title: Reduction of the Earth's magnetic field inhibits growth rates of model cancer cell lines.
abstract: Small alterations in static magnetic fields have been shown to affect certain chemical reaction rates ex vivo. In this manuscript, we present data demonstrating that similar small changes in static magnetic fields between individual cell culture incubators results in significantly altered cell cycle rates for multiple cancer-derived cell lines. This change as assessed by cell number is not a result of apoptosis, necrosis, or cell cycle alterations. While the underlying mechanism is unclear, the implications for all cell culture experiments are clear; static magnetic field conditions within incubators must be considered and/or controlled just as one does for temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration.
authors.affiliation: Electrical, Computer, & Energy Department, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA. martino@colorado.edu
authors.forename: Carlos F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Portelli
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002453:Cell Cycle; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018534:Earth, Planet; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D013997:Time Factors