Bioprinted skin and bones for astronauts

The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently working on a process for bioprinting human tissues from cells to better treat astronauts on mission to Mars – who have left for years of travel. In collaboration with the Dresden University of Technology Hospital and Blue Horizon, the teams have developed the first bioprinted skin and bone samples. The process has been done backwards to see if it could work in an environment where gravitation is completely different: the first results are apparently conclusive, good news for astronauts!

Research in bioprinting in space is not new; already on board the International Space Station, researchers are interested in the development of cancer cells and are using bioprinting to develop different models. ESA is looking at the care provided to astronauts on mission: it seeks to provide them with effective remedies, without any intervention from the Earth. The scientists in charge of the project have used plasma as bioink to develop the first samples.

A bioprinted skin sample | Photo credits: ESA – SJM Photography

According to Nieves Cubo of the University of Dresden, blood plasma acts as a nutrient-rich biological ink, a liquid component that could be collected directly from the astronaut in question. The problem is that plasma has a very fluid consistency with which it is difficult to work, especially in weightlessness. To meet this challenge, the researchers have added methylcellulose and alginate to increase the viscosity of the final biological ink. These two agents are found in plants and algae and can be easily transported in space.