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Hayashi Group

member
Professor HAYASHI, Kumiko

Research Subjects

  • Fluorescence observation of axonal transport in iPS cell derived neuron
  • Force measurement of motor protein kinesin by using a nano-sized spring
  • Extreme value analysis applied to axonal transport by motor proteins
  • Theoretical modeling of synapse formation related to axonal transport

Precise physical measurements are important for cells to understand molecular mechanisms occurred in cells as well as for solid state materials. However, in vivo measurements are difficult because intracellular environments are complex non-equilibrium states, in which theories of statistical physics are often violated. 

In our lab, we develop techniques to precisely measure physical quantities such as force, velocity and energy for proteins and organelle inside cells, based on fluorescence microscopy. We think development of analytical methods (software) using statistical physics, information science and mathematics as well as development of microscopes (hardware). We aim to understand cellular phenomena quantitatively by constructing theoretical models using the measured physical quantities. We hope such theories can contribute to the understanding of neurological disorders particularly. Biophysics is a new field and it will grow in future. People who are interested in biology from the viewpoint of physics are welcome.

fig1
Material transport in the axon of a neuron (anterograde transport: kinesin, retrograde transport: dynein). Synaptic cargos are transported by motor proteins.
fig2
(Top) Data analysis using the fluctuation theorem of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. (Bottom) Extreme value analysis applied to transport velocity data.

Publications and Research Highlights