Functional weightlessness during clinorotation of cell suspensions

Adv Space Res. 1998;21(8-9):1315-8. doi: 10.1016/s0273-1177(97)00404-3.

Abstract

A clinostat is a device often used in gravitational biology studies. Selecting an appropriate speed of rotation, however, is a frequently debated topic, particularly for suspended cells. In an attempt to define the necessary criteria for determining an acceptable revolution speed, the primary forces governing particle behavior during clinorotation--gravity, diffusion and centrifugation--were mathematically assessed. In support of the theoretical exercise, bacterial growth experiments indicated that results obtained using a clinostat followed trends resembling previous space flight results. It is suspected that this is due, in part at least, to similarly altered external transport processes in each environment.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
  • Biophysical Phenomena
  • Biophysics
  • Diffusion
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development*
  • Gravitation*
  • Particle Size
  • Rotation*
  • Weightlessness Simulation*