STS-107 Protein Crystal Growth Experiment―Scientific Research Project―

Abstract

JAXA developed a practical protocol to optimize the protein crystallization condition for microgravity experiment. This protocol focused on vapor diffusion method using HDPCG (high density protein crystal growth: a hardware developed by the University of Alabama, Birmingham) , which flew on the STS-107 mission. The objective of this development was to increase the success rate of microgravity experiments by setting the crystallization condition based on the knowledge of crystal growth and fluid dynamics.