Cosmonauts of the Russian segment of the ISS will test the technology for creating tubular organs, which include blood vessels, stomach, intestines, and ureters, in March 2024. This involves the use of the 3D bioprinter "Organ.Avt".
Previously, cartilage, pancreas, and bone tissues were created in Earth's orbit. Now, scientists plan to move to the next level and print tubular organs.
How "Organ.Avt" is designed
The 3D bioprinter forces cells to fuse under the influence of a magnetic field. Tissue spheroids are used as the material, containing from a thousand to 30,000 cells.
Printing - on the ISS, organ testing - on Earth
Cells and a special plate that "remembers" the shape of the tubular organ will be sent to the ISS. The "printing" technology will be tested in space, and its result will return to Earth for further research.
Technologies for creating human organs are actively developing in Russia. At the Bashkir State Medical University, they have begun to grow skin, cornea, and cartilage. And at the Moscow State Medical University, they are printing a skin equivalent - tissue from living cells.
