Stable magnetic field gradient levitation of Xenopus laevis: toward low-gravity simulation.
We have levitated, for the first time, living biological specimens, embryos of the frog Xenopus laevis, using a large inhomogeneous magnetic field. The magnetic field/field gradient product required for levitation was 1430 kG2/cm, consistent with the embryo's susceptibility being dominated by the diamagnetism of water and protein. We show that unlike any other earth-based technique, magnetic field gradient levitation of embryos reduces the body forces and gravity-induced stresses on them. We discuss the use of large inhomogeneous magnetic fields as a probe for gravitationally sensitive phenomena in biological specimens.
Valles
J M
JM
Department of Physics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA. valles@physics.brown.edu
Lin
K
K
Denegre
J M
JM
Mowry
K L
KL
D000818:Animals; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D018472:Hypogravity; D008280:Magnetics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009068:Movement; D010060:Ovulation; D010063:Ovum / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology*