CSA Supports Bioengineered Cartilage Space Research

Dr. Adetola Adesida receives a Canadian Space Agency (CSA) $150,000 grant for two years for his proposal: "Mechanogenomic suppression of microgravity induced chondrocyte hypertrophy in bioengineered human cartilage.” The proposal was submitted to the CSA’s Announcement of Opportunity (AO) HLS Data and Sample Mining or Research Models.

Dr. Adetola Adesida has previously published in Nature his team’s research into the effect of spaceflight or simulated spaceflilght microgravity on tissue-engineered cartilage developed from human cells. 

 His work studies the effect of simulated spaceflight microgravity facilitated by parabolic flights on tissue-engineered cartilage developed from in vitro chondrogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells obtained from age-matched female and male donors. NASA donated the weightlessness simulation equipment and there’s a chance of the team gaining a slot in the International Space Station to conduct research.

Dr. Adesida’s team investigates cell-based tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies to treat cartilage defects in orthopaedics and maxillofacial reconstructive surgeries. His work revolves around stem cells, tissue-specific cells (e.g. chondrocytes), 3D bio-printing, mechanobiology and bioreactors. The team has discovered a way to use 3-D bioprinting technology to create custom-shaped cartilage for use in surgical procedures.