perfusion
per-FYOO-zhun
Definition
The steady, controlled flow or passage of a fluid (usually blood or a growth medium) through an organ, tissue, or a bioreactor system.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'perfundere,' which means to pour over or drench. It entered English via French as a medical and physiological term describing the delivery of fluids to biological systems.
In the news
In this article, perfusion refers to the programmable system used to supply nutrients to cell cultures in an automated bioreactor, ensuring the long-term survival and study of biological samples in orbit. It is critical because it allows researchers to maintain controlled experimental conditions for space-based stem cell development.
NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,209 24 July 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)
Read the full article ↗Astrobiology Web