Highlights of the Frontier research center for Post-Genome Science and Technology
To accomplish the mission of Frontier-PST, university has gathered many of its outstanding scientists and staffs from all over the campus into the research center. Four innovation hubs have been founded based on the scientific specialty of those researchers. Frontier-PST also holds a supporting division that provides knowledge, facilities and human resource to bridge the basic science and clinical research. Research interests of these organizations are briefly introduced as below.
Biomedical science & Drug discovery Hub:
- Study on the mechanism of post-translational modifications and their application for
To elucidate the biological mechanism of the post-translational modification, many founding based on the research focusing on the analysis of glycoconjugates and lipids has been successfully carried out by this group. As consequence of the application of our discoveries, development of new drugs including therapeutic agents of glycoproteins and lipids, antivirus agent and diagnostic methods for tumors and genetic disorders
- Application of chemical biology on drug discover and clinical diagnosis
Chemical biology stands on elucidating biological phenomena through chemistry. We are challenging to develop automatic glycoconjugates synthesizer, influenza curative drug, and the novel chiroptical analysis for biomolecule in order to understand the biological phenomena at a molecular level by means of chemistry.
Protein structure Hub:
- Development of high throughput technologies for structural analysis of protein
Full automatic and intellectual systems for protein structure determination through crystallography or by NMR(nuclear magnetic resonance) analysis are currently in study and development.
- Structural and functional analyses of proteins
Various proteins including regulation factors of the gene expression, proteins related in intercellular signal transduction network or virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria etc.
Bio-Imaging Hub:
- Creation and application of bio-imaging technologies
Photo techniques have been improved or re-created for imaging the organic organs, the isolated cells or even single molecules. To apply these new high technologies on the research of life science, we are trying to develop a new bioimaging system for studying the biological mechanism in a living body. In cooperation with the manufacturers, our research is also bringing variations and activities to the education of Hokkaido University, and contributing to the international collaboration.
Biomics Hub:
- Study on functional networks for chromosome inheritance
To elucidate the mechanism of the chromosome inheritance, post-genomic integrated approaches including proteomics, genomics and other biological technology are used for studying functional architectures of protein complexes, which relate to the replication and kinetochore of human chromosome.
- Large scale, high throughput glycomics
A sophisticated method for glycan analyses based on a glycoblotting technique and MS（ mass spectrometry） has been established, and now applying for large and comprehensive glycomics of biological materials, e.g. serum and tissue biopsy.
Division for supporting basic science & Industrial cooperation:
- Production of gene-manipulated animals and cell culture system
We generate and provide genetically modified mice and various cell culture system including iPS cells to test and develop useful methods for diagnosis and medical treatment of human diseases.
- Facilities for biomedical analysis and clinical trail
An animal facility, a radioisotope laboratory, molecular imaging laboratory and other equipment are available for various medical tests. Furthermore, we also manage the collaboration between the Frontier-PST and medical school including university hospital for translational research.