What's Happening?
NASA's Biological Institutional Scientific Collection (NBISC) at Ames Research Center is enhancing its role as a biorepository for non-human samples from spaceflight investigations. NBISC provides access to samples from NASA-funded studies, including radiation studies and gravitational biology research. The collection includes the Space Biology Collection, Space Radiation Element Collection, and Space Microbial Culture Collection, offering samples for histology, genomics, and other analyses. Researchers worldwide can request these samples for interdisciplinary studies, including disease processes like muscle atrophy and bone demineralization.
Why It's Important?
NBISC's open-science approach maximizes the scientific return from spaceflight samples, fostering advancements in space biosciences and related fields. By providing access to rare samples, NBISC supports research that can lead to breakthroughs in understanding the effects of space conditions on biological systems. This initiative not only aids space exploration but also contributes to medical and scientific knowledge applicable to Earth-based challenges.
What's Next?
NASA continues to solicit proposals for research using NBISC samples, with opportunities for funding through its Biological and Physical Sciences division. Researchers interested in accessing these samples must submit proposals assessed on merit, innovation, and scientific significance. The development of a sample portal for the Space Microbial Culture Collection is underway, which will further facilitate access to these valuable resources.
