Out of this world: Liver tissue from space may transform traditional transplants [Video]

A team of US researchers is pioneering the self-assembly of human liver tissues in low-Earth orbit (LEO) — the area of space below an altitude of around 1,931 kms — which could lead to novel stem cell-derived liver tissues, providing an alternative to traditional liver transplants.

The “out-of-this-world” project has the potential to transform the future of tissue engineering and liver transplantation through innovative research conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Led by Tammy T Chang, a professor of surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, the process could significantly enhance the development of complex tissues for medical use on Earth.

“Our goal is to develop robust preservation techniques that allow us to bring functional tissues back to Earth, where they can be used for a range of biomedical applications, including disease modeling, drug testing and eventually, therapeutic implantation,” Dr Chang said.

The method leverages the unique environment of microgravity to address …