How Zero Gravity Can Reveal Basic Biological Questions
17:11 minutes
Astronauts have conducted all sorts of experiments in the International Space Station—from observations of microgravity on the human to body to growing space lettuce. But recently, cosmonauts bioengineered human cartilage cells into 3D structures aboard the station, using a device that utilizes magnetic levitation.
The results were recently published in the journal Science Advances. Electrical engineer Utkan Demirci and stem cell biologist Alysson Muotri join Ira to chat about what removing gravity can reveal about basic biological questions, and how you design experiments to run in space.
Further Reading
- Read the paper in Science Advances.
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Segment Guests
Utkan Demirci
Utkan Demirci is Co-division Chief and Co-Director of the Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, and a professor of Radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, California.
Alysson Muotri
Alysson Muotri is a professor of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of California San Diego in La Jolla, California.
Meet the Producers and Host
About Alexa Lim
@AlexaLim22Alexa Lim was a senior producer for Science Friday. Her favorite stories involve space, sound, and strange animal discoveries.
About John Dankosky
John Dankosky works with the radio team to create our weekly show, and is helping to build our State of Science Reporting Network. He’s also been a long-time guest host on Science Friday. He and his wife have three cats, thousands of bees, and a yoga studio in the sleepy Northwest hills of Connecticut.