Current Research Topics :

Antifreeze protein - from structural basis to technological applications - : Antifreeze protein (AFP) initially isolated from the blood serum of Antarctic fish by Art DeVries in 1969 is an extraordinary bio-molecule that specifically binds to ice and cell. We have been examined the structure-function relationship of various AFPs by employing advanced techniques from molecular biology to structural biology (NMR and X-ray), and also have been trying to develop a method to obtain a massive amount of natural and recombinant AFPs to realize their practical use (Tsuda S, Mass preparation and technological development of an antifreeze protein - Toward the practical use of biomolecules -. Synthesiology, 1 (1), 7-14). Our AFPs were mostly discovered from Japanese organisms, especially the edible fishes available in general food markets. Currently, several AFP-utilizing technologies are under development so as to apply them in industrial and medical fields (AIST selected grant for Technology Innovation, 2008~).

Employment and Research Experience :

2024- Senior research fellow, Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University (HU), JAPAN. "Development and structural analysis of anti-icing materials with using NMR spectroscopy".

2022- Specially appointed researcher, Graduate school of frontier sciences, University of Tokyo (U-Tokyo), JAPAN. "Exploration of a new material for cryotechnology".

2012 Chief senior researcher, Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Science and Technology (AIST), JAPAN. "Antifreeze protein, Low-temperature biotechnology, Cell-preservation mechanism".

2003- Professor of Faculty of Life Science, HU.

2001 Group Leader, Functional Protein Research Group, Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), JAPAN. *re-organized from HNIRI. "Antifreeze protein, Low-temperature biotechnology, Cell-preservation mechanism".

1995 Senior Researcher, Hokkaido Natl. Indust. Res. Institute (HNIRI), MITI, JAPAN. "Low-temperature biochemistry, Functional protein analysis with NMR and X-ray".

1994 NMR Technical adviser, JEOL, Co.Ltd., JAPAN. "Development of macro-programs to Fourier Transform JEOL 2D- and 3D-NMR data of a biomolecule for its structural determination".

1993 Postdoctoral fellow in University of Alberta (Brian Sykes Lab.), CANADA. "Analysis of ¹H/¹³C/¹⁵N heteronuclear 3D-NMR spectra for structural elucidation of a protein".

1988 Teaching profession of High-Resolution NMR Lab., HU, JAPAN. "Developments of multi-dimensional NMR pulse sequence".

Education and Research Background :

1992 Ph.D. of Science (supervised by Prof. Hikichi, K), HU, JAPAN. "Developments of two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) NMR pulse sequences and their applications for the structure-function analysis of a protein, rabbit skeletal muscle troponin C".

1987 M.Sc. (Polymer Science course), Faculty of Science, HU, JAPAN. "¹H-NMR study of rabbit skeletal muscle troponin C in the apo- and Ca²⁺-bound states".

1985 B.Sc. (Polymer Science course), Faculty of Science, HU, JAPAN. "Molecular dynamics analysis of poly L-Ornithine and poly L-Arginine by employing NMR relaxation experiments".

Education and Research Background :

1992 Ph.D. of Science (supervised by Prof. Hikichi, K), HU, JAPAN. "Developments of two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) NMR pulse sequences and their applications for the structure-function analysis of a protein, rabbit skeletal muscle troponin C".

1987 M.Sc. (Polymer Science course), Faculty of Science, HU, JAPAN. "¹H-NMR study of rabbit skeletal muscle troponin C in the apo- and Ca²⁺-bound states".

1985 B.Sc. (Polymer Science course), Faculty of Science, HU, JAPAN. "Molecular dynamics analysis of poly L-Ornithine and poly L-Arginine by employing NMR relaxation experiments".