Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology HP http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shinkou/hojyo/1217970.htm The public announcements for research opportunities in fiscal year 2010 had　ended Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) plays a central role in the metabolism of energy in living organisms, and of the approximately 3,000 types of enzymes that have been clarified in terms of function, 450 are ATP driven proteins. However, the physical foundation of the related energy medium ("ATP energy" itself) has not been clarified, and accordingly, we have not perfected a molecular theory for the chemo-mechanical transfer of energy at the intercellular lever. Through a fusion of research in the fields of solution chemistry, biophysics, and single molecule physiology, the aim of this research domain is to construct a new energy theory and methodology soundly founded on functional and structural theory. Through studies on the three major research themes, A01, A02, and A03, we are engaged in the clarification of the nature of ATP energy, and further, a clarification of the role of water in the manifestation of function in proteins that interact with ATP. In addition, we are offering publicly announced 2-year research opportunities clearly within the research domain, including studies on the development of cogent methods related to ATP systems, new methods for the measurement of ATP hydrolysis, ATP motor proteins, or the rather plain but important measurement or theoretical studies (for example, the study of fundamental volumes or the construction of databases, such as those for the thermodynamic volume of ATP hydrolysis reactions in organic water-soluble compounds and acid dissociation constants for the reactants in these reaction systems). Applications for one-year studies will not be accepted for these research opportunities. We now plan to offer five grants for experimental research projects with an upper limit of 5 million yen per year, and twenty grants with an upper limit of 2 million yen per year for either experimental or theoretical research projects. Please refer to the material below for further details. (Public announcement items) Group A01: The structure of hydration related to ATP hydrolysis and free energy Group A02: ATP driven proteins and the interaction mechanism of the nucleotide Group A03: The mechanism of the function of ATP driven proteins The main purpose of this innovative scientific research area is to provide a vehicle for the fusion of research fields where development efforts remained isolated, such as solution chemistry, statistical biophysics, biophysics, and biochemistry, and focused research on the role of water (solutions) in AP energy and the mechanism of ATP motor proteins function. Although ATP is a single word and easy to say, there are many more related research than it would be possible to cover in this research plan. For example, of the approximately 3,000 enzymes registered at the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB), there are 450 that have been verified to be related to ATP. It is very possible that some of these enzymes have unique and serviceable reactions, etc. within our target research domain. We would gladly welcome research proposals focused on energy theory and the analysis of hydration from researchers who have produced results in analytical studies on such systems from a viewpoint differing that of the energy theory, or further, from researchers who have been conducting reliable studies employing a variety of methods on the correlative structural functions of bio-related material and proteins other than ATP motor proteins. Moreover, as there are a variety of interactions between water (solvent) and different solutes, a large quantity of evaluation data on the fundamental physical properties and volume of the materials employed is necessary. A massive database has been accumulated based on solution theory experiments and theoretical studies, but especially considering the establishment of experimental conditions and theoretical calculations in this field of research, the possibility of a lack of sufficient data that can be employed directly cannot be denied. Therefore, we would like, at least, to encourage researchers who are currently engaged and making steady progress in the accumulation of excellent fundamental data related to the aim of this research domain, the establishment of a valid ATP energy concept, to apply for one of the publicly announced research opportunities. As shown above, the aims of this research domain are not merely limited to increasing the accuracy or microscopic scope of research results in a steady amount of progress, but rather, through the fusion of two research fields in which Japan is already considered a leader on a global scale, to develop a new, innovative methodology, and aim for the establishment of a new fundamental statement concerning the ATP energy concept, taking the initiative worldwide in the field of life science. The research themes for the publicly announced research opportunities will not be isolated, but rather, after the researchers are selected, close cooperation and liaison will be conducted, and the entire research domain will progress as a comprehensive virtual laboratory. The following are examples of the publicly announced research themes. • Precise measurements of acid-base balance and reactions in various solvents imitating protein environments • Measurements of thermodynamic data in ATP hydrolysis reactions and ATPase activated measurements in a mixture of water and various cosolvents • Highly accurate quantum mechanics calculations including the solvent effect • Micro- and macro-analytical and chemical approaches related to substrate binding applied to proteins associated with ATP • Biophysical measurements of the motion situation of water molecules in proteins and their fundamental range: Analysis of the hydration state employing neutron scattering, ultrasonic, infrared spectroscopic, Raman light scattering, and nonlinear and linear spectroscopic methods, etc. • Theoretical model for water molecules incorporated in photons compared with the degree of the combination of ligands and receptors • Development of standard geometric generation methods for proteins and protein assemblies based on biological scientific data methods • The search for methods to cause perturbation in proteins in a state of hydration • Dependence on the solvent environment (salt concentration, pH, high and low temperatures, high pressure, and organic solvent compounds) for ATP decomposition in extreme environments (basophilic bacteria, eosinophilic bacteria, alkalophilic bacteria, thermophilic bacteria, barophilic bacteria, solvent-resistant bacteria, etc.) • Theoretical research of transduction of thermal fluctuation into mechanical work, taking the particle-like quality of water molecules into consideration • Solvent induction force between colloids and surfaces