As one of the most dynamic segments of our high-technology economy, biotechnology is playing an increasingly important role in medical research and the development of pharmaceutical drugs, agricultural research and products, environmental protection and many other important economic areas. It will help science research and the imminent science and medicine applications in NASA's biotechnology program advance more quickly. NASA's cell science program has focused on using bioreactors to simulate low-gravity conditions for the culture of cells to the extent possible on Earth. The Mir science program provided the opportunity to grow protein crystals for longer periods. Mir helped shape investigations planned for the ISS and provided an early understanding of ISS operations.
Many diseases involve proteins.
Growing high-quality protein crystals for longer durations aboard the ISS will be significant in acquiring knowledge of important protein structures to help us prevent the spread of a disease. With more complete knowledge of just how that protein operates, we can attack the problems of disease systematically. Despite relatively good research success, the long time required to get a pharmaceutical to market has allowed only a few potential products to reach clinical trials and the final premarket stages of development. Expanding this technology is required for a competitive advantage in biotechnology and to ensure NASA and U.S. leadership in providing cutting-edge research and technologies for space missions, technology transfer and commercialization. NASA's goal of obtaining a better understanding of how gravity affects crystal growth processes is important for achieving quality crystal growth both in flight and on the ground.