About ASPiRE
Advancing Protein Research with the Power of Data
The blueprint of life is encoded in genes, which are composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in all living organisms— except for certain viruses. According to the central dogma of molecular biology, genetic information is transcribed into messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), which serves as a template for protein synthesis within the cell. Proteins, made up of amino acids, perform vital functions, acting as molecular machines and structural components. For instance, protein enzymes catalyze essential biochemical reactions that sustain life and enable movement, growth, repair, reproduction etc.
At the Institute for Protein Research, University of Osaka, we have long been at the forefront of experimental protein structure analysis, contributing extensive data to the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The significance of advancing integrative approaches that include advanced computational methods and vast experimental data in protein research was further highlighted by the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. To address this evolving need, the Advanced Data Science Center for Protein Research (ASPiRE) has been established, promoting data-driven research at the intersection of computational science and experimental validation. ASPiRE integrates protein structural data with diverse datasets, fostering cross-disciplinary and cross-organizational collaboration to push the boundaries of protein science.
