Non-equilibrium-state molecular movies and their applications

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Non-equilibrium-state molecular movies and their applications
• Project/Area Number: 19H05776
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Complex systems
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Iwata So 京都大学, 医学研究科, 教授 (60452330)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 構造生物学 / 計算科学 / ケミカルバイオロジー / ビームラインテクノロジー / 光薬理学 / 光遺伝学 / 分光学 / 動的構造解析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to establish this method as a universal method applicable to the observation of more biological macromolecules, we have tried to remove as many limitations as possible from the “molecular movie” method by maximizing the use of beamline engineering, protein engineering, chemical biology, and other technologies. As a result, we succeeded in obtaining fast molecular movies of new proteins such as visual rhodopsin and DNA photolyase. Furthermore, we reported a quantitative and theoretical analysis of the observed molecular movies using computational and spectroscopic methods. Based on these results, we also developed new compounds that can control proteins and evaluated their properties. An international symposium was held to report and discuss these results.

Free Research Field

構造生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本領域は単にタンパク質の分子動画を撮るだけではなく、タンパク質のダイナミックスを理解し、それに基づき新しい機能性タンパク質やタンパク質の機能を制御できる化合物を創生できる可能性を示した。今後は実際に光遺伝学に使える新規機能タンパク質や光薬理学に使えるツールを開発し、それらを基礎研究や臨床研究そして実際の治療法や新規薬物の開発につなげていきたい。