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Quantum Chemistry Lab
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A lab that uses spectroscopy to observe the momentary structural changes of light-driven proteins.
AboutAbout the lab
Watching proteins at work, with light.
The Mizuno Group, part of the quantum chemistry subdivision, conducts experimental physical chemistry research using vibrational spectroscopy to observe molecules.
Using precise spectroscopic measurements, the lab reveals the intermediate states of the chemical reactions in which molecular structure changes as proteins function, and aims to understand the molecular mechanisms of proteins from these reaction processes.
Building on the physical chemistry insights obtained, the lab also aims to pursue research that bridges to the life sciences.
Key terms
- Vibrational spectroscopy
- A method for investigating the vibrations between atoms within a molecule through light spectra
- Resonance Raman
- A Raman spectroscopy method that enhances and observes only the vibrations of specific parts of a molecule
- Time-resolved spectroscopy
- A method that starts a reaction with a short light pulse and measures molecular changes over time
- Rhodopsin
- A protein that changes shape when it receives light and performs functions such as ion transport and vision
ResearchResearch themes
Using resonance Raman spectroscopy and time-resolved spectroscopy, the lab observes the structural dynamics of proteins and clarifies the molecular mechanisms that give rise to their functions.
*Illustrative imageMolecular Mechanisms of Photoreceptor Proteins
Using time-resolved measurements, the lab investigates the correlation between function and the structural dynamics in which the chromophore and the protein move in concert, in photoreceptor proteins such as rhodopsins that have similar structures but show different functions.
*Illustrative imageDynamics Observed with Light Switching
Most proteins function without light. The lab therefore uses the structural change of a small molecule caused by a photoreaction as a switch, and observes the rapid formation of protein three-dimensional structure with time-resolved spectroscopy.
*Illustrative imageProtein Heaters That Generate Heat from Light
The lab has found that heme proteins convert light energy into heat with almost no loss. As a next step, it is developing technology to control temperature through light switching.
*Illustrative imageDirect Quantification of Sodium Ion Transport
For sodium-pumping rhodopsin, instead of the indirect evaluation via pH changes used so far, the lab is building a system that directly measures the change in sodium ion concentration per molecule.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Mizuno Group consist of faculty, master's students, fourth-year undergraduates, and a secretary.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorMisao Mizuno
- Assistant ProfessorAkihiro Otomo
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Amniote rhodopsin 3D structures” Constanze Bickelmann / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Molecular Mechanisms of Photoreceptor Proteins: “Bacteriorhodopsin conformation change” Elabor8or / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Dynamics Observed with Light Switching: “PDB 1s1y EBI” Jawahar Swaminathan and MSD staff at the European Bioinformatics Institute / Public domain (cropped)
- Protein Heaters That Generate Heat from Light: “Oxy-heme Complex in Human Hemoglobin” PDB code 2DN1 1.25 a resolution crystal structures of human haemoglobin in the oxy, deoxy and carbonmonoxy forms. Park, S.-Y., Yokoyama, T., Shibayama, N., Shiro, Y., Tame, J.R. (2006) J Mol Biol 360: 690-701 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb. Image created using JSmol (Javascript) / CC0 (cropped)
- Direct Quantification of Sodium Ion Transport: “Sodium Potassium Pump” Biology with Risa / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (光物理化学研究室): “Innerworkings of a thylakoid” OpenStax College, Biology / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Tochio Lab
（京都大学理学研究科生物物理学教室構造生理学分科） ): “Protein HMOX2 PDB 2q32” Emw / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped) - Related lab (分子分光学研究室): “Electrochemical test cell” Hansjoachimkohnke / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (生物構造化学研究室): “Glycine and glutamate bound Human GluN1a-GluN2D NMDA receptor - Glutamate receptor ionotropic, NMDA 1 - 8E96” Chou, T.-H., Furukawa, H. / CC0 (cropped)
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