ABOUTIPR Osaka University
DirectorNAKAGAWA Atsushi
All living things on the earth are maintained by the interactions and reactions between a great number of molecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins. Proteins, which are expressed according to information encoded within the genome, are the most important molecules for living systems, as they catalyze and direct nearly all of the necessary chemical reactions from which life springs.
In 1958, the Institute for Protein Research (IPR) was founded by the members of Osaka University Faculty of Science and Medical School to work on interdisciplinary studies of proteins in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics and medicine. Since its foundation, the IPR has been working as a Joint Usage/Research Center for protein sciences.
Recently, the life science field has made dramatic developments. We are now on the cusp of developing a new protein science field that is capable of revealing the secrets of higher-order living systems through investigations of the interactions occurring between their networks of biological molecules. These functional studies are facilitated by knowledge of the biological molecules’ three-dimensional atomic structures.
To actualize this future potential, we have to develop and combine a very large array of different techniques. With this IPR research cohort, we are in position to strive towards the development of this new type of protein science – one that represents a future approach to the life sciences based on the eradication of borders between laboratories, scientific fields, facilities and indeed countries, and most importantly, one that is capable of developing both the scientific breakthroughs and the important human resources of the next generation.
Visualizing Proteins
We aim to reveal “Life” in multi-scale level, from sub-nano scale atomic structures of protein molecules to dynamic localization of the molecules in a cell.
Understanding Function of Proteins
We aim to integrate various scientific approaches, including biology, chemistry, physics, and computational science to understand the function of proteins.
Creating Novel Proteins
We aim to design and create novel protein molecules together with developing new technologies/methodologies for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as “Zero hunger”, “Good health and well-being for people”, “Climate action” etc.
The Institute for Protein Research (IPR) of Osaka University was established on April 1, 1958, as a joint research based upon the recommendation of the Science Council of Japan and the concurrence between the Ministry of Education. Professor Shiro Akabori was appointed as its director. Since its foundation IPR has been growing as shown in the chronological tables, and we are working as a research center for protein sciences in Japan.
1956
Set up of a new laboratory in Faculty of Science, Osaka University, for organic chemical studies of proteins and amino acids (the predecessor of IPR) supervised by Prof. Shiro Akabori.
Faculty of Science
Opening of the IPR
1958
Establishment of the Institute for Protein Research as a Joint-use Research Organization, composed of three Divisions : Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Protein Metabolism
1961
Main building (4,130m²)was completed on the former Nakanoshima Campus.
Former Nakanoshima Campus Main building
1968
The 10th Anniversary
1971
Main building (7,873 m²) of the IPR was completed on Suita Campus.
1972
The crystal structure of bonito heart ferrocytochrome c was determined for the first time in Japan.
Suita Campus(1972)
Atomic model of cytochrome c from bonito heart
1979
Buildings for the Crystallographic Research Center (1,505 m²) and NMR Research Laboratory (267m²) were completed.
Buildings for the Crystallographic Research Center(1979)
NMR Research Laboratory
1983
The 25th Anniversary
1988
The Research Center for Protein Engineering was established.
1998
The Center for Structural Biology was established.
2000
2002
The Research Center for Structural and Functional Proteomics was established.
2004
Transformed into a Research Institute of Japanese National Universities under the National University Corporation Law.
2007 Retreat
2008
The 50th Anniversary Building of Collaborative Research Facility (1,149m²) was completed.
2009
Main building reinforcement for earthquake-resistance was completed.
2010
Certified as a Joint Usage/Research Center by MEXT.
2012
The Research Center for State-of-the-Art Functional Protein Analysis was established.
2016
Certified continuous activities as a Joint Usage/Research Center by MEXT.
2018
The 60th Anniversary
2020
Atomic models of Cytochrome c and Taka-amylase A are registered as Chemical heritage authorized by the Chemical Society of Japan
The next-generation protein structural analysis center was established.
Director |
Professor NAKAGAWA Atsushi |
---|---|
Vice Director |
Professor FURUKAWA Takahisa |
Director of the Research Center |
Professor KURISU Genji |
1st |
AKABORI Shiro |
Apr.1,1958 – Nov.30,1961 |
---|---|---|
2nd |
ISEMURA Toshizo |
Dec.1,1961 – Nov.30,1965 |
3rd |
SUZUKI Yuji |
Dec.1,1965 - Aug.14,1969 |
4th |
NARITA Kozo |
Aug.15,1969 - Aug.14,1971 |
5th |
KAKUDO Masao |
Aug.15,1971 - Apr.1,1982 |
6th |
IZUMI Yoshiharu |
Apr.2,1982 - Mar.31,1985 |
7th |
SATOH Ryo |
Apr.1,1985 - Mar.31,1987 |
8th |
HORIO Takekazu |
Apr.1,1987 - Mar.31,1989 |
9th |
KATSUBE Yukiteru |
Apr.1,1989 - Mar.31,1993 |
10th |
NAKAGAWA Hachiro |
Apr.1,1993 - Mar.31,1995 |
11th |
SAKIYAMA Fumio |
Apr.1,1995 - Mar.31,1997 |
12th |
KYOGOKU Yoshimasa |
Apr.1,1997 - Mar.31,1999 |
13th |
SHIMONISHI Yasutsugu |
Apr.1,1999 - Mar.31,2000 |
14th |
NAGAI Katsuya |
Apr.1,2000 - Mar.31,2004 |
15th |
AKUTSU Hideo |
Apr.1,2004 - Mar.31,2006 |
16th |
TSUKIHARA Tomitake |
Apr.1,2006 - Mar.31,2008 |
17th |
AIMOTO Saburo |
Apr.1,2008 - Mar.31,2010 |
18th |
HASE Toshiharu |
Apr.1,2010 - Mar.31,2014 |
19th |
NAKAMURA Haruki |
Apr.1,2014 - Mar.31,2018 |
20th |
NAKAGAWA Atsushi |
Apr.1,2018 - |
Director
Faculty Meeting
Administrative Council
Panel on Joint Usage/Research
Research Division
Division of Protein Chemistry
Division of Protein Structural Biology
Division of Integrated Protein Functions
Division of Protein Network Biology
Center
Research Center for Next-Generation Protein Sciences
Division of Donated Fund Research
Division of Matrixome Research and Application
Technology Division
Administration
General Affairs Section
Accounting Section
Research Support Section
Public Relations Office
Library
IPR Alumni Office
Name | Enrollment period | ||
---|---|---|---|
ASANO Akira | 04/1988 – 03/1995 | ||
TAKAGI Toshio | 11/1982 – 03/1997 | ||
NAGAI Katsuya | 12/1995 – 03/2006 | knagai at anbas.co.jp | READ MORE |
AKUTSU Hideo | 04/2000 – 03/2007 | – | |
TSUKIHARA Tomikake | 04/1995 – 03/2008 | – | |
AIMOTO Saburo | 01/1994 – 08/2011 | aimoto at protein.osaka-u.ac.jp | READ MORE |
SEKIGUCHI Kiyotoshi | 04/1998 – 03/2016 | sekiguch at protein.osaka-u.ac.jp | READ MORE |
TAJIMA Syouji | 04/1996 – 03/2016 | – | |
HASE Toshiharu | 04/1992 – 03/2016 | – | |
YOSHIKAWA Kazuaki | 04/1994 – 03/2016 | – | |
NAKAMURA Haruki | 04/1999 – 03/2018 | harukin at protein.osaka-u.ac.jp | READ MORE |
GOTO Yuji | 04/1998 – 03/2020 | gtyj8126 at protein.osaka-u.ac.jp | READ MORE |
* Please replace at with @ before sending.
Name |
NAGAI Katsuya |
---|---|
Enrollment period |
12/1995 – 03/2006 |
Incumbent |
Representative Director of ANBAS Co., Ltd. |
knagai at anbas.co.jp |
* Please replace at with @ before sending.
Name |
AIMOTO Saburo |
---|---|
Enrollment period |
01/1994 – 08/2011 |
Incumbent |
General Incorporated Foundation Protein Research Encouragement Association Chairman |
aimoto at protein.osaka-u.ac.jp |
* Please replace at with @ before sending.
Name |
SEKIGUCHI Kiyotoshi |
---|---|
Enrollment period |
04/1998 – 03/2016 |
Incumbent |
Nippi Endowed Chair and Professor, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Division for Matrixome Research and Application |
sekiguch at protein.osaka-u.ac.jp |
|
External Links |
* Please replace at with @ before sending.
Name |
NAKAMURA Haruki |
---|---|
Enrollment period |
04/1999 – 03/2018 |
Incumbent |
Professor Emeritus, Osaka University (Concurrent post) Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) Advanced Technology Support Platform for Drug Discovery (BINDS) Program Supervisor Editor-in-Chief English Journal of the Biophysical Society of Japan – Biophysics and Physicobiology |
harukin at protein.osaka-u.ac.jp |
|
External links |
Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) Advanced Technology Support Platform for Drug Discovery, etc.(BINDS) English Journal of the Biophysical Society of Japan – Biophysics and Physicobiology |
* Please replace at with @ before sending.
Name |
GOTO Yuji |
---|---|
Enrollment period |
04/1998 – 03/2020 |
Incumbent |
Osaka University International Medical and Industrial Information Center Protein Aggregation Control Device Donation Research Division, Specially Appointed Professor |
gtyj8126 at protein.osaka-u.ac.jp |
|
External links |
Osaka University International Medical and Engineering Information Center Research Division for Protein Aggregation Control Device |
* Please replace at with @ before sending.