Previously, I was a member of the laboratory of Professor Keiichi Fukuyama, one of Japan's leading crystallographers. With his support, I pioneered my own field of research (engaging in research and education in the same laboratory from receiving my degree in 2003 until March 2012). In April 2012, I became independent as a Principal Investigator (PI) and established my laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki.
My research interests are diverse, as listed below. While they may appear disorganized at first glance, the common theme uniting these targets is "dynamic structural changes accompanying functional expression."
Structural information is incredibly useful for investigating the physiological functions of proteins and enzymes. I consider X-ray crystallography to be the most superior method for protein structure determination, but I also believe it has its limitations. In other words, when the goal is to elucidate function, structure determination is merely a means to an end—I view it as just one step that accelerates efficient research.
In my research, I aim to fully elucidate functions by utilizing a variety of techniques, including genetic, biochemical, and organic chemical methods, as well as tomography, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, microspectroscopy, and EPR. Furthermore, I believe that collaborators are essential to thriving in international research competition. I strive to absorb the "ideas" of researchers from various specialized fields to cultivate my own creativity.
When considering the molecular function of proteins based on structure, one cannot discuss reactions without considering electronic states (quantum chemistry). Moving forward, I aim to develop a research strategy that also incorporates quantum chemical calculations into my work.
[研究対象]
o Collaborators:
Prof. Emeritus Yasuhiro Takahashi (Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University)
Prof. F. Wayne Outten (University of South Carolina)
Prof. Kenji Iwasaki (Survival Dynamics Research Center, University of Tsukuba)
o Collaborators:
Prof. Hideyuki Suzuki (Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology)
Prof. Jun Hiratake (Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University)
President / Prof. Emeritus Hidehiko Kumagai (Ishikawa Prefectural University)
o Collaborators:
Prof. Keizo Nagasaki (Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Science, Kochi University)
Prof. Yuji Tomaru (National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Fisheries Research Agency)
Prof. Natsuko Nakayama (National Research Institute of Fisheries and Environment of Inland Sea, Fisheries Research Agency)
Assoc. Prof. Kei Kimura (Graduate School of Agriculture, Saga University)
o Collaborators:
Assoc. Prof. Shoichi Sugishima (Kurume University School of Medicine)
Lecturer Jiro Harada (Kurume University School of Medicine)
Prof. Masaki Unno (Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University)
Prof. J. Clark Lagarias (University of California, Davis)
Prof. Emeritus Ayumi Tanaka (Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University)
o Collaborators:
Prof. Emeritus Masahiko Ikeuchi (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo)
Assoc. Prof. Rei Narikawa (Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University)
Assoc. Prof. Yu Hirose (Graduate School of Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology)
Reactive oxygen species scavenging system: Foundation for drug design
o Collaborators:
Prof. Shunji Tada (Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University)
Structural basis of oxidative stress resistance
o Collaborators:
Specially Appointed Prof. Shigeru Shigeoka (Experimental Farm, Kindai University)
Prof. Masahiro Tamoi (Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University)
Structure and function analysis of iron-sulfur proteins
o Collaborators:
Prof. Yuichi Fujita (Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University)
Structural analysis of DNA/RNA binding proteins
o Collaborators:
Prof. Yan Xu (Division of Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki)
Lecturer Takumi Ishizuka (Division of Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki)
