--- title: "From Sicily to the stars, Davide Marotta is taking biomanufacturing to orbit" url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/from-sicily-to-the-stars-davide-marotta-is-taking-biomanufacturing-to-orbit/ date: 2025-08-08 modified: 2025-08-07 lang: en author: "Davide Sher" description: "In a world racing to redefine the boundaries of science, Davide Marotta's path to space has been anything but ordinary. From a city nestled between ancient cathedrals and Mediterranean shores,..." categories: - "Aerospace AM" - "AM for Space" - "Biofabrication" - "Bioprinting" - "Decision Makers" - "Executive Interviews" tags: - "Featured" image: https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Marotta_Davide-CasisISS-034-640x427.jpg word_count: 899 --- # From Sicily to the stars, Davide Marotta is taking biomanufacturing to orbit In a world racing to redefine the boundaries of science, Davide Marotta's path to space has been anything but ordinary. From a city nestled between ancient cathedrals and Mediterranean shores, he ascended—both intellectually and literally—into low Earth orbit, becoming a central figure in a biomedical revolution aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In his work for the ISS National Laboratory, he has been behind many of the main space biomanufacturing stories of the past few years. Marotta’s academic journey began in his hometown, where he pursued studies in molecular and cell biology at the University of Palermo. His move to London sparked the beginning of an international career. At University College London, he earned a Master’s and Ph.D., immersing himself in neurodegenerative research. After stints in London and New York, his work at the New York Stem Cell Foundation became a turning point. There, he explored brain organoids—3D brain-like structures derived from patient cells—to study diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. This foundational work led to a bold idea when a partner suggested launching organoids into space. At first, it sounded outlandish, but it soon became reality. Marotta helped lead five separate missions to the ISS, pioneering a new method for culturing brain organoids in microgravity using a system he and his team developed from scratch. The result was a groundbreaking discovery: brain cells matured more rapidly and completely in space. The implications for drug discovery and neurological research were enormous. ## The final frontier These breakthroughs brought Marotta to the attention of the ISS National Lab, where he was appointed Program Director for In-Space Biomanufacturing. There, he oversaw more than $58 million in research projects, managing complex efforts that explored how microgravity could improve tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cancer therapy. In this role, Marotta connected people around a common vision. One of his major goals was to break down silos between academia, startups, and commercial partners. He founded an international network of innovation hubs, linking organizations from the United States, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Italy, and beyond. These collaborations yielded genuine partnerships, innovative scientific methods, and potential therapies that could one day save lives. Marotta also supported astronauts and scientists from underrepresented backgrounds. He worked closely with individuals like Rayyanah Barnawi, the first Saudi woman astronaut to travel into orbit. She was the mission specialist aboard Axiom Space’s second private mission on the ISS. She and Commander Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, worked on the cancer project led by Dr. Catriona Jamieson of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute at UCSD. In addition to his leadership work, Marotta helped steer some of the most cutting-edge bioprinting initiatives in orbit. He worked with companies like Redwire [to develop bioprinted meniscus](https://www.voxelmatters.com/redwires-bff-3d-prints-first-human-knee-meniscus-on-the-iss/) and heart tissue as well as Wake Forest University, working on liver and kidney vascularization. In microgravity, where cells don’t settle or compress under weight, these tissues formed more evenly and effectively. He [also collaborated with LambdaVision, which is developing printing technology for retinal tissue restoration](https://www.voxelmatters.com/lambdavision-to-launch-new-in-space-bioprinting-study-on-artificial-retinas/). In space, where there's no convection or air vibration, they could stack over 200 nanolayers of retinal material perfectly—something nearly impossible on Earth due to the instability of layered deposition. These innovations aren’t just science fiction—they’re unfolding in orbit now. ![Explore the journey of Davide Marotta, a pioneer in space biomanufacturing at the International Space Station National Laboratory and beyond](https://www.voxelmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_6057.jpg) In one of the most promising developments, Marotta collaborated with Dr. Catriona Jamieson and the Stanford Stem Cell Institute to advance the anti-cancer drug rebecsinib,[ tested in 3D tumor organoids aboard the ISS](https://www.voxelmatters.com/researchers-3d-print-tumors-to-advance-cancer-immunotherapy/). The drug, which targets a molecule called ADAR1, has received Investigational New Drug clearance from the FDA and is scheduled to enter clinical trials in 2025. This accomplishment demonstrates how in-space biomedical research is not only feasible—it’s already delivering life-saving potential. ## The urgent need for innovation Despite these successes, Marotta’s mission is far from over. With the ISS expected to deorbit by 2030—and potentially sooner due to budget constraints—the future of space-based biomanufacturing is in jeopardy. Without a replacement in orbit, startups, researchers, and biotech firms that rely on space for critical R&D could face an existential crisis. While commercial stations like Vast and Axiom are working to fill the void, time is running out. And as Marotta points out, if the West falters, China’s Tian Gong station is ready to lead. In just a few years, the Chinese space program has made incredible progress in biomedical research, already outpacing Western counterparts in several areas. For Marotta, the solution is clear: continued investment, faster deployment of commercial space platforms, and a greater commitment from governments and private industry to treat in-space research as vital infrastructure. His dream role may include working with NASA, ESA, or even serving as a global liaison to coordinate international biomedical collaboration in orbit. Outside of science, Marotta is also a writer. His recent book, [The Gravity of Innovation](https://www.amazon.com/Gravity-Innovation-Dr-Davide-Marotta/dp/B0F3RFHXD8), explores how space is not just the final frontier—it’s the next great industrial revolution. The book makes a compelling case for viewing orbit not as a curiosity but as a critical tool for human advancement. His message is simple but powerful: space research must stay grounded in helping people on Earth. Even after stepping away from his role at the ISS National Lab, Marotta continues to support startups and research teams—often without pay—because he believes the work is too important to stop. He’s committed to keeping this field alive, to helping the next generation of scientists, and to ensuring that the benefits of microgravity research are accessible to all.