Department of Biotechnology and Life Science Researchers
Introducing Faculty of Engineering Department of Biotechnology and Life Science 's laboratory.
Ryutaro Asano Laboratory
Aiming to develop next-generation, more highly functional biopharmaceuticals and highly sensitive, rapid and easy-to-use biosensors for medical use, we are designing and analyzing the functions of artificial molecules that utilize combinations of various biopolymers, with a focus on antibodies, which are immune molecules.
Atsushi Arakaki Laboratory
We are conducting research to elucidate the formation mechanism of hard tissues such as biominerals that are produced by living organisms, and to develop new materials and substance production systems that utilize this mechanism. We are conducting research using molecular biological techniques, focusing on nano-sized magnetic particles produced by magnetic bacteria and the hardness-changing cuticle of beetles.
Laboratory of Biomolecular Engineering and Marine Biotechnology
Kazunori Ikebukuro Laboratory
In order to realize ultra-early diagnosis and presymptomatic diagnosis, we are developing molecular recognition elements that specifically recognize certain molecules. In particular, we have found many DNA molecules that form unexpected structures to recognize molecules, and are using these to develop new sensing systems.
Naohiro Ichikawa Laboratory
Certain amphiphilic molecules self-organize to form various nanostructures. In our laboratory, we are developing molecular design techniques that can freely control this self-organization phenomenon and pursuing super-functions using them. In particular, we expect this technology to contribute to the energy and environmental fields.
Masanori Inada Laboratory
We are focusing on the pathogenesis of musculoskeletal diseases and analyzing disease models using genetic engineering. We are conducting drug discovery research based on engineering visualization techniques, making full use of cell and individual bioimaging techniques targeting muscle diseases, bone diseases, and cancer diseases.
Yoshihiro Ohta Laboratory
Mitochondria are small organelles found inside cells that play a central role in metabolism. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms by which they work and manipulating their function are expected to be of great benefit to people's health. We are conducting research every day with the aim of realizing this goal.
Kosuke Kataoka Laboratory
We are studying the mechanisms of animal diversity and environmental adaptation through multi-omics analysis and behavioral analysis using deep learning. In particular, we aim to elucidate the evolutionary mechanisms of specialized functions in insects, and are working to apply these findings to create new bioresources.
Laboratory of Biomolecular Engineering and Marine Biotechnology
Ryuji Kawano Laboratory
In our laboratory, we use microfabrication and microfluidic technology to create artificial cells, and conduct research aimed at the engineering application of cellular functions. In particular, we focus on the cell membrane, which is made up of phospholipids and membrane proteins, and are working to construct biosensors that mimic biological functions.
Kuroda Yutaka Laboratory
We use computer science and protein engineering techniques to improve the stability and solubility of proteins such as enzymes and antibodies, and verify the effects using NMR, etc. We also introduce amino acid substitutions into virus-derived proteins to control their solubility and aggregation, and investigate their effects on immunogenicity.
Christopher John Vavricka Laboratory
Enzyme engineering combined with computational science enables the sustainable biosynthesis of various useful compounds. We are using computational science to discover and improve specialized enzyme functions to expand existing metabolic pathways and generate high-value-added pharmaceutical compounds.
Mikako Saito Laboratory
We are developing stem cell engineering to understand and control the mechanism of differentiation from stem cells into functional cells and create useful tissues. We are also proposing cell diversity studies based on the new recognition that intercellular signaling in each tissue is surprisingly highly dependent on the heterogeneity of related molecular groups.
Sakurai Kaori Laboratory
Elucidating how bioactive molecules work can lead to the discovery of new biological functions and the realization of new drug development. We precisely design chemical probes from bioactive molecules and develop methods to directly analyze the interactions between molecules and proteins.
Kyosuke Shinohara Laboratory
We are investigating the characteristics of ciliated cells, which play an important medical role, using laboratory animals, electron microscopes, protein engineering, etc. We are also investigating the mechanisms of lung and respiratory disease development through genetic analysis of laboratory animals.
Yoda, Yamada, Shinohara Laboratory
Tanaka Tsuyoshi Laboratory
We are conducting basic science and engineering research aimed at utilizing the biological functions of microalgae and photosynthetic bacteria to produce chemicals and biofuels. We are also developing biosensing technology using microfabrication technology, and working on practical research for the fields of medical diagnosis and environmental measurement.
Laboratory of Biomolecular Engineering and Marine Biotechnology
Yuji Tsugawa Laboratory
Metabolism is the chemical reaction occurring in living organisms. In our laboratory, we conduct interdisciplinary research between biology, analytical chemistry, and information science to understand the diversity of metabolism and its biological significance.
Wakako Tsugawa Laboratory
We develop biosensors that use enzymes and other protein molecules as molecular recognition elements and detection/signal amplification elements. We will discover and improve enzymes that have never been used in sensors before, create electrochemical and optical measurement systems, and apply them to medical, food, and environmental applications.
Masayuki Tera Laboratory
By applying bioorthogonal reactions, we design and synthesize functional small molecules that control the behavior of living cells and nucleic acid-protein interactions. We aim to contribute to regenerative medicine and drug discovery by evaluating the biological functions of the synthesized compounds.
Yasumoto Nakazawa Laboratory
Using biocompatible and degradable silk as a raw material, we are developing medical materials such as artificial blood vessels, cardiac repair patches, and artificial bones. By correlating the molecular structure, physical properties, and bioresponsiveness of silk, we aim to design new functional silk materials and use them in medical applications such as regenerative medicine materials.
Kazuo Nagasawa Laboratory
Based on the chemical synthesis of biologically active natural products (low molecular weight organic compounds), we are combining chemical biology techniques to elucidate the control mechanisms of biopolymers (proteins and nucleic acids) that govern life phenomena. We are also applying the results to drug discovery research.
Nobufumi Nakamura Laboratory
We are searching for useful proteins, elucidating and improving their properties, and using these to develop processes that mimic biological systems, biofuel cells, biosensors, etc. We are also developing new electrical energy production devices using ionic liquids.
Keiichi Noguchi Laboratory
We are conducting research to understand and apply the functions of proteins based on their three-dimensional structures. In particular, we are investigating the structure of capsule-like particles made by proteins, which are several tens of nanometers in size. We are also conducting structural analysis of low molecular weight compounds and fibrous materials related to living organisms.
Michiko Hirata Laboratory
We are conducting research focusing on locomotive syndrome related to exercise. With the goal of developing functional foods and developing new drugs, we are conducting pathological analysis of disease models and elucidating mechanisms using multi-omics to advance research and development of factors for preventing and treating diseases.
Mori Tetsushi Laboratory
In the natural world, microorganisms interact with each other to form special networks. We focus on novel and unidentified microorganisms in these networks, and develop molecular biology-based techniques to understand their ecology, roles, and genetic backgrounds.
Akiyo Yamada Laboratory
We are conducting research into the mechanisms of environmental stress tolerance acquired by wild halophytes such as mangroves and microalgae that have evolved in diverse ways, and their application to higher plants.
Masafumi Yooda Laboratory
We conduct research and education in a wide range of fields, from the basics to applications, ranging from elucidating the functions of biomolecules, particularly molecular chaperones that assist protein folding, molecular machines essential for malaria parasite infection, and sensor proteins that detect odorants, to developing environmental purification technologies.
Tomoko Yoshino Laboratory
We are promoting medical-engineering and industry-academia collaboration by developing bioanalysis devices and creating nanomaterials using microorganisms. In particular, we aim to develop genetic analysis techniques and devices for rare cancer cells circulating in the blood of cancer patients, and to discover new cancer diagnostic markers and drug discovery targets.
Laboratory of Biomolecular Engineering and Marine Biotechnology
Yuji Hatakeyama Laboratory
I am researching theoretical linguistics, scientifically elucidating the algorithms of the grammar software (language computer) in the brain.
Nakamura Laboratory
Cell mechanics, including the skeletal structure that gives shape to cells, cell adhesion, and cell movement, are thought to be the governing factors of life phenomena. By using nanotechnology that combines AFM and nanoneedles to elucidate cell mechanics such as cancer metastasis, we will contribute to the creation of innovative medical technologies.
Kim Hyun Cheol Laboratory
We are conducting research focusing on the relationship between the cooperation between cells that make up cancer tissue and the progression of malignant cancer. We are developing techniques to measure intercellular interactions using nanotechnology, and techniques to attach special particles to cells and detect marker molecules with high sensitivity.
Hirano Kazumi Laboratory
Using stem cell (iPS cell and neural stem cell) culture technology, we are working on constructing model cells for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and constructing neurological function evaluation systems that will contribute to drug discovery support and toxicity evaluation. In particular, by combining 3D culture technology such as "brain organoids" with interdisciplinary technologies, we aim to contribute to industrial development in the medical and food fields with unprecedented new approaches.
Ayana Yamagishi Laboratory
We are conducting research to analyze the mechanical functions of new cancer markers involved in metastasis and to develop diagnostic and therapeutic techniques targeting these markers. In particular, we are focusing on ion channels that release chloride ions in response to mechanical stimulation, and are working to develop a cancer discrimination device that uses the amount of ion release as an indicator.