Protein Crystals In Space

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Protein Crystals In Space
In Florida Schools
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
K-16 Outreach Grant Program
Sponsored by The Florida Space Grant Consortium
Principal Investigator Dr. Marianne Barnes The
Univ. of North Florida
http//florida-protein-crystals-in-space.org
Program Manager and Instructor Robert S.
Smith Terry Parker High School Jacksonville,
Florida
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
National Sponsors

• Dr. Alex McPherson (Chief Scientist)
• Greg Jenkins (Chief of
  Engineering Team-
• 
  Marshall Space Flight Center)

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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
What is Structural Biology?
1. DNA and Recombinant Technology 2. Protein
Purification and Analysis 3. Protein
Crystallization 4. X-Ray Crystallography 5.
3-Dimentional Protein Models 6. Rational Drug
Design
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Step 1
DNA and how it is used in Recombinant Technology
This research is conducted by universities and
NASA facilities
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Step 2
Protein Purification and Analysis
This research is also conducted by universities
and NASA facilities
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Step 3

• Protein Crystallization and
• Crystallography

This is where we get involved! Students prepare
the flight payload samples

• Why is Microgravity Important?

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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Why is Space (microgravity)Important?
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
The Search For The Perfect Crystal
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Step 4
X-Ray Crystallography
When samples return from space, they are studied
at The University of California at Irvine to
determine the atomic structure of the protein.
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Step 5
Computer Graphics and 3-D Protein Models
When the atomic structure is known, researchers
can identify sites of active enzyme production
for the protein!
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Step 6
Rational (Structured) Drug Design
Medical researchers can then design drugs that
block the enzyme production at the active sites
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
How can you get your students involved in this
program?
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools

• Teacher Workshops

• Students conduct lab activity
• Students do research projects/essays

• Advanced Student Workshop
• Space Shuttle Launch

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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Teacher Workshops
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools

• Students conduct lab activity
• Students do research projects/essays

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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Advanced Student Workshop
Dave Hall and Merle Myers
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Making Flight Samples
John Perkey
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Inspecting the flight sample

Wendell Elrod
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Anna Holmes Crystallization Module
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Anna Holmes Crystallization Module
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Space Shuttle Launch Activity 3 launches so
far over 100 payload samples by Florida
students/teachers
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
STS-106 9/08/2000 Atlantis
STS-110 4/8/2002 Atlantis
STS-98 2/7/2001 Atlantis
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Advanced Students Research Mentoring Presentation
s Internships

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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Advanced Student Research

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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Mentoring

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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Presentations

Greg Jenkins
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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools
Internships

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Protein Crystals in Space in Florida Schools