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Microgravity Crystallization of Alpha-Crustacyanin Onboard the Unmanned Carrier, EURECAalpha-Crustacyanin, the lobster carapace astaxanthin-protein, was crystallized using the European Space Agency's (ESA) automated Protein Crystallization Facility (PCF) which flew onboard the unmanned EUropean REtrievable CArrier (EURECA). A free interface linear, liquid - liquid diffusion, method was used. Crystals grew larger and thicker in the microgravity case compared to the biggest crystals grown on earth. Video observation on EURECA revealed variations in crystal sizes through-out the reactor neatly correlated with depletion of this coloured protein from the solution. The video observations most importantly revealed no visible movement of crystals over the initial 7 weeks of the experiment, although an obvious temperature induced jump occurred at that time in a mission spanning 11 months. An important observation from this mission, over the first 7 weeks, of completely stationary crystal growth contrasts with crystal motions viewed on manned microgravity missions, even using linear liquid - liquid geometries, and much shorter flights (eg. 12 to 16 days).
Document ID
19990093194
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Boggon, T. J.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Snell, E. H.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Helliwell, J. R.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Chayen, N. E.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Zagalsky, P. F.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1998
Subject Category
Materials Processing
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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