The current extension continues the offer of a framework to cost-effectively integrate research using a suite of model organisms to target complementary questions in human spaceflight by providing…

This is a $6,405,046.91 cooperative agreement awarded by the Shared Services Center, a civilian agency, to Blue Marble Space, a non-profit organization based in Clayton, Delaware. The agreement continues a framework for cost-effectively integrating research using a suite of model organisms to target complementary questions in human spaceflight. Key objectives include investigating the effects of the spaceflight environment on skeletal function, cell regeneration, immune system adaptation, cardiovascular and vascular adaptation, radiation exposure, and organ/organism development. The agreement aims to train the next generation of space biology leaders and facilitate communication of research findings with the broader Ames Space Biology community. This is an extension of a previous agreement and does not utilize any set-aside designations.

The current extension continues the offer of a framework to cost-effectively integrate research using a suite of model organisms to target complementary questions in human spaceflight by providing to NASA post-bachelor apprentice scientists the next generation of space biology leaders trained as only blue marble space can, in laboratory and scientific excellence, in effective science communication and in the broader ethics related to their work. The overall objectives of this extension are to continue our successful work in identifying, and in the process lowering the cost in identifying, quantitatively, the effect of spaceflight environment on model organisms and how they translate to the human. This is achieved by providing a cost-effective talent pool and low overhead (blue marble space (BMS) has a 10% fixed overhead rate), communicate and integrate research findings with the ames space biology community by facilitating interlaboratory communication spear-headed by BMS post-bachelor apprentice scientists (thereafter: post-bacs), and continuing the training of these post-bacs in effective scientific, communication, and ethics skills. More specifically, this extension will continue the development of a cost-effective integrated scientific framework furthering NASA s research and educational needs. In particular: objective 1: investigate the loss of skeletal function at the molecular, physiological, and cellular level under spaceflight conditions and develop counter measures. Objective 2: investigate cell regeneration mechanisms under spaceflight conditions. Objective 3: investigate immune system adaptation to spaceflight. Objective 4: investigate cardiovascular and vascular adaptation to spaceflight. Objective 5: investigate eukaryotic cell adaptation to radiation exposure under spaceflight conditions. Objective 6: investigate organ and organism development under spaceflight conditions. Objective 7: investigate organ and organism development under spaceflight conditions. Examine microbial dispersal using NASA balloons, aircraft, and the international space station.