Bones from the future
An artificial skeleton fragment was grown on the ISS
Alexander Bulanov, Izvestia
For the first time, Russian scientists have managed to grow fragments of bone structure in space in zero gravity. During the experiments on the ISS, tissue samples were made from calcium phosphate ceramics, which were populated with living cells. Currently, they are being comprehensively studied on Earth. In the future, the technology will allow the creation of bone implants for transplantation to astronauts on long-distance interplanetary expeditions.
Orbital Ceramics
During manned flights to Mars or work on a lunar base, astronauts will be isolated for a long time. In such conditions, it is problematic to provide them with specialized medical care. According to experts, it is necessary to create new means of space medicine, including for the formation of body tissues in zero gravity. In the future, they can be transplanted to astronauts if they get sick or get injured.
Russian scientists have come close to solving this problem in relation to skeletal bones by conducting relevant experiments on the ISS.
– In the study, we use biocompatible materials based on calcium-phosphate ceramics, which in their composition are almost identical to the inorganic component of real bone – it consists of a similar set of substances, – said Vladimir Komlev, Director of the A.A. Baykov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences. – The unique properties of the development are achieved due to the self–organization of the material at physiological temperatures (close to 36.6 ° C. - Izvestia).
Currently, scientists have managed to solve the complex problem of material processing with the help of biofacturing technologies, which imply the artificial creation of biological objects. Its first batch was launched to the ISS on August 22, 2019 – the astronauts used the Organ bioprinter during the experiment.Auth", which allows 3D assembly of fabric structures.
The innovative device uses the technology of magnetic levitation in zero gravity, in which the object is created not in layers, as in conventional 3D printers, but from all sides at once - on the principle of modeling a snowball.
– With the help of this method of production, the astronauts managed to form a fragment of spheroidal bone tissue from ceramic particles. After that, the fragments began to interact with each other, forming stable chemical bonds," explained Vladimir Komlev. – Then, living bone-forming cells were evenly distributed over the surface of the spheroid, which later formed a tissue-engineering structure.
On October 2, 2019, the samples successfully reached the Earth on a descent vehicle, preserving their integrity and properties. Currently, they are being studied in detail by scientists.
NUST MISIS confirmed the relevance of the technology for the production of medical devices.
– The material used by scientists has a high biological activity, which in the future will allow the creation of bone tissue in a minimum period of time, – explained researcher at NUST MISIS Fedor Senatov. – However, compared with plastic and metal analogues, ceramics is a more fragile base, the use of which in some cases may require additional strengthening of the implant.
Geometry of sound
Experiments on growing tissues in orbit will continue. It is planned to add stem cells with human DNA to the ceramic composition – with their help, the structure will carry the bioinformation of the patient, which will improve the survival of implants in the body. In addition, scientists plan to gradually complicate the shape of the grown bones, bringing it closer to the characteristics of the biological original.
"Subsequently, we are going to complicate the geometry of the products being created, for which we will add sound radiation to the basic effect of the printer, which will work together with magnetic waves," said Yusef Hesuani, co–founder and managing partner of 3D Bioprinting Solutions. – This will allow you to create tubular and branching objects that will correspond in shape to human bones and vessels.
Experts also noted the scientific value of the experiment.
– The printing of bone tissue from ceramic particles together with biomaterials in zero gravity was carried out for the first time in the world, – said Fedor Senatov. – Thus, during the study of the resulting samples, significant fundamental discoveries can be made that will affect the development of additive manufacturing in general.
In the future, the new technology will allow to grow bone implants for astronauts and carry out operations for their transplantation without having to return to Earth.
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