Zhuo Xiong, Professor, Deparment of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, China. Dr. Xiong served as a full-time faculty in Tsinghua University from 2001 to 2010 and was promoted to Full Professor in 2010 in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in Tsinghua University. Since 2020, he has been employed back to Tsinghua University as a Professor. Dr. Xiong’s research has been on Biofabrication, 3D Bio-printing, Tissue Engineering, and 3D Cell Printing. He established his research from 3D printing to 3D bio-printing and is one of the pioneers in Biofabrication in developing low-temperature deposition manufacturing technology in 2001. Dr. Xiong has developed a variety of cell printing processes. In addition, he has also conducted a fundamental research on design and fabrication of biomimetic osteochondral and myocardial tissue constructs in vitro and in vivo. Dr. Xiong has received 7 research grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). He has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal papers, 30 authorized patents, with more than 3500 citations.

Topic title: Satellite-Based On-Orbit Printing of 3D Tumor Models

Abstract:

Space three dimension (3D） bioprinting provides a precise and bionic tumor model for evaluating the compound effect of the space environment on tumors, thereby providing insight into the progress of the disease and potential treatments. However, space 3D bioprinting faces several challenges, including prelaunch uncertainty, possible liquid leakage, long-term culture in space, automatic equipment control, data acquisition, and transmission. Here, a novel satellite-based 3D bioprinting device with high structural strength, small volume, and low weight (<6 kg) is developed. A microgel-based biphasic thermosensitive bioink and suspension medium that supports the on-orbit printing and in situ culture of complex tumor models is developed. An intelligent control algorithm that enables the automatic control of 3D printing, autofocusing, fluorescence imaging, and data transfer back to the ground is developed. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that on-orbit printing of tumor models is achieved in space with stable morphology and moderate viability via a satellite. It is found that 3D tumor models are more sensitive to antitumor drugs in space than on Earth. This study opens up a new avenue for 3D bioprinting in space and offers new possibilities for future research in space life science and medicine.