Department of Macromolecular Science
I am currently working on X-ray crystallography of proteins.
In X-ray crystallography, a crystal is first irradiated with an X-ray beam, and the phase is determined from the diffraction image obtained. The structure is then determined by obtaining the electron density of the molecule.
The structure of a protein molecule is essential for analyzing its function. Although AI has been used to predict structures in recent years, X-ray crystallography, which can precisely determine structures at high resolution, is still an important technology.
I am focusing on a protein called ferredoxin, which transfers electrons in the photosynthetic electron transfer system. In particular, I am studying the ferredoxin of green algae living in Antarctica, and I hope to reveal slight structural differences from model green algae living at room temperature using X-ray crystallography and neutron crystallography, which can determine the position of hydrogen.
The PQBA will provide me with an opportunity to interact with and learn from people in research fields that I am not normally involved with, who have come together with a common interest in quantum beams.