Magnetic Levitation of MC3T3 Osteoblast Cells as a Ground-Based Simulation of Microgravity

• Published in: Microgravity science and technology Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 311 - 318
• Main Authors: Hammer, Bruce E., Kidder, Louis S., Williams, Philip C., Xu, Wayne Wenzhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.11.2009; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aerospace Technology and Astronautics; Classical and Continuum Physics; Engineering; Magnetic fields; Magnetism; Original Article; R&D; Research & development; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; MC3T3; Microgravity; Magnetic levitation; Osteoblastic cell
• ISSN: 0938-0108; 1875-0494
• DOI: 10.1007/s12217-008-9092-6

Diamagnetic samples placed in a strong magnetic field and a magnetic field gradient experience a magnetic force. Stable magnetic levitation occurs when the magnetic force exactly counter balances the gravitational force. Under this condition, a diamagnetic sample is in a simulated microgravity environment. The purpose of this study is to explore if MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells can be grown in magnetically simulated hypo-g and hyper-g environments and determine if gene expression is differentially expressed under these conditions. The murine calvarial osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3-E1, grown on Cytodex-3 beads, were subjected to a net gravitational force of 0, 1 and 2 g in a 17 T superconducting magnet for 2 days. Microarray analysis of these cells indicated that gravitational stress leads to up and down regulation of hundreds of genes. The methodology of sustaining long-term magnetic levitation of biological systems are discussed.