Abstract: A method for crystallizing a Geobacillus strain T1 polypeptide under gravity or microgravity conditions is provided. A purified protein to be crystallized is provided, the purified protein being either thermostable T1 lipase or thermostable F16L lipase. A protein solution is prepared, comprising the purified protein, a buffer solution having a working pH of at least 8.5, and between 3-5% glycerol. A reservoir solution is prepared, comprising 0.1M MES, 0.1M NaH2PO4, 0.1M KH2PO4, and 1 M NaCl, and having a working pH of 6.5 or 6.6. The protein and reservoir solutions are combined to obtain a protein droplet, and protein crystals are obtained from the protein droplet by hanging-drop vapor diffusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the growth of protein crystallization on earth and in zero-gravity conditions. Moreover, the invention relates to preferred conditions to develop protein crystals or 3D crystal structures. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to an evaluation of 3D crystal growth under microgravity (zero-gravity) and on earth. In addition, the invention also relates to the quality of protein crystal/s grown on earth and zero-gravity. The present invention provides a new and improved method for growing protein crystals and for screening crystallization conditions in solution crystal growth.