奈良先端科学技術大学院大学 物質創成科学領域

Division of Materials Science NARA Institute of Science and Technology

Functional Supramolecular Chemistry

Staff & Contact

Educational Staff Prof. Shun Hirota
Associate Prof. Takashi Matsuo
Assistant Prof. Naoya Kobayashi
Assistant Prof. Tsuyoshi Mashima
URL https://mswebs.naist.jp/LABs/hirota/index_e.html

Education and Research Activities in the Laboratory

We are performing new interdisciplinary researches in chemistry and biology. Based on the chemical knowledge of the functions and structures of biomolecules at molecular level, our laboratory focuses on the elucidation of protein mechanisms and design/application of bio-supramolecules using various analytical methods, protein engineering techniques, and organic syntheses.

Research Themes

1. Development of novel protein-based drugs (antibodies and protein gels)

We are developing antibody drugs with high target specificity using human antibody light chains, etc. (Fig. 1). We are also developing a new type of protein gel that encapsulates anticancer drugs and evaluating its usefulness as a drug carrier using mice (Fig. 2).

2. Artificial protein design using AI and molecular biological techniques

If we can create new proteins, it will lead to new functional materials. Therefore, we design novel functional protein supramolecules using computer-based methods such as AI and produce them using molecular biological techniques.

3. Unraveling novel protein functions in living organisms

Proteins that normally perform specific functions sometimes exhibit unexpected new functions. We investigate the mechanisms of these new functions at the molecular level and study their roles in living organisms.

4. Functionalization of proteins by synthetic chemistry

We develop novel biocatalysts and artificial proteins using synthetic chemistry and biochemical approaches. The functionalized proteins will be applied for organic syntheses and regulation of naturally occurring bioreactions (Fig. 3). In this view, we synthesize novel synthetic compounds that are hybridized with biomolecules.

5. Functional analysis of interaction fashions between biomolecules for medicinal chemistry

To understand and regulate bioreactions, we develop methods for bioreaction regulation based on interactions between biomolecules from the perspective of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology.  

Explanatory Pictures of Research Activities

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of antibody action.
Fig. 2 Creation of hemoglobin gel and its use as anti-cancer drug carrier.
Fig. 3 X-ray crystallographic structure of an artificial fluorescent protein constructed by a combination of genetic and synthetic methods.

Recent Research Papers and Achievements

  1. T. Sugiyama et al,, JACS Au, 5, 5129 (2025).
  2. G. Novientri et al,, Chem. Eur. J. 31, e202404736 (2025) (Cover Figure).
  3. T. Uda et al., mAbs, 17, 2503978 (2025).
  4. G. Novientri et al., ACS Omega, 10, 7039 (2025).
  5. Y. Mikata, T. Matsuo et al. Inorg. Chem. 63, 8026 (2024)(Cover Figure)
  6. W. Fitriana et al., 67, 22313 (2024).
  7. T. Mashima et al., Chem. Commun., 60, 9440 (2024).
  8. K. Fujiwara et al., Chem. Lett., 53 (2024).
  9. T. Sakai et al., Nat. Commun., 14, 7807 (2023).
  10. I. Nakamura, T. Matsuo et al. Protein Sci. 32, e4813 (2023).
  11. T. Kinugawa, T. Matsuo. Dalton Trans. 52, 9499 (2023).
  12. M. Zhang et al., J. Phys. Chem. B, 127, 2442 (2023).