The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NASA have entered into an agreement that helps American scientists utilize the International Space Station to answer questions about human health and diseases.

The Memorandum of Understanding marks a milestone in a long partnership to advance scientific discovery and signals researchers to the availability of a remarkable platform on which to conduct experiments.

In late May, NASA sent Congress a plan describing how the U.S. segment of the station can be used as a national laboratory. The report outlined possible partnerships with other government agencies and private companies to conduct research aboard the station. The Sept. 12 signing marks the first such agreement with NASA and another agency.

"I am extremely pleased that this collaborative effort is moving forward. The station provides a unique environment where researchers can explore fundamental questions about human health issues -- including how the body heals itself, fights infection, or develops diseases such as cancer or osteoporosis," said, Elias A. Zerhouni, director, NIH.

Compared with the Earth-bound laboratories where more than 325,000 NIH-funded researchers conduct experiments every day, the facility at the station provides a virtually gravity-free environment where the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie human diseases can be explored

"The congressional designation as a national laboratory underscores the significance the American people place on the scientific potential of the space station. Not only will the station help in our efforts to explore the moon, Mars and beyond, its resources also can be applied for a much broader purpose -- improving human health," said, Michael Griffin, Administrator, NASA.

As part of the agreement, NIH and NASA will encourage space-related health research by exchanging information and providing technical expertise in areas of common interest. The agencies will facilitate and share each other's research and development efforts. In addition, NIH and NASA have agreed to coordinate publicity of mutually beneficial activities, publications and research results.