Abstract

Stem Cells in Space

Abba Zubair, Medical Director Transfusion Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy, Mayo Clinic

The use of cells to repair and regenerate tissues and organs in medical practice is growing. Currently, these cells are grown and expanded in two-dimensional tissue (2D) culture medium. This is not a natural condition for cell growth since cells grow in three-dimensional (3D) medium tethered in multiple dimensions by connective tissue and adhesion molecules inside the body. Therefore, growing stem cells at the international space station under microgravity environment will provide a more natural condition for stem cell expansion and organ development.   We therefore hypothesized that lack of gravity will create a 3D suspense, mimicking the natural growth condition in the body that facilitates cell growth and expansion. We evaluated the stem cell capacity to grow and regenerate into other tissues in space compared to earth control and the safety of the cells to be used in humans.