Post by paradoxicalgoat on Mar 7, 2006 23:25:11 GMT -5
In collaboration with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, microgravity applications in protein crystal growth provide further opportunity for scientific and commercial research available through an extensive and on-going flight series. Crystals produced in microgravity have augmented and enhanced macromolecular structure-oriented research for an international group of co-investigators, representing both academia and industry.
Plasma protein binding, especially to human serum albumin ("HSA"), has long been recognized as a key determinant of the pharmacokinetic properties of many of the world's most important drugs. Since the structure determination of HSA in 1989, our scientists have been working to resolve the 3-dimensional atomic structures of important drugs when bound to the HSA molecule. This information is being used by our scientists and corporate partners to design new drugs as well as redesign existing therapeutic compounds whose albumin binding properties have adversely affected their safety and/or efficacy profiles.