Professor

Satoshi Takahashi

Senior Assistant Professor

Hirofumi Kurokawa

Assistant Professor

Yuji Itoh

Dynamics of protein folding and function based on single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy

Proteins are natural machines that perform various functions that sustain our lives. To be biologically active, proteins form compact three dimensional structures in the process called protein folding. The folded structures of proteins are determined by the primary sequence of amino acids, and show dynamics among various structures. However, it is still extremely difficult to understand how the function of proteins are achieved. In our laboratory, we develop new single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and observe the protein dynamics. In addition, we are recently interested in the proteins and RNA derived from SARS-CoV-2. Understanding their dynamics, structure, and function will aid the development of eff ective inhibitors of their function, leading to new drugs against COVID-19.

Themes

• Investigation of protein dynamics based on single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy
• Observation of ultrafast dynamics of biomolecules by nanosecond fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
• Analysis of the interaction between the nucleocapsid protein and RNA of SARS-CoV-2
• Fluorescent labeling of proteins using enzymes aiming at the single-molecule fl uorescence measurements