |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Zoology Department |
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Telephone |
01224 272891 |
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Fax |
01224 272396 |
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E-mail |
p.fraser@abdn.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Microgravity and hypergravity facilities allow separation of gravity
dependent mechanical processes. Invited access to
NASA facilities in |
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Further details and
background |
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My recent finding
that angular acceleration receptors are also hydrostatic pressure receptors
in crabs and dogfish (Nature 371, 383-384 (1994); Nature 415, 495-496 (2002),
has been of interest to NASA, leading to invites to CASSLs
(Centre for Advanced studies in the Space Life Sciences) conferences, and an
invitation to visit and speak at the NASA Ames Research Centre (2001) http://www.mbl.edu/CASSLS/workshops.html Following my visit, I have been invited to
use Centrifuges and other facilities at NASA Ames Centre But when I have
tried to seek research Council advice or studentships, I have met with either
no reply or told that my proposal was not in a supported area of research. I have been able
to carry out a microgravity experiment since 4 students were accepted on the
recent ESA Parabolic Flight Campaign. We obtained clear, results, repeated each parabola. The whole process has attracted
immense TV, Radio and press interest. Supporting this
sort of area of research could do more for recruitment into areas of science
for which support is waning such as physics and maths as well as diverting
biology students towards biophysics. The role of microstrains (c1-10 nm) in normal cell function
is normally ignored, but may have great importance. Gravity normally imposes
a gradient of strains in various ways, which may have vital long term
functions. |
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Professor Allen Goodship |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
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Telephone |
0208 909 5747 01707 666342 |
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Fax |
01707 666346 |
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E-mail |
Goodship@rvc.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Osteoporosis and
related fractures will impose extreme costs to the Healthcare system now and
in the future with increased longevity and decreased physical activities. A microgravity
scenario that allows isolation of gravitational forces from cells, tissues
and the living skeleton, this proved unique ability to focus on responses to
specific biological and imposed mechanical cues to elucidate mechanisms that
may provide pharmacological targets to prevent and treat these high morbidity
degenerative diseases of the skeletal system. |
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Further details and
background |
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We participated in
the Euromir 95 mission to test hypotheses relating
to the mechanical stimulation of bone mass. Disadvantages relate to low
number of subjects and this can only be rectified by accumulation of data
over a number of missions. Access on an ongoing basis with national and
international networking would optimise the opportunities of this unique
research platform. Mechanically
responsive systems such as the musculo-skeletal
system together with age related degenerative conditions can gain some
benefit from microgravity based research. The cost benefits
of such research in times of limited resource are high but could be mitigated by
an truly international approach. We feel a |
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Monica M. Grady |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Dept. of Mineralogy The |
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Telephone |
0207 942 5709 |
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Fax |
0207 942 5537 |
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E-mail |
mmg@nhm.ac.uk |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
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|
(1) General point:
why just ‘microgravity’ review –space is a very low pressure (vacuum), high
radiation environment, conditions also useful for experiments and
simulations. (2) Specific
point: My interest is in radiation damage to organic and inorganic materials. |
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Further details and
background |
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Background: meteorites are pieces of material broken
from asteroids that land on Earth. They are composed of rock and metal; some
contain significant quantities of organic molecules (including amino and
carboxylic acids). Meteorites have the potential to cause both the extinction
of life (during giant impacts) and the creation of life (by seeding Earth
with the organic precursors to DNA). Potential
projects: 1). The physical
properties of asteroids (density, porosity, strength) can be deduced through
knowledge of their mineralogy. Study of the processes by which radiation
alters mineralogy is important, because asteroid surfaces have been modified
by cratering and radiation damage, such that their
spectral reflectance cannot always be matched to specific meteorite types.
Identification of the material properties of asteroids (significant for
hazard mitigation studies) would be facilitated by tracing the alteration of
minerals during exposure to radiation in space. 2). Organic
molecules are abundant in interstellar space, and their chemistry is partly
controlled by radiation. The relationship between organic species within
meteorites and those in interstellar space is complex, dependent upon the
matrix within which the organics are supported, as well as the composition of
the organics themselves. Identification of the radiation-mediated pathways
through which simple interstellar molecules are converted to more complex
species, in the presence of inorganic substrates is an important stage in the
understanding of the origin of life. |
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|
DR MIKE GROCOTT BSc MBBS MRCP FRCA |
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Affiliation |
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|
Address |
Centre for Anaesthesia 1st Floor Crosspiece W1T 3AA |
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Telephone |
0207 636 8333 Ext 3172 |
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Fax |
0207 580 6423 |
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E-mail |
mike.grocott@ucl.ac.uk |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
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|
1. Research opportunities presented by the
International Space Station (ISS), in particular experiments utilising
microgravity, will provide unique insights in medicine and the life
sciences. These insights and the applications
that come from them will provide direct benefits in terrestrial medicine e.g.
osteoporosis, cardiovascular deconditioning and
autonomic failure. 2. The Centre for Aviation Space and Extreme
environment medicine (CASE) at UCL offers educational opportunities that are
unique within the |
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Further details and
background Microgravity is
associated with a number of medical problems including osteoporosis,
autonomic impairment, and cardiovascular deconditioning. The opportunities to study these processes
in a controlled environment offered by the ISS are unique and well recognised
internationally. Access to these
opportunities is essential if research in these areas in the CASE was
established at UCL to provide unique education and research opportunities to |
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Professor L. D. Hall |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Herchel Smith Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry Forvie Site CB2 2PZ |
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Telephone |
+44(0)1223 336805/336807 |
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Fax |
+44(0)1223 336748 |
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E-mail |
ldh11@hslmc.cam.ac.uk |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
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|
The ever-increasing needs for new methods for the delivery of pharmaceuticals for treatment of human diseases, has led to renewed interest in the synthesis from organic substances of microparticles as drug carriers. Their formation at reduced gravity offers intriguing opportunities. |
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Further details and
background |
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Dr M H Harrison |
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Affiliation |
Technical Director, QinetiQ |
|
Address |
Cody building Farnborough Hampshire GU14 0LX |
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Telephone |
01252 393314 |
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Fax |
01252 394777 |
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E-mail |
mhharrison@qinetiQ.com |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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·
From
lectures and presentations I give to school children, undergraduates, and
graduates, there is a very real interest, by some, in space biomedicine and,
in particular, in the challenge of overcoming the tremendous physiological,
psychological, and medical problems of manned space flight. They want to know
how to get involved. My advice is to emigrate! ·
The ·
Some
time ago an ESA bulletin listed European companies investing in the 70
identified areas of space technology. Only one was from the ·
Just a
small investment in space life sciences (a few £M) would allow some
participation in space biomedical research by ·
·
Microgravity research per se seems
unlikely to offer value for money in the foreseeable future. Space biomedical
research is more likely to, if conducted in partnership with ESA nations, or
NASA. ·
The
opportunity for |
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Further details and
background |
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Space is going to
be a major technology driver over the next few decades. The research emphasis
is beginning to shift away from established space applications like Satellite
Communications and Earth Observation - in which the We
as a nation have few equals when it comes to the quality of our biomedical
research. The weightless environment of space provides a unique opportunity
to investigate changes in body structure and function very similar to those
associated with some disease states, and with ageing. Of
course, humans will eventually travel to Mars and beyond. As things stand at
present the Konstantin Tsiolkovsky,
one of the pioneers of astronautics, famously said that “The Earth is the
cradle of mankind, but one cannot remain in the cradle forever”. Unless,
apparently, you happen to be British! |
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Prof. JD Hunt FRS |
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Affiliation |
Dept. of Materials, |
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Address |
Dept of Materials |
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Telephone |
01865 273712 |
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Fax |
01865 273789 |
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E-mail |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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I see almost no
possibility of the commercial exploitation of space in the field of material
science. I believe in blue skies research but the cost implication must be
always considered. In my opinion there are other more productive/cost
effective ways of using scarce research funding. Space research has
become a large flywheel rotating at great speed and the supporters argue that
so much effort has been put in that funding must be found to keep it going. I
support the view that it should be allowed to slow down. |
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Further details and
background |
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I have been
indirectly involved with space research for over 20 years. I have been on two
committees vetting proposals for ESA and have been on various NASA
committees. I will make two general comments about these meetings. I was
never fully convinced that any of the materials science proposals was value
for money but was told that did not matter: the proposals should just be put
in order. The second comment is that NASA members always said they should do
things because the Europeans were about to do it. ESA said they should do them because the
Americans were doing them. More recently I
have been more directly involved with an ESA MAP project CETSOL. I got into
to this project from a thematic network because I felt that we could make a
contribution to the theoretical analysis and experiments on the ground. As it
turned out we were told that we would, would not, would,
would not be supported. We eventually got no funding but were able to
carry out our part of the project in full by other means. It was clear in
this project and others that the main objective was to support the large
infrastructure on space research in Having talked to
scientists who have been involved with work in space over many years, I have
found two main groups. Those who have an almost emotional motivation for work
in space because it is a new frontier and those who when pressed say well it
is a source of funding why shouldn’t I have part of it. I do not accept
either view as a reason for increased spending on space research. |
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Dr DBR Kenning |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Department of Engineering Science OX1 3PJ |
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Telephone |
01865 273033, 273000 |
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Fax |
01865 273010 |
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E-mail |
david.kenning@eng.ox.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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There are exciting
experiments to be done in microgravity in the field of multiphase flow, heat
and mass transfer. Involvement
requires some assurance of long term support for a research group because of
the ground-based activity that precedes flight opportunities and the
uncertainties in timing that have so far been a part of the flight programme. |
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Further details and
background |
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I have a very
limited involvement with EPSRC funding in an ESA –supported project organised
by Proposals were
mainly for fundamental studies but there is also a strong incentive to study
multiphase flow for its potential applications in space facilities. Projects are
always expensive and relatively long term because of pre-flight validation.
Young researchers must have some assurance of continued support if they are
to commit themselves to this sort of activity. |
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Peter D. Lee |
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Affiliation |
Dept. of Materials, |
|
Address |
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Telephone |
020 7594 6801 |
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Fax |
020 7594 6758 |
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E-mail |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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In the field of
materials processing, microgravity facilities are highly beneficial for three
key reasons: 1. calibrating techniques for thermophysical property
measurements; 2. producing standards for many applications; 3. providing an
environment for doing experiments to isolate key phenomena, and hence better understand
what measurements are required. |
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Further details and
background |
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In many areas of
materials processing, fully characterised experiments are very difficult due
to the confounding effect of gravity driven phenomena. This has lead to a
paucity of data (and the concomitant understanding of processes where this
data is required to characterise or model them) for a range of basic
thermophysical properties of materials, such as the diffusivity of species in
molten metals. A knowledge of these properties is
required for the processes to be developed to produce many materials key to A microgravity
facility would therefore both speed the entry of new materials into |
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DR DENNY LEVETT MA BM BCh MRCP |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Centre for anaesthesia 1st Floor Crosspiece W1T 3AA |
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Telephone |
0207 387 9300 Ext 3172 |
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Fax |
0207 580 6423 |
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E-mail |
Dennylevett@hotmail.com |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Further details and
background Over the past 3 years the centre for aviation
space and extreme environment medicine (CASE), based at UCL has explored the
potential for high quality basic biomedical science research in the field of
microgravity and other extreme environments. The centre was established to build links
to develop collaborative research in these fields and provide an educational
programme to develop scientific expertise. Microgravity research would have numerous benefits for
the There are several historical examples of
technologies developed for use in space flight benefiting mainstream medicine
– light emitting diodes used initially in shuttle plant growth experiments
have had unpredictable applications in the development of photodynamic
therapy for refractory tumours; stereophotogrammetry, developed to study the effects of
microgravity on the spinal column, is now used to monitor the progression of
scoliosis in children without exposing them to the damaging effects of
ionising radiation. Collaboration
between As CASE has identified, a community of biomedical
science researchers exists both in the |
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Nicholas Lockerbie |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Department of Physics, 107 Rottenrow, |
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Telephone |
(+44) (0)141 5483360/3478 |
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Fax |
(+44) (0)141 552 2891 |
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E-mail |
N.Lockerbie@phys.strath.ac.uk (work) Nlockerbie@AOL.com (home) |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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|
I believe a A microgravity
environment aboard the ISS would make possible many experiments in the hugely
important and topical area of Fundamental Physics that are impossible, or at
best severely circumscribed, on the ground.
Examples are: tests of the Equivalence Principle (EP) for inertial and
gravitational mass, long-term tests of General Relativity (using atomic
clocks and/or Pulsar references), accurate measurement of the Gravitational
Constant, testing the Inverse-square Law of gravity at short-range, the Casimir Effect, precision Atomic Interferometry,
Dark Energy/new interaction searches, etc. Secondly, a
suitable microgravity environment could also be used for appropriate
technology development in support of e.g. space borne long-baseline gravity
wave detectors (development and testing of micro-thrusters, such as FEEPs, ‘drag-free’ sensing and control of test masses
hardware/software, long-term laser optical bench testing, etc.). Equally, it could be used for gravitational
quadrupole testing (a particular interest of my
own, with application to EP tests), which is limited by bearing-friction
under 1g on the ground, and would be enormously enhanced in sensitivity (by a
very useful factor of > 103) by operation under micro-g
accelerations. And thirdly, a
low-Earth-orbit laboratory could be used for medium baseline (several metres)
Gravity Gradiometry, using ‘string-sensor’ gravity
gradiometers—with a potential sensitivity of 10-4 Eötvös/√Hz, or better. Such an instrument would borrow heavily on
optical techniques developed for ground-based gravity-wave detectors. It might find application in space borne
geophysical searches for minerals (oil/gas, gold, etc.), as well as, it must
be admitted, having some foreseeable military uses. |
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Further details and
background |
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I am a member of
the European Topical Team, funded by the European Space Agency, with a remit
to investigate the potential of the ISS for scientific experimentation in a
micro-gravity environment. I am also an ad hoc
member of PPARC panels reviewing My current
research into ‘string gradiometers’ is funded by Gravitec
Ltd. |
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Roger Longstaff |
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Affiliation |
Guest
Associates ( |
|
Address |
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Telephone |
020 8500 8607 |
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Fax |
020 8500 8607 |
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E-mail |
roger9996@aol.com |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
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|
1. UK
Space Policy |
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|
Further details and
background |
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|
2.
Background of Microgravity Consideration in the |
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Prof. Matthew J. Dring & Dr. Thomas Wiedemann |
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|
Affiliation |
Queen’s University Belfast |
|
Address |
Marine Laboratory 12 The Portaferry BT22 1PF |
|
Telephone |
028 427 27803 or 028 427 27808 |
|
Fax |
028 427 28902 |
|
E-mail |
m.dring@qub.ac.uk or t.wiedemann@qub.ac.uk |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
|
|
·
Microgravity
research for medical applications in conjunction with marine biology ·
Interdisciplinary
approach of research is fundamental for end user products
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Further details and
background |
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|
One of the
potentially benefiting projects from a Proposal Title of
intended project: Influence of bone growth factors and bone inductive
material (Hydroxyapatite) derived from the marine
alga Corallina officinalis
on the performance of bone cells under changed gravity conditions. ABSTRACT: The suitability of an
apatite from a calcareous red alga as a substance that promoted the re-growth
of human bone was first reported in the late 1980s. This apatite material
showed a high interconnecting pore structure (up to 50 m2/g)
and, therefore, served as an osteoconductive
structure. The source for this hydroxyapatite is a marine calcareous red alga, Corallina officinalis. We intend to investigate
the structure of the calcareous skeleton of the marine red alga Corallina officinalis,
which forms the source for the hydroxyapatite (HA)
under micro gravity conditions and the performance of bone cells under stem
cell- and growth factor enriched conditions under these conditions. The objectives of the
project are to investigate the effect of gravity on the structure of the
calcified algal skeleton and to gain further knowledge on the effect of micro
gravity on growth stimulated bone cells in vitro, enclosed in “scaffolding”
polymer matrix. The potential benefit from micro
gravity research may be in an enforced growth of the plant and a thinned
cortex layer, which is at the moment limiting the use of the plant to large
segments only in order to break them into small, large surface fragments.
Furthermore the use of stem cells and other bone growth enhancing factors
within the experiments might lead to preflight treatment to prevent or at
least slow down the osteoporosis effect of humans in space and create new
insight into possible treatment for patients on earth. The planned
project complies with the topics of the ESA program of Biology Biotechnology
Biomedicine Biophysics. |
|
|
Dr Patrick Magee |
|
|
Affiliation |
|
|
Address |
Department of Anaesthesia Royal United Hospital Bath BA2 7AT |
|
Telephone |
01225 825057 |
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Fax |
01225 825061 |
|
E-mail |
Ptmagee00@aol.com |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
|
|
My interest is in the delivery of high dependency medical care in a
microgravity environment. Sooner or later there will be a need to do so
before transporting a critically ill or injured crewmember back to Earth
after a delay of up to 90 days. Experience hitherto has shown that such
procedures can be difficult in microgravity, especially in the hands of crew
inexperienced in health care. There is therefore a need to develop training
and technology to improve this, and there is an opportunity here for |
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Further details and
background |
|
|
Intensive care of a patient who is
critically ill or injured frequently starts with the care pathway of ‘A,B,C’ for Airway, Breathing, Circulation. This means securing the patient’s airway with an endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask, carrying out
artificial ventilation manually or with a ventilator, inserting peripheral
intravenous, central venous and arterial cannulae
to secure the heart and circulation, and then giving medications to improve
the patient’s condition. These are processes involving manual dexterity as
well as medical knowledge, and are challenging enough when carried out by
skilled and experienced staff in a terrestrial, 1G hospital intensive care
environment, with all the backup possible. They are
likely to be difficult in a microgravity environment, when carried out by
crewmembers inexperienced in medical care, and the conditions are otherwise
far from ideal for delivery of intensive care. Therefore, the availability of
microgravity resources in the It would also allow medical
engineering experts to deduce ways and develop hardware to aid, for example,
securing the patient, intubating the airway,
securing intravenous, central venous and intra-arterial lines, and other
invasive medical procedures. The development of such techniques
and devices would have terrestrial spin-off value, and would provide an
opportunity for |
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|
M. A. Mendes-Tatsis |
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Affiliation |
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|
Address |
Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology |
|
Telephone |
020 7594 5584 |
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Fax |
020 7594 5604 |
|
E-mail |
a.mendestatsis@ic.ac.uk |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
|
|
·
I have
carried out research which benefited from the microgravity environment
provided by the ESA parabolic flights – I participated in three of ESA’s
parabolic flight campaigns (i.e. 9 parabolic flights) ·
I am a
member of an ESA international ( ·
Since
I started my involvement with ESA, in 1988, I have always had comments from
colleagues in ·
A lot
of research is being carried out in the field in ·
Therefore,
I very much support the setting up in the UK of a programme of research in
life and physical sciences using microgravity, which could create
infrastructures, publicise opportunities and provide financial support for
microgravity research. |
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Further details and
background |
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|
|
Hugh Montgomery |
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|
Affiliation |
UCL, Cardiovascular Genetics |
|
Address |
3rd Floor Rayne Institute 5, |
|
Telephone |
0207 679 6965 |
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Fax |
0207 679 6212 |
|
E-mail |
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|
Brief summary of
main points |
|
Below are some
thoughts as to valid strategy |
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Further details and
background |
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|
It seems to me
unlikely that large-scale investment in biomedical experimentation in space
itself will offer good ‘value for money’. Much such work will be speculative
and using small numbers, where style and presentation may triumph over
content. I would advocate
concentrating collaborative research- with co-funding from the Such areas might
most obviously be thought of as:
Both of these
areas have the following advantages:
These studies have
been- to now- limited by finance and logistics. Thus, it has taken a NASA/
ESA initiative to instigate the bed-rest study. Financial involvement in this
would have allowed expansion- such that larger numbers of subjects could be involved, and more detailed phenotyping
possible. It would also have lubricated Similar benefits
accrue from studies relating to chronic exposure to hypoxia- at present, hard
to fund on a large scale, and with obvious clinical relevance. |
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Professor Marco Narici |
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Affiliation |
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|
Address |
Centre for Biophysical and Clinical Research into Human Movement |
|
Telephone |
0161-247 5659 |
|
Fax |
0161-247 6375 |
|
E-mail |
m.narici@mmu.ac.uk |
|
Brief summary of main points |
|
|
The study of actual or simulated microgravity opens an invaluable window on the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying physiological and pathological phenomena leading to muscle wasting and loss of mobility in health and disease. Major applications of the knowledge derived from microgravity-based experiments are found in the study of ageing, stroke, and inactivity. The knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms responsible for muscle wasting in these conditions proves extremely useful for the implementation of effective countermeasures. |
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Further details and background |
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|
Ageing, stroke and microgravity all lead to muscle wasting, often resulting in a detrimental loss of mobility. Microgravity, be it actual or simulated, offers the possibility of studying the phenomenon of muscle atrophy mainly due to disuse as well as its functional consequences. Such knowledge proves fundamental for the study of common conditions such as ageing and stroke. As a matter of fact, the muscle wasting commonly found in ageing is due to ageing per se as well as to the effect of disuse. Hence, knowledge of the changes due to disuse will help to differentiate and understand the musculoskeletal changes due to the pure phenomenon of ageing. Similarly, in other debilitating conditions such as stroke, disuse commonly leads to severe muscle wasting and corroborates to the loss of mobility induced by this condition as well as interfering with the process of rehabilitation. At present, very little is known on the type of muscle wasting and functional alterations observed in stroke. Hence, information on the molecular, biochemical, structural and functional alterations of skeletal muscle induced by this condition will be extremely useful for the development of targeted rehabilitation programmes. Both the European Space Agency and NASA have excellent
facilities to simulate microgravity in highly controlled conditions. The use
of these facilities will enable investigators to study the fundamental
mechanisms responsible for disuse muscle atrophy therefore enhancing the
present understanding of the causes of muscle wasting in old age and in
pathological conditions, such as stroke. |
|
|
Terence Partridge |
|
|
Affiliation |
MRC |
|
Address |
Muscle Cell Biology Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, |
|
Telephone |
020 8383 8263 |
|
Fax |
020 8383 8264 |
|
E-mail |
terence.partridge@csc.mrc.ac.uk |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
|
|
Access to
microgravity environments for biological experiments could have advantages in
two fields of medical interest. One is
clearly of restricted interest, namely, the impact of long-term space flight
on future astronauts. The second is the possibility of dissecting the
components of complex situations in which gravitational unloading may
influence biological parameters via a number of different pathways: for
example the direct effects of physical stress and the indirect effects
unloading the cardiovascular system on calcium homeostasis in bone. |
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Further details and
background |
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|
For most of the
medically important conditions of which I am aware that arise from changes in
rerespect of interaction with gravity, e.g. muscle
atrophy or osteoporosis due to bedrest , access to microgravity environments would be of little
if any benefit. Perhaps there are
tissue culture situations or physical systems such as micro-encapsulation
which might be set up in a unique way in microgravity environments. However,
these would need to be very important and justified by detail argument to
merit the expenditure involved. |
|
|
Peter Quested/Ken Mills (ex NPL and now visiting Professor
at |
|
|
Affiliation |
Materials Centre; National Physical Laboratory; |
|
Address |
Teddington Middlesex TW11 0LW |
|
Telephone |
020 8943 6141 |
|
Fax |
020 8943 6141 |
|
E-mail |
Peter.quested@npl.co.uk; mmtm@tesco.net |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
|
|
For properties of
high temperature liquids, density driven convection can affect the
measurement. Two examples of important properties needed industrially where
this affects the measured values are thermal conductivity and diffusion
coefficients used in various process models.
There would be significant advantages in making these measurements
under micro gravity conditions to suppress the density driven convection
effects. Any microgravity
experiments should be backed by an integrated terrestrial measurement
programme to exploit the microgravity results. |
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|
Further details and
background |
|
|
Ken and I are both
interested in the measurement of thermophysical properties at high
temperatures relevant to industrial processing of metals and some other
materials. . There are some advantages of microgravity experiments for
liquids. In low gravity environments density driven convection is suppressed,
the inherent thermal conductivity of low viscosity materials is measured
without inducing the complications of convection. This is also important in
the measurement of diffusion coefficients in the liquid which are becoming
relevant in some microstructural models of defects in castings which are
important in aero and stationary gas turbines castings. Experiments such
as these could provide useful reference materials and also better knowledge
about corrections of terrestrial measurements . There are some
advantages in levitation experiments in microgravity for measuring liquid
properties since the forces required to overcome gravity are not required and
frequently the measurement is simplified. Egry’s
work on surface tension measurement is an important example. We are of the
opinion though that any programme using microgravity is linked with a strong
terrestrial measurement programme so the knowledge gained from microgravity
can be applied to terrestrial measurements. |
|
|
Dr Jonathan Reeve |
|
|
Affiliation |
MRC External Staff and Consultant Physician |
|
Address |
University Dept Medicine Addenbrooke’s Hospital, CB2 2QQ |
|
Telephone |
01223 741617 |
|
Fax |
01223 741618 |
|
E-mail |
michele@srl.cam.ac.uk |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
|
|
Microgravity is extremely pertinent to osteoporosis, with the inactive elderly losing bone strength rapidly in a pattern similar to that seen in astronauts. Scientifically, space offers rare opportunities for experimental as distinct from merely observational studies on the causes of and mechanisms underlying osteoporosis. With the possibility of ethical human experimentation, despite a relative dearth of good animal models, progress could be substantially enhanced in this important area (hip and other osteoporotic fractures cost the exchequer about £1.8 billion a year). The add-on costs of bone research based on space flight would be considerable and would probably have to form part of an integrated package with other human systems research to be anywhere near cost effective within the context of current MRC norms. |
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Further details and
background |
|
|
See my presentation from August 5th. For some background to the osteoporosis problem see the following websites: http://www.srl.cam.ac.uk/epos/epospublications.html http://www.srl.cam.ac.uk/epos/DoM_pubs.html http://faculty.washington.edu/smott/ |
|
|
Professor Michael J Rennie PhD FRSE |
|
|
Affiliation |
Symers Professor of |
|
Address |
Division of Molecular Physiology |
|
Telephone |
01382 344572 |
|
Fax |
01382 345514 |
|
E-mail |
m.j.rennie@dundee.ac.uk |
|
Brief summary of
main points |
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1) Microgravity in space and many earth bound conditions lead to same
final common pathway i.e. sarcopenia and osteopenia. 2) Earth bound studies will have payoffs (including better
countermeasures) for astronauts and
the elderly and those with chronic disease 3) The pace, scope and quality of current physiological and
pathophysiological work would improve by the contributions of 4) We need earmarked life science space research resources to fund
valuable work which currently falls between many stools. |
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Further details and
background |
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I will only refer to my own
particular interests for the sake of brevity. Microgravity during spaceflight
causes wasting of muscle (sarcopenia) and bone (osteopenia). Sarcopenia and osteopenia are major co
morbidities in many chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease
and cancer and of course osteoporosis. They also diminish the quality of life
during ageing and increase risks of falling and fracture. The ESA sponsored
short and long terms bed rest studies would provide an ideal platform to
study the effects of physical inactivity on muscle and bone metabolism in a
way that cannot be accomplished otherwise. Possible payoffs would
be applicable on earth AND in space especially in terms of discovering and
developing countermeasures. Some Collaboration with ESA and NASA
would benefit us and them (a) by increasing the power and scope of ground
based studies (b) by providing them with access to techniques they do not
possess (e.g. novel 18O2 gas-based method for assessing
bone collagen turnover in space, or 13C- gut motility and hepatic
metabolism techniques) for application in space. I had a recent project approved by
ESA and alpha rated by the MRC after peer review but not funded - because it
was not a strategic priority for the MRC despite the fact that it would have
been of relevance to intensive care medicine which is an MRC strategic priority!
Earmarked ring fenced life sciences space research resources could
have saved this project. If access can be made available
to the ISS, there is a host of both human studies and cell biological studies
that could be carried out with benefit to basic biological understanding and
for applied research. Other promising areas of research
which deserve more study in space include cardiovascular, neurophysiological,
and properties of the human body in space.
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TJ Stevenson |
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Affiliation |
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Address |
Space Research Centre University Road LE1 7RH |
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Telephone |
0116 252 3504 |
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Fax |
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E-mail |
Tst@star.le.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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High stability
time measurement –performance limitation removed in microgravity conditions |
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Further details and
background |
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There are already
a number of proposals to used the Space Station as a
timekeeping platform, and ESA will fly the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space
(ACES). |
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Dr J R R Stott |
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Affiliation |
Principal Medical Officer, Centre for Human Sciences |
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Address |
QinetiQ Ltd. Building A 50 |
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Telephone |
01252 394406 / 394891 |
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Fax |
01252 392097 |
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E-mail |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Space sickness
reduces the well-being and effectiveness of 50% of astronauts in the first 2
– 4 days of a mission. Space sickness is
a form of motion sickness. What we call
motion sickness is an emetic mechanism that has not evolved just to make
humans sick on fairground rides and ferries. There is evidence
that this mechanism is involved in vomiting from opiates, vestibular
disorders and following strabismus surgery. Efforts to solve the problem of space sickness will be of direct benefit in improved treatment for emesis in a variety of clinical conditions. |
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Further details and
background |
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Motion sickness is
a source of misery to those who suffer and mystified amusement to those who
think they don’t. Expressed in the form of space sickness it has been shown
to affect over 50% of astronauts for the first 2 – 4 days of a mission (and
occasionally longer). This problem has provoked research into the possibility
of its elimination through selection procedures and pre-conditioning. There
has been much pharmaceutical research involved in the development of 5HT3
antagonists for the treatment of chemotherapy and radiation-induced vomiting,
but this group of drugs has been shown to be ineffective in motion-induced
vomiting. No new drugs that are of value in motion-induced vomiting have
emerged since the chance discovery of the prophylactic benefit of centrally
acting anti-histamines such as cyclizine and promethazine. All these drugs tend to impair performance
on account of drowsiness. The use of the
term ‘motion sickness’ tends to obscure the fact that this emetic mechanism
has evolved as a means of eliminating ingested toxins. Whereas the 5HT3–based
mechanism acts at the level of the gut, the motion sickness mechanism is
based within the CNS and detects toxins that disturb the integration of
vestibular and visual signals generated by motion. The observation made over
40 years ago that healthy volunteers given intramuscular opiates only
developed nausea and vomiting if they were allowed to move about suggests
that vomiting from opiates occurs through the motion sickness mechanism. If the problem of
space sickness were to trigger further pharmaceutical research into its
solution, it would be of benefit to a far wider group of individuals who
suffer vomiting from a variety of clinical conditions, as well as to the
motion sickness-susceptible travelling public. |
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Professor Ian A. Sutherland |
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Affiliation |
Brunel Institute for Bioengineering |
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Address |
Uxbridge UB8 3PH |
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Telephone |
01895-271206 |
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Fax |
01895-274608 |
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E-mail |
ian.sutherland@brunel.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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Brunel Institute
for Bioengineering (BIB) pioneered Space Glovebox
technology in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. As |
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Further details and
background |
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The unique
environment of microgravity and the lack of convection have inspired the
development of space gloveboxes based on a closed
loop air circulation and filtration systems.
In unit gravity, glovebox technology is
still open loop, as the regulations governing pollution of our environment
have not yet got to the stage where it is economical to close the loop. However, this situation may well change and
a technology which was developed for the relatively limited application of a
few spacecraft could find an application in all scientific laboratories. It could also find application in aircraft
where closed loop air circulation without filtration can greatly aid
cross-fertilisation of infections. Another example of
space technology developed as part of the space programme by BIB, which has
spun out to the benefit of the community is shape memory alloys (SMA). In 1994 Anson Medical Ltd was spun out from
the Institute on the basis of the medical applications of its SMA space
technology. The company now make
implanted devices such as SMA stents for the
treatment of cardiovascular disease (aneurysms, occlusive disease and other
vascular dysfunction). On flotation
and acquisition the value of the company was £16.2m. |
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Professor Pankaj Vadgama |
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Affiliation |
Director of the IRC in Biomedical Materials |
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Address |
Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS |
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Telephone |
020 7882 5285 |
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Fax |
020 8983 1799 |
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E-mail |
p.vadgama@qmul.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of
main points |
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There was an MRC Consultation meeting held recently, and I
was asked to provide a view point. My personal view remains that there is
very limited, in depth know-how that would accumulate in relation to the
costs incurred on undertaking biomedical sciences research. The fundamental
question for medicine is the usefulness of microgravity as a model to study
chronic/long-term medical conditions. There would be value in studying acute
phenomena, e.g. haemodynamic effects, but there
would not be an opportunity to use earth-based, sophisticated monitoring
systems. They have been associated with a biochemistry analysis module for the
space station, and this poses interesting technical challenges. Arguably,
some methodological benefits could arise from the challenge of analysis under
microgravity, but I would question the earth-based value of this. |
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Further details and
background |
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Notwithstanding the above, there may be some benefits to
looking at short term dynamic effects at cells and proteins. Short term
experiments where surface and chemistry induced cell orientation is monitored
with and without microgravity might give insights into surface cues or
chemical cues, working with and against gravitational traction forces. There
would be some value to looking at metabolic profiles and hormonal cycles in
vivo biochemically. My problem would be that
whilst observations were made, our mechanistic understanding would not
necessary be increased. The challenge ultimately for those driving towards
microgravity research is to stipulate what the hypotheses are, and then to
determine the quality of these hypotheses. |
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Dr T L Whateley |
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Affiliation |
University of Strathclyde |
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Address |
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences 27 Taylor St. Glasgow, G4 0NR |
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Telephone |
0141 548 2137 |
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Fax |
0141 552 6443 |
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E-mail |
t.l.whateley@strath.ac.uk |
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Brief summary of main points |
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As the only UK
Leader of a ESA Topical Team, I feel that it is essential that UK contributes
to ESA ELIPS (European Programme for Life and Physical Sciences and
applications utilising the International Space Station) , so that UK
scientists can have access to ISS and ESA support for our project, which
falls into two of the highlighted ELIPS areas of interest i.e.Improving
Health; and Innovating Technologies and Processes |
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Further details and background |
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Our ESA Topical
Team has been funded for a period of 3 years and the next stage to utilise
the ISS will require a Microgravity Applications Program: unless UK
contributes to ELIPS, I (as Team Leader) and other UK members of the team
will not be able to participate. The project on
Microencapsulation in Microgravity has been favourably assessed by ESA as a
valuable interdisciplinary project, involving both the life and physical
sciences. The fundamental science relates to the interfacial fluid physics of
interfacial mass transport and interfacial turbulence and pattern formation
resulting from Marangoni effects. This is important in emulsion science and
technology and in the microencapsulation of drugs to manufacture sustained
release drug delivery systems At present, these microsphere based
products are imported from Japan and USA and methods for European industry
require to be developed. A simple method of production, possible in
microgravity, could produce a pharmaceutical product valued at ca.5,000,000 Euro from one kilogram of material: such a high
value/low mass product is feasible for production on ISS. |
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