Manufacturing bone tissue in space destined for patients on Earth?

Abstract

Abstract Space exploration is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks ever undertaken since the existence of mankind. International Space Station (ISS) is a unique instrument for advanced technology research that is not possible anywhere else. Tissue engineering in a space environment where “turnoff” gravity can be done is the most emerging field with high-value targets. The microgravity conditions allow the designing of novel biomaterials that cannot be produced on Earth but benefit Earth. Developing and manufacturing a biomaterial to address a space-based challenge could lead to novel biomaterials that will bring important applications in clinical medicine on Earth and/or for long-duration space missions. Up to today, there are only a handful of emerging biomaterials that have been tested in space, none of which have been used for their eventual function. This work is reporting on advances in space technology via the 3D magnetic assembler approach to have furthered the development of synthetic bone tissue constructs on board the ISS Russia Segment during the expeditions 61/62 with clear evidence of their function in preclinical conditions on Earth. The results have demonstrated both high levels of osteoinductive and - conductivity as well as a ultimate rate of tissue regeneration of space bone grafts.