Light Microscopy Module Biophysics-1

Specific objectives of this investigation were
1. On the ISS and concurrently in earth control experiments, compare incorporation of protein aggregates (monomers versus dimers, trimers, etc.) into growing protein crystals. Detection of aggregates in the crystal will be qualitatively assessed via LMM’s and laboratory fluorescence confocal microscopes and quantitatively measured using mass spectrometry (ion spray and/or MALDI). Based on the percentage incorporation of larger aggregates within the crystal, the effect of molecular filtering based on differences in diffusion rates will be assessed.
2. Measure crystal growth rates in 1g versus μg for different size aggregates of proteins with molecular weights ranging from less than 20kDa to more than 1,200kDa.
3. Compare the defect density and crystal quality via mass spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction quality of crystals grown at different rates in a 1g environment.