Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31257: Growing Crystals in Orbit: Revolutionizing Biotechnology in Microgravity
- Agnirva.com
- Aug 1
- 2 min read
Proteins are the workhorses of life, and understanding their structure is key to developing new drugs, enzymes, and therapies. That’s where the Commercial Microgravity Protein Crystallization Services Development experiment comes in, led by Dr. Sarah Kessans from the University of Canterbury.
Protein crystals grow better in space. Why? On Earth, gravity distorts the delicate formation of crystals. But in microgravity, proteins can assemble more uniformly, leading to higher-quality crystals. This experiment aimed to turn that phenomenon into a commercial service, where companies could send protein samples to the ISS for crystallization and retrieve superior data for medical and scientific research.
Conducted during Expeditions 70 and 71, the project refined automated systems that could initiate and monitor crystal growth in orbit. The researchers developed specialized hardware that ensured precise temperature control, sterile environments, and minimal disturbance—all critical factors for crystal perfection.
The implications are vast. Better protein crystals mean better models for drug targeting. Pharmaceutical companies can design medications that fit perfectly into a protein’s structure, increasing efficacy and reducing side effects.
The experiment also tested protocols for preserving samples during return to Earth, a key component for commercial viability. By proving the feasibility of microgravity crystallization as a service, the project opened new opportunities for biotech innovation in space.
As space becomes more accessible, this kind of research underscores how orbiting labs like the ISS can serve industries on Earth, turning the vacuum of space into a crucible of discovery.
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