Magnetic levitational bioassembly of 3D tissue construct in space

Abstract

Magnetic levitational bioassembly of three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs represents a rapidly emerging scaffold- and label-free approach and alternative conceptual advance in tissue engineering. The magnetic bioassembler has been designed, developed, and certified for life space research. To the best of our knowledge, 3D tissue constructs have been biofabricated for the first time in space under microgravity from tissue spheroids consisting of human chondrocytes. Bioassembly and sequential tissue spheroid fusion presented a good agreement with developed predictive mathematical models and computer simulations. Tissue constructs demonstrated good viability and advanced stages of tissue spheroid fusion process. Thus, our data strongly suggest that scaffold-free formative biofabrication using magnetic fields is a feasible alternative to traditional scaffold-based approaches, hinting a new perspective avenue of research that could significantly advance tissue engineering. Magnetic levitational bioassembly in space can also advance space life science and space regenerative medicine.

Scaffold-free, Label-free, and Nozzle-free Magnetic Levitational Bioassembler for Rapid Formative Biofabrication of 3D Tissues and Organs

“…Second, we were able to perform label-free magnetic levitational bioassembly in the high magnetic field with significant (more than 100 times) reduction of paramagnetic gadolinium salts[ 24 ]. We also successfully performed a label-free magnetic levitational bioassembly at the microgravity conditions in space[ 25 ].…”

“…For the outer envelope, aluminum alloy D16-T was selected. Each pair of magnets ( Figure 2C ) was designed in such a way to form magnetic well in the center[ 25 ].…”

“… Schematic diagram of magnetic levitational bioassembly experiments at the Russian Orbital Segment (with permission from Science Advances)[ 25 ]. (A) The filling of the cuvettes and their delivery to International Space Station (ISS); (B) the scheme of experiment on ISS; (C) the transportation of the cuvettes from ISS to earth.…”

“…After a short incubation, the bioassembled 3D tissue constructs were fixed in formalin and delivered to the earth for subsequent histological investigation. The correspondent article has been accepted for publication[ 25 ].…”

Industry news: 2020 high-impact publications in the BDM area

“…Vladimir A. Mironov from the Laboratory for Biotechnological Research ‘3D Bioprinting Solutions’ and other researchers published an article entitled ‘Magnetic levitational bioassembly of 3D tissue construct in space [ 5 ]’ in Science Advances . In this research, 3D tissue constructs were biofabricated for the first time in space under microgravity from tissue spheroids consisting of human chondrocytes.…”