Astronauts usually wear heavy protective clothing when performing missions in the harsh space environment to avoid all kinds of injuries as much as possible, but once injured, it becomes very tricky. After all, there is no doctor in space to help.A research team from the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) has recently developed a3D bioprintingWays to allow astronauts to use available resources to create new skin and bone tissue.
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Astronauts who want to live on the International Space Station (ISS) need to overcome many difficulties. Being in a state of weightlessness for a long time will make the human body’s various systems unable to work normally, such as blood can’t flow smoothly, muscle atrophy, bone mass reduction, and more likely to fracture. etc.The research team tried to use3D printingTechnology to improve this situation can help astronauts print skin and bones in the space environment.
3D printingTechnology can create skin and bones” alt=”What if an astronaut is injured in space?new3D printingTechnology can create skin and bones” />
However, there are two major obstacles to this idea: one is that it is difficult to purchase the “biological ink” needed for printing in space; the second is that the liquid ink does not stay where it is needed in a weightless environment. In order to solve the first problem, the TUD team suggested that astronauts themselves can be the source of these bio-inks. Plasma from blood can be used to make skin cells, and stem cells can become bones.
3D printingTechnology can create skin and bones” alt=”What if an astronaut is injured in space?new3D printingTechnology can create skin and bones” />
Project team member Nieves Cubo said: “Skin cells can be bioprinted using human plasma as a nutrient-rich’biological ink’-easily obtained from astronauts. The production of bone samples involves printing human stem cells with a similar bio-ink composition. , Adding calcium phosphate bone cement as a structural support material, which is then absorbed during the growth period.”
3D printingTechnology can create skin and bones” alt=”What if an astronaut is injured in space?new3D printingTechnology can create skin and bones” />
The second problem is the weightless environment. The scientific research team solved this problem by changing the viscosity of the plasma-derived bio-ink. The researchers added methyl cellulose and alginate to the mixture, which increased the viscosity of the ink and made it impossible to run anywhere. These ingredients can come from plants and algae, which may be easier for astronauts traveling long distances to find.
3D printingTechnology can create skin and bones” alt=”What if an astronaut is injured in space?new3D printingTechnology can create skin and bones” />
Although we cannot artificially reconstruct the same weightless environment on Earth as in space, the team said that the new bio-ink will not overflow due to running upside down. This means that the arm is pointing upwards, drawing the shape below the surface. Cubo said: “3D bioprintingFunction will let[宇航员]Respond to medical emergencies. For example, in the case of burns, brand new skin can be bioprinted instead of being grafted from other parts of the astronaut’s body, causing secondary damage. “
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