Genomic DNA encodes the amino acid sequences of proteins. In the evolution of life, random mutations and natural selection have made the proteins molecular machines that autonomously form stable tertiary structures, for their functions as catalysts, sensors, actuators, and scaffolds in organisms. The 3D structures determined by X-ray crystallography are inevitably static, but they provide convenient explanations of the protein functions, as if they were macro-scale machines. However, most structural biological techniques cannot properly convey the dynamic aspects of protein structures. In this research program, we aim to develop innovative measurement techniques, to vividly describe protein structures at their sites of action.

• Daisuke Kohda, Professor, Kyushu University (Leader)
• Toshio Ando, Professor, Kanazawa University　
• Masahiro Shirakawa, Professor, Kyoto University　
• Noritaka Nishida, Assistant Professor, The Univ of Tokyo
• Yuji Sugita, Chief Scientist, Riken
• Tomoya Tsukazaki, Associate Professor, Nara Institute of Science and Technology

A related center in Kyushu University

Research Center for Live-Protein Dynamics HP

This program will consolidate and expand the outcomes and the concepts of the 21st Century COE Program “Integrative Life Sciences －Post-genome Research of Systemic Life Sciences” undertaken in Kyushu University for 5 years from 2002 (Program leader: Yukio Fujiki). The objective is to establish a new educational and research center of the highest international level related to "clarification of the mechanisms underlying the cell-fate decision that support the homeostasis of individuals such as humans and construction of a basis for medical applications of stem cell biology."

• Program Leader: Prof. Yukio FUJIKI
• Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, 5 researchers
• Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 10 researchers

Structural Biology Laboratory, Post-Genome Research Center

Target: NOX (NADPH oxidase) family
Project Leader: Hideki Sumimoto, Professor, Kyushu Univeristy
Member: Fuyuhiko Inagaki, Professor, Hokkaido Univeristy
Member: Daisuke Kohda, Professor, Kyushu Univeristy

Target: Dock2 (CDM family)
Project Leader: Yoshinori Fukui, Professor, Kyushu Univeristy
Member: Shigeyuki Yokoyama, Project Director, Riken
Member: Masakatsu Shibasaki, Professor, the Univeristy of Tokyo
Member: Daisuke Kohda, Professor, Kyushu Univeristy

English version is not available

• Ichio Shimada, Professor, the University of Tokyo (Leader)
• Daisuke Kohda, Professor, Kyushu University
• Takashi Funatsu, Professor, the University of Tokyo
• Itaru Hamachi, Professor, Kyoto University
• Masahiro Shirakawa, Professor, Kyoto University
• Haruko Hayasaka, Assistant Professor, Osaka University

English version not available

• Hideo Akutsu, Professor, Osaka University (Leader)
• Tatsuya Haga, Professor, Gakushuin University
• Masahiro Shirakawa, Professor, Yokohama City University
• Daisuke Kohda, Professor, Kyushu University
• Yuji Sugita, Lecturer, Tokyo University
• Ichio Shimada, Professor, Tokyo University
• Saburo Aimoto, Professo,r Osaka University
• J. H. Tame, Professor, Yokohama City University
• Hiroyuki Toh, Professor, Kyoto University