Novel tissue culture systems and reduced gravity culture method for the production of vascularized tissue

Abstract

Articles of manufacture and associated methods in the field of tissue engineering are provided. Spherical vessels are provided that remove the detrimental mechanical features found in conventional culture vessels, promoting cell-to-cell interactions necessary for the formation of large functional tissues. The spherical vessels may employ structures that recapitulate blood vessels, providing a substrate for the growth of transplantable tissues and the formation of highly functional parenchyma with a microvascular network. Additionally, methods encompassing culture under simulated or actual microgravity are disclosed, wherein disruptive mechanical cues that confound the effective formation of large functional tissues are removed. By these systems and methods, highly vascularized and functional organoids, organs, and tissues suitable for transplantation may be produced in vitro.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.