The 169th Committee on Structural Biology using Diffraction Techniques of the University-Industry Research Cooperation Committee of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Title of the International Symposium
The 2nd International Symposium on Diffraction Structure Biology 2007
- Symposium Prospectus
After sequencing of the human genome, the main goal of genomic sciences in the 21st century is now to establish and understand the functions of all the proteins encoded by the genome. With the purpose to elucidate the structures that enable proteins to perform their functions, structural biology is currently a key discipline in the Life Sciences as it can provide insights into the principles and mechanisms that underlie the biochemical processes that define life and all living organisms. The main thrust in structural biology is the determination of the three-dimensional structure of proteins, the foundation for a true understanding of protein function. The value and importance of structural biology have recently been demonstrated by achievements like the structural analysis of membrane receptors, including rhodopsin, and of macromolecular complexes, including the bacterial flagellar motor, the ribosome and various types of viruses. It has also been widely recognized that the structural analysis of proteins and their complexes with specific inhibitors is a key technology for genome-based drug design, which includes the identification of disease-related gene and protein groups and the subsequent development of drugs aimed at controlling or modifying the function of the involved proteins.
The major techniques used in the determination of protein structures are X-ray diffraction, NMR, electron microscopy (electron diffraction) and neutron diffraction. Neutron diffraction is an attractive method, because it allows the position of hydrogen atoms to be determined, which is difficult or even impossible to do with X-rays. Neutron diffraction thus makes it possible to readily probe the relationship between protein structures and the physiological function of the hydrogen atoms in fully hydrated systems.
The significance and necessity of diffraction structural biology were widely acknowledged at the International Symposium on Diffraction Structural Biology (ISDSB2003) held in TSUKUBA in May 2003. The 169th Committee on Structural Biology using Diffraction Techniques thus proposes a symposium that spotlights the techniques of X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction and illustrates how these methods further our understanding of the structure and function of proteins on the atomic scale.
Since ISDSB2003, the methodology, instrumentation and technology of diffraction structural biology and its use for industrial application have progressed remarkably. For this reason, the second symposium will discuss important recent developments in the field and their potential for industrial applications. In addition, contributions will be invited from leading scientists in the field from around the world that will showcase outstanding accomplishments in the structural analysis of proteins and its key role in genome-based drug design. The goal will be to inspire further developments in diffraction structural biology and to explore possibilities for the future of the field.
Specifically, participants will discuss the technology of three-dimensional structural analysis based on diffraction techniques (X-ray, neutron and electron) covering all topics from the fundamentals of structural biology to its applications to medicine, drug design, industry and related fields. Encouragement to the young scientists would also be expected in consequence by the direct interaction with distinguished scientists.
- Date and venue
10-13 September 2007 (4 days)
Tower Hall Funabori, 4-1-1 Funabori, Edogawaku, Tokyo 134-0091
- Entry
- Entry
Total: 281 (domestic 231, foreign 50)
Distribution of foreign participants
Gernany (1), United Kingdom (5), France (5), USA (18), Switzerland (2), Sweden (1), Spain (1), Korea (7), China (3), Taiwan (2), India etc. (5)
- Distinguished participants
Tomitake Tsukihara, Yoshiyuki Amemiya, Keiichi Namba, Noriyoshi Sakabem Atsushi Nakagawam Kunio Miki (Japan), Hartmut Michel (Germany), Tom Blundell, Samar Hasnain, Venki Ramakrishnan (United Kingdom), Paul Adams, John E Johnson, Alexander McPherson, Dean Myles (USA), Alberto Podjarny (France), Juan Manuel Garcia-Ruiz (Spain), Se Won Suh (Korea), Zihe Rao (China)
- Estimated cost
¥28,500,000 (including ¥1,250,000 supported by JSPS)
- Conducted details, achievements and publication
- Execution details
Thirty-seven invited lectures in 10 sessions, the Nobel lecture and three plenary lectures were executed smoothly according to the program. A total of 101 poster presentations were carried out. The title and the number of lectures (in parentheses) in each session were;
i) X-ray Structure of Membrane proteins and Macromolecular Complexes (4）
ii) X-ray Diffraction with use of Synchrotron Radiation (4)
iii) Protein Folding and Maturation（4）
(iv) Hot Topics (3)
(v) High Resolution Crystallography and Crystallization (4)
(vi) Hydrogen and Hydration Determined by Neutron Diffraction (4)
(vii) Structure-Based Drug Discovery Part 1（4）
(ix) Structure-Based Drug Discovery Part 2 (3）
(iiiv) New Methods and Instrumentation（3）
(x) Structure of Membrane Proteins Analyzed by Electron Microscopy (4).
- Total achievements
All the lectures including the Nobel lecture and three plenary lectures were conducted according to the program. Straightforward discussion and sharing information were carried out as expected.
Young scientists could make their presentation actively in a friendly atmosphere.
Eight exhibitions and two sponsor seminars served for the better understanding of current scientific movements.
- Publication of the results
Invited speakers were requested to submitted four pages proceeding paper and poster presenters to submit one page abstract. These were collected as the symposium booklet of ISDSB2007 and distributed to the participants during the symposium period.
The proceedings of ISDSB2007 will be published in co-operation with the International Union of Crystallography as a supplemental issue of the Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, in which selected manuscripts are included.
- Future issues
The 169th committee is always thoughtful of the development of young scientists. The committee offers financial assistances to young scientists who hope for participating in the workshop held by the committee or the related conference held abroad. From this point of view, the organization committee of ISDSB2007 settled the registration fee cheap such as \20,000 for general and \10,000 for student and expected many students to participate in ISDSB2007.
A proposal that the next ISDSB will be held in Paris in 2002 was offered by some members of the international advisory committee because the purpose of ISDSB, gathering structural biologists based on diffraction techniques (X-ray, neutron and electron) in a hall, was unique and very original. The 169th committee accepted this proposal and announced it at the closing ceremony.
We acknowledge the grants in aid of the symposium by the University-Industry Cooperative Research Committee of JSPS, the Uehara Memorial Foundation and the Naitoh Memorial Foundation. Sincere thanks also to the many industry and personal sponsors of the symposium for their generous donations.
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