Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Reduced-gravity Environment Hardware Demonstrations of a Prototype Miniaturized Flow Cytometer and Companion Microfluidic Mixing Technology
Published on: November 13, 2014
On different sensitivities of microorganisms to lowered gravitation
A A Imshenetsky1, L A Kuzyurina, V M Jakshina
1The Institute of Microbiology, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
Abstract:
The influence of lowered gravitation on biomass and CO2 production in B. megaterium, a xerophyte, and Spirillum azotocolligens, an aqueous spirillum, in liquid nutrient medium on a horizontal clinostat at 0.1 g has been studied. As controls we considered: 1) growth under stationary conditions of cultivation with test tubes oriented horizontally; 2) growth on a synchronously revolving centrifuge; and 3) growth on a swing with stirring. A horizontal clinostat at 0.1 g stimulates biomass production and CO2 release in B. megaterium as compared with the controls. Spirillum azotocolligens growth is reduced as a result of clinostating. The best development and CO2 production are observed under stationary conditions. The results do not support the assumption that microorganisms living in water are more resistant to lowered gravitation than those living in soil.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Growth Measurement: Indirect Methods
Microbial Growth Media
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: pH
Microenvironments
Deep Sea Microbial Ecology
Microbial Biosensors

