Development and characterization of a low intensity vibrational system for microgravity studies

Omor M Khan; Will Gasperini; Chess Necessary; Zach Jacobs; Sam Perry; Jason Rexroat; Kendall Nelson; Paul Gamble; Twyman Clements; Maximilien DeLeon; Sean Howard; Anamaria Zavala; Mary Farach-Carson; Elizabeth Blaber; Danielle Wu; Aykut Satici; Gunes Uzer

doi:10.1038/s41526-024-00444-x

Development and characterization of a low intensity vibrational system for microgravity studies

NPJ Microgravity. 2024 Nov 20;10(1):107. doi: 10.1038/s41526-024-00444-x.

Authors

Omor M Khan¹, Will Gasperini¹, Chess Necessary², Zach Jacobs², Sam Perry², Jason Rexroat², Kendall Nelson², Paul Gamble², Twyman Clements², Maximilien DeLeon³, Sean Howard¹, Anamaria Zavala¹, Mary Farach-Carson³, Elizabeth Blaber⁴, Danielle Wu³, Aykut Satici⁵, Gunes Uzer⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID, 83725, USA.
² Space Tango Inc, 611 Winchester, Lexington, KY, 40505, USA.
³ Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA.
⁴ Center for Biotechnology and Rd. Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
⁵ Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID, 83725, USA. aykutsatici@boisestate.edu.
⁶ Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Boise State University, Boise, ID, 83725, USA. gunesuzer@boisestate.edu.

Abstract

Extended-duration human spaceflight necessitates a better understanding of the physiological impacts of microgravity. While the ground-based microgravity simulations identified low intensity vibration (LIV) as a possible countermeasure, how cells may respond to LIV under real microgravity remain unexplored. In this way, adaptation of LIV bioreactors for space remains limited, resulting in a significant gap in microgravity research. In this study, we introduce an LIV bioreactor designed specifically for the usage in the International Space Station. Our research covers the bioreactor's design process and evaluation of the short-term viability of cells encapsulated in hydrogel-laden 3D printed scaffolds under 0.7 g, 90 Hz LIV. An LIV bioreactor compatible with the operation requirements of space missions provides a robust platform to study cellular effects of LIV under real microgravity conditions.

Abstract

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