History

Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP), the State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation and Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science, was founded in 1963 as the USSR leader in space biology and medicine.

Lines of activities:

• Research in space life sciences, physiology and medicine; ecological, extreme, sport, aviation and high-altitude physiology and medicine; gravitational physiology; biological, physical-chemical and hybrid life support systems; cell physiology; biotechnology, psychophysiology, engineering psychology and human engineering; radiobiology; magnetobiology; exobiology;
• Biomedical support of piloted space missions including ecological and radiation safety;
• Studies in the fields of barometric pressure physiology and diving medicine; bodily effects of artificial breathing mixtures; hygiene and epidemiology of pressurized habitats;
• Investigations into the functional capacity of human organism and mechanisms of adaptation to a variety of environmental factors; physiology of the normal human; medical issues of dangerous occupations;
• Promotion of space-derived knowledge and technology for the benefits of clinical medicine and economy;
• Telemedicine.

The comprehensive ground-based and in-space studies and testing provided evidence for the development and adoption of the system of means and methods ensuring spacecrew safety and professional efficiency. The system was used successfully both in the short- and long-term missions aboard transport vehicles Soyuz and the orbital stations Salyut and Mir; it makes up the core for the continuously evolving crew health care system of the International Space Station (ISS).

IBMP manages and implements biomedical researches and experiments on the ISS Russian segment, life sciences and biotechnology investigations aboard robotic spacecraft of the BION and FOTON series, and integrated ground-based experiments aimed to lay down the principles of biomedical support in future exploration missions outbound for Mars, specifically.

The Institute is actively engaged in medical selection of candidates to and periodic medical certification of civil cosmonauts, space tourists and test-subjects volunteered for specialized ground-based tests and investigations related to various aspects of space and extreme medicine.

Fundamental researches carried out at the Institute unveiled the patterns of human adaptation to the action of the spaceflight factors, revealed physiological shifts occurring in organs and tissues, gave insight into the functioning of molecular and cellular mechanisms of living systems at different levels in the conditions of exposure to microgravity and other extreme factors. The resulted knowledge guided the development of countermeasures for piloted space programs and innovative technologies for the needs of practical health care.

IBMP designed a multitude of means and methods of medical care for a large number of theoretically possible diseases and injuries in space flight. There is a wide choice of preventive options to be used before and during flight against the adverse effects on the human organism.

IBMP is charged with the development of life support technologies and biomedical research equipment suitable to the spaceflight environment. The exercise bicycle, treadmill and the suite of training equipment designed and manufactured by the IBMP Special Design Bureau of Experimental Technique are now available for ISS crews. An advanced multifunctional training hardware of next generation undergoes verification testing before delivery onto the ISS.

International contacts

IBMP maintains the international scientific and technical ties under cooperative agreements with space agencies and research centers in the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan, Austria, the Republic of Korea, China and other countries.

Unique experimental and test capabilities

• Ground-based test facility enabling studies of human subjects during long-term isolation and confinement in artificial environment;
• Physiological testing center;
• Test labs specializing in studying and simulation of the physiological and biological effects of microgravity and other spaceflight factors;
• Centrifuges with 2 m and 9 m in diameter;
• Deep-water diving facility used for simulating human descents to the depths of up to 250 meters.

The Institute hosts base subdepartments of four institutions of higher education, provides postgraduate and doctoral candidacy courses, has two dissertation committees, and publishes journal “Aerospace and Ecological Medicine”.