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| Biotechnology Ambient Generic (PCG-BAG) |
| Principal Investigator: Dr. Daniel Carter of New Century Pharmaceuticals Inc., Huntsville, Ala. |
| Project Scientist: Todd Holloway of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. |
| Overview |
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Objective: The Protein Crystal Growth Biotechnology Ambient Generic payloads are designed to provide opportunities to grow high-quality protein crystals in microgravity. Researchers use these crystals to understand the molecular structure of the proteins. This information can be used to develop drugs that someday may battle the effects of aging, and treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease, influenza, septic shock, emphysema and AIDS. |
| History/Background |
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While many protein crystal growth microgravity experiments are conducted with stringent temperature controls and extensive participation by shuttle crew members, the Biotechnology Ambient Generic experiments require minimal crew support. The payloads are flown as stowage items in Atlantis's middeck, where they are subject to normal temperature conditions aboard the shuttle. Shortly after lift-off, 504 individual experiments, stored in eight cylindrical containers, will be activated. Each experiment consists of two reservoirs separated by a flexible seal. When the seal is opened, the fluid in the protein drop will evaporate, starting the crystallization process. During the mission, this evaporation process will result in the growth of crystals that investigators can later study to determine the molecular structure of protein compounds. 
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