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System for the exposure of cell suspensions to power-frequency electric fields

Journal Article · · Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States)

A system is described that uses an oscillating magnetic field to produce power-frequency electric fields with strengths in excess of those produced in an animal or human standing under a high-voltage electric-power transmission line. In contrast to other types of exposure systems capable of generating fields of this size, no electrodes are placed in the conducting growth media: the possibility of electrode contamination of the exposed suspension is thereby eliminated. Electric fields in the range 0.02-3.5 V/m can be produced in a cell culture with total harmonic distortions less than 1.5%. The magnetic field used to produce electric fields for exposure is largely confined within a closed ferromagnetic circuit, and experimental and control cells are exposed to leakage magnetic flux densities less than 5 ..mu..T. The temperatures of the experimental and control cell suspensions are held fixed within +/-0.1 /sup 0/C by a water bath. Special chambers were developed to hold cell cultures during exposure and sham exposure. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells incubated in these chambers grew for at least 48 h and had population doubling times of 16-17 h, approximately the same as for CHO cells grown under standard cell-culture conditions. 17 references, 6 figures, 2 tables.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
OSTI ID:
5940570
Journal Information:
Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 5; ISSN BLCTD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English