Protein Crystals made in space

Protein Crystals made in space - may help to find treatment for Diseases

Researchers are planning to glow protein crystals in space. It may be a turning point in the manufacture of drugs for various diseases. Its observed that in the gravity-free environment, the crystals can be grown to produce accurate three- dimensional structures of the proteins.

Wilson, an MSU Giles Distinguished Professor, was the first researcher to develop a method for predicting the conditions in which protein crystals will grow efficiently. In tribute, the process, known as the Wilson Crystallization Slot, bears his name. According to Wilson - the absence of gravity generally produces better three- dimensional crystal growth. Earth gravity has an adverse influence on crystal growth, Because there is almost no gravity in space, you get a better protein crystal structure.

Wilson, whose research efforts have been supported continuously by NASA since 1991, said drug companies can use structures determined from the crystal analysis for what is known as structure-based drug design. "That basically means the protein crystal is giving the drug companies a 3-D model of what the disease protein looks like so they can design their drugs to combat that disease."

All these efforts are part of what is known as the Dynamically Controlled Protein Crystal Growth mission, a $13 million National Aeronautics and Space Administration project. Other research sponsors include the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and the Center for Biophysical Science and Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

MSU also is involved in constructing the actual flight hardware for growing the crystals. The crystallization process will be controlled automatically and totally self-contained through hardware MSU and UAB are collaborating to build.

The first NASA flight with the crystals tentatively is scheduled for June.

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