2021 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Critically testing magnetoreception mechanisms at the cellular level
| Project/Area Number |
20H02687
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| Research Institution | The University of Tokyo |
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Principal Investigator |
ウッドワード ジョナサン 東京大学, 大学院総合文化研究科, 教授 (80526054)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | 磁気受容 / 細胞の自家蛍光 / ラジカル反応 / 磁場効果 / 発光分析 / スピン化学 |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The research this year has been focussed on instrument development.
For the TOAD microscope, a multi-laser diode system was designed, constructed and tested. This system allows low resolution transient absorption spectra to be recorded directly using the confocal microscope arrangement. Automatic computer control of lasers allows automatic capture of both spectra and kinetics, while maintaining the ability to use the sensitive balanced detection system.
For the fluorescence microscope, a new two-laser based technique was developed and implemented, that can allow the direct measurement of radical pair lifetimes even using camera-based imaging. Early measurements using the technique have been undertaken using model flavin based reactions. New modulation schemes were developed to distinguish between magnetic field effects on light and dark based reactions in cellular systems.
Theoretical calculations on modelling cyclic singlet and triplet-born radical pair reactions were conducted and revealed new insights about the low field effect as well as important consequences for cyclic photoreactions proceeding through triplet born radical pairs. . This work was submitted for publication and is currently under review.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
Restrictions due to the novel coronavirus have disrupted the ability to carry out cellular based measurements in the laboratory during this year. Progress on other aspects of the project are on schedule, but the cell-based protocol developments and measurements have been delayed. These will now be carried out in the final year of the project and it should be possible to bring these experiments back on schedule.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Instrument development aspects of the project have now been completed, so the research focus during the coming year will shift to extending cellular based measurements in native and modified cells. Recent publications have highlighted the significance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as potential markers of magnetic field sensitive processes in biology. Therefore the research this year will focus on the following:
1)Extending the cellular based fluorescence measurements to wider range of cell types and growth environments. Extended testing of a range of environmental stresses on magnetic field response beyond those already investigated.
2)Direct measurements of ROS levels under cell photoexcitation using ROS sensor proteins. Coexpression of ROS sensors with cryptochromes and correlated measurements.
3) Protein expression and photochemical and magnetic field measurements of key mitochondrial flavoproteins lipoamide dehydrogenase and electron transfer flavoprotein.
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| Remarks |
I delivered a two-hour public lecture on our work from this project using the 'Clubhouse' online presentation platform, entitled, "Cellular autofluorescence is magnetic field sensitive."
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