Seminar 21: Gravitational Biology and Sounding Rockets

Speaker: Jens Hauslage

Abstract
Gravity, compared to other environmental factors, is the only constant stimulus that has not changed during evolution and has shaped life. This talk about Gravitational Biology provides an overview on the impact of gravity on life and current knowledge on gravity-perception in cells, plants, and animals resulting in gravitaxis and gravitropism. The talk will provide an overview of technical possibilities scientists can use to perform experiments in simulated or real microgravity as well as hypergravity on Earth and in space. Sounding rockets as a real microgravity platform will also be in the focus of this talk.

Brief Bio:
Dr Jens Hauslage is an international expert in gravitational and space biology with a PhD in Biology/Botany. Jens is the Lead of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) Aeromedical FabLab and DLR BioBase at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, DLR, Cologne, Germany. He is also an Adjunct Professor at La Trobe University since 2022. Jens studies the perception and impact of gravity on life and its development. Other areas of his research include the development of bioregenerative life support systems for space and earth applications and the design and construction of sensor systems and space experiments for microgravity platforms, e.g. sounding rockets, drop towers and satellites. Jens has been involved in over 12 sounding rocket campaigns, 15 parabolic plane flight campaigns and experiments, long-term biosatellite missions, has published in space research, and is a holder of multiple European and US patents for microgravity and space life systems technologies. To transfer his gained knowledge to the next generations, Jens is an accredited European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut trainer and teaches at several national and international universities including the annual Australian microgravity workshop at La Trobe University.