<Masayuki Fujimori: Novel functionalization of graphene grid and its application to Cryo-EM structural analysis> In this presentation, we developed a novel functionalization method by applying our chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) photooxidation technique to graphene and subsequently introducing highly reactive functional groups. By applying the resulting functionalized graphene to cryo-electron microscopy structural analysis, we successfully determined the three-dimensional structures of multiple proteins at high resolution. We will expand our application to a wider variety of proteins while also working on the development of new functionalization methods.
<Kenta Takeiri: Construction of Temperature-Responsive Surfaces Using Photo-activated ClO2-Modified Polypropylene as a Polymerization Initiator Substrate> In this presentation, we successfully constructed a “temperature-responsive surface” whose hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity switches in response to temperature by utilizing chlorine introduced onto the polypropylene surface via the chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) photomodification method as an initiation point for atom transfer radical polymerization. We aim to expand the application to other common polymer substrates, such as polyethylene, and to different functional monomers, and will work on the development of medical materials.