The Shenzhou-19 spacecraft triumphantly returned to Earth, bearing experimental samples from a team led by Researcher Lei Xiaohua of the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. This pioneering experiment validated, for the first time, the 3D growth technology and long-term cryopreservation protocol for human pluripotent stem cells in the microgravity environment of space. Utilizing an enhanced space cell culture box and refined cryopreservation techniques, the stem cells flourished in 3D formations aboard China's space station and remained stably preserved at -80°C for an extended period of up to 6 months.
This milestone establishes a crucial technological foundation for future endeavors in tissue and organoid culturing within space stations. It holds significant implications for safeguarding the health of astronauts and advancing the realm of space pharmaceuticals. Moving forward, the research team will defrost and meticulously analyze the returned samples to delve deeper into the specific effects of the microgravity environment on stem cell growth.