Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Historical remarks
1.1.1 Gravitational research
1.2 Excitable media and their control by small external forces
1.3 Waves and oscillations in biological systems
1.4 Book layout
References
Chapter 2 Gravity
2.1 Physical remarks
2.2 Perception of gravity by living systems
References
Chapter 3 Basic Structure of Neuronal Systems
References
Chapter 4 Platforms for Gravitational Research
4.1 Microgravity platforms Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Historical remarks
1.1.1 Gravitational research
1.2 Excitable media and their control by small external forces
1.3 Waves and oscillations in biological systems
1.4 Book layout
References
Chapter 2 Gravity
2.1 Physical remarks
2.2 Perception of gravity by living systems
References
Chapter 3 Basic Structure of Neuronal Systems
References
Chapter 4 Platforms for Gravitational Research
4.1 Microgravity platforms
4.1.1 Short term platforms
4.1.2 Long term platforms
4.1.3 Magnetic levitation
4.2 Removing orientation
4.2.1 Clinostats
4.2.2 Random positioning machine
4.3 Macro-gravity platforms
4.3.1 Centrifuge
References
Chapter 5 A Model Systems for Gravity Research: The Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction
5.1 Setup for the Belousov-Zhabotinsky experiments
5.2 Preparation of gels for the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction
5.3 Data evaluation
References
Chapter 6 Interaction of Gravity with Molecules and Membranes
6.1 Bilayer experiments
6.1.1 Hardware for the Microba mission
6.1.2 Hardware for the drop-tower
6.1.3 Hardware for parabolic flights
6.1.4 Hardware for laboratory centrifuge
6.1.5 Experimental results
6.2 Patch-clamp experiments
6.2.1 Principles of patch-clamp experiments
6.2.2 Hardware for the drop-tower
6.2.3 First hardware for parabolic flights
6.2.4 For the drop-tower
6.2.5 First parabolic flight experiment
6.2.6 Second hardware for parabolic flights
6.2.7 Second parabolic flight experiment
6.2.8 First results and future perspectives
References
Chapter 7 Behavior of Action Potentials Under Variable Gravity Conditions
7.1 Introductory remarks
7.2 Materials and methods
7.3 Isolated leech neuron experiments
7.4 Earthworm and nerve fiber experiments (rats and worms)
7.5 Discussion
References
Chapter 8 Fluorescence and Light Scatter Experiments to Investigate Cell Properties at Microgravity
8.1 Fluorescence measurements to determine calcium influx and membrane potential changes
8.1.1 Intracellular calcium concentration experiments
8.1.2 Membrane potential experiments
8.2 Light scatter experiments to determine changes in cell size
8.2.1 Static light scatter
8.2.2 Dynamic light scatter
References
Chapter 9 Spreading Depression: A Self-organized Excitation Depression Wave in Different Gravity Conditions
9.1 The retinal spreading depression
9.2 Gravity platforms used for retinal spreading depression experiments
9.2.1 Methods
9.2.2 Experiment setup and protocol for spreading depression experiments in parabolic flights
9.2.3 Experiment setup and protocol for spreading depression experiments on TEXUS sounding rocket
9.2.4 Setup and protocol for spreading depression experiments in the centrifuge
9.2.5 Data analysis
9.3 Results
9.3.1 Spreading depression experiments in parabolic flights and in the centrifuge
9.3.2 Spreading depression experiments on sounding rockets and in the centrifuge
9.3.3 Determination of latency of spreading depression waves in the centrifuge
9.3.4 Summary of all spreading depression experiments on different gravity platforms
9.4 Discussion
9.4.1 Comment on different gravity platforms
References
Chapter 10 The Brain Itself in Zero-g
10.1 Methods
10.1.1 Slow cortical potentials (SCP)
10.1.2 Classical frequency bands in EEG
10.1.3 Peripheral psycho physiological parameters
10.1.4 Protocol and data analysis
10.1.5 Subjects
10.1.6 Ethic
10.2 Results
10.2.1 Slow Cortical Potentials (SCP)
10.2.2 Frequency band EEG
10.2.3 Peripheral stress parameters
10.3 Discussion
10.3.1 Slow cortical potentials
10.3.2 Frequency band EEG
10.3.3 Peripheral parameters
10.4 Conclusion
References
Chapter 11 Effects of Altered Gravity on the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeleton, Cell Migration and Neurite Outgrowth
11.1 Summary
11.2 Introductory remarks
11.3 Material and methods
11.3.1 Cell transfection
11.3.2 Cell culture and experiments with SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells
11.3.3 Cell migration experiments- Human carcinoma cell lines
11.3.4 Scratch Migration Assay (SMA)
11.3.5 Neurite outgrowth experiments-Primary cell culture of embryonic chicken spinal cord neurons
11.3.6 Imunostaining of cells
11.3.7 Staining of F-actin
11.3.8 Microscopy and live imaging
11.4 Results and discussion
11.4.1 Effects of altered gravity on actin-driven lamellar protrusion of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells
11.4.2 Effect of altered gravity on the microtubule cytoskeleton of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells
11.4.3 Effects of altered gravity on cell migration
11.4.4 Effects of altered gravity on the intensity and direction of neurite outgrowth
References
Chapter 12 Discussion and Perspectives
References
Index