Novel strategies to expand the scope of biological nanopores for sensing biomolecules

Research Project

Project/Area Number	22K05330
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Section	一般
Review Section	Basic Section 37020:Chemistry and chemical methodology of biomolecules-related
Research Institution	Kagawa University
Principal Investigator	Kong Lingbing 香川大学, 農学部, 准教授 (20798384)
Project Period (FY)	2022-04-01 – 2027-03-31
Project Status	Granted (Fiscal Year 2022)
Budget Amount *help	¥4,290,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥990,000) Fiscal Year 2026: ¥130,000 (Direct Cost: ¥100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥30,000) Fiscal Year 2025: ¥130,000 (Direct Cost: ¥100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥30,000) Fiscal Year 2024: ¥130,000 (Direct Cost: ¥100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥30,000) Fiscal Year 2023: ¥390,000 (Direct Cost: ¥300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥90,000) Fiscal Year 2022: ¥3,510,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥810,000)
Keywords	nanopore
Outline of Research at the Start	Efficient discovery of new biological nanopores and conversion of existing ones into new ones is of most significance in technology development. The proposed multidisciplinary research program is to explore new strategies to expand the scope of biological nanopores for sensing biomolecules.
Outline of Annual Research Achievements	Most of the expected research goals have been achieved. Particularly, designed proteins have been expressed and purified in small scales. Larger scale production is in progress. The chemical syntheses have been repeated. The purity of the chemicals is being further improved. The establishment of a UPLC-MS system is delayed but it is currently significantly improving the purity and characterisation of the chemicals. On the other hand, the delivery of the AKTAgo FPLC system was much delayed due to the devaluation of the Japanese Yen and difficulties in international delivery during the COVID pandemic. However, it has been set up and the purity of the proteins is being greatly improved. The preparation of novel nanopores are currently in progress. The establishments of the above-mentioned instruments together with a Benchtop NMR system will accelerate the progress of the project greatly.
Current Status of Research Progress	Current Status of Research Progress 3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed. Reason The delayed deliveries of essential instruments caused some slight delays in the progress of the project. However, the successful establishments of these devices will greatly accelerate the progress of the project from now on.
Strategy for Future Research Activity	The project is expected to progress smoothly from now on.