Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31207: Perfecting Protein Crystals in Space: Discoveries from the PCG-PP Experiment

Spanning three ISS expeditions (21/22, 23/24, and 25/26), the PCG-PP experiment, conducted by researchers Alexei Voloshin and K. Boiko, focused on improving the structural quality of protein crystals using the benefits of a microgravity environment.

This study sought to understand how proteins arrange themselves in the absence of gravity-induced disturbances. Crystallization in microgravity results in more uniform, less flawed structures—ideal for research and practical applications in medicine and materials science.

The experiment advanced methodologies for forming high-resolution biocrystalline films, critical for drug development and structural biology. These films can be used to understand disease-related proteins more precisely, helping in the design of therapeutics.

Supported by ROSCOSMOS, the PCG-PP project stands as a testament to how long-term space research can yield consistent, replicable results that benefit both scientific inquiry and healthcare innovation.

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