KIKUKAWA TakashiAssociate Professor
- Laboratory
- Laboratory of Biological Information Analysis Science
- Research Theme
- Understanding the molecular mechanism of membrane proteins and their functional modifications for useful applications
- Research Keywords
Photoactive proteins, photobiology, rhodopsin, optogenetics, directed molecular evolution, membrane protein, ion pump, membrane transport, transporter
Overview of Research
Many proteins express their respective functions by changing their conformations stepwisely. Reflecting these features, proteins are sometimes described as “molecular machines”. We are interested in the mechanism of how proteins can work like a machine, and are conducting research to elucidate the mechanism. A group of proteins called “photoreceptor proteins” has very useful properties for investigating these mechanisms. Among the photoreceptor proteins, we are particularly interested in a protein called microbial rhodopsin.
Most organisms have developed “photoreceptive proteins” to utilize sunlight as a source of information or energy. Among them, microbial rhodopsin is the most widely distributed protein in nature and has undergone diverse molecular evolution. Upon light stimulation, microbial rhodopsin changes its conformation stepwisely if it were a machine and exhibit its own function. This “light-activated” property of microbial rhodopsin makes it an excellent model protein for detecting stepwise structural changes with time-resolved measurements. We are using this property to elucidate the mechanism of microbial rhodopsin in detail. In addition to this basic research, we are also interested in the application of microbial rhodopsin to environmental problems and medical fields. By modifying the function of microbial rhodopsin or collaborating it with other proteins, we aim to develop proteins and protein complexes with useful functions.
Charge
- School of Science:
Biological Science course (Macromolecular Functions), Core Laboratories - Graduate School of Life Science:
Division of Soft Matter, Biomolecular Soft Matter
Representative Publications
Refer to HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS DIRECTORY
(https://researchers.general.hokudai.ac.jp/profile/en.UsrwFuNL0FX7ISw9utjOtw==.html)
Note
<Office Hour>
– Time: Anytime during the lecture period
– Place: Science Bldg. No.2, 8F, #2-806
Please contact in advance by E-mail.
E-mail: kikukawa[at]sci.hokudai.ac.jp
Affiliation
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Department of Functional Life Sciences, Biological Information Analysis Science
- Frontier Research Center for Advanced Material and Life Science, Global Collaboration Unit, Soft Matter Collaborative Research Unit