奈良先端科学技術大学院大学 物質創成科学領域

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Education and Research Activities in the Laboratory

We go beyond conventional approaches that focus on the properties of individual polymers, and instead aim to design cooperative interactions among multiple polymers as the primary target of investigation. By treating such collective interactions as an intentional design element, we seek to create unprecedented and previously unexplored functions. From molecular-level design to the construction of supramolecular assemblies, we pursue an integrated strategy to rationally develop macromolecular systems that exhibit novel and emergent functionalities. To foster independent researchers, each student develops an individual research project through close discussion and collaborative planning. We encourage students to take ownership of their research, cultivating scientific curiosity and professional responsibility. Through regular discussions and participation in domestic and international conferences, students strengthen their ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and engage with broader research communities.

Research Themes

1. Peptide-Mimetic Design of Biofunctional Polymers

In nature, many proteins and peptides exert biological activity through interactions with cell membranes. Inspired by the molecular principles of natural biomacromolecules, we aim to transfer such functional mechanisms into synthetic polymers. By precisely controlling polymer structures—such as hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance and side-chain composition—we design and synthesize membrane-active polymers that selectively interact with lipid bilayers. To date, we have successfully developed functional polymers exhibiting antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-amyloid activities.

2. Automated High-Throughput Synthesis of Polymer Libraries

The discovery of functional polymers requires the construction of diverse molecular libraries. However, conventional manual synthesis is limited in both scale and reproducibility. We are developing automated experimental platforms that integrate polymer synthesis and functional evaluation, enabling the construction of polymer libraries far beyond the scale achievable by traditional methods. By combining automation with data-driven science, we efficiently analyze structure–function relationships and accelerate the discovery of innovative polymer materials.

3. Precision Control of Lipid Supramolecular Assemblies and Construction of Artificial Cells

Lipid supramolecular assemblies play a crucial role in supporting complex and highly organized biological functions. We design and synthesize artificial lipids and membrane-active polymers to engineer hybrid organic–inorganic artificial cell membranes, as well as nanodiscs derived from native cell membranes. By integrating these technologies, we aim to construct artificial cell-like supramolecular systems that mimic and extend cellular functions.

Explanatory Pictures of Research Activities

Recent Research Papers and Achievements

1. Lipid nanodiscs spontaneously formed by an amphiphilic polymethacrylate derivative as an efficient nanocarrier for molecular delivery to intact cells, J. Hao, M. Ishihara, G. Rapenne, and K. Yasuhara, RSC Advances 2024, 14, 6127-6134.
2. Lpid cubic phase with an organic-inorganic hybrid structure formed by organoalkoxysilane lipid, M. Kariya, K. Omoto, K. Nomura, K. Yonezawa, H. Kamikubo, T. Nishino, T. Inoie, G. Rapenne, and K. Yasuhara, Chemical Communications 2024, 60, 2169-2171.
3. Mechanistic Study of Membrane Disruption by Antimicrobial Methacrylate Random Copolymers by the Single Giant Vesicle Method, M. Tsukamoto, E. Zappala, G. A. Caputo, J. Kikuchi, K. Najarian, K. Kuroda, K. Yasuhara, Langmuir 2021, 37, 9982-9995.
4. Spontaneous Lipid Nanodisc Fomation by Amphiphilic Polymethacrylate Copolymers, K. Yasuhara, J. Arakida, T. Ravula, S. K. Ramadugu, B. Sahoo, J. Kikuchi, and A. Ramamoorthy, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 18657-18663.
5. Spontaneously formed semipermeable organic–inorganic hybrid vesicles permitting molecular weight selective transmembrane passage, K. Yasuhara, T. Kawataki, S. Okuda, S. Oshima, and J. Kikuchi, Chem Commun.2013, 49, 665-667.