Division of Mathematical and Physical ResearchLab. ID
Biophysics
ｆieldSciences
MP11
Laboratory web site
http://biophys.w3.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/index.htm
Research subjects
Most of biological molecules show their vital activities through conformational changes. It has been one of dreams
in biological sciences to directly observe biological macromolecules at work under physiological conditions, becausesuch observation is straightforward to understanding their dynamic behaviors and functional mechanisms. To
realize this observation, our group has been improving the imaging speed of atomic force microscope (AFM) andcurrently established high-speed AFM. We currently focus on application of high-speed AFM to study molecularmechanism of proteins at single molecular level while developing novel techniques such as high-speed AFM system
combined with fluorescence microscopy/optical trap techniques. In addition, by increasing the scanning speed ofscanning ion-conductance microscope (SICM), that can observe the surface characteristics of cells and organelles
in a noncontact manner, we are also promoting applications of the microscope into the biological sciences.

Master/Doctor course: Education policy, curriculum, typical activity in the laboratory
Master course: The first grade students start their research projects which include technical development andimaging study of biological samples using high-speed AFM and high-speed SICM under the supervision of the staff
members. For the technical developments, the students are required to learn broad knowledges about mechanicaldesign, electronic circuit, software development and so on. For the imaging study, students need to gain knowledge
about sample preparations for cells and proteins in addition to the skills of AFM and SICM operation.
Doctor course: Students have own research project with high impact about either single-molecule imaging ordevelopments for novel microscopy techniques. They are highly encouraged to attend international or domestic
conferences to give presentations.
Our group has the laboratory meeting every week. In the meeting, we have two sessions; progress report andjournal club given by the lab members.

Daily life in the laboratory, etc.
Personal working desk with a personal computer is available for every student. Using a 3D printer, we can makemodel structures of proteins and prototypes of mechanical parts for high-speed AFM and high-speed SICM.
All relevant students of undergraduate, Master, Doctor and postdoc researchers share all laboratory rooms, andinstruments.
We have some laboratory activities such as welcome party and farewell party.

Message or comments by the laboratory faculty staffs"Biophysics" is a relatively new scientific field trying to elucidate the phenomena of life by using physical methods.
Our laboratory has been promoting both technological developments and their application studies into biologicalsciences in a well-balanced manner. Thus, students who are interested in the both or either subjects haveopportunities to learn them deeply. After obtaining the master's degree, students will get jobs at public officials,(junior) high-school teachers and private enterprises. After obtaining Ph.D., students became postdoctoral
researchers and faculty members at institutes and universities including ones of overseas.

Laboratory mail address

Noriyuki Kodera <nkodera*at*staff.kanazawa-u.ac.jp>; Mikihiro Shibata<msshibata*at*staff.kanazawa-u.ac.jp>; Shinji Watanabe<wshinji*at*se.kanazawa-u.ac.jp>; Ayumi Sumino <sumino*at*se.kanazawau.ac.jp>