2021/09/15
Shinshu University
Keio University
A joint research group, including Associate Professor Ryoichi Arai of the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology and the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Shinshu University; Senior Assistant Professor Ryoji Kawakami and Professor Kenji Miyamoto of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Keio University; and Professor Masahide Kikkawa of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences at The University of Tokyo, has successfully elucidated the detailed three-dimensional structure of an artificially designed protein nanoparticle, TIP60, by cryo-electron microscopy single-particle analysis*1. It was revealed that TIP60 is a characteristic porous hollow nanoparticle with an icosahedral 60-mer structure, featuring 20 regular triangular pores. Based on this characteristic 3D structure, it is expected that through methods such as site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification, TIP60 will lead to developments and applications in the field of nanobiotechnology, including its use as nanocapsules for drug delivery and the development of new nanomaterials.
Prior to its publication in the Royal Society of Chemistry's academic journal *Chemical Communications*, an advance online version of these research results was published on the journal's website on September 4.
Please see below for the full press release.