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Growing new organs from stem cells out in the space

Gravity on earth spatially restricts growth of stem cells into actual 3D organs

10-Mar-2020

Key points from article :

Scientists are attempting to grow stem cells in to organs in the International Space Station.

On Earth stem cells tend to grow into single layered structures due to effect of gravity.

Goal is to use absence of gravity as a tool to support 3D growth of stem cells into tissue.

Astronauts on board the International Space Station are the ones conducting these experiments.

They are doing it inside a “mobile mini-laboratory” that was sent on a SpaceX rocket last week.

Will get the samples back and expect to see successful formation of ''organoids'' after a month.

Mentioned in this article:

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Cora Thiel

Researcher at University of Zurich

International Space Station (ISS)

NASA Space station / Laboratory

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Oliver Ullrich

Professor of Anatomy, Gravitational Biology and Cell Biomechanics, Space Biotechnology, and Space Medicine

SpaceX

Aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company.

University of Zurich

Public Research university.

Topics mentioned on this page:
Regenerative Medicine