A number of the studies involve cellular growth, a key field that is fundamental to medical science. To support cell science, researchers can simulate the microgravity conditions of space in NASA's bioreactor, using rotation to suspend cell cultures in a growth medium. Some researchers believe the best environment for growing cells is in space, where the lack of gravitational effects makes it easier to maintain a suspension of growing cells. NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, leads the support of cellular growth studies for Marshall. Protein crystal growth research supported by NASA has important applications in medicine, drug design and agriculture.
Proteins are complex biochemicals that serve a variety of purposes in living organisms.
Crystallized proteins allow scientists to learn the molecular structure of proteins. Determining that structure will lead to a greater understanding of how organisms function. Knowledge of the structure also helps the pharmaceutical industry develop disease-fighting drugs. NASA received 130 proposals in response to its microgravity biotechnology research announcement. These proposals were reviewed by scientific and technical experts outside NASA, including reviewers associated with the National Institutes of Health.