Influence of gravity variations on the activity of neuronal spheroids in an acoustic trap
Abstract
Among biological models, cell culture constitutes an important paradigm that allows rapid examination of cell phenotype and behavior. While cell cultures are classically grown on a 2D substrate, the recent development of organoid technologies represents a paradigmatic shift in biological experimentation as they pave the way for reconstructing of minimalist organs in 3D. Manipulating these 3D cell assemblies presents a considerable challenge. While there is growing interest in studying the behavior of cells and organs in the space environment, manipulating 3D cultures in microgravity remains a challenge. But with cellular research underway aboard the International Space Station (ISS), optimizing techniques for handling 3D cellular assemblies is essential. Here, in order to cultivate 3D models of spheroids in microgravity, we developed and used an acoustic bioreactor to trap levitating cellular organoids in a liquid cell culture medium. Indeed, in a Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) resonator, spherical objects, such as cells, can be maintained in an equilibrium position, inside a resonant cavity, away from the walls. In the acoustic trapping plane, gravity is counterbalanced by the acoustic radiation force (ARF) making it possible to maintain an object even in weightlessness. A dedicated setup was designed and built to perform live calcium imaging during parabolic flights. During a parabolic flight campaign, we were able to monitor the calcium activity of 3D neural networks trapped in an acoustic
Related
- Phytochemical Characterization, Mineral Composition, and Biological Activities of Leaf Extracts: Influence of Geographical and Climatic Variations in Algeria
- Kinship, acoustic signaling, and socio-spatial structure shape shared decisions and social influence in white-nosed coatis
- Noise-induced hearing loss delays auditory learning and reduces the influence of acoustic evidence on choice
- A Neuronal Gene Expression Program Underlying Sustained Network Activity
- Partial sleep deprivation diminishes and uncouples neuronal activity and energy metabolism in the live mouse hippocampus
BibTeX
@article{lecoq2026influence,
title = {{Influence of gravity variations on the activity of neuronal spheroids in an acoustic trap}},
author = {Pierre-Ewen Lecoq and Guillaume Viraye and Chloé Dupuis and Xavier Benoit-Gonin and Jean-Luc Aider and Jean-Michel Peyrin},
journal = {NPJ Microgravity},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1038/s41526-026-00617-w},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05703344v2},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Influence of gravity variations on the activity of neuronal spheroids in an acoustic trap
AU - Pierre-Ewen Lecoq
AU - Guillaume Viraye
AU - Chloé Dupuis
AU - Xavier Benoit-Gonin
AU - Jean-Luc Aider
AU - Jean-Michel Peyrin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/09
JO - NPJ Microgravity
DO - 10.1038/s41526-026-00617-w
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05703344v2
AB - Among biological models, cell culture constitutes an important paradigm that allows rapid examination of cell phenotype and behavior. While cell cultures are classically grown on a 2D substrate, the recent development of organoid technologies represents a paradigmatic shift in biological experimentation as they pave the way for reconstructing of minimalist organs in 3D. Manipulating these 3D cell assemblies presents a considerable challenge. While there is growing interest in studying the behavior of cells and organs in the space environment, manipulating 3D cultures in microgravity remains a challenge. But with cellular research underway aboard the International Space Station (ISS), optimizing techniques for handling 3D cellular assemblies is essential. Here, in order to cultivate 3D models of spheroids in microgravity, we developed and used an acoustic bioreactor to trap levitating cellular organoids in a liquid cell culture medium. Indeed, in a Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) resonator, spherical objects, such as cells, can be maintained in an equilibrium position, inside a resonant cavity, away from the walls. In the acoustic trapping plane, gravity is counterbalanced by the acoustic radiation force (ARF) making it possible to maintain an object even in weightlessness. A dedicated setup was designed and built to perform live calcium imaging during parabolic flights. During a parabolic flight campaign, we were able to monitor the calcium activity of 3D neural networks trapped in an acoustic
SN - 2373-8065
ER -