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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
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Measurement of Force-Sensitive Protein Dynamics in Living Cells Using a Combination of Fluorescent Techniques
Published on: November 2, 2018
Gravity-dependent phenomena at the scale of the single cell
1Chemical Engineering Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80303, USA.
ASGSB Bulletin : Publication of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology
|August 1, 1989
Summary
Understanding how gravity affects single cells is crucial for advancing cell biology research. Gravity influences cellular processes through physical phenomena like sedimentation and convection, impacting organism responses.
Area of Science:
- Gravitational cell biology
- Biophysics
- Cellular physiology
Background:
- Cellular functions are influenced by environmental factors, including gravity.
- Physical phenomena affected by gravity play roles in extracellular, intercellular, and intracellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine organism responses to gravity at the single-cell level.
- To review physical phenomena impacting cell function due to gravity.
Main Methods:
- Review of physical phenomena influencing cell function.
- Analysis of gravity's effects on cellular transport processes.
- Examination of intracellular and extracellular responses.
Main Results:
- Gravity affects cellular functions through sedimentation, buoyancy-driven convection, streaming potential, and hydrostatic pressure.
- Cytoskeletal elements counteract intracellular organelle sedimentation.
- Microgravity reduces extracellular solute transport by diffusion and active circulation, and decreases aggregation due to lack of motion.
Conclusions:
- Gravity significantly impacts cellular functions and organism responses.
- Understanding these physical phenomena is key to progress in gravitational cell biology.
- Microgravity alters fundamental cellular transport and aggregation processes.
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01:13Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
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01:13Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
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