| 研究課題/領域番号 |
21K14746
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| 研究種目 |
若手研究
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| 配分区分 | 基金 |
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| 審査区分 |
小区分37020:生物分子化学関連
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| 研究機関 | 東京工業大学 |
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研究代表者 |
ジャー トニーズィ 東京工業大学, 地球生命研究所, 特任准教授 (10800328)
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| 研究期間 (年度) |
2021-04-01 – 2026-03-31
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| 研究課題ステータス |
交付 (2023年度)
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| 配分額 *注記 |
4,680千円 (直接経費: 3,600千円、間接経費: 1,080千円)
2022年度: 1,430千円 (直接経費: 1,100千円、間接経費: 330千円)
2021年度: 3,250千円 (直接経費: 2,500千円、間接経費: 750千円)
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| キーワード | Origins of Life / Protocells / Prebiotic Chemistry / Phase Separation / LLPS / Biopolymers / Self-Assembly / Biophysics / Origins of life / Polyesters / Artificial Cells / Panspermia / Protocell / Astrobiology |
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| 研究開始時の研究の概要 |
Membraneless droplets generated by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) were likely protocells. However, their structures and functions are unclear. We propose to study assembly, structure, and function of membraneless protocell compartments such as polyester droplets and liquid crystal coacervates. By probing the ability of LLPS protocells to stably compartmentalize and protect biomolecules and connecting these to essential modern cellular functions, we hope to understand more about how primitive protocells and chemistries directly evolved into modern cells and biologies.
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| 研究実績の概要 |
In a study publishd in Small Methods, we show that salt cations reside preferentially at the surface of membraneless protocells, neutralizing the surface charge and inducing coalescence and growth. The salts themselves partition differentially according to their identity and concentration, as well as the droplet chemistry themselves.
Subsequently, we have reported a novel glycol nucleic acid using similar chemistry as the ones that produce droplets. Based on our work over the years, we have contributed a number of invited reviews on phase separation and protocells. Finally, we have expanded our work to be relevant for bioengineering and environmental chemistry, namely on polymer wastes. We currently have four manuscripts under review and six manuscripts book chapters in preparation.
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| 現在までの達成度 |
現在までの達成度
2: おおむね順調に進展している
理由
We have achieved a number of the goals we set out to. However, I am on paternity leave until late 2024, which means that there are some remaining goals that still need time to be completed (such as into 2025).
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| 今後の研究の推進方策 |
Thus, we are planning to finalize some papers in preparation related to droplet-crystal transition, degradation of the droplets, and synthesis/characterization of droplets under extreme conditions, as well as further work linking the droplets (and especially compartmentalization) with biorecycling or medical systems.
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