Low Earth Orbit (LEO) offers a unique environment to study altered stem cell properties in microgravity. This study, conducted during Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) to the ISS, sent frozen human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and hiPSC-derived fibroblasts to space. Astronauts thawed and cultured these cells in commercially available 96-well plates. Surface tension within the wells prevented media loss, enabling hiPSC and fibroblast survival in suspension or on Matrigel. Successful transfection with RFP-expressing plasmids was also demonstrated. This research establishes a foundation for future biomanufacturing experiments in space.

Maedeh Mozneb, Madelyn Arzt, Pinar Mesci, Dylan M. N. Martin, Stephany Pohlman, George Lawless, Shankini Doraisingam, Sultan Al Neyadi, Rayyanah Barnawi, Ali Al Qarni, Peggy A. Whitson, John Shoffner, Jana Stoudemire, Stefanie Countryman, Clive N. Svendsen, Arun Sharma