{"id":199792,"date":"2025-11-25T18:33:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T18:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/199792\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T18:33:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T18:33:14","slug":"texas-am-uses-3d-bioprinting-to-study-lung-cells-in-extreme-flight-conditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/199792\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas A&M Uses 3D Bioprinting to Study Lung Cells in Extreme Flight Conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flying at high altitudes or traveling in space exposes the human body to extreme changes in pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels\u2014environments that traditional cell cultures fail to mimic. Scientists at Texas A&M University<\/a> have developed a 3D bioprinting method to study these effects.<\/p>\n

The initiative, led by Dr. Zhijian \u201cZJ\u201d Pei from the College of Engineering in collaboration with Dr. Hongmin Qin from the College of Arts and Sciences\u2014and funded by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research<\/a>\u2014aims to enhance aviation and spaceflight safety while accelerating research into respiratory illnesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy investigating how 3D bioprinted samples embedded with lung cells respond to physical stress, we\u2019re advancing the fundamental principles of the effects of extreme environments on human biological systems,\u201d said Dr. Zhijian \u201cZJ\u201d Pei, Professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering.<\/p>\n

\"\"Model under extreme conditions using 3D bioprinting. Photo via Getty Images.<\/p>\n

Engineering Realistic Lung Models<\/strong><\/p>\n

The researchers\u2019 method combines precision with innovation. Gel-like bioinks containing living cells are loaded into cartridges and printed layer by layer, creating 3D samples that more accurately reflect how human cells behave under stress compared with traditional 2D cultures. \u201cWith our 3D approach, we can closely mimic native tissue and their microenvironments, enabling accurate studies of viability, proliferation and stress responses,\u201d said Dr. Hongmin Qin, Professor of Biology.<\/p>\n

Exposure to extreme conditions can take a serious toll on human health. For instance, pilots and astronauts risk fluid buildup in the lungs, heat-induced strokes, tissue damage, or organ failure during rapid changes in pressure or temperature. \u201cOur findings shed light on how lung cells respond to physiological and mechanical stressors, including variations in pressure and temperature,\u201d Qin said. \u201cPotential applications could enhance safety protocols for pilots and astronauts in low-orbit conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Heat takes a toll: fluorescence images reveal that as the 3D bioprinted samples are exposed to higher temperatures, their stress levels rise and their survival is reduced. Image via Texas A&M.<\/p>\n

Precision and Optimization in Aerospace\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creating realistic 3D bioprinted tissues requires a delicate balance between precision and cell survival. \u201cEven small adjustments in the bioprinting process can dramatically affect cell viability and proliferation,\u201d Qin explained.<\/p>\n

Studies published in Biomimetics and Bioengineering<\/a> showed that higher extrusion pressures during printing and elevated temperatures up to 55\u00b0C increased oxidative stress and cell death, underscoring the importance of precise techniques. To optimize results, the team developed a 4:1 collagen-to-alginate bioink mixture that maintained an impressive 85% cell viability over six days. \u201cDefining the right bioprinting parameters allows us to replicate realistic conditions while preserving cell function,\u201d Pei said.<\/p>\n

Beyond aerospace applications, the 3D bioprinting approach provides a more accurate model for studying respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which could accelerate drug discovery. \u201cOur long-term goal is to develop engineered lung tissues in a controlled laboratory setting, providing a more realistic model for research than traditional 2D cell cultures,\u201d Qin said.<\/p>\n

3D Printing in Space<\/strong><\/p>\n

In recent years, AM companies, academic teams, and commercial organizations have been testing 3D printing technologies in microgravity environments.<\/p>\n

In 2023, Redwire<\/a> successfully bioprinted a human knee<\/a> meniscus on the ISS using the BioFabrication Facility. The printed meniscus was later returned to Earth aboard SpaceX<\/a>\u2019s Crew-6 mission for detailed analysis. After printing, the meniscus was cultured on the ISS for 14 days within Redwire\u2019s Advanced Space Experiment Processor (ADSEP). NASA<\/a> astronauts Frank Rubio, Warren Hoburg, and Stephen Bowen collaborated with UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi to carry out the experiment. This milestone is expected to advance treatments for meniscal injuries in space, a frequent issue for U.S. service members.<\/p>\n

\"SpaceX'sSpaceX\u2019s Falcon 9 Rocket, which will carry ISS National Lab-sponsored research to the International Space Station. Photo via NASA.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, five Belgian companies and research institutions\u2014Space Application Services<\/a>, SCK CEN<\/a>, QbD Group<\/a>, BIO INX<\/a> and Antleron<\/a>\u2014 joined forces to 3D print an artificial heart and circulatory system, planned for launch to the ISS in 2025. Part of the AstroCardia<\/a> project, the team aims to study how the heart ages in orbit, where organ ageing occurs up to 20 times faster due to zero-gravity conditions.<\/p>\n

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Featured image shows\u00a0Heat takes a toll: fluorescence images reveal that as the 3D bioprinted samples are exposed to higher temperatures, their stress levels rise and their survival is reduced. Image via Texas A&M.<\/p>\n

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