As NASA reports, on December 21, a portable bioprinter was sent to the ISS, which prints patches from human cells directly onto the body. The submitted prototype contains a two-component test ink, so far no human cells. Tests with the original ink took place only on Earth. Before sending them into orbit, it is necessary to check how the device will work in space and how the structure of the printed material will change under the influence of microgravity.
The prototype bioprinter consists of a dispenser in a pen, a print head, support wheels and an ink cartridge. To demonstrate its work in experiments, the body is first covered with a special material, after which a bioprinter passes through the selected area. On average, the patch takes about ten minutes to print.
In the description of the project, it is indicated that printing requires a person's own cells, previously taken from blood or adipose tissue. This personalization reduces the likelihood of rejection of the material by the immune system, which "allows for safe regenerative and personalized therapy." In addition, the size of the patch can be adjusted depending on the area of the lesion, and the bioprinter itself is mobile enough so that it can be urgently sent to almost any place.
During an interview with the Russian edition of TASS, acting Bob Dempsey, deputy director of the US research program aboard the International Space Station, said:
“In the current version [of the bioprinter], human cells are not used, but in the future we expect that using astronaut cells, this device will print something like a patch. Thus, if an astronaut is injured in space, tissue from this 3D bioprinter can be applied to the wound to allow it to heal as quickly as possible. It will be very convenient, for example, for flights to Mars, where there will be no hospitals nearby. "
At the moment, before sending the astronauts, materials for the printer will have to be prepared before departure. In this case, the device still needs to pass tests on the ISS. As the authors point out, when printing in space, the properties of the final material can change significantly due to the difference in conditions. The patches printed in microgravity will be analyzed and compared with samples made on Earth, after which experiments will continue.
The portable bioprinter is planned to be used in long-term space missions to the Moon and Mars to improve the quality of medical care. At the same time, scientists do not exclude the possibility of developing models for use on Earth.
bbabo.Net