Facilitating space-based biotech research

Microgravity research could transform the way scientists test and develop new therapeutics

Spotted: In 2023, the International Space Station’s (ISS) microgravity research lab hosted approximately 500 investigations. More than 4,000 research articles have been written based on work done in the lab, and topics being explored range from astrophysics to microbiology, including tests that have proven the positive impact microgravity has on biological systems.

To help make the potential of microgravity more accessible, German research company Yuri has built lab systems for biotechnology space research. The company highlights that microgravity environments make it much easier to complete a number of biotechnology tasks, including growing 3D cell cultures, modelling human diseases for faster therapeutics testing, studying proteins, and advancing synthetic biology.

Yuri’s Random Positioning Machine and Yuri Clinostat simulate microgravity within a traditional lab setting, allowing scientists to design, test, and run experiments as if they were in space. If results from lab tests are high enough quality, Yuri works with the research team to plan, design, and build the investigations to be completed in orbit. The company also helps scientists connect with companies offering room aboard spacecraft for experimental work, and provides the devices and hardware that make space-bound experiments possible.

For organisations and groups sending vehicles into orbit, Yuri provides a ScienceTaxi that carries a ScienceShell. The ScienceShell supplies the structure to support a variety of types and designs of microgravity experiments, and Yuri works closely with organisations to co-design the ScienceTaxi for maximum compatibility with the relevant spacecraft.

So far, Yuri has launched more than 150 spacelabs and is working with researchers across four continents.

Written By: Keely Khoury