The National Science Foundation awarded a $399,685 project grant to the University of California Irvine under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) to develop innovative cartilage tissue engineering strategies utilizing the microgravity environment of the International Space Station. The objectives of the three-year award beginning September 1, 2022 include employing microgravity conditions to enhance key processes in earth-based cartilage tissue engineering such as redifferentiation of expanded chondrocytes and formation of scaffold-free self-assembled neocartilage. Comparing results from microgravity and earth experiments will provide insights into mechanisms of neocartilage formation and targets for stimulating neocartilage development. The work will contribute to producing biomimetic tissue-engineered cartilage implants to benefit millions suffering from cartilage afflictions. Broader impacts include training underrepresented scientists and developing outreach activities to inspire students' interest in space-based tissue engineering.
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