Did you know that when cultured in microgravity,
cells grow as 3D cell aggregates,
which better mirror the shape
and the environment cells experience in our bodies?
Here on Earth,
we have gravity,
and that means that sedimentation and convection effects
play a major role during cell culture.
In space, on the other hand,
these cells can also arrange themselves
in 3D structures such as spheres,
that better mirror the way cells organize themselves in the body.
With this better simulation
of in vivo-like conditions,
we can now better evaluate the causes,
state and progress of a large number of diseases.
We flew an experiment on-board the International Space Station
in 2016 called SPHEROIDS
With SPHEROIDS,
we found that indeed some cells had assembled
to globular 3D-agglomerates,
while others even formed tubular structures
similar to the inner lining of blood vessels in the body,
that is something we have never obtained
through cell culture in normal gravity.
Thanks to the experiment in space,
we were able to gain insights
into the cells' metabolic and molecular mechanisms
that regulate their 3D growth,
differentiation and structural configuration.
They also are helpful for the development of tissue engineering techniques
and possibly drugs
that mediate vessel development.
Endothelial dysfunctions promote several diseases,
among which atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and thrombosis.
Acquiring more knowledge about the changes
that space induces in those cells
gives us new perspectives into vessel function maintenance
and can lead to the development of new therapies
to prevent cardiovascular diseases on Earth.
Space is successfully contributing to
open innovative research opportunities.
SPHEROIDS is a concrete example of
how progress can be made in:
reconstructive surgery and tissue engineering
to replace damaged blood vessels in patients.
in cardivascular disease treatment,
through the development and testing of more efficient and safer drugs.
Now you know that space can
help further study cell cultures.
Do take advantage of the opportunities and capabilities
that are available for your research
and development to grow and extend
your achievements.
Do take the next step...
the step to space.
We did it already.