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Biofunctional Materials Engineering Lab
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A lab that creates high-performance materials by harnessing the mechanisms of living systems.
AboutAbout the lab
Developing biomimetic functional materials
The lab studies how to make good use of biological mechanisms to create high-performance substances and materials useful in medicine and industry.
It develops polymers that put glycans (sugar chains) found on cell surfaces to work as material functions, as well as synthetic polymers that mimic the functions of antibodies and enzymes.
The lab also works on catalytic reactors for continuous-flow synthesis, in which a liquid is flowed continuously while it reacts, and on light-driven catalytic materials.
On the lab's website, it is introduced under the name "Miura Lab."
Key terms
- Glycan
- A molecule on the cell surface that acts as a biosignal. Glycans are involved in cell–cell interactions and pathogen infection.
- Precision polymerization
- A technique that makes it possible to freely create synthetic polymers with well-defined structures, like natural polymers.
- Continuous-flow synthesis
- A new type of organic synthesis in which, unlike reactions in a flask, the reaction proceeds while a liquid flows continuously.
ResearchResearch themes
The lab aims to create high-performance substances and materials useful in medicine and industry by making good use of biological mechanisms. Its research covers glycan-based polymers, synthetic polymers that mimic biopolymers, catalytic reactors, and light-driven catalytic materials.
*Illustrative imageDevelopment of Glycopolymers
Glycans on the cell surface are involved in cell–cell interactions and pathogen infection. Using these glycans for material functions, the lab creates bioactive substances against infectious diseases such as influenza virus and works to elucidate pathological mechanisms.
*Illustrative imageBiopolymer Mimics Made from Precision Polymers
Using a technique called "precision polymerization," the lab makes synthetic polymers with well-defined structures, like natural polymers. By designing sequence, length, and three-dimensional structure to suit the purpose, it develops materials that mimic the biological functions of antibodies and enzymes.
*Illustrative imageCatalytic Reactors and Precision Flow Synthesis
Continuous-flow synthesis, in which reactions proceed while a liquid flows continuously, is attracting attention. By combining the functions of catalysts that can synthesize pharmaceuticals and other products with the functions of polymers, the lab develops catalytic reactors useful for continuous-flow synthesis.
*Illustrative imageLight-Driven Catalytic Materials
Converting sunlight directly into chemical energy could enable clean chemical reactions with high energy efficiency. The lab develops synthetic polymers with photocatalytic ability and extends them to the conversion of CO2 into useful substances and the synthesis of functional materials.
MembersFaculty
The lab's members consist of faculty, academic researchers, technical staff, administrative assistants, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2025
- ProfessorYoshiko Miura
- Assistant ProfessorMasanori Nagao
- Assistant ProfessorHikaru Matsumoto
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Propel Segmented Flow Chemistry System” Jankhughes / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Development of Glycopolymers: “Polymer chain SPT” SPT Paul Topham / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Biopolymer Mimics Made from Precision Polymers: “Star Polymer Structures” Mcark / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Catalytic Reactors and Precision Flow Synthesis: “Uniqsis-FlowSyn Flow Reactor” Martyn Fordham / Public domain (cropped)
- Light-Driven Catalytic Materials: “Anatase (titania, TiO2) photocatalyst producing hydrogen” University College London Faculty of Mathematical & Physical Sciences / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (物質
移動工学研究室): “Microwave-reactor-for-biodiesel-production” Achanai Buasri, Tidarat Rattanapan, Chalida Boonrin, Chosita Wechayan, Vorrada Loryuenyong / CC BY 4.0 (cropped) - Related lab (生物化学工学研究室): “Synthetic Biology Costa Rican Beach” MattWildCat / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (生体材料・医用工学研究室): “Cell culture flat flasks-set” Lilly_M / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (熱プロセス工学研究室): “Peru - Lares Trek 043 - potatoes laid out for freeze-drying ( )” McKay Savage from London, UK / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
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