Welcome Address

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Colleagues,

Over the last decades numerous space missions and experiments have taken place. The use of microgravity as a tool to study new fundamentals of life revealed a substantial number of new scientific insights and surprises. Especially, after the completion of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2009 research opportunities have markedly increased on the ISS. Life Sciences Research in Space has gained specific international interest and reveals the most prominent research area in the fruitful Russian-German cooperation. Medical research with the goal of maintaining health and performance of astronauts and cosmonauts has always been of high importance and we have reported in four previous meetings in Berlin about these scientific studies and related technological breakthroughs.

Space is the most famous extreme environment. Different extreme environments also exist on Earth, such as high altitudes, confined and isolated environments like Antarctica and Arctica or even submarines. Results from research in these environments can be successfully applied for the benefits of human beings both in space and on Earth. Emerging arenas for research, business, industry and technology arise that will be subject of the ICMS in Berlin in October 2010, a year in which the world famous Charité – the biggest medical clinic in Europe today with more than 10,400 employees – will hold its 300th anniversary. The organizers of the ICMS felt that it would be timely to present at the ICMS the latest scientific results and technological achievements from medical-physiological or psychological research in space for the benefit on Earth.

Furthermore, we will deal with future plans of research in space such as the problems during manned long-term space missions to Moon and Mars. We will discuss the possible role and limits of current analogs to study problems as such (bed rest studies, isolation and confinement chambers, high altitude and Antarctic stations) and advanced new countermeasures, i.e. lower body negative pressure devices, vibration platforms, fly-wheels as well as pharmacological support. Taking into consideration these significant aspects, we would highly appreciate again a wide participation of scientists and physicians from the universities, research institutions and industry as well as national space agencies. Developers of new medical devices and pharmaceutical products are especially welcome to participate in the Congress and might use this auditorium to present their latest developments in the Congress Exhibition Hall.

Taken together, the ICMS will provide you with state of the art information on Medicine in Space and Extreme Environments. Leading scientists as well as private and industrial companies working in this field will get the opportunity to transfer their knowledge, insights and know-how to the public.

We are looking forward to welcome you at the ICMS 2010 in Berlin!

The Congress Program Committee