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Radiation Biology Department

The research program of the Radiation Biology Department deals with aerospace related topics on the effects of radiation on humans and the biosphere.

Radiation Protection

Critical Assessment of radiation risk in space and in civil aviation to contribute to efficient radiation protection measures.

Investigation of the radiation environment onboard the International Space Station
Quantification of the detection efficiency of radiation detectors in mixed radiation fields
Development of radiation detectors for the European Astronauts
Measuring and Modelling of the radiation climate on moon and mars
Measurement and calculation of the radiation exposure of aircrew for different airlines
Estimation of radiation risks

Biophysics-Group

Radiation Protection in Aviation-Group

Astrobiology

The work is focused primarily on the study of the origin, distribution and evolution of life.

Investigation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms for the adaptation to ‘extreme’ environmental conditions in laboratory and space experiments
Analysis of the capability to repair different kinds of damage in several microbial model organisms
Exploration of the habitability of Mars by performing investigations concerning the toxicity of the Martian surface and biological tests under simulated Martian conditions
Microbial diversity investigations on spacecraft and development of planetary protection measures

Astrobiology-Group

Biodiagnostics

Development of cellular test systems capable to monitor the impact of space and environmental conditions on humans on a cellular and molecular level.

Development of bioassays relaying on the receptor-reporter principle
Detection of the mutagenic specificity and of the impact on gene expression of ionising and non- ionising radiation
Specifity of the biological effects of space radiation and testing of current concepts of the interaction of microgravity and radiation
Investigation of the repair capacity of mammalian and human cells
Estimation of radiation risk and development of countermeasures
Environmental monitoring including screening for drugs using bioassays

Biodiagnostics-Group

Astrobiology-Group

The studies of the Radiation Biology Department include space experiments, experiments in simulated space and planetary conditions as well as field and laboratory work. In cooperation with universities, we provide the opportunity for research work for reaching Diplom, Master or Doctor degrees.

running and planned space experiments

Contact

Dr. Günther Reitz
Head of the Radiation Biology Section, Köln

Britta Rowehl
Sekretary, Köln