Photo by V. Miller
March 19, 2008
Magnetism and the Immune System
Effect of Magnetism on T Cell Development
Joshua Hammer, 14, Dade City, Fla.
Finalist, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2007
Project background: Some research has suggested that magnetic fields can increase or decrease the biological activity of cells. Joshua designed a study to test the effect of magnetism on CD4-positive T cells. T cells are immune cells that play a key role in infectious diseases such as AIDS, which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. Joshua hypothesized that south magnetic exposure would increase the number of CD4 proteins in T cells and that north magnetic exposure would decrease the number of these proteins.
Tactics and results: Joshua worked with researchers at the University of South Florida to grow and monitor CD4-positive T cells in six lab dishes. Two samples were exposed to a south magnetic force and two to a north magnetic force. The other two samples, which were exposed only to Earth's natural magnetic field, served as controls. Joshua used dyes to stain the cells to reveal the CD4 protein count.
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| Photo by V. Miller |
Joshua did not confirm his hypothesis. He found that the cells exposed to north and to south magnetic forces showed an equal increase in CD4 proteins, whereas cells in the control group did not.
To get science project ideas and expert advice from Science Buddies, go to www.sciencebuddies.org/mentoring/areas_of_science.shmtl.
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