Description of Life under Microgravity: Scientific Report from the Underground Facilities ( JAMIC)

Abstract

Biomedical experiments under microgravity using 10 seconds' dropping capsule at JAMIC has started on January 19 of 2000. The first experiment was to examine the neuro-cardiological response of rats upon sudden exposure to the microgravity conditions 1). Secondary, gene expression analysis on human lymphocytes was conducted using newly developed equipment for 8 secondes microgravity. The resulting data showed several up-and down-regulated genes, some of which corresponding to those identfied for the astronauts' specimen during their flight 2). Thirdly, delayed immunereaction was shown using 8 seconds' microgravity. Becasuse of newly developed instrument in this study, various kind of Biomedical experiments under microgravity became more accessible than before, expanding the dream of the biochemists to outer Space 3). In parallel with these experimental studies, Field Medicine was opened in Urausu which is very close to Kamisunagawa ( JAMIC). Field Medicine is a newly built preventive-, health-promoting Medicine for the elderly 4,5,7). We believe this Field Medicine will prove very productive for creating Space Medicine.