Ep. 312: “Biomanufacturing in Space” Featuring Dr. Pinar Mesci

Guest: Dr. Pinar Mesci is the Global Head of Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology at Axiom Space, where she manages a portfolio focused on biomedical research programs including stem cells, tissue engineering, disease modeling, cancer research, and DNA-inspired nanomaterials. She talks about her early career developing brain organoid models, transitioning to the space industry, and how microgravity affects biological systems. She also discusses the future of low Earth orbit research and how new technologies can be transferred back to Earth. (40:55) Featured Products and Resources: Submit your abstract for ISSCR 2026 by February 25th! Take your human pluripotent stem cell cultures further with mTeSR™ Plus from STEMCELL Technologies. The Stem Cell Science Round Up iPSC-Derived Ovarian Support Cells – Fertilo is an ovarian support cell product that improves the in vitro maturation rate of human oocytes. (1:25) Culturing HSPCs Ex Vivo – A nanoengineered 3D system improves HSPC multi-lineage differentiation and engraftment capacity. (13:30) Spinal Core Repair Scaffolds – A nanoengineered extrusion-aligned tract promotes axonal reconnection, synapse formation, and locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury. (22:50) Vascularizing Retinal Organoids – Transient vascular support enhances survival of retinal ganglion cells in organoids. (32:14) Image courtesy of Dr. Pinar Mesci <div id="footable_parent_5807" class=" footable_parent ninja_table_wrapper loading_ninja_table wp_table_data_press_parent semantic_ui "> <table data-ninja_table_instance="ninja_table_instance_22" data-footable_id="5807" data-filter-delay="1000" aria-label="Global Sidebar Ad One" id="footable_5807" data-unique_identifier="ninja_table_unique_id_1749449791_5807" class=" foo-table ninja_footable foo_table_5807 ninja_table_unique_id_1749449791_5807 ui table nt_type_ajax_table selectable striped vertical_centered footable-paging-right"> <div id="footable_parent_5808" class=" footable_parent ninja_table_wrapper loading_ninja_table wp_table_data_press_parent semantic_ui "> <table data-ninja_table_instance="ninja_table_instance_23" data-footable_id="5808" data-filter-delay="1000" aria-label="Global Sidebar Ad Two" id="footable_5808" data-unique_identifier="ninja_table_unique_id_147278257_5808" class=" foo-table ninja_footable foo_table_5808 ninja_table_unique_id_147278257_5808 ui table nt_type_ajax_table selectable striped vertical_centered footable-paging-right"> Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe