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Thaumatin Crystallization Aboard the International Space Station Using Liquid-Liquid Diffusion in the Enhanced Gaseous Nitrogen Dewar (EGN)This paper reports results from the first biological crystal growth experiment on the International Space Station (ISS). Crystals of thaumatin were grown using liquid-liquid diffusion in Tygon tubing transported in the Enhanced Gaseous Nitrogen Dewar (EGN). Different Volume ratios and concentrations of protein and precipitant were used to test different adaptations of the vapor diffusion crystallization recipe to the liquid-liquid diffusion method. The EGN warmed up from -196 C to 0 C in about four days, about the same time it took to warm from 0 C to 20 C. The temperature within the EGN was 20 - 24 C for the majority of the experiment. Air gaps that blocked liquid-liquid diffusion formed in the tubes. Nonetheless, crystals were grown. Synchrotron diffraction data collected from the best space grown crystal extended to 1.28 Angstroms, comparable to previous studies of space-grown thaumatin crystals. The resolution of the best ground control crystal was only 1.47 Angstroms. It is not clear if the difference in diffraction limit is due to factors other than crystal size. Improvements in temperature control and the elimination of air gaps are needed, but the results show that EGN on the ISS can be used to produce space grown crystals that diffract to high resolution.
Document ID
20020048584
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kundrot, Craig
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Barnes, Cindy L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Snell, Edward H.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL United States)
Stinson, Thomas N.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Solid-State Physics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Macromolecular Biotechnology Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
Location: Washington, DC
Country: United States
Start Date: March 5, 2002
End Date: March 6, 2002
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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