Growth of Large, Perfect Protein Crystals for Neutron Crystallography

The Perfect Crystals investigation uses microgravity environment on the International Space Station to grow crystals of human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). This sheds light on how the antioxidant protein helps protect the human body from oxidizing radiation and oxides created as a byproduct of metabolism. For best results, the analysis technique requires large crystals with minimal imperfections, which are more easily produced in the microgravity environment of the space station.