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  • © 2016

Effect of Spaceflight and Spaceflight Analogue Culture on Human and Microbial Cells

Novel Insights into Disease Mechanisms

  • 2017 winner of the International Academy of Astronautics Life Science Book Award
  • Offers a new perspective on the architecture and physiology of all biological systems
  • Explores fundamental questions about human health in a microgravity environment
  • Addresses a subject that has not been covered comprehensively in any published volume
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (14 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
  2. The Principles and Translational Impact of Space Life Sciences Research

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Overview and Translational Impact of Space Cell Biology Research

      • Neal R. Pellis, Alexander Chouker, B. Yic, Svantje Tauber, Oliver Ullrich, A. Sundaresan
      Pages 3-37
    3. Immune Dysfunction in Spaceflight: An Integrative View

      • Buqing Yi, Brian Crucian, Svantje Tauber, Oliver Ullrich, Alexander Choukèr
      Pages 61-79
  3. Human Cellular Investigations

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 81-81
    2. Outpacing Infectious Disease: Mimicking the Host-Pathogen Microenvironment in Three-Dimensions

      • Aurélie Crabbé, Jennifer Barrila, C. Mark Ott, Cheryl A. Nickerson
      Pages 93-119
    3. Using a Spaceflight Three-Dimensional Microenvironment to Probe Cancer–Stromal Interactions

      • Ruoxiang Wang, Gina Chia-Yi Chu, Haiyen E. Zhau, Leland W. K. Chung
      Pages 131-150
  4. Microbial Investigations

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 197-197
    2. Microbial Investigations: Overview

      • Duane L. Pierson, C. Mark Ott
      Pages 199-208
    3. Using Spaceflight and Spaceflight Analogue Culture for Novel Mechanistic Insight into Salmonella Pathogenesis

      • Jennifer Barrila, James W. Wilson, Anjali Soni, Jiseon Yang, C. Mark Ott, Cheryl A. Nickerson
      Pages 209-235
    4. Response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Spaceflight and Spaceflight Analogue Culture: Implications for Astronaut Health and the Clinic

      • Aurélie Crabbé, Maria A. Ledesma, C. Mark Ott, Cheryl A. Nickerson
      Pages 237-257
    5. Spaceflight and Spaceflight Analogue Induced Responses in Gram Positive Bacteria

      • Sarah L. Castro, David W. Niesel, Jennifer Barrila, C. Mark Ott
      Pages 283-296
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 297-301

About this book

Many breakthroughs in biological research and translational healthcare advancements have been achieved by studying the response of biological systems to extreme environments. The spaceflight platform provides a unique environment where researchers can explore fundamental questions into cellular and molecular response mechanisms to unveil novel insight into human health and disease.  Since the physical force of gravity has shaped the architecture of all biological systems on our planet, spaceflight provides the opportunity to see life in a new adaptational mode - in response to reduced gravity. This enables investigations into the effects of the microgravity environment and associated changes in mechanical forces on mammalian cells/tissues and microbial pathogens, to bring novel insight into disease mechanisms, which are not discernable using conventional experimental approaches.

Research using spaceflight platforms represents a paradigm shift in how we observe life processes and is on the leading edge of research discoveries into cellular and molecular mechanisms of health and disease. By incorporating the views of leading authors, this book highlights landmark discoveries and advances in mammalian cellular and microbiology research in both true spaceflight and ground-based spaceflight analogue environments for scientists and students alike who are interested in the influence of physical forces on mammalian and microbial cells, how this impacts transition between normal homeostasis and disease, and basic mechanisms of adaptation to low gravity environments.  To provide a thorough understanding of this research, this book covers a range of topics including:

(i) description the physical forces interacting with cells in microgravity and microgravity analogue environments,

(ii) how alterations in these cellular forces impact human physiology, specifically immune function,

(iii) useof these environments to develop organotypic three-dimensional (3-D) tissue culture models as predictive human surrogates for organogenesis and disease research, and

(iv) microbial pathogen responses to culture in these environments, focusing on infectious disease 

Collectively, this information reflects a critical step in preparation for long-duration human space exploration, advances our knowledge of basic biological processes and mechanisms important to understand normal function and disease, and may lead to new strategies for treatment and prevention. 

Editors and Affiliations

  • School of Life Sciences The Biodesign Institute, Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA

    Cheryl A. Nickerson

  • Division of Space Life Science, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, USA

    Neal R. Pellis

  • Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, USA

    C. Mark Ott

About the editors

Cheryl A. Nickerson, School of Life Sciences, The Biodesign Institute, Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA



Neal R. Pellis, Division of Space Life Science, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, TX, USA



C. Mark Ott, Biomedical Research and Environmental, Sciences Division, NASA/Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA






















Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access