http://cass.jsc.nasa.gov/aboutdsls.html (Einblicke ins Internet, 10/1995)USRA's Division of Space Life Sciences (DSLS) was established in 1983 as the Division of Space Biomedicine to facilitate the participation of the university community in biomedical research programs at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). The DSLS, located at the Center for Advanced Space Studies, provides staff and visiting scientists, and organizes workshops, conferences, and seminars. The Division also supports research at more than 20 outside institution that are engaged in NASA programs.
The broad-based research and educational programs of the DSLS encompass the following areas:
o Cardiovascular Physiology
o Radiation Sciences
o Exercise Physiology
o Human Factors
o Bone and Muscle Physiology
o Pharmacology
o Neuroscience
o Biotechnology
o Computer Modeling of Physiological Systems
The DSLS provides administrative support for the recently established Space Medicine Post Doctoral training program with the Johnson Space Center and the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. In July 1993, two Fellows began as the first participants in this two-year multidisciplinary program which seeks to prepare specialty-trained physicians to become accredited experts in space medicine and space biomedical research. The DSLS has provided continuing support of the Neurolab Science Working Group as it prepares for a Shuttle Neurolab mission in the mid-to-late 90s, dedicated to the study of neurological processes in spaceflight.
During 1993, the DSLS sponsored 12 scientists and research staff members, and 30 consultants. It also provided administrative support for an additional 18 scientists from the Microgravity Vestibular Investigation and the Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) international teams.
The DSLS sponsored over 45 meetings and seminars during 1993, including the Fourth Annual Investigators Meeting on Space Radiation Research, and a series of EDO Medical Program Science Peer Review meetings that were held at the Center for Advanced Space Studies. A series of meetings to review the development of the new Gas Analyzer Mass Spectrometer to be used on Shuttle/ Mir missions began in 1993 and will continue in 1994. The DSLS also hosted a number of seminars by scientists from the university medical community to facilitate scientific interchange with NASA.
The DSLS International Programs Office (IPO) acts as a liaison between the JSC Space and Life Sciences Directorate and the international community of aerospace and life sciences researchers. The IPO provides technical translations and interpretation services in support of Russian-American cooperation in joint space biomedical investigations and the MIR/Shuttle program. In 1993, the IPO provided support for more than 18 meetings and workshops held in the United States and Russia.