The Effect of Macromolecular Transport of Microgravity Protein Crystallization (LMM Biophysics 4)

Proteins are important biological molecules that can be crystallized to provide better views of their structure, which helps scientists understand how they work. Proteins crystallized in microgravity are often higher in quality than those grown on Earth. The Effect of Macromolecular Transport on Microgravity Protein Crystallization (LMM Biophysics 4) studies why this is the case, examining the movement of single protein molecules in microgravity.

The experiment has concluded, and science is being evaluated.

The Effect of Macromolecular Transport of Microgravity Protein Crystallization (LMM Biophysics 4) investigation looks at the underlying reason for the improved quality of microgravity-grown protein crystals. The present theories suggest that the improved quality of protein crystals grown in microgravity could be the result of 2 characteristics that exist in a buoyancy-free, diffusion-dominated solution.

Researchers have crystallized thousands of proteins, but many of them are not high enough quality to allow scientists to view the proteins’ 3-dimensional structure. One class of proteins, membrane proteins, represent potentially valuable targets for development of new drugs to treat disease, and previous research has suggested that microgravity may improve the quality of this class of important proteins. This investigation improves understanding of the physical processes that enable high-quality crystals to grow in space, where Earth’s gravity does not interfere with their formation.

Crystallizing proteins allows scientists to determine their 3-dimensional structure, which enables a better understanding of how proteins work and how they are involved in disease. Protein structure can be used to design new drugs that interact with the protein in specific ways. This investigation provides new insight into how microgravity affects protein crystal growth and quality, benefiting researchers studying protein structure to create new drugs to fight diseases.

Space Station Research Explorer