Summary: In the pre-space flight era it was believed that any changes in the magnitude of the gravitational vector would affect an organism only on a macro scale and physiological level (i.e. changes in blood flow volume, changes in inter-cranial fluid pressure and vestibular disfunction amongst other effects). Mechanical forces that are important to pulmonary structure and function, are produced by gradients in gravity, motion, osmotic forces and interactions between cells and /or cell matrix. But subsequent observations have shown that gravity, or absence of it has a direct effect at the cellular level, where cellular organelles or components transduce the mehanical gravistimulus to an electrochemical signal. How this transduction occurs remains a mystery and is still driving a frenetic research effort. Exciting work on the interaction of the cell cytoskeleton with membrane components and the extracellular matrix is attempting to explain all the different phenomena associated with the behaviour of cells in microgravity, as well as hypergravity. As the possibilities of exposing living beings to altered gravity conditions is on the rise, it is necessary to understand the effects of altered gravity. This aspect of the research can no longer be ignored . Along with a brief review on this matter, the experiments with insects, plants and human beings carried out in our laboratory will be discussed.

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(*) Biodata: Dr. Pandit Vidyasagar has been working in the field of Medical and Health Physics for the last twenty years. The significance of his work is due to several reasons. He has started his research in this field at a time when it was little known in the University system. Over the years he has been able to develop the tradition of interdisciplinary studies by introducing various courses and also motivating students to undertake research programs in this field. He has been able to attract students from other developing countries such as Bangladesh, Iran and Indonesia to work in his laboratory. The students trained under his guidance are successfully conducting research in their respective countries. He has published his research work in internationally acclaimed journals

Dr. Vidyasagar developed a research group in the area of biophysics and promoted South-South cooperation by guiding five students (out of twelve) from countries like Bangladesh, Iran and Indonesia for the Ph.D. program. Students from different states of India have also worked under his guidance. He has 100 research publications to his credit in journals and conferences. His work on thermoluminescence has been cited in the specialized literature.

Dr Vidyasagar has designed, modified and taught courses at undergraduate and post graduate level related to biophysics and medical instrumentation. He has also been instrumental in establishing degree courses such as B.Sc. (applied) (optometry) and B.Sc.(applied) (Biomedical Techniques).

He has published 11 books (Marathi and English), about 150 articles in news papers and magazines, 25 Radio talks, Ten educational films, about 200 lectures on science subjects at remote places, school and colleges. One of his books has been translated in Kannada language and has been serialized in a weekly magazine. Another book has been read on All India Radio for one year. One of his books "Superclone" is used as a text book for an M.A. Marathi degree of Pune University. His academic and social contributions are duly recognized by the academic and social organizations and have bestowed on him prestigious awards such as Best Teacher award by University of Pune, Vidya Vyas Puraskar by Vidya Sahakari Bank and G.R. Paranjape award by Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad. Dr. Vidyasagar has been awarded Regular and senior associate ship by our Centre.

At the University of Pune he has several administrative duties: He is Director of the Board of College and University Development, as well as Director of the School of Basic Medical Sciences and Director of the Bioinformatics Centre.

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