The ISS National Lab Announces First Solicitation for Proposals: Advancing Protein Crystallization in Microgravity

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (June 26, 2012) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISSInternational Space Station National Lab), the nonprofit organization promoting and managing research on board the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, announced today a solicitation for proposals in relation to advancing protein crystallization using microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment..

The Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to identify projects within the field of crystallography, which the ISS National Lab will support through grant funding, facilitation of service provider partnerships, and flight coordination to and from the ISS. Crystallography is the technique used to determine three-dimensional structures of protein molecules. Protein crystallization when performed in space may produce large, better-organized crystals, allowing more focused drug development.

The ISS National Lab is confident that this RFP will create interest for both experienced and new investigators who endeavor to enable new life science breakthroughs and next generation research in the area of protein crystallization. Today’s announcement is the first of a series of solicitations in life, material and observational sciences.

The ISS National Lab believes that this RFP will lead to the production of better crystals in the microgravity environment than can be grown on Earth. In turn, the results will spur greater commercial interest in future opportunities on Station and generate more research for the ISS National Lab.

“The ISS National Lab has evaluated research performed to date in the life sciences and believes it is time to formally test the promising hypothesis that microgravity may produce greater internal order in protein crystal growth,” said the ISS National Lab acting Chief Scientist Dr. Timothy Yeatman. “This could potentially lead to sharper resolution of crystals and their cognate proteins, which could produce more effective drugs for cancer and other debilitating human diseases.”

“Our science team has identified the area of protein crystallization as a primary scientific pathway that may benefit greatly from the microgravity environment,” said the ISS National Lab Interim Executive Director Jim Royston. “We are here to help researchers make groundbreaking, scientific discoveries on the ISS National Lab for the benefit of people on Earth.”

For additional information about the RFP, including instructions and material regarding crystallization, the ISS National Lab and the ISS please visit: All Current and Upcoming Opportunities

Proposals must be submitted electronically by 5pm EST on August 15, 2012 via the the ISS National Lab solicitations website page.

# # #

About the ISS National Lab: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISS National Lab) was selected by NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. the ISS National Lab is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. The the ISS National Lab goal is to bring the magic of space down to earth. For more information, visit issnationallab.org.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation’s newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles. and varied environments of space. The ISS National Laboratory Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center currently facilitates research initiatives on board the station’s National Lab, but management of America’s only in-orbit laboratory is transitioning to the ISS National Lab.

# # #