User:NASA URC

NASA University Research Center-Center For Bio-Nanotechnology & Environmental Research (NASA URC C-BER)
Texas Southern University(TSU), the second largest Historically Black College and University, and its new administration strongly support the NASA URC C-BER. The cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional program actively engage a team of faculty from the departments of biology, chemistry, mathematics; and colleges of business, education, law and public affairs to support outcome one of the NASA Education Strategic Framework.

The team builds strategic partnerships with educational and commercial institutions, along with government employees, to train and educate students and postdoctoral fellows. NASA C-BER integrates molecular biology, bioinformatics, bionanotechnology with chemical and biochemical analysis to address important environmental and human health concerns related to manned exploration of space. Techniques for detecting, monitoring and controlling microorganisms will be developed; and  the  effects of microgravity, radiation and other space travel-induced stress factors on living organisms will be investigated with the intent of developing countermeasures.

The research of C-BER is closely aligned with NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate and is relevant to all NASA’s mission directorates. Our successes will improve existing technologies and generate new inventions that increase speed and accuracy while decreasing cost. New technology developed or advanced will educate and drive the perception of what is possible in the realm of Space Life Sciences. Historically, synergism between science and technology has thrived at TSU as applied to microgravity induced stress and microbial detection/control.

In this current effort we are developing advanced technologies to enable novel solutions to the great health challenges facing humans during long-term space duration missions. Overall we shall develop a future workforce in STEM fields; improve TSU’s research infrastructure and innovative partnerships; enhance astronaut and autonomous medical care; enhance technology transfers and commercialization; and improve quality of life on earth.