MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Exploring the potential of a bioassembler for protein crystallization in space

Summary

Scientists successfully grew high-quality protein crystals in space using an innovative magnetic bioassembler device. By taking advantage of the weightless environment aboard the International Space Station, they were able to grow protein crystals with excellent structural quality that matched or exceeded Earth-based methods. This breakthrough demonstrates that space-based protein crystallization could help scientists better understand protein structures and potentially accelerate drug development.

Background

Protein crystallization is essential for determining three-dimensional protein structures, but the process is constrained by gravity and convection on Earth. Microgravity conditions in space offer distinct advantages for high-quality protein crystal growth by reducing buoyancy-driven convection, sedimentation, and hydrostatic pressure. However, reliable techniques for protein crystallization in space with precise control and inspection remain challenging.

Objective

This study presents the novel application of a bioassembler device called ‘Organ.Aut’ for protein crystallization in space microgravity. The researchers aimed to crystallize hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) using this device aboard the International Space Station and compare the quality and structural properties of space-grown crystals with Earth-grown controls.

Results

All six cuvettes produced protein crystals with sizes ranging from 300-1500 micrometers depending on protein concentration. Space-grown crystals were successfully analyzed with resolutions of 1.09 Å, while Earth-grown control crystals achieved 0.80 Å resolution. Overall structural comparison showed very similar architectures (RMSD 0.069 Å), though space crystals exhibited visible cracks likely from temperature fluctuations and landing stress.

Conclusion

The bioassembler ‘Organ.Aut’ successfully produced high-quality protein crystals in space microgravity with atomic-level resolution. This innovative approach enables precise control over crystallization, real-time observation via dedicated cameras, and direct solution mixing on the ISS. The authors recommend implementing temperature-control features to protect samples from thermal fluctuations and enhance the advantages of microgravity crystallization.
  • Published in:NPJ Microgravity,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 40517138, DOI: 10.1038/s41526-025-00477-w
Scroll to Top