Description of Research Area

A03: Function | Proposed Research Projects (2016-2017)

Detection of Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Nanomechanical Properties of Mitochondria during Mitochondrial Fission
Leader WATANABE, Shinji Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University URL : http://www.s.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/phys/biophys/index.htm
Research Subject Dynamic changes in the morphology of biomembranes play a key role in expressing biological functions. To investigate dynamics of nanostructures and functions of biomembranes, in this study, I will develop new scanning probe technique enabling direct visualization of nanostructures of biomembranes with high spatiotemporal resolution. This technique allows us not only to visualize dynamic processes of changes in morphology of live cell and organelles but also to measure nanoscale displacement of membrane fluctuations of them. Furthermore, nanomechanical properties of live cell and organelle membranes are investigated by measuring local displacement fluctuations of the membranes. These experimental studies would provide insight into the spatiotemporal fluctuations in live cell and organelle membranes.