To enable live cell microscopy under hypergravity conditions, a Zeiss Axio Observer epifluorescence microscope has been installed on the DLR short-arm human centrifuge in the :envihab.
To facilitate live-cell imaging under hypergravity conditions, a Zeiss Axio Observer epifluorescence microscope is placed on the DLR Short Arm Human Centrifuge at the :envihab. The microscope is placed on a swing-out platform and can be fully controlled by the experiment operator while under accelerations between 1g and 4g. Various incubation units allow for the use of channel slides, well slides, cell culture dishes, and multiwell plates. Environmental conditioning possible in stage-top incubator unit: Temperature (20 – 45°C, atmosphere (0 – 7% CO2 / 1 – 20% O2) and humidity (50 – 95%) can be controlled. Long-term experiments for up to several days can be carried out using the Hyperscope. Full automation including all changes (xyz-positioning, time lapse, z-stacks, etc.) are possible even during centrifugation. Physical focus stabilization via Definite Focus. Using a remote-controllable peristaltic pump, fresh medium, staining agents, or activating/inhibiting drugs can be pumped and perfused onto the samples.
Because the whole microscope is placed on a swing-out platform, the gravity vector is directed always perpendicularly onto the sample, thus preventing shear forces.
All experiments performed on the Hyperscope should include a 1g control. This control can be measured on the Hyperscope while the centrifuge is standing still (before or after centrifugation). This ensures that the 1g control is exposed to the same environmental conditions as the hypergravity samples. The same sample can be imaged continuously before, during, and after centrifugation and during acceleration and braking to measure the dynamics of (re-) adaptation to (hyper-) gravity. The acceleration and braking speeds are adjustable for smooth g-transitions.
Bathe-Peters, M., Sohail, I., Sirbu, A. et al. Effects of altered gravity on adrenergic-mediated cAMP signalling in intact cells. npj Microgravity (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-026-00587-z
