Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas “Molecular Robotics”
To all concerned

We are pleased to announce the July 2015 regular meeting of the Molecular Robotics Research Group as follows.
If you wish to join the social gathering, please let us know by email.

“Molecular Robotics Research Group” July 2015 Monthly Meeting (Hokuriku)
Supported by: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas “Creation of Molecular Robots with Sensing and Intelligence (Molecular Robotics)”
“Motion in Molecular Robotics: A Hierarchical Approach from Molecules to Tissues”

Date & Time

Friday, July 24, 2015, from 14:00

Venue

Ishikawa Shiko Memorial Cultural Exchange Center, Multipurpose Room 3

Access

From the JR Kanazawa Station East Exit bus terminal, take a bus and get off at “Korinbo (in front of ATRIO)”; about a 2-minute walk

About 10 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station; about 30 minutes on foot

Organizer

Yuichi Hiratsuka (School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) yhira(at)jaist.ac.jp

Participation Fee

Free

Notes

Since the Hokuriku Shinkansen opened this March, access between the Kanto area and Kanazawa has become very convenient. The last train to Tokyo departs at 21:00, so it is also possible to return to the Kanto area after the social gathering. We look forward to welcoming many participants, including at the social gathering.

--------- Workshop Program ---------
“Motion in Molecular Robotics: A Hierarchical Approach from Molecules to Tissues”
In this workshop, we planned a special focus on “motion,” one of the key components of molecular robots. As you know, in living systems that serve as models for molecular-robot design, moving proteins called motor proteins are responsible for motile phenomena; however, these molecules cannot be immediately used as parts for molecular robots. Diverse and excellent functions observed in life phenomena—such as cardiac beating, cell division, and flagellar oscillation—are achieved through the systemic operation of various molecules, including motor proteins. Such system design is also likely to be the key to success in designing molecular robotics. This time, we invite lecturers working on motility systems from various approaches, including Dr. Kazuhiro Oiwa (NICT) for a special lecture, and would like to deepen our understanding of system design for motility.

14:00–15:00 Special Lecture 1 Speaker: Prof. Kazuhiro Oiwa (Fellow, NICT Future ICT Research Institute)
“Cooperativity of Protein Motors and Self-Organized Pattern Formation by Collective Motion”
Protein motors are ATPases that generate force and motion and play essential roles in cellular functions. We have promoted research to elucidate the motile functions and regulatory mechanisms of protein motors by utilizing in vitro reconstitution techniques. Based on these achievements, we are currently discovering and analyzing new phenomena, including: collective motion of protein filaments (microtubules and actin) driven by protein motors; cooperativity shown by motor assemblies formed using DNA origami technology; and phase transitions of three-dimensional active gels constructed by motors and filaments. In this talk, we will introduce these latest research results.
14:00–15:10 Break
15:10–16:10 Special Lecture 2 Speaker: Prof. Keisuke Morishima (Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Osaka University)
“Creation of Bio–Machine Fusion Soft & Wet Robotics”
By integrating microfabrication technology, cell manipulation technology, and tissue engineering techniques, it has become possible to construct cell build-up bio–machine systems that enable a bottom-up approach rather than a conventional top-down approach. Because such systems use cells and tissues, in principle they can incorporate various biological functions into artificial systems—for example, small/lightweight and flexible actuators powered by chemical energy (muscle cells), as well as highly precise sensing functions found in living organisms. Focusing on these characteristics, we have been exploring “soft & wet robotics” that fuses life and machines, and designing devices using cell build-up bioactuators. Conventional robotics approaches require replacement of parts due to battery depletion, aging, or failures, and also tend to have low biocompatibility because they use mechanical components. Through multiscale collaboration enabled by this approach and molecular robotics technologies, it may be possible to provide solutions to these issues. In this presentation, we will introduce bioactuators and nanomachines driven by cells and tissues, as well as our work on biomanufacturing.
16:10–16:20 Break
16:20–16:45 General Talk 1 Speaker: Dr. Masahito Hayashi (Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University)
“Diversity of Shapes in Cytoskeleton-Encapsulating Liposomes and Their Control by External Stimuli”
In many biological cells, cytoskeletal fibers such as actin and tubulin support the cell membrane from the inside, and are thought to generate cell morphogenesis and motion. In this talk, we report the diversity of morphologies observed in liposomes (artificial lipid bilayers) encapsulating cytoskeletons, as a mechanical experimental model mimicking biological cells. We also introduce attempts to reversibly change liposome morphology by polymerizing/depolymerizing cytoskeletal fibers through changes in temperature and pressure.
16:45–17:10 General Talk 2 Speaker: Dr. Takahiro Nitta (Assistant Professor, Applied Physics Course, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University)
“Simulation of Microdevices Driven by Motor Proteins”
Motor proteins such as kinesin and myosin, which are responsible for intracellular transport and force generation, are naturally occurring molecular machines. Research has been conducted to drive microdevices such as Lab-on-a-chip and MEMS using these molecular machines, and prototype devices have been developed. However, at present, device design is largely carried out through experimental trial and error. We are developing simulations to support systematic device design. In this presentation, we report new insights obtained from our simulations.
17:10–17:35 New Face Speaker: Dr. Naofumi Shimokawa (Assistant Professor, School of Materials Science, JAIST)
“Structures and Shapes of Lipid Membranes Created by Electrostatic Interactions”
Many studies have investigated the structures and shapes spontaneously formed by phospholipid membranes that serve as containers for artificial cells, but most use electrically neutral phospholipids. In this talk, focusing on electrostatic interactions among charged lipids, we introduce the structures (phase separation) and shapes (membrane deformation) spontaneously formed by charged lipid bilayers containing phospholipids with negatively charged hydrophilic head groups.
18:00–20:30 Social gathering (planned around Katamachi, Kanazawa)