Scientists and space industry leaders are exploring the potential of 3D-printing biological tissues in microgravity, an advance that could one day assist patients in need of organ transplants. During an event in Abu Dhabi on October 24, Emirati astronaut Mohammad Al Mulla discussed the possibility of manufacturing organs such as hearts and knees in space, where the absence of gravity may allow for different structural formations than those possible on Earth.

Al Mulla emphasized that gravity plays a critical role in how materials are deposited layer by layer during 3D-printing on Earth. In microgravity, researchers could experiment with new ways of building biological materials, which may address the global shortage of donor organs including hearts, lungs, livers, and kidneys. While the technology is still in early stages, and no definite timeline exists for creating transplantable organs in space, Al Mulla expressed hope that space-based bioprinting could eventually produce tissues and organs needed by patients.

Research is already underway aboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA has conducted experiments involving the bioprinting of cartilage tissue and components of the human knee meniscus, aiming to understand whether microgravity can enhance the properties of biological materials. These investigations seek to determine if tissues produced in orbit could contribute to future medical treatments on Earth.

Former NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, now an adviser to the space company Vast, underscored the role of commercial space stations in advancing biological research. She noted that during her missions, manual experiments involving stem cells, DNA sequencing, and capillary flows were limited by the need for hands-on work, often allowing only small-scale, time-intensive studies. Williams suggested that automation in commercial stations could expand the scale and efficiency of biological experiments, enabling researchers to grow stem cells and organoids — simplified organ models derived from cells — more effectively in space.

Williams highlighted the unique challenges of conducting experiments in microgravity, where even basic tasks are complicated by floating objects and unpredictable fluid behavior. She recalled the use of Velcro and tethers to secure items and shared anecdotes such as an astronaut’s birthday cake being covered in peanut butter to stay attached to a plate.

The advancement of commercial stations is viewed as critical for moving beyond pilot experiments toward routine, scalable research with practical applications. Both Al Mulla and Williams stressed that while the promise of transplant-ready organs produced in space remains a long-term goal, the current focus is on foundational research that could lead to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine. Al Mulla, who has not yet traveled to space but has undergone extensive astronaut training, expressed anticipation for future missions that may contribute to this effort.