Faculty of Textile Science and Technology Research Activity2015｜Shinshu Universi

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56Bioresource and Environmental ScienceDesigning and applying useful proteins by studying the structure and function of proteinsDivision of Applied BiologyI am carrying out research to gain a deep understanding of the structure and function of proteins and to design, develop, and apply useful modified and artificial proteins. Based on my goal of achieving results that will prove useful in addressing biological resource issues and environmental problems, my lab uses cutting edge chemistry to see, examine, create, and apply proteins.Assistant Professor Arai took his current position in December 2007 after working as a researcher at RIKEN and Princeton University in the U.S. His areas of research are structural biology, which he uses to examine the three-dimensional structure and function of proteins, and protein engineering, which he uses to nd applications for proteins through their modication and design.My goal is to apply proteins in new elds, for example in pharmaceutical development and biotechnology, in order to create eco-friendly high-function nano-materials, clean chemistry catalysts, and high-sensitivity biosensors. In this way, I hope to contribute the achievement of a sustainable and abundant society.Outlook for researchGraduates are employed in numerous elds, including at pharmaceutical, enzyme, and chemical companies.Outlook for students after graduationThe structure of the articial protein WA20, a dimeric de novo 4-helix bundle (top); the overall structure of MqnD, a new menaquinone biosynthetic enzyme (lower left); and its active sites (lower right)An experiment in the research lab (upper left), production of useful proteins with microorganisms (upper right), a protein crystal that shines like a precious stone (lower left), and an x-ray diraction experiment at a synchrotron radiation facility (lower right)Asn43Asp38Thr107Ile144His145Asp14Tyr234Glu146tartaric acidLeu176Ser57WA20 MqnD Ryoichi AraiAssistant Professor

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