DLR Portal
Home|Sitemap|Contact|Ac­ces­si­bil­i­ty Imprint and terms of use Privacy Cookies & Tracking |Deutsch
You are here: Home:Departments:Muscle and Bone Metabolism
Advanced Search
News
Organization/Contact
Departments
Cardiovascular Aerospace Medicine
Sleep and Human Factors Research
Clinical Aerospace Medicine
Muscle and Bone Metabolism
Studies
Facilities
Events
Aviation and Space Psychology
Radiation Biology
Gravitational Biology
Research Relations and Development
Study Team
Projects and Studies
Publications
Events
Search for test persons
Service & Links
Scientific Advisory Board
Medicine and Science Board
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Autonomes Nervensystem e.V.
Muscle and Bone Metabolism

Head of Department: Prof. Dr. med. Jörn Rittweger

The Muscle and Bone Metabolism department examines the adaptation of the human body to changing environmental conditions, such as microgravity, atmospheric composition, nutrition and physical inactivity. Genetic predisposition and the ageing process are also taken into account, as are the overall effects on health. A good understanding of biomechanics and metabolism helps us to develop efficient measures to counteract muscle atrophy, bone atrophy and metabolic disorders in space. The research also focuses on possible clinical uses, such as in rehabilitation medicine.

Mechanophsiology


Muscles and bones are living tissue that requires permanent stress. In weightlessness in space, the relief of muscles and bones quickly leads to tissue breakdown and thus to a risk for long-term missions. Bed rest studies have proven the effectiveness of certain training programs, but the training on the space station is still not 100% effective. A detailed understanding of the tissue mechanics of muscles and bones depending on gravity and physical strain is still lacking. The biomechanics group hopes to close this gap with targeted experiments using computer-supported models. The topic has many points of contact with research into the degradation processes of the musculoskeletal system in old age.

Translational metabolism research


The research group Translational metabolism led by Dominik Pesta addresses translational research aspects pertaining alterations of energy metabolism in response to different environmental conditions and physiological stimuli. For this purpose, we are conducting hypothesis-driven translational and mechanistic studies with an emphasis on understanding mechanisms underlying alterations in muscle, heart, liver or adipose tissue in response to zero gravity, bed rest or after rehabilitation training. We use state-of-the-art methods to study tissue-specific energy metabolism, including stable isotope labeled tracers to assess in-vivo glucose turnover or high-resolution respirometry for comprehensive assessment of mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. Addressing these questions is not only relevant to space flight, but also to numerous ground-based metabolic conditions such as diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, clinical research aspects derived from synergies with bioastronautics are the second cornerstone of this group.

Training & Countermeasures


The Training & Countermeasures work group develops and tests targeted training interventions that should maintain, restore or even increase the functionality of the human locomotive system. Further methods focus on the cardiovascular system and the psychological and operational performance of humans in space.
Another important activity is the study of masters athletes as a high-performance cohort that can be compared to the aging astronaut.

Studies of the Department Muscle and Bone Metabolism


The department regularly conducts studies, both in the laboratory and in the real world, and even on the International Space Station (ISS). The focus is on research on and for humans, including clinical applications. The spectrum is complemented by in-silico modeling studies in the computer.
More

Facilities of the Department Muscle and Bone Metabolism


More

Regular Scientific Meetings


The annual 'Human Physiology Workshop' offers a podium for young scientists to discuss their latest findings. The event 'KNIMS' (Kompetenznetzwerk Immobilisationsbedingte Muskelstörungen) aims to elucidate the problems of the musculature that arise from physical inactivity. This group involves both experts from the clinic and from basic sciences. The aim here is the clinical exploitation of research in the department. Thirdly, the department organizes an annual teacher training course, jointly with VBIO and DPG. This is to ensure that the research results can be quickly delivered in school lessons.
More
Contact
Muscle and Bone Metabolism
Prof. Dr. Jörn Rittweger
Head of the Department of Muscle and Bone Metabolism
Professor of Space Physiology, University of Cologne

German Aerospace Center

Institute of Aerospace Medicine
, Muscle and Bone Metabolism
Köln;Cologne

Tel.: +49 2203 601 3080

Fax: +49 2203 61159

Copyright © 2023 German Aerospace Center (DLR). All rights reserved.