Tokyo College Event “Fuel of life” by Prof. Sir John Walker
Tokyo College and Tokyo ATPase Workshop Secretariat held a public lecture on “Fuel of life.”
On September 30, 2019, Professor Sir John Walker gave a lecture on “Fuel of life.” Sir John Walker FRS is a biochemist and the 1997 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry for the analysis of the enzymatic process that creates adenosine triphosphate (ATP). He is an emeritus director of MRC, Cambridge.
In the beginning of the event, Professor Satoru Ohtake (Deputy Director) gave an opening speech with explanation of Tokyo College’s purpose and missions. Professor Noji Hiroyuki (University of Tokyo) then introduced Professor Masasuke Yoshida (Kyoto Sangyo University), a biochemist whose biochemical analysis for ATP synthase and the epoch-making discovery of the single-molecule biophysics regarding the rotation of the enzyme are known to have contributed greatly to John Walker's Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Professor Yoshida held an opening talk on “How cells make ATP: implication and prospect” and explained the principle of ATP cycle mechanism along with the role of enzyme.
After the opening talk, Professor Sir John Walker began his lecture by giving a general introduction to ATP, the fuel for all organisms. The ATP is manufactured in a precise device called ATP synthase. Professor Sir Walker described what the subunits of ATP synthase are, how it was assembled in the early stages of life evolution, and what the origin of ATP synthase was.
The lecture moved onto human aspects of science, concerning the infectious diseases and resistance to drugs. Professor Sir Walker pointed out that the infectious diseases and resistance to drugs are becoming a serious problem for mankind and particularly noticeable in the upsurge in tuberculosis worldwide. By introducing his then-ongoing research project with enzyme, Professor Sir Walker explained how we are able to utilize basic knowledge of how the APT synthase works to the medical benefit for benefit of mankind, especially in the pharmaceutical industry.
Professor Sir Walker also shared his life philosophy that difficult experimental science requires persistence, therefore it is essential to cope with failure and learn from it.
In Q&A session after the lecture, Professor Sir Walker gently and honestly responded to all questions from the audience, and the questions varied from specialized to general topics, such as BREXIT and research enthusiasm.
| Date(s) | September 30th (Mon), 2019, 4:30-6:00pm (4:00 pm Doors Open) |
|---|---|
| Venue |
Sanjo Conference Hall, The University of Tokyo (Hongo Campus) |
| Registration | Pre-registration required (60 seats available -First come, first served) |
| Language | English and Japanese(Simultaneous translation available) |
| Organized by | Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo |
| Contact | tcevent@graffiti97.co.jp |
