Do We Need Microgravity to Improve the Diffraction Properties of Protein Crystals?

Abstract

This paper summarizes the panel discussion on the impact of microgravity on the diffraction properties of protein crystals. Convection-free environments have been considered as ideal environments for the growth of well diffracting protein crystals. Hence, since 1981 protein crystallization experiments have been performed in microgravity with varying degrees of success. During the discussion we addressed the effects of the crystal growth environment on crystal quality and perfection and we discussed whether higher crystal perfection leads to better X-ray diffractivity.