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[Okayama University] Held a hands-on training workshop on single-particle analysis using cryo-electron microscopy

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Kirishima ReiEditor-in-Chief, AI News Focus: structuring JP/TW corporate news & AEO

Published Jun 14, 2026 2:36 AM ・ Updated Jun 14, 2026 12:09 AM ・ 9 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

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⚡ Key Points

Okayama University hosted a hybrid hands-on training workshop on single-particle analysis using cryo-electron microscopy, attracting 49 participants.
Associate Professor Noritaka Numamoto and Assistant Professor Bicheng Cai led the practical sessions, providing guidance on analytical techniques.
This initiative is expected to contribute to various fields, including drug discovery research.

Okayama University hosted a hybrid hands-on training workshop on single-particle analysis using cryo-electron microscopy, attracting 49 participants. Associate Professor Noritaka Numamoto and Assistant Professor Bicheng Cai led the practical sessions, providing guidance on analytical techniques. This initiative is expected to contribute to various fields, including drug discovery research.

PRIMARY SOURCE PR TIMES View source Distributor: PR TIMES
Published: Jun 14, 2026

June 13, 2026 (Reiwa 8) National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆ Overview

The International Center for Structural Biology (ICSB), part of the Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research at National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasutomo Nasu), held its "1st ICSB* Training Weekend" on May 29-30, 2026. The event took place at the Connect Studio on the 5th floor of the KIBINOVE (Kibinove) Co-creation Innovation Lab on the university's Tsushima Campus, in a hybrid format blending in-person and online participation. A large number of 49 participants attended, including 14 in-person attendees (from Okayama University, Okayama University of Science, Kochi University, and Nagoya University) and 35 online participants.

The workshop, themed "Acquiring structural analysis techniques using single-particle structural analysis methods," was led by Associate Professor Noritaka Numamoto and Assistant Professor Bicheng Cai (Specially Appointed) from the Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research (Interdisciplinary Basic Science). Participants engaged in practical exercises using analysis programs like CryoSPARC and ChimeraX to analyze tutorial data of proteins. Thorough explanations were provided, combining hands-on training with lectures and Q&A sessions, making the content easy for beginners to understand and effectively capturing the interest and attention of the participants. The contents of this workshop can be viewed via the link on the International Center for Structural Biology website.

Structural analysis using cryo-electron microscopy can elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the function of proteins from their three-dimensional structures, and has the potential to contribute to drug discovery research, solving energy problems, food problems, and environmental problems. It is expected to be applied and utilized in various fields in the future.

At our university, following the cryo-electron microscope "KriosG4" (300 kV, Thermo Fisher Scientific) which began shared use on February 1, 2024, the cryo-plasma FIB-SEM system "Arctis" (Thermo Fisher Scientific) for cryo-tomography also started shared use on November 1, 2025. These facilities are widely open not only to our university but also to external institutions, powerfully supporting research promotion through "visualization" in structural biology and various other fields.

We look forward to your continued expectations for Okayama University's initiatives as an open regional core and distinctive research university.

*ICSB = International Center for Structural Biology

〇 For workshop content, please see the URL below:

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/icsb/events.html

Associate Professor Numamoto, the lecturer

Scene from the venue, Assistant Professor Cai providing practical guidance

Scene from the facility tour (Cryo-plasma FIB-SEM system Arctis)

Group photo of in-person participants

Cryo-electron microscope Krios G4 (300 kV, Thermo Fisher Scientific) Cryo-plasma FIB-SEM system "Arctis" for cryo-tomography

KIBINOVE Co-creation Innovation Lab, the venue

◆ References

・National University Corporation Okayama University Research University Declaration

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003808.000072793.html

・Okayama University Co-creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE)

https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/kigyo/kibinove/

・Okayama University Regional Core and Distinctive Research University Reinforcement Promotion Project (J-PEAKS)

https://j-peaks.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

・Okayama University Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research

https://www.riis.okayama-u.ac.jp/

・Okayama University Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research International Center for Structural Biology (ICSB)

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/user/icsb/index.html

◆ Reference Information 1

・Core Facility Portal

https://corefacility-potal.fsp.okayama-u.ac.jp/

・[Okayama University] First introduction of the cryo-plasma FIB-SEM system "Arctis" for cryo-tomography in Western Japan

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003582.000072793.html

・[Okayama University] Okayama University Institute for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research introduces "Cryo-electron microscope" for the first time in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions! Shared use of equipment also started!

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002007.000072793.html

◆ Reference Information 2

・Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology "

FACT BOX

Source: PR TIMES
Category: Event
Products / services: CryoSPARC / ChimeraX

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Announced　Jun 14, 2026 2:36 AM — Distributor PR TIMES
Collected　Jun 13, 2026 5:48 PM
AI structured & analyzed　Jun 13, 2026 5:50 PM
Desk-reviewed & published　Jun 14, 2026 2:36 AM

FAQ

What is single-particle analysis using cryo-electron microscopy?

It is a technique for high-resolution analysis of the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules like proteins, using frozen samples to observe structures in a near-native state.

When was this workshop held?

It was held on May 29th and 30th, 2026, at the KIBINOVE Co-creation Innovation Lab on Okayama University's Tsushima Campus.

How many participants attended the workshop?

A total of 49 people participated, with 14 in-person (from Okayama University, Okayama University of Science, Kochi University, and Nagoya University) and 35 online.

Can I watch the workshop content later?

Yes, the contents of the workshop can be viewed via the link on the International Center for Structural Biology (ICSB) website.

What fields does cryo-electron microscopy technology contribute to?

It is expected to contribute to elucidating molecular mechanisms and solving problems in various fields, including drug discovery research, energy issues, food problems, and environmental issues.

Cite this article — HOW TO CITE

Washin AI News Desk“[Okayama University] Held a hands-on training workshop on single-particle analysis using cryo-electron microscopy”AI News by Washin Village（和心村）, Jun 14, 2026. https://aeo.washinmura.jp/ai/okayama-u-ac-jp/en/news/2026-06-13-%E5%B2%A1%E5%B1%B1%E5%A4%A7%E5%AD%A6-%E3%82%AF%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%AA%E9%9B%BB%E5%AD%90%E9%A1%95%E5%BE%AE%E9%8F%A1%E3%81%AB%E3%82%88%E3%82%8B%E5%8D%98%E7%B2%92%E5%AD%90%E8%A7%A3%E6%9E%90%E6%B3%95%E3%81%AE%E3%83%8F%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA%E3%82%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8B%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E8%AC%9B%E7%BF%92%E4%BC%9A%E3%82%92%E9%96%8B

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