Methods for Gravitational Biology Research
Hemmersbach R, Häder DP, Braun M (2018)
Publication Type: Book chapter / Article in edited volumes
Publication year: 2018
Edited Volumes: Gravitational Biology I - Gravity Sensing and Graviorientation in Microorganisms and Plants
Series: SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences
Pages Range: 13-26
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-93894-3_2
Abstract
To study the impact of gravity on living systems on the cellular up to the organismic level, a variety of experimental platforms are available for gravitational biology and biomedical research providing either an almost stimulus-free microgravity environment (near weightlessness) of different duration and boundary conditions. The spectrum of real-microgravity research platforms is complemented by devices which are used to either increase the gravity level (centrifuges) or modify the impact of gravity on biological systems (clinostats and random-positioning machines)-the so-called ground-based facilities. Rotating biological samples horizontally or in a two-or three-dimensional mode is often used to randomize the effect of gravity in the attempt to eliminate the gravity effect on sensing mechanisms and gravity-related responses. Sophisticated centrifuges have been designed allowing studies from cells up to humans, either on ground under hypergravity conditions (>1 g) or in space, where they offer the chance to stepwise increase the acceleration force from 0 g (microgravity) to 1 g or higher and vice versa. In such a way, centrifuges are used to determine threshold values of gravisensitivity and to unravel molecular and cellular mechanisms of gravity sensing and gravity-related responses. By using the whole spectrum of experimental platforms, gravitational biologists gain deep insight into gravity-related biological processes and continuously increase our knowledge of how gravity affects life on Earth.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Hemmersbach, R., Häder, D.-P., & Braun, M. (2018). Methods for Gravitational Biology Research. In Markus Braun, Maik Böhmer, Donat-Peter Häder, Ruth Hemmersbach, Klaus Palme (Eds.), Gravitational Biology I - Gravity Sensing and Graviorientation in Microorganisms and Plants. (pp. 13-26).
MLA:
Hemmersbach, Ruth, Donat-Peter Häder, and Markus Braun. "Methods for Gravitational Biology Research." Gravitational Biology I - Gravity Sensing and Graviorientation in Microorganisms and Plants. Ed. Markus Braun, Maik Böhmer, Donat-Peter Häder, Ruth Hemmersbach, Klaus Palme, 2018. 13-26.
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