PFI-RP: advanced cryopreservation of complex bioengineered tissues

The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) received a $550,000 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) to develop an advanced cryopreservation system for complex bioengineered tissues. The project aims to determine the thermodynamic and biological parameters needed for isochoric supercooling cryopreservation of three-dimensional tissues within a microgravity-optimized bioreactor. The goal is to create a commercial-ready tissue engineering platform with cryopreservation capabilities to generate, store, and transport living complex tissues between low-Earth orbit and Earth. This work reflects NSF's mission to advance science and engineering innovation leading to breakthrough technologies and solutions to national challenges. The performance period is from March 15, 2023 through February 28, 2026.

Abstract

The broader impact/commercial potential of this partnerships for innovation ? Research partnership (PFI-RP) project is far-reaching for both the commercial space industry and the biomedical industry. The proposed product addresses a critical technological GAP and bottleneck in complex three-dimensional (3D) tissue biomanufacturing on earth and in low-earth orbit. The proposed technology, which combines a microgravity-optimized culture vessel with advanced cryopreservation capabilities, would be transformative for the in-space biomanufacturing community and open a broad range of on-earth biomedical applications for space-made biologics. The innovation may accelerate the establishment of a new space-based biomedical industry and motivate further innovation to develop self-sustaining and fully automated biosatellites to produce space-made biologics for earth health benefits. This project represents a training opportunity for the affiliated graduate students to gain hands-on, real-world, biotechnology entrepreneurial experience. The proposed project is based on the proposed integration of two cutting-edge technologies: microgravity-facilitated tissue self-assembly and isochoric supercooling tissue preservation. This project, if successful, will determine the thermodynamic and biological parameters that will enable isochoric supercooling cryopreservation of complex 3D bioengineered tissues within a microgravity-optimized tissue culture bioreactor. The goal is to develop a commercialization-ready tissue engineering system with advanced cryopreservation capabilities that can generate, store, and transport living, complex, 3D bioengineered tissues between low-earth orbit and earth. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.