The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has extended the proposal due date for NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH11ZTT002N, entitled "Research Opportunities in Space Biology." The deadline for receipt of proposals has changed from Friday, January 6, 2012 to Monday, January 23, 2012, 5 PM ET. Selections of proposals are expected to be announced by April 30, 2012.

The full text of the solicitation is available on the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com under menu listing "Open Solicitations." Potential applicants are urged to access this site well in advance of the proposal due date to familiarize themselves with its structure and to register in the NSPIRES system. Proposals must be submitted electronically.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Description: This NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicits hypothesis-driven research proposals for both ground-based experiments and flight experiments in Space Biology (SB). This solicitation (NRA NNH11ZTT002N), entitled, "Research Opportunities in Space Biology," will be available on or about September 30, 2011. This solicitation will be found by opening the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and then linking through the menu listings "Solicitations" to "Open Solicitations."

Utilizing 21st century biological tools (e.g., genetic, proteomic, metabolomic), SB scientists will examine and discover underlying mechanisms of adaptation to changes resulting from the space flight environment (e.g., altered gravity, stress, radiation), and will determine cellular and organismal mechanisms that regulate and sustain growth, metabolism, reproduction and development. NASA intends to sponsor studies that will result in new basic knowledge that will provide a foundation on which other NASA researchers and engineers can build approaches and countermeasures to the problems confronting human exploration of space, or that translate into new biological tools or applications on Earth.

All proposals must describe hypothesis-driven experiments that will answer basic questions about how cells, plants and animals respond to changes in gravity. This NRA will solicit proposals for ground-based SB research using cells, tissues, or whole animals that will enhance our understanding of the effects of gravity on the mammalian musculoskeletal system. Proposals for these ground-based experiments must demonstrate and describe a clear path to hypothesis-testing in space flight experiments on the ISS or other appropriate space flight platforms. This NRA also requests proposals for rapid turn-around flight research using plants or Petri dish-based biological systems that will utilize either the Advanced Biological Research System (ABRS) hardware residing on the International Space Station (ISS) or the Biological Research in Canisters - Petri Dish Fixation Unit (BRIC-PDFU) hardware on any of several potential flight platforms (based on science requirements and availability). Applications for flight experiments must demonstrate, using ground-based and/or previous flight research results, that there is a high likelihood of successful completion of any proposed flight experiment.

Continue reading "NASA Solicitation: Research Opportunities in Space Biology" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The deadline for abstract submittal for the ASGSB November 2011 meeting has been extended to Friday, September 2, 2011. To submit and abstract, please go to the following link: http://www.asgsb2011.org/index.php/call-for-abstracts.html.

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Dear Colleagues:

As many of you know, the Society's journal, Gravitational and Space Biology, is undergoing a series of changes to become a completely electronic, Open Journal, and the September issue will be the first in the new format. One substantial change is that the journal will now accept the submission of manuscripts continuously. There will still be occasional time-delimited calls for issue-specific materials (such as the extended meeting abstracts) but all submissions, of any length, can be submitted for consideration and review at any time. Manuscripts will be published as space permits, in the order of acceptance.

For the time being, submissions can be made through the ASGSB web site http://asgsb.org/manuscript/submit.html using the same formatting template provided for the extended abstracts; however the length need not be limited to two pages.

As always, the main criteria for publication will be that the research presented is original and of significant interest to the community of gravitational and space biologists. All manuscripts will be peer reviewed.

Again, many thanks for your patience as we make this transition.
Below I have compiled a set of the most frequently asked questions to come across my desk in the past few months, but if you have any others, please do not hesitate to ask.

Anna-Lisa Paul
Editor, Gravitational and Space Biology
alp@ufl.edu

Frequently Asked Questions:

Continue reading "Gravitational and Space biology - Journal Updates and Invitation for general submissions" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Colleagues:

The Editorial Board of Gravitational and Space Biology is now soliciting two-page reports for publication in the next issue of the Journal. Extended abstracts from those of you who presented posters or talks at the Fall 2010 meeting are especially encouraged, but the invitation is open to any who wish to submit short papers conforming to the 2-page template.

You can submit your reports via the ASGSB web site http://asgsb.org/manuscript/submit.html, where you will find clear and simple instructions. The main criteria for publication will be that the research presented is original and of significant interest to the community of gravitational and space biologists. These reports will be peer reviewed. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 11.

The two-page reports that are accepted will appear in the 2011 issue of the journal, along with solicited review articles. The issue is scheduled for publication in the early Fall.

As many of you know, we are reorganizing the ASGSB web site and the Society's journal, Gravitational and Space Biology. Both represent the face of our Society, and both undertakings will take time to do well - so we thank you for your patience. This issue will be the first to be published entirely in electronic format, but each paper will be able to be downloaded as a pdf from the web site. As a consequence, there are no restrictions to color in figures. In addition, we will be encouraging submissions for cover art from accepted manuscripts.

The value of the journal to ASGSB and to the international gravitational and space biology community depends heavily on the quality and number of articles submitted. We look forward to receiving many high-quality two-page reports that strongly reflect the exciting research represented by the members of our Society.

Best regards,

Anna-Lisa Paul Editor, Gravitational and Space Biology alp@ufl.edu

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ASGSB (American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology) announces new executive director, and elects 2010-2011 president and new members to the board of Directors.

On November 7, 2009, the society elected the following new members to the Board of Directors, Kenneth M. Baldwin, University of California, Irvine; Jeanne L. Becker, NSBRI/Baylor College of Medicine; Cary Mitchell, Purdue University; Joseph S. Tash, University of Kansas Medical Center; and Jack J.W.A. Van Loon VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Dr. Marshall Portfield from Purdue University was selected as the president-elect for 2010-2011.His term begins November 2011. Current ASGSB president, Dr. Terri Lomax from North Carolina State University also announced a new executive director, Ms. Cindy Martin-Brennan. Congratulations to all. [Source: ASGSB]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Greetings!

Amid the turmoil of new grant solicitations plus the coming holiday, you may have set aside your ASGSB abstract. This is a reminder that the deadline is imminent. Even with some leniency from beneficent organizers, you should get set to submit. The official deadline is Monday, July 6.

Submit your abstract(s) for the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology. The meeting roster already contains a range of excellent symposia and paper sessions. To submit an abstract, go to the ASGSB website: http://www.asgsb.org

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Once it was established that the spaceflight environment was not a drastic impediment to plant growth, a remaining space biology question was whether long-term spaceflight exposure could cause changes in subsequent generations, even if they were returned to a normal Earth environment. In this study, we used a genomic approach to address this question. We tested whether changes in gene expression patterns occur in wheat plants that are several generations removed from growth in space, compared to wheat plants with no spaceflight exposure in their lineage. Wheat flown on Mir for 167 days in 1991 formed viable seeds back on Earth.

Continue reading "Effects of a Spaceflight Environment on Heritable Changes in Wheat Gene Expression" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research Announcement (NRA) that solicits hypothesis-driven Fundamental Space Biology (FSB) research proposals that will answer fundamental questions about how physiological systems respond to gravity, or to changes in gravity, using animal (excluding single cell organisms and cell culture) model specimens. This solicitation (NRA NNH09ZTT003N), entitled, " Research Opportunities In Space Life Sciences: Fundamental Space Biology - Animal Physiology," will be available on or about May 26, 2009, by opening the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and then linking through the menu listings "Solicitations" to "Open Solicitations."

Full notice below

Continue reading "Research Opportunities in Space Life Sciences: Fundamental Space Biology: Animal Physiology" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology (ASGSB), founded in 1984, provides a forum to foster research, education and professional development in the multidisciplinary fields of gravitational and space biology. We are a diverse group of scientists, engineers and students who exchange ideas that bridge basic and applied biological research in space and gravitational sciences. Our society of ~350 professionals and students from universities, government, and industry represents the core community with a mission to work closely with NASA to create and disseminate knowledge about how living organisms respond to gravity and the spaceflight environment.

This knowledge provides key insights into normal and abnormal cell function and organism physiology that cannot be observed using traditional experimental approaches on Earth, and serves as a venue for breakthrough biomedical and biotechnological discoveries to advance human exploration of space and improve quality of life for the general public. Our mission includes education and outreach to the general public, students and teachers, Congress, NASA and other domestic and foreign governmental agencies. Our community stimulates students to pursue careers in life science, technology, engineering and mathematics and trains the next generation of scientists and bioengineers.

Full text

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With this amendment, the NASA Announcement of Opportunity NNH08ZDA009O, "Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON)," is amended to delay the proposal due date for proposals submitted in response to Program Element Appendix H3: Small Complete Missions of Opportunity in Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology.

The proposal due date for Small Complete Missions of Opportunity in Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology proposals is delayed until early in 2009.

Continue reading "SALMON AO Amendment 2: Delay of Due Date for Small Complete Missions in Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Due to the hardship caused by Hurricane Ike to institutions on the Gulf Coast, NASA is again extending the deadline for the NASA Research Announcement NNH08ZTT003N NRA: Research Opportunities for Fundamental Space Biology Investigations in Microbial, Plant and Cell Biology from September 19, 2008 to September 24, 2008.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Change in proposal due date for NNH08ZTT003N NRA: Research Opportunities for Fundamental Space Biology Investigations in Microbial, Plant and Cell Biology

Due to the hardship caused by Hurricane Ike to institutions on the Gulf Coast, NASA is extending the deadline for the NASA Research Announcement NNH08ZTT003N, "Research Opportunities for Fundamental Space Biology Investigations in Microbial, Plant and Cell Biology" from September 15, 2008 to September 19, 2008. Please note that no further extensions will be granted.

This email is being sent on behalf of and is intended as an information announcement to researchers interested in NASA's Fundamental Space Biology research. Replies to this email will go unanswered, please reference the above solicitation for contact information.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NNH08ZDA009O, entitled "Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON)" is being released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on September 3, 2008. This Announcement of Opportunity (AO) solicits investigations that address the science objectives of the Science Mission Directorate's (SMD) astrobiology, lunar science, and planetary science programs and the Exploration Science Mission Directorate's (ESMD) fundamental space biology program.

Continue reading "Stand Alone Mission of Opportunity Notice (SALMON) Announcement of Opportunity (AO); to include Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters has released NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH08ZTT003N entitled "Research Opportunities for Fundamental Space Biology Investigations in Microbial, Plant and Cell Biology". The full text of the solicitation is available on the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com under menu listing "Open Solicitations".

Continue reading "NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNH08ZTT003N "Research Opportunities for Fundamental Space Biology Investigations in Microbial, Plant and Cell Biology"" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear ASGSB Members and Friends

The Second Announcement of the ESA ISGP ASGSB ELGRA meeting in Angers, France, June 23-27 will be sent to you soon from the ESA Conference Bureau. The scientific committee is very excited about the developments so far leading up to the meeting, which is titled "Life in Space for Life on Earth". Here are a few things you should know right away.

Continue reading "ESA ISGP ASGSB ELGRA meeting in Angers, France" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) has released NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNJ08ZSA001N, entitled "Ground-Based Studies in Space Radiobiology." This NRA solicits ground-based proposals for the Space Radiation Program Element (SRPE) components of the Human Research Program (HRP). Proposals are solicited by the SRPE in the area of Space Radiation Biology utilizing beams of high energy heavy ions simulating space radiation at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL), at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in Upton, New York.

Continue reading "NASA Research Announcement (NRA) NNJ08ZSA001N Ground-Based Studies in Space Radiobiology" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear ASGSB members: We have received a Dear Colleague notification from ESA that our joint international meeting is proceeding on schedule. A call will come shortly for abstract submission. This is a rare opportunity to share our research and strengthen our interactions in the global community. Please try to find a way to participate in person at our 24th Annual ASGSB Meeting to demonstrate the collective spirit and importance of international collaboration in space-related science.

Danny A. Riley President, ASGSB, dariley@mcw.edu

Continue reading "ASGSB 2008 Annual Meeting in France" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear ASGSB Members,

I am pleased to announce that the membership of the ASGSB has successfully voted electronically for the first time and elected Jeffery R. Alberts President-Elect and 5 new Governing Board members: Ted A. Bateman, J. David Dickman, Melissa Kirven-Brooks, Stephen J. Moorman (completing the term of Diana Jennings), and Muneo Takaoki.

We greatly appreciate the willingness and efforts of all of the members who ran for office, including Marshall Porterfield, Elison Blancaflor, Gioia Massa, and Bruce Yost, to contribute to the governance and mission of the Society. Special thanks for service is given to members who rotated off the Board: Simon Gilroy, Diana Jennings, David Klaus, April Ronca, Paul Todd, and Wenonah Vercoutere. The Board also approved David K. Chapman as Secretary-Treasurer, who kindly consented to continue dealing with the challenges of this position. I look forward to working with the newly elected members and members at large as we strengthen the role of our Society in advancing America's leadership in space-related science.

Danny A. Riley
President, ASGSB

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As noted in the Spring 2007 newsletter, nominations for the following ASGSB awards are due no later than 5 PM PST, October 1, 2007.  Please note that the individual selected must be at the meeting to receive the award.

Previous winners of the awards can be found at http://www.asgsb.org/awards.html

1. Thora W. Halstead Young Investigator Award: This award honors a young scientist who exemplifies Thora's drive and enthusiasm for science, and who has made significant contributions to the field of space biology.

2. Orr Reynolds Distinguished Service Award: This award is made to an individual for distinguished service to the Society "above and beyond the call of duty."

3. Founder's Award: This award is the highest honor given by the Society. It is made to a member of the Society for distinguished scientific contributions to and leadership in the field of gravitational and space biology.

The final recipients of these awards are chosen by the Awards Committee, in consultation with the current President and the Executive Director. Nominations from the Society's membership are very strongly encouraged and may be submitted to Chair Emily Holton or to the Executive Director.

Nominations should be accompanied by the name and professional address of the candidate and a short Curriculum Vitae, along with a paragraph outlining why the candidate is particularly deserving of the award. The most direct mechanism for submissions is by e-mail to Dr. Emily Holton, Chair, Awards Committee, eholton@mail.arc.nasa.gov

Emily Morey-Holton, Ph.D.
Chair, Awards Committee

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Research Announcement (NRA), entitled "Research and Technology Development to Support Crew Health and Performance in Space Exploration Missions" (NASANNJ07ZSA002N), has been released and is available through the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ and then linking through the menu listings "Solicitations" to "Open Solicitations."

Continue reading "FBO Synopsis released for NASA/NSBRI Crew Health NRA" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Dear Colleagues: I am pleased to announce that the 23rd Annual Meeting of the ASGSB will be held October 25-28, 2007, at the NASA Research Park, adjoining the Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California. Responding to the clear mandate that the Governing Board received from the poll of attendees at the Business Meeting last November, the Board has taken advantage of a cost-effective opportunity to utilize the Conference Center at the NASA Research Park and provide a traditional meeting format.

Continue reading "ASGSB To Meet at NASA Ames Research Center" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The UK Space Biomedicine Group (UKSBG) is hosting the 3rd UK Space Medicine Conference on the weekend of the 30th September - 1st October at the National Space Centre in Leicester, UK

Continue reading "3rd UK Space Medicine Conference" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"The 2006 Annual Meeting is coming up soon (November 2-5)*, and we look forward to recognizing our most outstanding members at the Annual Meeting with the Society's traditional four awards."

Continue reading "Call for nominations for ASGSB awards" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

To the Gravitational and Space Biology Family: We have all been saddened by the passing of Guy Etheridge this week. His death is a great loss for NASA and especially for KSC. We will miss him in many ways.

Continue reading "Guy Etheridge Memorial Information" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"The deadline for submission of abstracts for making presentations at the ASGSB (American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology) annual meeting in November has been extended to August 6. Any abstracts received after that will be too late for inclusion in the program. We look forward to seeing you in November and hearing about your recent work." [source: ASGSB]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Closer Look at NASA's GeneBox Payload, SpaceRef

"This first flight of Genesis is primarily a proof of concept mission for larger inflatable modules. However, it also carries some interesting scientific hardware, which could serve as the basis for future small free flying satellites - often referred to as smallsats or nanosats. Named "GeneBox", this small payload was developed by NASA Ames Research Center to test out new ways to perform in-flight genomic analysis of living systems. Indeed, much of what is being flown aboard this satellite is cutting edge biotech - the likes of which have yet to fly aboard the International Space Station. Future versions will be even more capable."

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bigelow Spacecraft Carries NASA 'GeneBox' for Tests in Orbit, NASA ARC

"On July 12, a Russian rocket lofted 'GeneBox' into Earth orbit within Bigelow Corporation's Genesis I test spacecraft. Attached to the large inflatable spacecraft's internal structure, GeneBox contains a miniature laboratory. In future flights, it will analyze how the near weightlessness of space affects genes in microscopic cells and other small life forms."

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"To ASGSB members: Please submit your abstract for the 2006 Annual Meeting. The deadline for submission is July 7, 2006, and abstracts can be submitted via the society's homepage (http://www.asgsb.org/)."

Continue reading "ASGSB 2006 Annual Meeting Abstract Deadline" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All ASGSB (American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology) members are encouraged to ask their university/institution libraries to include Gravitational and Space Biology on their list of online journals. Former iterations of the journal are also available online, i.e., ASGSB Bulletin and Gravitational and Space Biology Bulletin. Use the following URL when making this request: http://asgsb.org/publications.html [Source: ASGSB Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A satellite session is scheduled for November 2, 2006, from 2-5 p.m., the day before the 22nd annual ASGSB meeting officially starts. The title of the session is "Small Satellites as Platforms for Science."

Continue reading "Small Satellites as Platforms for Science" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Editor's note:The following list of 49 journal articles is a subset of life science research focusing on microgravity and spaceflight published in 2006. This is derived from a simple keyword search using PubMed.

Continue reading "Partial Listing of Space Life Science Publications in 2006" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Senate Commerce Committee's Subscommittee on Science and Space Hearing: NASA Budget and Programs: Outside Perspectives

Statement by Charles Bolden
Statement by Peter Voorhees
Statement by Roy Torbert
Statement by James Pawelczyk

"The next generations of space life scientists perceive a bitter lesson that is difficult to assuage: as the result of a shell game of agency-wide reorganization, life science is no longer recognized or valued within NASA."

Continue reading "Senate Hearing on NASA Science" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program soliciting applications

"The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) is soliciting applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.  Two-year fellowships are available in any U.S. laboratory carrying out space-related biomedical or biotechnological research that supports the NSBRI's goals.  NSBRI research addresses and seeks solutions to the various health concerns associated with long-duration human space exploration."

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)