Japan – TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP and TANAKA MIRAI Lab. Effectively Carries Out Space Protein Crystallization Experiments

TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP and TANAKA MIRAI Lab. Effectively Carries Out Space Protein Crystallization Experiments

A speculative system for area molecular formation utilizing Au (gold) nanostructure development innovation, established internal, has actually been set up and is being utilized to carry out observation in area, adding to the elucidation of biological functions and drug discovery

TOKYO, Aug 22, 2025 – (JCN Newswire) –TANAKA MIRAI Lab., part of TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP Co., Ltd. (head workplace: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Group CEO: Koichiro Tanaka), has actually established a speculative system for area molecular formation utilizing Au nanostructure development innovation (patent pending). On April 21, 2025 (regional time), the speculative system was set up in the SpaceX CRS-32, an unmanned industrial resupply spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) introduced from the Kennedy Space Center in the U.S.

Protein crystals formed within the speculative system set up in the spaceport station
( amplified utilizing a polarizing microscopic lense)

After setup in the ISS’s Columbus science lab and one month of observation and experimentation, it securely went back to Earth, where it was validated that the experiments including protein formation in area achieved success.

Significance of the Experiment

Protein condensation experiments performed in area are important for in-depth structural analysis of protein particles, as they can be performed in a microgravity environment, removing the impacts of gravity. Such experiments are anticipated to make substantial contributions to comprehending biological functions and advancing drug discovery. The success rate of producing crystals stays low, and the high expenses along with the minimal number of experiments that can be carried out continue to position obstacles for space-based research study. The speculative system for area molecular formation, established by TANAKA MIRAI Lab. and using Au nanostructure development innovation, is anticipated to make it possible for more economical area try outs remarkable results. By leveraging protein condensation innovation based upon the plasmon resonance ^{(* 1)} of gold (Au), it can substantially enhance the crystal generation rate. This development is expected to add to the elucidation of biological functions and to research study in drug discovery.

Supremacy of “Experimental Unit for Space Molecular Crystallization Using Au Nanostructure Formation Technology”

Protein particles are quickly soaked up onto the surface area of Au nanoparticles, and plasmon resonance takes place in between Au nanoparticles at wavelengths in the noticeable light variety, promoting protein formation.

TANAKA MIRAI Lab. has actually found that the condensation of light energy in between Au nanoparticles even more promotes the generation of protein crystal nuclei. In addition, in the microgravity environment of area, crystals of greater quality and bigger size than those on the ground are anticipated to be created due to the fact that they are not impacted by convection and sedimentation due to gravity.

In mix with Au nanostructure development innovation, TANAKA MIRAI Lab. has actually established a capillary (round glass gadget) (Figure 1) with high crystal generation abilities (patent pending) for usage in the counter-diffusion^{(* 2)} technique.

On the inner wall of the capillary with an inner size of 0.5 mm and a length of 5 cm, nano-level particles of Au (typical size: 20 nm) are lined up at nano-level periods (typical range in between surface areas: 40 nm) that help with the generation of plasmon resonance near the surface area of Au particles.

In addition to carrying out experiments in area, which is untouched by gravity, using this system is anticipated to drastically enhance the rate of getting protein crystals, which had actually been thought about challenging. As an outcome, it is thought that this system will add to the elucidation of biological functions and the advancement of drug discovery research study.

Figure 1: a)Photo of capillary b)Schematic diagram of capillary c)Electron microscopic lense picture of inner wall

Introduction of the Experiment

Kirara, an area experiment service provided by Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation(https://www.jamss.co.jp/en/space_utilization/kirara/), an area experiment speaking with business, was utilized to set up the speculative system for area molecular condensation utilizing Au nanostructure development innovation in the SpaceX CRS-32 unmanned industrial resupply spacecraft.

Particularly, blood vessels were filled with protein option and sealed in a tube (bag )which was saved within the Kirara gadget (a thermostatic chamber ). This system was then positioned in the rocket and introduced into area.

Timeline of experiments including protein condensation in area

* All times are U.S. regional times

• April 7: Specimens sent out from Japan to the U.S.
• April 13: Specimens show up in Kennedy Space Center in Florida(U.S. )
• April 19: Specimens are packed into Kirara gadget and positioned in rocket
• April 21: Kirara gadget is introduced into area on a Space-X Falcon 9 rocket(CRS-32)
• April 22: Kirara gadget gets to International Space Station (the ISS)
• April 23: Kirara gadget is set up in the ISS Columbus science lab
• May 21: Kirara gadget is eliminated from the ISS Columbus science lab
• May 25: CRS-32 with Kirara gadget go back to Earth

Outcomes of the Experiment

The speculative system for area molecular condensation utilizing Au nanostructure development innovation was utilized to effectively take shape proteins in area (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Top)Protein crystals formed in blood vessels consisting of condensation option with NaCl concentration of 750 mM
Bottom) Magnified view of protein crystals taken utilizing polarizing microscopic lense

The chart listed below (Figure 3) reveals the results of the protein condensation experiment carried out on the ISS^{(* 3)}The horizontal axis represents the concentration of the NaCl in the formation option (mM). The vertical axis represents the typical variety of crystals that formed in the blood vessel (crystals per blood vessel).

The blue bars (Au(-)) reveal the outcomes for blood vessels without Au nanostructures, while the red bars (Au(+)) reveal the outcomes for blood vessels with Au nanostructures.

As the chart reveals, the variety of crystals that formed was greater for blood vessels with Au nanostructures (the red bars on the chart).

Speculative conditions

● Capillary conditions: Capillaries with an inner size of 0.5 mm were utilized, and a structure of nano-level particles of Au with a size of 20 nm was formed on the inner walls of the blood vessels(in the very same method when it comes to experiments carried out in the world ahead of time).

● Solution conditions: Lysozyme fine-tuned for the area experiment was utilized as a solvent for protein( 25 mg/L). For the condensation service, 3 NaCl concentrations were prepared: 650 mM, 700 mM, and 750 mM. These services consisted of an acetic acid buffer (pH 4.5) with a concentration of 50 mM and PEG (4K) 20%.

● Crystallization experiment: The counter-diffusion technique was utilized, and the systems were kept fixed at a temperature level of 20 ° C in a weightless environment for 34 days, throughout which the formation procedure was observed.

Remarks from Researchers Responsible for the Experiment

Takayuki Ishibashi
Chief Researcher, TANAKA MIRAI Lab.
Since TANAKA MIRAI Lab. was very first introduced, we’ve pictured rare-earth elements as being utilized in severe environments. Numerous tasks never ever get beyond their preparation stages, so I’m happy that our very first success was with an experiment in area, which we’ve had the ability to show the real posts utilized in the experiment in our principle space here within the business. Seeing the proteins that took shape in area here in the world, with my own eyes, I felt once again the capacity for future crystal applications as we pursue the year 2085. We had the ability to attain this success thanks to the combined efforts of lots of people, and I ‘d like to reveal my thankfulness once again to all those included, both within and outside the business.

Masahiro Ito
Chief Researcher, TANAKA MIRAI Lab.
This area task was a significantly significant one for us, as it represented a terrific advance. As a business that handles rare-earth elements, there have actually long been expectations for our involvement in the area market, however this was our very first time truly handling a difficulty in this sector. The task began of a desire not simply to think of things at the conceptual level however to check them out in area. I think it shows the spirit of TANAKA MIRAI Lab.– utilizing interest to drive our pursuit of developing unusual and remarkable worth for the future.

Figure 4: Left)The speculative system utilized in the ISS Right )Replica of the Kirara gadget
(On display in the DOCK2085 principle space at the head workplace)

^{(* 1)} Plasmon resonance: A phenomenon in which light of a particular wavelength is taken in on an Au surface area that has actually been nanoparticulated. It is even more improved when Au nanoparticles are close together at nano-level spacing.

^{(* 2)} Counter-diffusion approach: One of the protein formation techniques, in which crystals are gotten by bidirectional diffusion of the protein service inside the capillary and the formation option exterior. Throughout this procedure, a concentration gradient is created inside the capillary, that makes it possible to all at once look for a large range of condensation conditions. In addition, because the protein is not focused throughout condensation, crystal development continues carefully.

^{(* 3)} While more crystals were produced in the system with the Au nanostructures, the experiments were carried out under a restricted variety of speculative conditions, so this can not be concluded to represent a substantial distinction. The general number of crystals that were created was low in contrast to previous experiments carried out on Earth. This is thought to be due to a great deal of days passing in between when the blood vessels were filled with option and when the condensation started.

About TANAKA MIRAI Lab.

TANAKA has actually been advancing an improvement of its total organization towards the year 2085, the 200th anniversary of its starting, with the objective of “developing a future that nobody has actually ever seen before.” As part of this effort, TANAKA introduced TANAKA MIRAI Lab., a company to lead the development of brand-new paradigms for a much better future– from development to awareness.
TANAKA MIRAI Lab.’s objective is to picture a hidden future and recognize numerous possibilities by performing research study stemmed from “kisho (valuable and uncommon) worth.”

About TANAKA

Given that its structure in 1885, TANAKA has actually constructed a portfolio of items to support a varied series of service utilizes concentrated on rare-earth elements. TANAKA is a leader in Japan relating to the volume of rare-earth elements it manages. Over several years, TANAKA has actually made and offered rare-earth element items for market and offered rare-earth elements in such kinds as precious jewelry and possessions. As rare-earth elements professionals, all Group business in Japan and around the world work together on production, sales, and innovation advancement to use a complete series of services and products. With 5,591 staff members, the group’s combined net sales for the ended December 2024 were 846.9 billion yen.

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News release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/2025821.pdf