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Parfenov, et al.
(inorganic components of the bone matrix, 6. Magnetic bioassembler is very easy to operate.
drugs, enzymes, hormones, etc.) placed in an Russian cosmonauts have been trained on how
inhomogeneous magnetic field with a high tension to use bioassembler on the earth, and then
gradient. Thus, preliminary findings showed the they performed planned experiments in space
unique capabilities of the magnetic fields used without any technical problems.
in the magnetic bioassembler “Organ.Aut” to 7. Magnetic bioassembler could be optimized
induce faster recrystallization of synthetic calcium either by increasing its complexity (e.g.,
phosphates compared to traditional methods of complete automation) or simplification (e.g.,
inorganic synthesis, making it possible to obtain reduction of bioassembler size and number of
promising materials for bone grafting with high its chambers).
efficiency. Another area of research may be the 8. Magnetic bioassembler has batteries. It is
assembly of 3D structures from bacteria in a an autonomous device that does not need an
magnetic field. Such conglomerates, otherwise external power supply.
called “bacterial biofilms,” are characterized by 9. Trained personnel are not required for the
the ability to create or simulate volumetric living maintenance of magnetic bioassembler.
conditions under which bacterial cells exhibit 10. Magnetic bioassembler is commercially
different growth and synthetic activity compared available, and it could serve as affordable
to cultivation on flat surfaces. instrumentation for performing magnetic
levitational bioassembly in space.
7 Features and functionalities of magnetic
bioassembler 8 Magnetic levitational bioassembly in
microgravity in space
Undeniably, our original magnetic levitational
bioassembler has some unique advantages, which To perform the magnetic levitational bioassembly
are outlined and emphasized in the following: experiments under the condition of microgravity
1. Magnetic bioassembler has a relatively small in space at The Russian Orbital Segment, three
size, and it is not very heavy; therefore, it is main steps have to be followed: (i) Delivering
compact, transportable, and space-saving. bioassembler and tissue spheroids in the
2. Magnetic bioassembler is safe. It has three thermo-reversible hydrogel to the space station;
contours of defense for its chambers, and it has (ii) performing the actual magnetic levitational
the necessary certification for use on the ISS. bioassembly experiments at the ISS; and
3. Magnetic bioassembler has six chambers (iii) fixing biofabricated 3D tissue constructs in
that allow multiple experiments to be run space and delivering fixed specimen to the earth
simultaneously; this may help with the for sequential histological analysis (Figure 4).
generation of statistically sound experimental The logistics of space experiments involving
data. living cells and tissue are hugely complex and
4. Magnetic bioassembler has a video camera challenging. Getting official permission to
that assists experiment monitoring in real-time perform operations on the ISS needs tremendous
from long distance. efforts and an unbelievable amount of paperwork.
5. Magnetic bioassembler has a robust and The certification of magnetic bioassembler is
durable design. This is evidenced by the also not an easy task. Finally, the researchers are
sturdiness of the chambers as at least one also running the risk of unable to perform the
from the six chambers survived the vigorous experiments due to unexpected technical problems
collisions as they fell with part of Russian with a spaceship. Despite the apparent limitations
spaceship from Space to the Earth. Now, the and restrictions associated with conducting space
specimen is preserved in The Russian Museum research, we were still able to get exciting results.
of Space Research. We developed original cuvette with three levels

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