Laboratories

Kanazawa University, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Division of Mathematical and Physical Science
Biophysics

Type of organization

University and attached laboratory

Contact address

Name of Organization Kanazawa University, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Division of Mathematical and Physical Science Biophysics
Address Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Ishikawa 920-1192
URL http://www.s.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/phys/biophys/index.htm
Phone 076-264-5663
Facsimile 076-264-5739

member of laboratory

Leader Professor Toshio Ando
- Associate Professor Takayuki Uchihashi

Research field

C Life science
  C2 The nanobiology
( Scanning probe microscope )
biological nano-machine
  F1 Measurement and evaluation technology
( Scanning probe microscope The bio device Precision measurement )
F "Measurement and evaluation, processing technology"
  F1 Measurement and evaluation technology
( Scanning probe microscope Nano biology )

Research theme

- Development of a highest-speed atomic force microscope and elucidation of the nano-structural dynamics of biological molecular motors Grant-in-aids for Scientific Research
- Development of a high-speed AFM and Observation of protein dynamic behavior The large basic research promotion system

Purpose and background of research

Key Information that is lacking in understanding the mechanism of biological macromolecules is their structural dynamics. To gain the structural dynamics of biological macromolecules, a technique that has high spatial resolution as well as effective temporal resolution is most required.

Methodology and originality

It is only the atomic force micriscope that can image nanometer world in solution. However, its imaging rate is vely small, and therfore it can image only samples that are stational or moving very slowly. We developed for the first time a high-speed AFM that can capture a 100x100 pixel image within 80 ms. At present we are trying to enhance the capability of this AFM.

Major insturments

  • High-speed atomic force microscope
  • Scanning Electron Microscope

Result and impact

We developed an atomic force microscope that has the highest scanning speed, and succeeded in capturing moving molecules on video at 60 ms/frame.