Microfluidic-assisted human cancer cells culturing platform for astrobiological applications

In the paper, the lab-on-chip platform applicable for the long-term cultivation of the human cancer cells, as a solution meeting the demands of the CubeSat astrobiological missions has been presented. For the first time, the selected cancer cell lines – UM-UC-3 and RT112 were cultured on-chip for up to 50 days. The investigation has been done in stationary conditions (without medium microflow) in ambient temperature, and utilizing microflow perfusion system in the incubation chamber assuring typical cultivation atmosphere (37 ºC). All the experiments were performed to imitate the conditions that are provided before the astrobiological mission starts (waiting for the rocket launch) and when the actual experiment is initialized on a CubeSat board in space microgravity. The results of the tests have shown appropriate performance of the LOC platform, especially in the context of material and technological biocompatibility. Cultured cells were characterized by adequate morphology – high attachment rate and visible signs of proliferation in each of the experimental stage. These results are a good base towards further tests of the LOC platform in both terrestrial and space conditions.