ScienceJuly 13, 2026

clinostat

/ˈklaɪnəstæt/

Definition

A laboratory device that rotates biological samples to nullify the effects of gravity, used to create an environment that simulates microgravity on Earth.

Etymology

The word is a combination of the Greek 'klinein' (to lean or slope) and the suffix '-stat' (from Greek 'statos', meaning standing or stationary). It describes a device designed to keep an object in a specific oriented state while rotating.

In the news

In this article, researchers used a two-axis clinostat to simulate microgravity conditions on Earth to study its effects on tau-induced deficits in fruit flies. This tool is essential for understanding gravitational biology without needing to perform all experiments in space.

NASA Spaceline Current Awareness List #1,207 10 July 2026 (Space Life Science Research Results)

Read the full article ↗

Astrobiology Web

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