We humans see matter with our eyes, but there are many invisible, yet very important things in the world, just like “what is essential is invisible to the eye.” In particular, cells of our body and proteins, important components of the cell, are too small for us to see directly. When certain proteins, invisible to the eye, become abnormal and do not function as they should, we suffer from various diseases. This is why understanding the mechanisms underlying the normal functions of proteins is essential in realizing a healthy aging society.
This Research Unit takes advantage of the world-leading high-speed AFM that Kanazawa University has developed and aims to elucidate the functions of proteins and cells by taking live images. In addition, by closely collaborating with other Research Units of InFiniti, we aim to reveal the images of proteins responsible for cancer and life style-related diseases and to develop therapeutic agents.