Resources - Outreach
Outreach - Getting the Word Out
Part of doing good work is getting others involved. That means reaching out to the research community and the public at large to share ideas and inspire others. BSO has found many ways to get the word about space cell biology and the benefits of NASA research. To learn more about BSO outreach activities or opportunities, please contact BSO.
The Biological Systems Office is involved with extensive outreach activities for NASA, the science community, academia, the government, and the greater community at large. Our outreach goals are to:
- Build and strengthen strong involvement in NASA's science and technology mission from the academic, scientific, and industrial communities;
- Increase general public understanding of NASA's scientific research and the applications of this research on Earth;
- Sponsor and support meetings and symposia that facilitate the interaction of professionals from different disciplines; and
- Disseminate the details of NASA-supported research to the public through the Internet and the NASA research task books.
Our staff have given interviews for radio shows and Discovery Channel and other television programs. BSO and the President and CEO of StelSys LLC (see BSO Industry Collaborations) hosted Secrets of the Sequence: Cells in Space, a program about the emerging field of space cell biology produced in 2002 by Ward Television Corporation for PBS.
NASA's Benefits and Space Trailer is a mobile exhibit that educates the public on the space program and how it affects our daily lives. BSO maintains the bioreactor exhibit inside the trailer, supports training for the bioreactor, and provides information material on NASA's cell biology program. The Trailer has visited museums, schools, colleges, and conferences.
The JSC Exploration Cell Science program has a full-color brochure highlighting program goals and achievements and the hardware that makes the program possible.
View the brochure . . .
The ECS Health Book showcases the JSC Exploration Cell Science project's research on major health issues and our partnerships with key industry and non-profit federal organizations in the pursuit of finding ways to prevent and counteract many of the diseases that affect humans on earth and in space.
View the magazine . . .
Professional Outreach
BSO intramural and extramural investigators have produced around 800 publications and presentations over the past 10 years (see Publications), with an average of 50 publications per year in peer-reviewed journals, and they are members of numerous professional organizations, including the American Society for Cell Biology, the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology, and the Committee on Space Research.
Our investigators present NASA-sponsored research at meetings and conferences annually, and BSO directly sponsors and supports meetings and symposia targeted at the biotechnology community, both research professionals and the students who will represent the field in the future. In 2003, we participated in several events, including:
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American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2003
The goal of the 2003 ASCO Annual Meeting was to foster communication among cancer-related medical subspecialties and the exchange of a wide range of ideas related to cancer. ASCO's objectives are to advance the education of physicians and other professionals in the care of patients with cancer, support the development of clinical cancer researchers, and facilitate the delivery of high-quality health care to patients with cancer. BSO was proud to particpate in event. BSO showcased the JSC Exploration Cell Science project exhibit and bioreactors. BSO had the opportunity to demonstate the bioreactors first hand. -
American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology (ASGSB) 2003
The ASGSB was created in 1984 to provide an avenue for scientists interested in gravitational and space biology to share information and join together to speak with a united voice in support of this field of science. With the birth of the space age, the opportunity for experiments over the full spectrum of gravity finally became a reality, and a new environment and research tool became available to probe biological phenomenon and expand scientific knowledge. BSO showcased the Biotechnology Facility exhibit and distributed materials for attendees. The following includes three BSO abstracts that were presented:- Dr. John Love presented, "Antigenic protein from RNAlater&cr; treated cell cultures grown on the International Space Station (ISS), using the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System (CBOSS)"
- Dr. Dianne Hammond presented, "Cytokine production by cell cultures on the International Space Station (ISS), using the Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System (CBOSS)"
- Dr. Arthur Sytkowski presented, "Microgravity Affects Cluster Formation, Differentiation, and Cytoskeletal Organization of Rauscher Murine Erythroleukemia Cells"
Experimental Biology Conference 2003
The Experimental Biology meeting is organized by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), a scientific society of more than 60,000 laboratory and clinical researchers that was founded in 1912 to facilitate communication and dissemination of knowledge among scientists and others dedicated to experimental biology. BSO presented an abstract titled, "Space Cellular Biotechnology".National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) 2003
The NABT is the largest national association dedicated exclusively to the concerns of biology and life science educators. The members-more than 8,000 biology educators representing all grade levels-teach more than one million students each year! BSO showcased a bioreactor and allowed educators to pose questions and ideas about biotechnology and the program in general. BSO is a proud member of the community that fosters academic and research opportunities.
For Investigators
Office of Biological and Physical Research (OBPR) Research Opportunities and Task Book:
This is your one-stop shop for NASA OBPR research information, everything from solicitations and relevant documents to information about funded research.
The Bioastronautics Roadmap outlines and describes the challenges to human space exploration. These challenges, and the need to mitigate or eliminate them, guide NASA's research program plans.
Cellular Biotechnology Information System (CBIS) Database:
CBIS is a central source for documenting scientific information that is constantly generated by the many scientists and engineers who are part of the program. It contains information and images about BSO research and hardware. CBIS is currently an internal database.
BSO Outreach Resources
Cellular Biotechnology Information System (CBIS) Application:
The Cellular Biotechnology Information System (CBIS) was created as a simple, easy-to-use resource for obtaining information about the JSC Exploration Cell Science project. The application includes information about research, hardware, mission, citations, people, and technology transfer. Collaborations with other institutions are also covered, starting in 1992.
Exhibits / Meetings:
The BSO Public Education & Outreach develops materials and conducts the logistical planning for public affairs events, JSC site visits, meetings, displays, and presentations. The group develops and organizes JSC Exploration Cell Science project meetings and symposia for various national and international conferences and congresses of professional science organizations for NASA Headquarters and related NASA Center meetings. The following resources are available for public affairs events or meetings:
- Backdrop
- Cellular Biotechnology brochure
- NASA bioreactor display units
- Posters
- Hardware and software for presentation support
Video Library
The BSO Education & Outreach group has created the Cellular Biotechnology Video Library, which contains any videos pertaining to the program, such as research experiments, flight footage, and informational videos. Each video is cataloged in the Cellular Biotechnology Video Database. To check out a video, please contact the Education & Outreach Lead.
For More Information, Contact Us:
JSC Exploration Cell Science project
Education & Outreach
1290 Hercules Dr, Suite 120
Mailcode: Wyle/BT/P1
Houston, TX 77058
TEL: 281.461.2695
Education & Outreach Lead:
Robert Lewis