Current Areas of Space-Related Health Research Basic Bone Biology –the role of the osteocyte in sensing the loading environment – potential new target for interventions to prevent bone loss. Muscle Cell Biology and Disuse Atrophy –signaling pathways, transcriptional control and gene expression events that regulate hypertrophy/atrophy and fiber type determination/selection in response to exercise or disuse. Regenerative Medicine for Musculoskeletal Injuries –tissue engineering that could have a diagnostic application where the engineered tissue is used as a biosensor reporting musculoskeletal injuries. Presenter:Dr. Joan McGowan Agency/Organization:National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

Promising Areas for Space-Related Health Research Collaborations Bone Quality/Bone Strength –NIAMS has begun a Collaborative Initiative on Bone Strength (CIBS) to focus on new and emerging techniques to assess bone strength non-invasively. Genetic Approaches to Understanding the Relationship of Bone Mass to Loading –Inbred mouse studies are revealing genes that control the response of bone and muscle to loading and exercise. Clinical Intervention Studies to Arrest Bone and Muscle Loss on Earth and in Space –High frequency, low magnitude electromagnetic stimulation –Nutritional tools to minimize bone loss in microgravity

Existing Resources to Facilitate Space-Related Health Research Animal Models –to study the effect of loading on bone and muscle - especially mouse genetic models. Human Cohort Studies –to determine nutritional and other environmental exposures that regulate bone and muscle mass.