#United States #ISS National Lab #Microgravity #Cape Canaveral #Wake Forest Institute

Exploring the Effects of Microgravity on 3D Bioprinted Liver Tissue

In a pioneering move to advance regenerative medicine, researchers from the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) are set to launch an experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to investigate how microgravity impacts 3D bioprinted liver tissue constructs. As part of a project sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory, this initiative will take flight on SpaceX's upcoming resupply mission, marking a significant milestone in the field of tissue engineering.

Understanding the Challenge of Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering is at the forefront of modern medicine, allowing scientists to replicate human organs using living cells. With the liver being a crucial organ that performs numerous vital functions, the focus of this study is to explore the bioprinting of liver tissue with vascular channels, which are essential for the organ’s functionality. On Earth, maintaining these complex tissues is limited by our ability to create sufficient vascularization, a natural process that supports nutrient supply and waste removal. Without efficient blood flow, these tissues degrade and lose functionality over time.

The experiment aims to discover whether microgravity alters cell distribution, behavior, and adherence. These insights could lead to significant advancements in creating durable tissues for research and potentially revolutionize treatment methods for patients using bioengineered organs.

The Significance of Microgravity in Tissue Maturation

Microgravity poses unique conditions that could impact the cellular mechanisms involved in tissue development. James Yoo, the lead investigator at WFIRM, speculates that microgravity might enhance the maturation process of bioprinted tissues. By utilizing Redwire Space's Multi-Use Variable-Gravity Platform (MVP) facility, researchers can closely observe how liver and vascular cells behave under these conditions, which may yield data that supports the development of improved tissue constructs.

The bioprinted structures created by WFIRM have already shown promising results on Earth, demonstrating functional viability for up to 30 days in laboratory environments. The ambitious goal of understanding how these tissues can thrive in space could pave the way for biomanufactured tissues and organs that can be produced for transplantation—an exciting prospect for both space exploration and healthcare on Earth.

Collaboration and Prize Competition

Two teams of WFIRM researchers, dubbed Team Winston and Team WFIRM, will leverage their experience in 3D bioprinting as part of NASA's Vascular Tissue Challenge—a competition designed to enhance innovations in tissue engineering, focusing on their applications both in space and on Earth. Their success earned them a combined total of $400,000 in research funding, further fueling their work on this groundbreaking project.

In this experiment, Team Winston will specifically analyze the development of liver tissue and its vascular cells, determining how microgravity affects these structures. For example, they will assess if vascular cells successfully form the necessary linings within the vascular components of the liver constructs, a critical factor for the integrity and functionality of bioengineered tissues.

Looking Towards the Future of Regenerative Medicine

The initiative reflects a broader mission to improve regenerative medicine, with the Methuselah Foundation's New Organ Alliance emphasizing the importance of collaboration in this field. David Gobel, co-founder and CEO of the foundation, articulated the dual importance of this research: enhancing health on Earth while also preparing for the challenges of future space exploration. The findings of this experiment could not only revolutionize healthcare practices on our home planet but also establish the groundwork for sustainable medical practices in space.

The anticipated launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled for no earlier than August 24, 2025. This mission will carry over 20 research initiatives sponsored by the ISS National Lab, expanding our understanding of health and nature's complexities in microgravity. As humanity strides towards new horizons in exploration, advancements such as this experiment will be crucial to sustaining life far beyond our planet.

To learn more about ISS National Lab-sponsored research and the upcoming missions, visit our website.