This volume of the seriesSpace Life Sciences provides insights into the latest findings of gravity research and the effect of gravity on biological systems, specifically on a cellular and molecular level. It starts by explaining the underlying physics of gravity and presenting some novel ideas on the basic principles of gravity perception. It then goes on to discuss how, in response to gravity perception, secondary messengers such as calcium and hydrogen peroxide, might control responses further downstream, like gene and protein expression and modulation. Further, it describes the consequences for animal and plant cells as well as for metabolism.

Written by experts in the field, this book is a valuable resource for students and researchers in biochemistry, medicine and biomedicine, wanting to gain a solid understanding of membrane biology, secondary messenger function and gene and protein expression, specifically in the context of gravity.

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hanke is Director of the Department of Membrane Physiology, Institute of Physiology at the University of Hohenheim in Tuebingen, Germany.Dr. Florian P.M. Kohn is Research Scientists at the Department of Membrane Physiology, Institute of Physiology at the University of Hohenheim in Tuebingen, Germany.The Department of Membrane Physiology in Hohenheim is working on the behaviour of neuronal cells and tissues under diverse conditions, specifically on the influence of gravitation on neuronal systems.Prof.Dr. Rüdiger Hampp is Head of the Department of Physiological Ecology of Plants, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine at the University of Tübingen, Germany.Dr. Maren Neef is Research Scientist at the Department of Physiological Ecology of Plants, Interfaculty Institute of Microbiology and Infection Medicine at the University of Tübingen, Germany. The Department of Physiological Ecology of Plants is studying plant cellular functions and responses to environmental stimuli and the interaction of complex molecular networks, specifically in response to gravity. 

1. Interaction of Gravity with Cellular Compounds.- 2. Interaction of Gravity with Cell Metabolism