MOSCOW, April 13. /TASS/. Protein crystals of different variants of the novel coronavirus were grown aboard the International Space Station during the latest experiment in the orbit, 3D Bioprinting Solutions managing partner Yusef Khesuani has said.

"This experiment is unique, because we grew protein crystals of various coronavirus strains. Those were the first-ever experiments of this kind," he said, adding that RBD protein of the omicron strain was crystallized as part of the experiment.

In his words, the crystals, grown by a 3D bioprinter in the orbit, are larger than those grown on the ground using the same technology.

"The bigger a crystal is, the larger is the number of methods that can be used to study its structure," he said.

According to the scientists, studying the structure of a protein can help to develop a medicine for blocking it.

The N-protein (nucleocapsid) of the novel coronavirus was delivered to the ISS aboard the Soyuz MS-21 spacecraft on March 18. 3D Bioprinting Solutions managing partner Yusef Khesuani told TASS that once the crystals are grown, they will be returned to the Earth and will be studied for about 1-1.5 months.

Another delivery of coronavirus proteins to the ISS is planned during the autumn manned mission, although an intermediary delivery may be organized aboard a space freighter due to depart this summer. Khesuani stressed the delivery will be safe for the ISS crew, because only fragments of the virus will be sent to the orbit.

According to a presentation by Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin, experiments to develop antiviral medicines were planned for 2022. The official said those experiments were related to anti-coronavirus treatment.