One purpose for the construction of an International Space Station (ISS) is conducting research to improve life on Earth. Macromolecular Crystals grown on Earth(above) and in space(below) [Courtesy of NASA] Protein Crystallography or Protein Crystal Growth may help determine the anatomy of protein molecules so that we can understand how these structures function on our body. Dr. Lawrence DeLucus explains that, "every disease in our body is based on some protein that isn't working properly or some foreign protein that has entered our body through a virus or bacteria. If we have the structure of target proteins that allow bacteria to replicate then with structure we can design tailor-make drugs that will interact with protein to block its actions and kill bacteria." To get the type of quality crystals needed to conduct this research, scientists looked at the results of growing crystals in space vs. on Earth. Three out of ten crystals are crystallized successfully on Earth, but in a microgravity environment-like that abroad the ISS-that rate can be drastically improved. The same is true concerning the difference between growing crystals in space vs. on shuttle missions. When crystals are grown on shuttle missions, they eventually begin to crystallize but A crystal artificialy grown [Courtesy of NASA] they are always brought back to the Earth too soon, causing irregularities and defects. Crystals that can be grown in space, however, will have a longer period of time to grow, developing better-sized crystals thus allowing for some more detailed research. Scientists in seven countries are currently involved in using protein crystal growth to find a cure for a disease which causes 20,000 deaths in Latin America each year. Scientists believe using crystals will help target the metabolic enzymes the disease depends on thus controlling the disease. Scientists involved with Macromolecular Protein Crystallography are living and working proof of the difference people can make in our lives. Scientists working on ISS will open doors to the future for new and extended research on the human body.