"In-situ observation of growth mechanisms of protein crystals
and their perfection under microgravity" has started "In-situ
observation of growth mechanisms of protein crystals and their
perfection under microgravity*" has started using the Solution
Crystallization Observation Facility (SCOF) on board Kibo, the
Japanese Experiment Module (JEM). Growth rate of crystals is
expected to greatly affect its quality. *Principle Investigator
(PI): Katsuo Tsukamoto, Professor, Tohoku University On Monday,
July 30, 2012, one of the crew on board the ISS installed the
hardware exclusively made for this experiment to the SCOP and
conducted the functional checkout. The first series of NanoStep
experiments was started on Monday, 7:40 a.m. on August 6. A
total of three experiments is planned for NanoStep. The first
series will last for about 35 days, from Monday, August 6 to
Sunday, September 9, the second series will be for about 35
days, from Monday September 17 to Sunday, October 21, and the
last third series will be for