Every day, Bristol Myers Squibb colleagues and scientists come across images that highlight the wonders of science and the cutting-edge work of the company’s research teams. This image was submitted by Stacey Crawford, a scientist in Chemical Process Development, within the company’s Global Product Development and Supply (GPS) organization in New Brunswick.
It provides a microscopic view of crystals from a small molecular intermediate compound formed after going through a crystallization screening process. A compound’s ability to form well-developed crystals is an important area of study in drug development, with implications for a medicine’s eventual stability, strength, purity, manufacturing, and storage requirements.
Part of Crawford’s job is to determine the best conditions for crystal growth and evaluate the growing crystals through a microscope. The “birefringence” – bright, rainbow-like colors seen in the photo – are a sign of well-developed crystals.
“Every time I sit at the microscope is a chance to see something new and amazing,” Crawford said. “I get so excited when I see crystals like the ones shown in the photo because it means potential and possibilities. I know my group and the company are working toward something incredible in terms of innovation and for our patients.”
