Crystallization of proteins under microgravity

Abstract

For the crystallization of proteins under microgravity conditions, a Chinese re‐entry system was used, in which 101 experiments of 25 different biological macromolecules were accommodated. From the results obtained we conclude that under microgravity conditions crystal growth can only be expected under those crystallization conditions which also permit crystal growthon earth. A number of space‐grown crystals were larger in size and of a better quality in their ability to diffract X‐rays than the corresponding ground control crystals grown at the Chinese launch site. However, the space‐grown crystals have not reached the X‐ray diffraction quality of the crystals obtained under optimal conditions in the home laboratories.