About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T25: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Manufacturing in Low Earth Orbit (and Beyond)
|
| Presentation Title |
Beyond microgravity: considering other biomechanical features of organoids and tissue models for in-space biomedicine and biomanufacturing |
| Author(s) |
Meenal Datta |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Meenal Datta |
| Abstract Scope |
Biological systems are shaped by biomechanical properties and forces, yet conventional models (e.g., organoids and 3-D tissues) often overlook key factors such as tissue viscoelasticity and fluid/solid forces. Our lab uses multi-modal biomechanical models to investigate how immune cells modulate and respond to mechanical cues in aggressive cancers such as glioblastoma. We have begun using microgravity environments to further to isolate and study the impact of these mechanical forces without the confounding effects of gravity. I will share findings from our cancer-immune organoids grown on the International Space Station (ISS) vs ground controls, as well as translational insights into how mechanoceuticals can improve therapeutic outcomes. I will describe our upcoming microgravity experiments to further interrogate biomechanics (e.g., for cell manufacturing) and provide frameworks for others to explore these neglected mechanical effects – which could have major impacts on biomanufacturing and biomedical efforts in space – in their own model systems. |