Title : AI-integrated high-throughput tissue-chip for space-based biomanufacturing applications
Abstract:
Predicting human drug responses from animal studies remains a persistent challenge in pharmaceutical development. Despite extensive optimization of preclinical protocols, fewer than 10% of drug candidates entering clinical trials ultimately receive approval, with failures frequently attributed to toxicities or efficacy gaps that animal models failed to anticipate. Acknowledging these limitations, the United States Congress passed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 in December 2022, eliminating the longstanding requirement that investigational drugs undergo animal testing before human trials. The revised statute permits researchers to submit data from cell-based assays, computational models, or microphysiological systems--a regulatory change that has intensified interest in organ-on-chip technology. Bioprinting in space creates unique opportunities because of the microgravity environment. On Earth, gravitational forces often cause printed biological structures to collapse, requiring support materials. In space, however, the absence of gravity allows for the creation of more complex and stable three-dimensional tissues without external scaffolds. This capability is essential for producing advanced tissues and organs that closely resemble natural biological structures. It could enable astronauts on long-duration missions to bioprint tissues or organs on demand—for wound healing, organ replacement, or even studying disease progression in microgravity. This technology is not only vital for astronaut safety but also holds tremendous promise for the future of medical science on Earth. Research on tissue regeneration and disease modeling conducted in space may accelerate the development of new therapies. The integration of digital twin technology with space-based bioprinting in a microfluidic-based organ-on-a-chip system is becoming a foundational element for deep-space exploration, enabling autonomous medical care and essential life-support capabilities far from Earth. Digital twin, virtual replicas of physical system, allows researchers to simulate and optimize the complex processes of bioprinting in microgravity. Without gravity, delicate and highly intricate soft tissues can be printed that would otherwise collapse under their own weight on Earth. Machine learning approaches could accelerate optimization of bioink formulations and process parameters for microgravity conditions, reducing dependence on iterative orbital experimentation. By combining real-time data from orbiting bioprinters, engineers on the ground can use AI-driven optimization to adjust printing parameters, predict potential failures, and validate tissue quality without extensive physical testing. Commercial space stations currently under development may eventually provide dedicated biomanufacturing capacity beyond what ISS shared laboratory modules permit. This presentation will address how AI is poised to unlock transformative personalized medicine through the convergence of generative AI and 3D bioprinting in microgravity environment.
