Aims and Goals

In the 21st century, development of diffraction structural biology and related technologies is essential for progress in all fields based on the life sciences, and development of technologies using three-dimensional information obtained through the use of diffraction structural biology and related technologies is important as a foundation for numerous fields, including medicine, pharmacology, agriculture, and engineering.

The goal of the committee is to develop technologies that contribute to the promotion of diffraction structural biology—which means structural biology that employs X-rays, neutron beams, electron microscopes, and other diffraction phenomena—and related fields.

Research Themes

1. Research and development of techniques to obtain good quality crystals
2. Research and development of diffraction data collection systems in a laboratory, including ultra-bright X-ray generation devices and optical systems
3. Development of diffraction data collection systems suitable for use in large synchrotron X-ray and neutron beam facilities and research to improve existing devices
4. Research on structural analysis techniques, including the time-split method
5. Research and development on the uses of three-dimensional protein structures
6. Research related to next-generation structural biology, such as the uses of fourth generation synchrotron radiation
7. Research and development of the uses of IT-related technologies
8. Activities that contribute to education and international interaction

Committee Chairperson

Noriyoshi Sakabe

Professor Emeritus National Laboratory for High Energy Physics

Duration

January 2005 to December 2014 (Third term, Five years)

Membership Composition

Academia: 38
Industry: 22
Total membership: 60

Committee Web Site

http://www.sbsp.jp/sbdt/