Still Images
Presentations
Cell Biology and Biotechnology in Space
Source: Neal Pellis, NASA Johnson Space Center Format: Microsoft PowerPoint
View the online version or Download the file (6.3 mb)
Download the lecture notes in Microsoft Word format (100 kb)
Description: Cell biology in space is a relatively young discipline that
must meet many unique challenges not faced in standard ground laboratory
work. This presentation provides an introduction that identifies those
challenges, profiles ways to model microgravity without going into space,
discusses the value of the research, and explores what we do and do not know
about the effects of space on cells. Slides and lecture notes are downloaded
separately.
(Posted on 10/04)
Cells & Spaceflight Hardware
Source: Universities Space Research Association Format: PDF
Download the file (129 kb)
Download the supplement (356 kb)
Description: This unit from a short course on basic biology for engineers overviews the unique requirements cell research places on space flight hardware. The supplement features current approaches to cell biology hardware with images and brief descriptions of various hardware items.
(Posted on 10/04)
Effects of Microgravity and Space Flight on Macrophages
Source: Stephen Keith Chapes, Kansas State
University Format: Microsoft PowerPoint
View the online version or Download the file (727 K)
Description: This presentation covers the effects of microgravity and space flight on macrophages. Notes for the slides are included in the downloadable PowerPoint presentation. Choose "Notes Page" from the "View" pull-down menu in PowerPoint.
(Posted on 10/00)
Effects of Space Flight on T-Cells
Source: Marian Lewis, University of Alabama, Huntsville Format: Microsoft PowerPoint
View the online version or Download the file (2.5 Mb)
Description: This presentation details an immunology experiment performed on T-cells in space. Notes for the slides are included in the downloadable PowerPoint presentation. Choose "Notes Page" from the "View" pull-down menu in PowerPoint.
(Posted on 10/04)
Microgravity: A Novel Environment for Cells
Source: Neal Pellis, NASA Johnson Space Center Format: Microsoft PowerPoint/Word
View the online version or Download the file (6.3 MB)
Download the lecture notes (100 Kb)
Description: Life on Earth evolved in a constant gravitational environment.
The microgravity of space is another matter entirely. How does microgravity
change the environment for cells and how do cells respond? This presentation
identifies the physical forces acting on cells, shows that life can thrive
in various extremes, and addresses the impacts of microgravity. Slides and
lecture notes are downloaded separately.
(Posted on 10/04)
Still Images
Bioreactor
Source: NASA
Format: JPEG
View the image (96 kb)
Description: The NASA bioreactor provides a model for simulating
microgravity cell cultures on the ground. The rotating vessel maintains
cells in a state of continual freefall allowing for the growth of three
dimensional cultures.
(Posted on 10/04)
Cell Apoptosis
Source: NASA
Format: JPEG
View the image (128 kb)
Description: Cell dying through apoptosis, or cell suicide, undergoes distinctive
changes. First it shrinks and pulls away from its neighbors (top right). Then blebs (pink
spheres) appear on the surface (making the cell appear to boil), and the chromatin (black
portion of larger inner cell), which is the nuclear DNA complexed with proteins)
condenses at the edges of the nucleus. Soon the nucleus, and then the cell itself, breaks
up, and the cell fragments are quickly ingested by other cells in the vicinity. (Posted on 10/04)
Cell Division: Metaphase
Source: NASA
Format: JPEG
View the image (96 kb)
Description: This image depicts a cell in mid-prometaphase. In this cell the spindle
is forming between the well-separated centrosomes. Some of the chromosomes have
established connections to both poles and are aligned at the spindle equator, while
others are still connected only to one pole. (Posted on 10/04)
Cell Membrane Transfer
Source: NASA
Format: GIF
View the image (128 kb)
Description: This line drawing depicts the components of a cell membrane. (Posted on 10/04)
Electron Micrograph of E. coli
Source: NASA
Format: JPEG
View the image (64 kb)
Description: This electron micrograph depicts a group of E. coli bacteria. (Posted on 10/04)
Renal Cell
Source: NASA
Format: JPEG
View the image (96 kb)
Description: Research has found that genetic
expression of human renal cells can be manipulated in microgravity to produce hormones that
are valuable in the treatment of disease.
(Posted on 10/04)