We are pleased to announce that the program for the Molecular Robotics January Workshop has been finalized.
If you wish to participate, please register by email.
Registration contact: Kazunori Matsuura   ma2ra-k (at) chem.tottori-u.ac.jp

Date & Time: Friday, January 23, 2015, from 14:00
Venue: Tottori University, Faculty of Engineering, Lecture Room 25
Organizer: Molecular Robotics Research Group
Co-organizer: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas “Molecular Robotics”

Invited Lectures:
14:00–14:45  Eiji Nakata (Lecturer) / Takashi Morii (Professor), Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University
“Development of a Molecular Switchboard with Functional Proteins Immobilized on DNA Origami”
Abstract: In living systems, proteins form transient complexes and play major roles in building systems for material conversion and information transfer. Taking such systems as a model, if proteins can be positioned at specific locations with nanoscale precision, it is expected that highly efficient material conversion systems (molecular switchboards) could be constructed—systems that cannot be achieved by simply mixing components. As a platform for high-precision placement of target proteins, we have focused on DNA origami and have worked on developing adapters that specifically bind to DNA addresses introduced at designated positions on DNA origami. To date, by employing several DNA-binding proteins as adapters and preparing fusion proteins with target proteins, we have succeeded in placing them easily, with high selectivity and high yield, on DNA origami. In this talk, we will introduce these results along with our recent findings.

14:45–15:30  Akira Onoda (Associate Professor), Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University
“Programming Self-Organization of Heme Proteins”
Abstract: Electron transfer in living systems is achieved through intermolecular interactions among many proteins. If proteins responsible for electron transfer and related functions can be programmed and organized, this could lead to the creation of new bio-devices. We target heme proteins that possess electron-transfer, catalytic, and sensing functions, and we are working on building programmed hierarchical protein structures by leveraging precise and robust interactions between heme and the protein matrix, as well as on developing bio-devices through hybridization with metal nanoparticles and polymers. We will present our recent results.

15:45–16:30  Tonau Nakai (Assistant Professor), Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University
“Bacteria as Microrobots: Motility of Individuals and Collectives”
Abstract: In the sense that bacteria detect nutrient concentration gradients (e.g., protons) and change their direction of movement, they can be regarded as robots equipped with sensors and actuators. Although they are extremely primitive as living organisms, they exhibit high swimming efficiency even in viscosity-dominated environments, and thus attract attention as models for microrobots. If bacterial motility could be freely controlled, it could be useful as a medical robot moving within blood vessels, and could also lead to new technologies in areas such as fermented food production, environmental hygiene, and improvement of natural environments. In this talk, we will introduce topics from our investigations of bacterial motility characteristics, including “bacterial swimming affected by interfaces” and “large vortex structures formed by dense bacterial populations.”

16:30–17:00  Ken Komiya (Assistant Professor), Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
“Development of an Isothermal Exponential Amplification Method for DNA Signals”
Abstract: Methods that exponentially amplify DNA in response to the presence of nucleic acids with specific base sequences are used for highly sensitive pathogen detection and genetic testing. In contrast to the widely used PCR method, various DNA exponential amplification methods that do not require high-temperature conditions or thermal cycling have been developed; however, no method has surpassed PCR. One contributing factor is ab initio DNA synthesis that occurs even in the absence of target nucleic acids, caused by DNA polymerases generating oligo-DNA without template dependence. In this talk, we will explain attempts to suppress ab initio DNA synthesis and discuss the use of isothermal exponential amplification of DNA signals in molecular robotics.

From 18:00  Discussion / networking session