Human Muscle Tissue 3D Printed in Microgravity by ETH Zurich Researchers
Published in Bioprinting.
Researchers at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. (ETH Zurich) have successfully 3D printed human muscle tissue in microgravity during parabolic flight experiments, marking a milestone in space-based biofabrication. The study aims to enhance disease modeling and drug development by recreating human tissues under gravity-free conditions that more accurately reflect the body’s natural architecture.
The research team led by Parth Chansoria used parabolic flights to simulate the microgravity of space. Image via ETH Zurich.
G-FLight: ETH Zurich’s Gravity-Independent Printing System
As astronauts travel into space, their bodies undergo significant physical deterioration in the absence of gravity. To better understand and mitigate these effects, researchers are developing realistic biological models that replicate how human tissue behaves in microgravity.
To achieve this, the team developed an advanced biofabrication system called G-FLight (Gravity-independent Filamented Light), which enables the rapid production of viable muscle constructs—within seconds—even in microgravity. Using a specially formulated bio-resin, the researchers conducted 3D printing during the weightless phases of 30 parabolic flight cycles. The resulting muscle tissue showed comparable cell viability and fiber density to samples printed under normal gravity. The process also allows for long-term storage of cell-loaded bio-resins, a key advantage for future in-orbit manufacturing.