Internal Seminar (18th January)

Dear Colleagues,
We are happy to announce the upcoming OIST internal seminar
Date: 18^th January, 2013 (Friday)
Time: 5:00 -6:00pm
Just this time the Venue CHANGE TO B503

Speakers:
Prof. Ulf Skoglund (Structural Cellular Biology Unit)

Title:
3D visualization of individual protein molecules for functional analysis

Abstract:

Three-dimensional (3D) visualization of individual protein conformations can be a powerful way to understand protein function and large-scale molecular dynamics under various conditions. Today this has become possible to accomplish by using the molecular electron tomography procedure.

Using specimen recordings from a large number of viewing angles in a transmission electron microscope, a 3D reconstruction of a selected volume of the specimen can be calculated. Algorithms that our research unit is developing allow the 3D reconstructions to be calculated at around 2-nm resolution for proteins in fast-frozen buffer solutions. As a result, we can establish the conformational space for a given macromolecule by inspection of its various conformations as they appear in 3D. Thus individual macromolecules can be examined for their conformational flexibility, subunit assembly and tendency to deviate from a perhaps known X-ray crystallographic structure.

AND

Dr. Jeong-Hwan Kim (Nanoparticles by Design Unit)

Title:

Multi-functionalization of Nanoclusters: A bridge between bio- and nano-materials

Abstract:

Multifunctional nanoparticles (NPs) at the boundary between material sciences, chemistry, and biology are being increasingly significant over a wide spectrum of emerging applications. These range from high-end advanced electronics, to revolutionary diagnostic tools for medicine, and they will soon transform the quality of several activities of our life.

From the nanoscale side functional inorganic NPs have been already demonstrated suggesting a possible roadmap for the post-silicon era. At the same time biomedical devices have found a place in molecular probes/agents designing, showing a sensitivity orders of magnitude superior to that achievable with conventional methods. Harmonizing both the functionalities, these hybrid nano-bio-molecular agents include NP-based medical probes, cell/nerve agent detectors, and chemical sensors. In particular, the potential use of monodispersed core-shell nanoclusters as multifunctional imaging/therapeutic agents or potential smart drug-delivery vehicles in biology and medicine has gained increasing importance, affording special types of multi-functionalized and bio-compatible NPs.

In this talk, I try to address the most important implements and developments of our unique gas-phase synthetic design of novel nanoclusters for near future bio-applications. For instance, we can envision a variety of nanoscopic (1~10 nm) multifunctional core-shell architectures from highly fluorescent NPs, magnetic NPs, thermoresponsive NPs and highly biocompatible systems to, lastly, smart drug-delivery systems and implantable biomaterials. This would be an ultimate playground for “finely-engineered” nano-biomaterials relevant for advanced nanomedicine.

Refreshments (pizza and drinks) will be serve at the cafeteria, after the seminar.

We are looking forward to see you at the upcoming internal seminar!

Best regards,

OIST Internal Seminar organizing committee

Alexander Badrutdinov (alexbadr@oist.jp )

Omar Jáidar (ojaidar@oist.jp )

Marco Tsui ( marco.tsui@oist.jp )

Eiji Uchibe (uchibe@oist.jp, supporting, previous organizer)

Mary Ann Price (m.a.price@oist.jp, Faculty Advisor)