Effect of a magnetic field gradient on the crystallization of hen lysozyme
1997; Elsevier BV; Volume: 178; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s0022-0248(97)00149-8
ISSN1873-5002
AutoresNobuko I. Wakayama, Mitsuo Ataka, Haruo Abe,
Tópico(s)Biofield Effects and Biophysics
ResumoThe effect of microgravity on protein crystal growth is an interesting, but highly controversial, issue. We superimposed the magnetic force on gravity and studied its effect on the crystal growth of hen egg-white lysozyme. The magnetic force was used similarly to the centrifugal force in a space shuttle to virtually change the level of gravity. We observed that the number of crystals increased or decreased, respectively, when 5% of the additional force was applied in the same or in the opposite direction to normal gravity. Our result indicates that the magnitude of gravity can in fact affect the studied protein crystal growth, and that a magnetic force has the potential ability of controlling gravity.
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