• The Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is hosting the International Radiobiology Conference at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi, from February 27 to March 1, 2025.

• The conference focuses on Biological Effects of Space Radiation, Heavy Ions, and Human Space Missions, with a special emphasis on mechanisms and biomedical countermeasures.

• The event brings together leading radiobiologists, physicists, engineers, and medical researchers to discuss the challenges posed by space radiation and potential solutions to ensure astronaut safety in long-duration missions.

• The conference was inaugurated by Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the government of India.

What is INMAS?

• The Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) is a mandated multidisciplinary laboratory of DRDO. 

• It was established in 1956, as a Radiation Cell at Defence Science Laboratory, Delhi to harness nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

• INMAS has always taken a lead with academic developments in the areas of radiation and imaging sciences since its inception. 

• INMAS is working in the area of biomedical and clinical research with reference to radiation, neurocognitive imaging and CBRN research. 

• The main thrust areas of INMAS are the development of radioprotectors, development of diagnostics and therapeutic approaches using non-invasive imaging techniques, neurocognitive and endocrine functional assessment of human body.

Key discussion points:

1) Space Radiation: A Major Challenge for Human Space Exploration

• One of the biggest threats to astronauts in long-duration missions is exposure to space radiation from cosmic rays and solar particles.

• Space radiation can cause acute and chronic health effects, including DNA damage, carcinogenesis (cancer risk), cognitive impairments, and degenerative diseases.

• Unlike Earth, which has a protective atmosphere and magnetosphere, deep space offers no natural shielding, making astronaut safety a top priority for future space exploration.

2) DRDO’s Role in Space Medicine & Radiation Research

• INMAS-DRDO has been actively researching the biomedical effects of space radiation and developing protective strategies for astronauts.

• This conference reinforces India’s commitment to human spaceflight safety, particularly in light of ambitious programs like Gaganyaan (India’s first human spaceflight mission) and future lunar/Mars missions.

• INMAS is developing countermeasures, protective shielding, and early detection biomarkers to mitigate space radiation risks.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)