Auxilium Microfabrication Platform Cartridge Modification

In November 2024, the Auxilium Microfabrication Platform (AMP-1) was installed on the International Space Station (ISS) and successfully printed clinical-grade implantable medical devices for peripheral nerve injuries. The AMP-1 overcomes the limitations of conventional bioprinting technologies. It offers fast print speeds (up to 1 mm/min), high resolution (1–5 micron pixel size), a fully enclosed sterile print chamber, and the ability to print a wide range of materials for various biological applications. Our technical objectives for the proposed project are to modify the AMP-1 bioprinter cartridge to accommodate cell-printing in a microgravity environment (aboard the ISS). The cartridge has demonstrated its ability to print biocompatible materials and we propose design refinements that will enable the inclusion of cells within the cartridge, while still keeping astronaut involvement at minimum. Specifically, we plan to enhance the existing cartridge by adding fluid inlet and outlet ports to the exterior of the cartridge that connect to the interior of the print chamber via standard fluidic connections and tubing. The exterior ports will be Luer lock connections, allowing the astronaut to connect a syringe and inject a cell/biomaterial bioink directly into the cartridge without opening it. The proposed project aims to modify the design of the AMP-1 bioprinter cartridge to allow stem cells cultured in space to be loaded directly for in-space printing, rather than being pre-loaded on Earth and launched as part of the payload. The global organ transplantation market was estimated at approximately $8.9 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $17.2 billion by 2030. The significance of this project lies in the capability to enable precise 3D-printing of cells in specific locations using our established AMP-1 facility aboard the International Space Station. Our approach will optimize the manufacturing process of functional organs, aiming to improve patients' lives.