Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31836: Reengineering RNA: Ribozymes in the Spotlight of Space

Ribozymes are like molecular machines—RNA molecules that can catalyze chemical reactions. They play a pivotal role in biology and are central to theories about the origin of life. But to study them in detail, scientists need to grow them into high-quality crystals. That’s where Dr. Barbara Golden’s project comes in.

Her team engineered a ribozyme to improve its ability to form crystals with properties suitable for X-ray diffraction—a method to determine the molecule’s structure. Conducting this experiment on the ISS using the Single Locker Thermal Enclosure System allowed the team to overcome Earth-based limitations.

In microgravity, RNA molecules assemble more uniformly, creating crystals with fewer defects. These better-ordered crystals can diffract X-rays more effectively, revealing structural insights.

Why focus on ribozymes? They’re central to understanding RNA’s role in early evolution and can serve as models for designing RNA-based therapies. High-resolution structures help scientists identify the active sites—the regions responsible for catalysis—and enable bioengineers to design synthetic ribozymes.

The results of Dr. Golden’s work extend into medicine and synthetic biology. With better structural data, we can create RNA tools for diagnostics, drug delivery, and gene regulation.

The ISS, in this case, becomes more than a space station—it’s a structural biology workshop, pushing the frontiers of molecular science.

Get certified with over 100 hours of immersive, self-paced learning in astronomy, cosmology, space technology, and climate science through the Agnirva Space Internship Program. Join, complete virtual projects, and earn a digital certificate to showcase your space fluency in interviews, resumes, and beyond.