Greiner Bio-One North America, Inc. and Nano3D Biosciences, Inc. are collaborating with
University of Colorado and BioServe Space Technologies to broach a new frontier in the
biotechnology industry by adapting their products to perform 3D cell culture applications in a
microgravity environment. This work is being sponsored by Center for Advancement of
In space, cell cultures spontaneously grow in three dimensions but in microgravity, routine
manipulation of cell cultures is challenging. On earth, Nano3D Biosciences, Inc. uses
magnetized cells, along with high-throughput Cell-Repellent Microplates from Greiner Bio-
One to overcome many of the practical challenge of culturing cells in 3D to improve the
reproducibility of experiments. This innovative system works together to assist physical
manipulation of the growing cultures provides advantages to enhance experimental
outcomes and facilitate the development of throughput systems for conducting high volume
cell culture work at the International Space Station (ISS).
The Experiment
Magnetic Bioprinting technology created by Nano3D Biosciences, Inc. has been adapted to
a wide range of applications. Here, it is applied to facilitate the handling of cells and cultures
in a microgravity environment with the goal of improving the reproducibility of experiments
performed at the International Space Station (ISS). The key objective for this project is to
validate magnetic cell culturing and bioprinting as a universal platform for two-dimensional
(2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture in space.
This experiment will begin in March of 2017 and will conclude in September of 2017 having
provided an opportunity for major advancements in understanding the proper steps to
accurately work in a 3D cell culture environment in space.
