Magnetic Levitation of Osteoblasts

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议研究的目标是双重的。首先，在1.5特斯拉和17特斯拉之间的时不变磁场是否会影响基因表达和细胞分化？第二，磁悬浮是否是天基轨道自由落体实验的合适的地面替代方案？对于悬浮研究，我们计划通过微阵列分析监测基因表达，通过实时定量PCR监测成骨细胞分化。小鼠颅骨成骨细胞系MC 3 T3-E1是这些实验的模型生物系统。当磁力抵消重力时，就会发生磁悬浮。将生物（抗磁性）物体置于强磁场和强磁场梯度中会在系统上产生磁力。磁力是将系统上的净引力减小到小于1-g的唯一方法。成骨细胞对重力负荷条件具有明显的敏感性。这些细胞将在独特的17特斯拉/50 mm温孔磁悬浮磁体中培养，以研究从0-g到2-g的净重力对基因表达和成骨细胞生化标志物的影响。磁铁能够一次持续悬浮数周。在净重力为变量的条件下监测骨成骨细胞分化和功能，代表了理解重力对骨生长/吸收的影响的独特场所。这是一个新的科学探索领域，由于能够实现磁悬浮的磁体系统有限，尚未进行探索。此外，有了这台仪器，现在可以在0.38 g和0.167 g的重力下研究生物功能，从而分别提供火星和月球表面重力的地面模拟。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of the proposed research is two-fold. First, does a time-invariant magnetic field, between 1.5 Tesla and 17 Tesla, affect gene expression and cell differentiation? Second, is magnetic levitation a suitable ground-based alternative for space-based orbital freefall experiments? For the levitation studies we plan to monitor gene expression via microarray analysis and osteoblast differentiation by quantitative real-time PCR. The murine calvarial osteoblast cell line, MC3T3-E1, is the model biological system for these experiments. Magnetic levitation occurs when a magnetic force counterbalances a gravitational force. Placing a biological (diamagnetic) object in a strong magnetic field and a strong magnetic field gradient creates a magnetic force on the system. A magnetic force is the only means to reduce the net gravitational force on a system to less than 1-g. Osteoblast cells have a demonstrated sensitivity to gravitational loading conditions. These cells will be cultured in a unique 17 Tesla/50 mm warm bore superconductive magnet to study the effect of a net 'gravitation force varying from 0-g through 2-g on gene expression and osteoblast biochemical markers. The magnet is capable of sustaining continuous levitation for weeks at a time. Monitoring bone osteoblast differentiation and function under conditions where net the gravitational force is a variable, represents a unique venue for understanding the effect of gravitational forces on bone growth/resorption. This is a new area of scientific exploration that has not been explored because of limited access to magnet systems capable of magnetic levitation. Furthermore, with this instrument it is now possible to study biological function at 0.38 g and 0.167 g, thus providing ground-based simulations of the gravitational forces experienced on the surface of mars and the moon, respectively.