Electrophoresis operations in space for pharmaceutical processing

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Electrophoresis operations in space for pharmaceutical processing

Richman, O.W.

Electrophoresis is widely recognized as a method of separating proteins. Continuous flow electrophoresis can be used as a preparative process to separate and collect small amounts of material. The amount of material is limited on earth by the effects of gravity that restrict the usable concentration and size of the sample stream. McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. is investigating the advantages of the low gravity environment of space on this process in its Electrophoresis Operations in Space (EOS) Program. In its first space demonstration on the fourth flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia in June 1982 a sample was separated that contained more than four hundred times more protein than can be separated on earth. This chamber has flown on three missions and as a result of these demonstrations we have initiated development of a scaled-up Production Prototype factory that will fly in the Shuttle Payload Bay in 1985. The ultimate goal of the program is a long-term commercial production in orbiting factories supported by free-flying satellites or a Space Station. (