Welcome to the lab! Here you will learn about biotechnology. Biotechnology is the field of science that rearranges and manufactures biological molecules. One important part of biotechnology is crystal growth.
On Earth, gravity plays a major role in the growth of crystals. Some gravity-driven forces may keep crystals small or introduce impurities. Other forces may warp the shape of the crystal.
Studies have shown that in the microgravity of space, crystals grow quite differently. Microgravity-grown crystals tend to be much larger. There are fewer impurities. Even their shapes are different.
Why is this so important?
Our health is just one example. Proteins play a huge role in every aspect and process in our bodies. By growing larger, more pure protein crystals in space, scientists can understand their structure better.
These studies let scientists see how these proteins work and interact with other proteins - and why things sometimes go wrong. Crystal studies may lead to new drugs or treatments for disease.