Rotating wall vessels (RWVs) are ground-based devices that are used to simulate microgravity. They do this by rotating a cylindrical vessel containing a liquid culture of cells or tissues. The rotation creates a centrifugal force that counteracts the force of gravity, effectively suspending the cells or tissues in a weightless environment.
RWVs are a valuable tool for microgravity research, and they have been used to study a wide range of biological phenomena, including:
🔵Cell growth and division
RWVs have been used to study the effects of microgravity on cell growth and division. For example, studies using RWVs have shown that cells in microgravity tend to grow larger and divide more slowly than cells on Earth. This is thought to be due to the fact that microgravity disrupts the cytoskeleton, which is the network of proteins that gives cells their shape and structure.
🔵Protein folding
RWVs have also been used to study the effects of microgravity on protein folding. Protein folding is a critical process for the function of all living cells. In microgravity, proteins can fold incorrectly, which can lead to cellular dysfunction and disease. Studies using RWVs have shown that microgravity can increase the number of misfolded proteins in cells.
🔵Bone and muscle loss
Astronauts in space experience significant bone and muscle loss due to the lack of gravity. RWVs can be used to study the mechanisms of bone and muscle loss, and to develop countermeasures to prevent this problem.
🔵Plant growth
Plants grown in microgravity have a number of unusual characteristics, including elongated stems, stunted roots, and altered leaf morphology. RWV research is helping us to understand how plants adapt to the absence of gravity, and to develop new ways to grow plants in space.
RWVs are a versatile tool for microgravity research, and they have a number of advantages over other microgravity simulators, such as clinostats and random positioning machines (RPMs). RWVs can be used to study the effects of microgravity on biological systems for longer periods of time, and they are better at simulating microgravity in all directions.
However, RWVs also have some limitations. One limitation is that they can be expensive to purchase and operate. Another limitation is that they can be difficult to use, and they require specialized training.
Despite these limitations, RWVs are an important tool for microgravity research. They have been used to study a wide range of biological phenomena, and they have helped us to understand the fundamental biology of living things in the absence of gravity.
🌐References
1️⃣De la Torre, R.; Sancho, L.G.; Horneck, G.; de los Ríos, A.; et al. (2007). Ground-Based Facilities for Simulation of Microgravity: Organism-Specific Recommendations for Their Use, and Recommended Terminology. Advances in Space Research. 40(1): 29-44.
2️⃣Horneck, G.; Pfitzner, A.; Manzey, D. (2006). Microgravity – A Unique Tool for Life Science Research. Science. 311(5762): 1911-1913.
3️⃣Nyberg, D. (2013). Microgravity Research on the International Space Station. The FASEB Journal. 27(1): 20-25.
4️⃣NASA. (2022, February 7). Space Station Science 101: Why Do Science in Microgravity? Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/.../why-do-science-in-microgravity/
5️⃣Leung, K.; Chan, A.; Wong, Y.; et al. (2018). Effects of Microgravity on Cell Growth and Differentiation: A Review of Random Positioning Machine Studies. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 6: 107.
6️⃣Wang, W.; Li, F.; Wu, L.; et al. (2019). Effects of Microgravity on Protein Folding: A Review of Random Positioning Machine Studies. Frontiers in Physiology. 10: 153.
7️⃣Zhang, C.; Zhang, J.; Wang, H.; et al. (2020). Random Positioning Machine: A Review of Its Applications in Microgravity Research. Frontiers in Physiology. 11: 76.
8️⃣Zhang, Y.; Li, F.; Wang, W.; et al. (20
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