M4PM Community - Tumours, organoids, spheroids in space

It is generally recognised within the research community that the optimisation and widespread implementation of 3D cell culture in vitro systems will revolutionise the drug development testing industry as a whole, by replacing in vivo models as the gold standard. 3D organoids and spheroids are currently grown through the utilisation of primary human tissue or pluripotent stem cells. These models exhibit multicellular self organisation and organ functionality, are capable of self renewal, and can remain stable for extended periods of time during cultivation.

However, many of the obstacles facing the development of 3D cell culturing platforms for drug discovery testing can be traced back to one issue: gravity. Using space to solve problems related to (personalised/precision) medicine testing and discovery can be very effective not only with developing personalised (cancer) treatments, but also in increasing the rate of drug approval by using more relevant and realistic models than insufficient and inadequate (terrestrial) in vitro assays utilizing two-dimensional monolayers of (cancer) cells and animal models.

The “Tumours, Organoids and Spheroids in Space – Microgravity for Personalized Medicine (M4PM)” community was set up as part of the M4PM project by Blue Horizon and Space Applications Services and co-financed by the European Space Agency.

Download the charter below. If you would like to participate and become a member, please contact us.

Image credits: Wyss Institute (Kidney Organoid)