Applied Aerospace Biology

Gravitationsbiologie
Fluorescence microscope image of mouse astrocytes
Mouse astrocytes in a fluorescence microscope image: Tubulin is stained in the green channel, F-actin in the red channel.

The Department of Applied Aerospace Biology pursues an interdisciplinary, translational research strategy that acts at the interface of biomedical research and engineering. The goal is to achieve a profound understanding of the effects of altered gravity on biological systems. Furthermore, the impacts of space flights on technological developments, such as the FLUMIAS Live-Cell Imaging microscope for the ISS, are evaluated and optimized for industrial applications. Our research aims to develop innovative solutions that do not only advance scientific knowledge but also yield practical applications for improving quality of life on Earth and in space.

Cellular and molecular biological research is an integral part of understanding the structure and physiological function of individual cells, tissues, and organisms under extreme environmental conditions. This allows us to comprehend the onset and progression of diseases, such as the deconditioning of neuromuscular networks.

Additionally, our focus lies on the investigation of microorganisms, which serve as model systems relevant to human health. We examine cellular mechanisms and microbiome-environment interactions using biological samples from rigorously controlled human studies. Our microbiological research leverages knowledge of microbial adaptation to extreme environmental conditions and develops strategies for controlling pathogens in space travel, aviation, and public transportation.

This enables the development of effective countermeasures based on laboratory-based simulations of space analogues including microgravity, hypergravity, ionizing radiation, and varying atmospheric conditions. These standards are systematically validated through bioassays and research experiments aboard platforms like free flyers of the ISS and the DLR MAPHEUS sounding rockets.

Research infrastructure of the Applied Aerospace Biology

Altered Gravity Facilities

The Department of Applied Aerospace Biology at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine operates specialized platforms and devices for ground-based space research. With custom-built centrifuges, biological samples can be subjected to long-term, physiologically relevant levels of hypergravity, as well as rocket launch or parabolic flight hypergravity profiles.

AstroBiologY Space Simulation facilities (ABYSS)

The Astrobiological Space Simulation Facility ABYSS at the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine provides various space-relevant environmental conditions such as vacuum, special gas mixtures, extreme temperatures and extraterrestrial radiation for biological experiments and relevant hardware tests. ABYSS is particularly equipped for experiments with microorganisms and cells and is used for the intensive preparation of biological space experiments.

Working Groups

Applied Cell Biology

In the research focus of the Applied Cell Biology, we investigate space-induced changes in the cellular mechanisms of neuronal cells. We use model systems relevant to human health, such as human and mouse cells, personalised stem cells and organoids derived from them. To gain further insights into the underlying mechanisms and to identify countermeasures against microgravity-related deficits, we use both real microgravity and ground-based simulation facilities that replicate space conditions such as microgravity, hypergravity, ionising radiation, and altered atmospheric conditions...

Aerospace Microbiology

The Aerospace Microbiology Working Group conducts research into maintaining human health in environments relevant to aviation, space travel and transport. The aim of our work is to systematically identify microbial risks as well as the functional properties and potential uses of microorganisms, to evaluate them scientifically and to derive suitable preventive, technical and biotechnological measures – both for public transport and for astronautical space missions...

Contact

Dr. rer. nat. Christian Liemersdorf

Head of Applied Aerospace Biology
German Aerospace Center
Institute of Aerospace Medicine
Applied Aerospace Biology
Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne

Dr. rer. nat. Stefan Leuko

Deputy Head of Applied Aerospace Biology
German Aerospace Center
Institute of Aerospace Medicine
Applied Aerospace Biology
Linder Höhe, 51147 Cologne
Germany