Alumni Association
Professor David Beech (University of Leeds)
02 November 2011
Joint Research Project
Project title: Functional and Epigenetical Regulation of TRPV Channels by Aptamer Molecules
Japanese Lead Scientist: Katsuhiko Muraki, Laboratory of Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Aichi Gakuin University
UK Counterpart: Professor David Beech, Institute of Membrane and Systems Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds
Project Duration: 2009 to 2011
Professors Muraki and Beech have known each other for over 20 years and, in recent, times developed interests in the same ion channels. The RS/JSPS Bilateral Project started because of their desire to gain added value for their research by working directly together and providing training for junior researchers. The project focused on regulation of TRP ion channels by chemicals and epigenetic control. Activity occurred during 2009-2011 and the participants were Professor Katsuhiko Muraki and Dr Noriyuki Hatano (Aichi-Gakuin University, Japan), and Professor David Beech, Dr Ian Wood, Dr Jacqueline Naylor, Dr Jing Li, and Dr Yasser Majeed (University of Leeds, UK). As planned, Dr Hatano visited Leeds twice and Professor Muraki three times, in all cases for experimental lab work, data analysis, training, and research discussion. Professor Beech visited Japan in 2009 when he met with Dr Hatano and Professor Muraki. For the genetic aspects of the work, Dr Hatano received training from Dr Wood. The collaborative work under the RS/JSPS grant contributed substantially to four peer-reviewed joint-authorship publications (Majeed et al 2010, 2011a, b; Naylor et al 2011) and there are two manuscripts in preparation: one on transcriptional control of expression (Hatano et al) and another on a novel type of ion channel discovered during the course of the project (Li et al). Therefore, the project has not only been enjoyable but also successful. Activity is on-going and Professor Muraki plans to visit Leeds again for a short period of experimental work in 2012. Because of Professor Muraki’s current commitments as Sub-Dean, however, we do not plan to make an application for further RS/JSPS funding in the immediate future, but applications in the longer-term would certainly be attractive. The monetary value of the RS/JSPS award was approximately 25,000 GBP (3,840,000 Yen).
