Understanding and utilizing rhodopsin's basis functions

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02446
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 43040:Biophysics-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Sudo Yuki 岡山大学, 医歯薬学域, 教授 (10452202)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ロドプシン / 光 / 生物物理 / オプトジェネティクス / 光遺伝学 / エネルギー変換

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Rhodopsin is a photoreceptive membrane protein found in a variety of organisms. It is involved in various biological functions through the conversion of light energy and information and is also used in optogenetics as an artificial light-manipulating molecule. This research focuses on the fundamental question: What is rhodopsin? To answer this question, we aimed to understand and utilize rhodopsin's basic functions. In this study, we conducted research on rhodopsin in three areas: 1) exploration, 2) analysis, and 3) manipulation, and obtained many fruitful results (20 original papers, 12 reviews/commentaries, etc.). This raises the question: What is rhodopsin? In addition to this basic understanding, we also achieved results in applied applications, such as the development of optogenetic tools using rhodopsin, which had a significant impact both domestically and internationally.

Free Research Field

生物物理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、生物中で光を情報やエネルギーに変換する光受容タンパク質「ロドプシン」の機能や物性の理解（基礎的研究）を進めるとともに、ロドプシンを用いた生命機能の人工的な光制御（例：細胞死誘導によるがん治療、光崩壊カプセルによる物質送達）に成功し、応用面でも成果をあげた。光であらゆる生命現象を制御し、病気の治療や物質の合成につながる未来社会（光をくすりへ！）につながることが期待される。