3D Bioprinting in Microgravity: Opportunities, Challenges, and Possible Applications in Space

Angelique Van Ombergen, Franziska Chalupa-Gantner, Parth Chansoria, Bianca Maria Colosimo, Marco Costantini, Marco Domingos, Alexandre Dufour, Carmelo De Maria, Jürgen Groll, Tomasz Jungst, Riccardo Levato, Jos Malda, Alessandro Margarita, Christophe Marquette, Aleksandr Ovsianikov, Emma Petiot, Sophia Read, Leonardo Surdo, Wojciech Swieszkowski, Giovanni VozziJohannes Windisch, Marcy Zenobi-Wong, Michael Gelinsky*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

3D bioprinting has developed tremendously in the last couple of years and enables the fabrication of simple, as well as complex, tissue models. The international space agencies have recognized the unique opportunities of these technologies for manufacturing cell and tissue models for basic research in space, in particular for investigating the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation on different types of human tissues. In addition, bioprinting is capable of producing clinically applicable tissue grafts, and its implementation in space therefore can support the autonomous medical treatment options for astronauts in future long term and far-distant space missions. The article discusses opportunities but also challenges of operating different types of bioprinters under space conditions, mainly in microgravity. While some process steps, most of which involving the handling of liquids, are challenging under microgravity, this environment can help overcome problems such as cell sedimentation in low viscous bioinks. Hopefully, this publication will motivate more researchers to engage in the topic, with publicly available bioprinting opportunities becoming available at the International Space Station (ISS) in the imminent future.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2300443
Pages (from-to)1-19
Number of pages19
JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials
Volume12
Issue number23
Early online date23 Jun 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Sept 2023

Keywords

  • additive manufacturing
  • biofabrication
  • low Earth orbit – LEO
  • space

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