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Concept and Feasibility Studies
Current Contracts 2004-2005
Life Sciences Objectives
The objectives of the Space Life Sciences program of the CSA are:
- to understand the effects of the space environment on life
- to obtain knowledge and develop technology to produce safer space travel
- to obtain knowledge and develop technology to improve life on Earth
Areas of Focus
Support of projects is based on two criteria: the quality of the science, and the programmatic fit. The later are assessed on the following areas of focus, from highest to lowest priority:
- Cardiovascular physiology
- Neuroscience and Psychology
- Bone and muscle physiology
- Radiation biology or dosimetry
- Metabolism/Nutrition
- Development
- Plant biology
Concept studies
Concept studies acquire important background information that paves the way to a flight study or strengthens one. Such studies may be designed to test whether there is a gravity or space component to a biological phenomenon, or whether space is an appropriate environment for specific experiments.
| Title |
PI / Organization |
Area of Focus |
| The antecedents, experience, and impact of space flight: lessons from experienced cosmonauts |
P. Suedfeld
University of British Columbia |
2 |
| Heavy ion damage to DNA: nanodosimetry of track ends and reactive secondary particle damage |
Michael Huels
Sherbrooke University |
4 |
| Influence of environment on evolution of developmental programs in insects |
Miodrag Grbic
University of Western Ontario |
6 |
| Microgravity: a model system for the
study of energy balance |
Tooru Mizuno
University of Manitoba |
5 |
| Muscle satellite cell
activation to prevent and treat muscle atrophy |
Judy Anderson
University of Manitoba |
3 |
| The physics of embryo
development in altered gravitational fields |
Richard Gordon
University of Manitoba |
6 |
Computer simulation of the in vitro and in vivo
effects of
microgravity conditions on pattern formation in
microtubules |
Jacek Adam Tuszynski
University of Alberta |
6 |
Feasibility studies
Feasibility studies are the bridge between concept and space-flight studies. They often involve experiments conducted in microgravity/space analogues or simulations. Feasibility studies test whether a question should be addressed in the space environment. Researchers may propose the use of simulations or analogues that are considered to be a ground facility, e.g., parabolic flight, clinostats, tumbling room, and water immersion.
| Title |
PI / University |
Type of Sims |
Area of focus |
| Effects of muscle reloading on bone formation: studies in hind limb unloaded rats |
J. Heersche
University of Toronto |
Hind limb elevation |
3 |
| Introduction of 3-D tissue-like assemblies by simulated microgravity |
B. Chiu
University of Alberta |
Four working model systems for study of effects of microgravity on stem cell culture |
6 |
| Effects of bedrest on cardiovascular function |
R. Hughson
University of Waterloo |
Bedrest |
1 |
| Inflammatory cell recruitment and function in skeletal muscles following hindlimb unloading and reloading: new strategies to prevent muscle atrophy and dysfunction |
J. Frenette
Centre hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CHUL) |
Modified mechanical loading |
3 |
| Bedrest de-conditioning |
K. Shoemaker
Western University |
Bedrest |
1 |
| Long-term bedrest study |
R. Hughson
University of Waterloo |
Bedrest |
1 |
Missions
Missions include experiments performed in the space environment. They are usually conducted in the space shuttle, the international space station (ISS) or less frequently on board a recoverable satellite such as the FOTON Russian satellite. They either provide scientific results on the adaptation of living organisms to the space environment, or evaluate the impact of the space environment on biological processes.
| Title |
PI |
Platform |
Area of Focus |
| What is the cause of perceptual-motor deficits in space? (PMDIS) |
B. Fowler
York University |
ISS |
2 |
| C. elegans to assess genomic
damage on long duration space flights (ELERAD) |
D. Baillie
Simon Fraser University |
ISS |
4 |
| Role of the CD200 receptor pathway in bone cell function (eOSTEO) |
Reginald M. Gorczynski
University of Toronto |
Foton |
3 |
| Impact of microgravity on cytoskeleton of bone cells (eOSTEO) |
Rene E. Harrison
(UTSC) |
Foton |
3 |
| Bone cell function in the space environment (eOSTEO) |
Andrew C. Karaplis
McGill University
(UTSC) |
Foton |
3 |
| The contribution of internal and external cues to self-orientation in space |
Laurence Harris
York University |
ISS |
2 |
| The role of gravity in
xylogenesis within arabidopsis (CAMBIO) |
Rodney A. Savidge
University of New Brunswick
|
ISS |
7 |
| Cardiovascular health
consequences of long-duration space flight (VASCULAR) |
R. Hughson
University of Waterloo
|
ISS |
1 |
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