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NASA Selects 11 Space Biology Research Projects to Inform Biological Research During Future Lunar Exploration Missions<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/smd-cms.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/bps-background-1.png?w=1320\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNASA announces the award of eleven grants or cooperative agreements for exciting new Space Biology research that will advance NASA\u2019s understanding of how exposure to lunar dust\/regolith impact both plant and animal systems.<\/p>\n
As human exploration prepares to go beyond Earth Orbit, Space Biology is advancing its research priorities towards work that will enable organisms to T<\/strong>hrive I<\/strong>n DE<\/strong>ep S<\/strong>pace (TIDES). The ultimate goal of the TIDES initiative is to enable long-duration space missions and improve life on Earth through innovative research. Space Biology supported research will enable the study of the effects of environmental stressors in spaceflight on model organisms, that will both inform future fundamental research, as well as provide valuable information that will better enable human exploration of deep space.<\/p>\nProposals for these eleven projects were submitted in response to ROSES-2022 Program Element E.9 \u201cSpace Biology Research Studies\u201d (NNH22ZDA001N-SBR<\/a>). This funding opportunity solicited ground studies using plant or animal models (or their associated microbes) to characterize the responses of these organisms to lunar regolith simulant similar to that found at NASA candidate landing sites for future lunar exploration missions<\/a>. This funding opportunity represents a collaboration between the Space Biology Program and NASA\u2019s Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES<\/a>) Division within the Exploration Architecture, Integration, and Science (EAIS) Directorate at the NASA Johnson Space Center, who will be supplying the lunar regolith simulant required for these studies.<\/p>\nSelected studies include (but are not limited to) efforts to 1) test the ability of lunar regolith to act as a growth substrate for crop-producing plants including grains, tomatoes and potatoes, 2) understand how growth in lunar regolith influences plant and microbial interactions, and how in turn, these interactions affect plant development and health, 3) identify and test bioremediation methods\/techniques to enhance the ability of regolith to act as a growth substrate, and 4) understand how lunar dust exposure impacts host\/microbial interactions in human-analogous model systems under simulated microgravity conditions.<\/p>\n
Eleven investigators will conduct these Space Biology investigations from ten institutions in nine states. Eight of these awards are to investigators new to the Space Biology Program. When fully implemented, approximately $2.3 million will be awarded in fiscal years 2024-2027.<\/p>\n
Plant Research Investigations<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\nSimon Gilroy, Ph.D<\/strong>. University of Wisconsin, Madison<\/p>\nTailoring Lunar Regolith to Plant Nutrition<\/em><\/p>\nAymeric Goyer, Ph.D<\/strong>.\u00a0 Oregon State University<\/p>\nGrowth, physiology and nutrition dynamics of potato plants grown on lunar regolith<\/em><\/p>\nsimulant medium<\/em><\/p>\nChristopher Mason, Ph.D.<\/strong> Weill Medical College of Cornell University<\/p>\nLeveraging the microbes of Earth\u2019s extreme environments for sustainable plant growth<\/em><\/p>\nin lunar regolith<\/em><\/p>\nThomas Juenger, Ph.D.<\/strong> University of Texas, Austin<\/p>\nEngineering plant-microbial interactions for improved plant growth on simulated lunar regolith<\/em><\/p>\nPlant Early Career Research Investigations<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\nMiranda Haus, Ph.D.<\/strong> Michigan State University<\/p>\nThe sources and extent of root stunting during growth in lunar highland regolith and its impact on legume symbioses<\/em><\/p>\nJoseph Lynch, Ph.D.<\/strong> West Virginia University<\/p>\nThe metabolomic impact of lunar regolith-based substrate on tomatoes<\/em><\/p>\nJared Broddrick, Ph.D.<\/strong> NASA Ames Research Center<\/p>\nPhycoremediation of lunar regolith towards in situ agriculture<\/em><\/p>\nShuyang Zhen, Ph.D.<\/strong> Texas A&M AgriLife Research<\/p>\nInvestigating the impact of foliar and root-zone exposure to lunar regolith simulant on lettuce growth and stress physiology in a hydroponic system<\/em><\/em><\/p>\nPlant Small Scale Research Investigations<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\nKathryn Fixen, Ph.D.<\/strong> University of Minnesota<\/p>\nThe impact of lunar regolith on nitrogen fixation in a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium<\/em><\/em><\/p>\nAnimal Research Investigations<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\nCheryl Nickerson,<\/strong> Arizona State University<\/p>\nEffects of Lunar Dust Simulant on Human 3-D Biomimetic Intestinal Models, Enteric Microorganisms, and Infectious Disease Risks<\/em><\/p>\nAfshin Beheshti, Ph.D.<\/strong> NASA Ames Research CenterSpaceflight and Regolith Induced Mitochondrial Stress Mitigated by miRNA-based Countermeasures<\/em><\/p>\n\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNASA announces the award of eleven grants or cooperative agreements for exciting new Space Biology research that will advance NASA\u2019s understanding of how exposure to lunar dust\/regolith impact both plant and animal systems.<\/p>\n
As human exploration prepares to go beyond Earth Orbit, Space Biology is advancing its research priorities towards work that will enable organisms to T<\/strong>hrive I<\/strong>n DE<\/strong>ep S<\/strong>pace (TIDES). The ultimate goal of the TIDES initiative is to enable long-duration space missions and improve life on Earth through innovative research. Space Biology supported research will enable the study of the effects of environmental stressors in spaceflight on model organisms, that will both inform future fundamental research, as well as provide valuable information that will better enable human exploration of deep space.<\/p>\n Proposals for these eleven projects were submitted in response to ROSES-2022 Program Element E.9 \u201cSpace Biology Research Studies\u201d (NNH22ZDA001N-SBR<\/a>). This funding opportunity solicited ground studies using plant or animal models (or their associated microbes) to characterize the responses of these organisms to lunar regolith simulant similar to that found at NASA candidate landing sites for future lunar exploration missions<\/a>. This funding opportunity represents a collaboration between the Space Biology Program and NASA\u2019s Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES<\/a>) Division within the Exploration Architecture, Integration, and Science (EAIS) Directorate at the NASA Johnson Space Center, who will be supplying the lunar regolith simulant required for these studies.<\/p>\n Selected studies include (but are not limited to) efforts to 1) test the ability of lunar regolith to act as a growth substrate for crop-producing plants including grains, tomatoes and potatoes, 2) understand how growth in lunar regolith influences plant and microbial interactions, and how in turn, these interactions affect plant development and health, 3) identify and test bioremediation methods\/techniques to enhance the ability of regolith to act as a growth substrate, and 4) understand how lunar dust exposure impacts host\/microbial interactions in human-analogous model systems under simulated microgravity conditions.<\/p>\n Eleven investigators will conduct these Space Biology investigations from ten institutions in nine states. Eight of these awards are to investigators new to the Space Biology Program. When fully implemented, approximately $2.3 million will be awarded in fiscal years 2024-2027.<\/p>\n Simon Gilroy, Ph.D<\/strong>. University of Wisconsin, Madison<\/p>\n Tailoring Lunar Regolith to Plant Nutrition<\/em><\/p>\n Aymeric Goyer, Ph.D<\/strong>.\u00a0 Oregon State University<\/p>\n Growth, physiology and nutrition dynamics of potato plants grown on lunar regolith<\/em><\/p>\n simulant medium<\/em><\/p>\n Christopher Mason, Ph.D.<\/strong> Weill Medical College of Cornell University<\/p>\n Leveraging the microbes of Earth\u2019s extreme environments for sustainable plant growth<\/em><\/p>\n in lunar regolith<\/em><\/p>\n Thomas Juenger, Ph.D.<\/strong> University of Texas, Austin<\/p>\n Engineering plant-microbial interactions for improved plant growth on simulated lunar regolith<\/em><\/p>\n Miranda Haus, Ph.D.<\/strong> Michigan State University<\/p>\n The sources and extent of root stunting during growth in lunar highland regolith and its impact on legume symbioses<\/em><\/p>\n Joseph Lynch, Ph.D.<\/strong> West Virginia University<\/p>\n The metabolomic impact of lunar regolith-based substrate on tomatoes<\/em><\/p>\n Jared Broddrick, Ph.D.<\/strong> NASA Ames Research Center<\/p>\n Phycoremediation of lunar regolith towards in situ agriculture<\/em><\/p>\n Shuyang Zhen, Ph.D.<\/strong> Texas A&M AgriLife Research<\/p>\n Investigating the impact of foliar and root-zone exposure to lunar regolith simulant on lettuce growth and stress physiology in a hydroponic system<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Kathryn Fixen, Ph.D.<\/strong> University of Minnesota<\/p>\n The impact of lunar regolith on nitrogen fixation in a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Cheryl Nickerson,<\/strong> Arizona State University<\/p>\n Effects of Lunar Dust Simulant on Human 3-D Biomimetic Intestinal Models, Enteric Microorganisms, and Infectious Disease Risks<\/em><\/p>\n Afshin Beheshti, Ph.D.<\/strong> NASA Ames Research CenterSpaceflight and Regolith Induced Mitochondrial Stress Mitigated by miRNA-based Countermeasures<\/em><\/p>\nPlant Research Investigations<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n
Plant Early Career Research Investigations<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n
Plant Small Scale Research Investigations<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n
Animal Research Investigations<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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