3D Printing of Ultra-fideLity tissues using Space for anti-ageing solutions on Earth

Introduction

Bioprinting in Space is one of the novel promising and perspective research directions in the rapidly emerging field of biofabrication. There are several advantages of bioprinting in Space.

Advantages of Bioprinting in Space

1. Microgravity Conditions: Under the conditions of microgravity, it is possible to bioprint constructs employing more fluidic channels and, thus, more biocompatible bio-inks.

2. Complex Geometries: Microgravity conditions enable 3D bioprinting of tissue and organ constructs of more complex geometries with voids, cavities, and tunnels.

3. Innovative Technology: A novel scaffold-free, label-free, and nozzle-free technology based on multi-levitation principles can be implemented under the condition of microgravity.

Requirements for Space Bioprinters

The ideal Space bioprinters must be:

• Safe
• Automated
• Compact
• User-friendly

Thus, there are no doubts that systematic exploration of 3D bioprinting in Space will advance biofabrication and bioprinting technology per se.

Applications of 3D Bioprinted Tissues

Vice versa, 3D bioprinted tissues could be used to study pathophysiological biological phenomena when exposed to microgravity and cosmic radiation. This knowledge will be useful on Earth to understand the aging conditioning of tissues and in space for the crew of deep space manned missions.

Project Goals

In PULSE, we aim at developing a radical new bioprinting technology based on multiple levitation principles and to use Space as an accelerator of aging on Earth.

Proof of Concept Study

As a proof of concept study, we will use this newly developed bioprinting technology to create cardiac 3D in vitro models able to better mimic cardiac physiology compared to organoids. We will use such models to study cardiac aging and test the efficacy of anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidative drugs with anti-aging potential.