【Basic Research】
“Gene expression” is the process by which the information encoded in DNA is used to synthesize proteins that are responsible for life activities. Specifically, gene expression is the basis of life activities, and elucidating its mechanism is one of the central themes of life science (Fig. 1). We determine the three-dimensional structures of various biomolecules involved in gene expression by X-ray crystallography, and elucidate the mechanisms of gene expression at the atomic resolution level, together with biochemical/molecular biological analyses. Currently, we are primarily focused on the following themes.
・Structural and functional studies of ribosome stalk protein (details)
・Structural and functional analyses of peptidyl tRNA hydrolase (details)

【Applied Research】
The spread of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, is a major social problem. Suppressing the gene expression of bacteria and viruses that cause infectious diseases and controlling their growth are effective means for managing infectious diseases. We aim to develop new drugs that efficiently and specifically suppress the gene expression of infectious bacteria, without affecting human gene expression. In this research, we determine the three-dimensional structures of drug target proteins at the atomic resolution level by X-ray crystallography, and based on the structural information, we screen and design drugs that efficiently inhibit the activities of the target proteins (Fig. 2). Currently, we are mainly working on the following theme.
・Development research of novel anti-tuberculosis drug (details)