UCSF Department of Surgery
October 18, 2024
Pioneering space research leverages microgravity for tissue engineering breakthroughs
Key Takeaways
- Microgravity Innovation: The unique conditions of low Earth orbit help to self-assemble human liver tissues with enhanced functionality, compared to Earth-based methods.
- Advanced Tissue Preservation: The project includes developing a bioreactor for the stable supercooling preservation of tissues, a critical step toward transporting viable tissues back to Earth.
- Clinical Implications: This research could lead to novel stem cell-derived liver tissues, providing an alternative to traditional liver transplants.