ETH Zurich 3D prints muscle tissue in zero gravity

Microgravity-grown models could support drug testing and disease research aboard orbital platforms

Davide SherOctober 31, 2025

1 minute read

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Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully 3D printed human muscle tissue during parabolic flights simulating zero gravity, marking a step forward in efforts to produce biologically accurate tissue models for space-based drug testing and disease studies. The results were published in the journal Advanced Science.

The project, led by Parth Chansoria, utilized 30 parabolic flight cycles to simulate the microgravity environment of space for a temporary period. The team printed muscle fibers using a custom biofabrication system developed in-house, known as G-FLight (Gravity-independent Filamented Light). The process involved a light-sensitive bio-resin infused with living cells, enabling the rapid creation of viable muscle structures during brief periods of weightlessness.

G-FLight printer and example prints of microfilamented constructs. A) Components of the G-FLight printer are contained within a volume of 30(l)×45(w)×30(h) cm. B) The assembled G-FLight printer and its key components used during the microgravity printing phase. C) Example prints of the ETH logo, cylindrical, and sheet-like constructs using rhodamine-labeled resins (ControlResin formulations containing GelMA at 5% w/v within PBS were used for these experiments; see Experimental Section for details). The inset images demonstrate the microfilaments within the G-FLight printed constructs. The images of the printed constructs were obtained using light-sheet microscopy, and images of the microfilaments within the constructs were obtained using confocal microscopy.

Overcoming gravity-induced deformation

On Earth, 3D bioprinting of complex tissue structures is often hindered by gravitational forces that cause deformation or collapse of soft, cellular material before it can stabilize. The ETH Zurich team addressed this limitation by eliminating gravitational interference, which enabled more precise alignment of muscle fibers—essential for mimicking human physiology.

Under microgravity, cell-laden bio-ink maintains structural integrity during the printing process. The printed constructs demonstrated comparable cell viability and fiber alignment to ground-based counterparts, but with improved structural fidelity due to the absence of gravitational stress.

Toward biomedical research in orbit

According to the research team, the ability to fabricate tissue in space-compatible formats opens opportunities to create disease models aboard orbital platforms, including the International Space Station. Such models could be used to study conditions like muscular dystrophy or muscle atrophy induced by microgravity, and to test the efficacy of new therapeutics in more realistic biological systems.

The G-Flight system also supports long-term storage of the bio-resin, making it suitable for extended missions. While the project remains in early stages, it lays the groundwork for scalable tissue engineering in low Earth orbit and beyond.