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Biopolymer Function Lab
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The lab explores the order within cells that arises from the collective behavior of proteins.
AboutAbout the lab
New order and function within cells arising from the collective behavior of proteins
The Biopolymer Function Lab studies the order that proteins create inside cells by gathering together and dispersing, and the functions that this order serves.
It focuses on proteins that lack a fixed structure and change their behavior depending on the situation, and on the phenomenon in which they form molecular assemblies that behave like liquids.
Another key research theme is how evolution has selected whether a given protein has or lacks a defined structure.
Using cutting-edge experimental techniques, simulations, and other approaches, the lab aims for a quantitative understanding of dynamic living systems and the creation of new therapeutic strategies.
Key terms
- Phase separation
- A phenomenon in which specific molecules gather together to form droplets, like water and oil separating.
- Perichromosomal layer (PCL)
- A layer formed by phase separation that coats the surface of chromosomes during cell division.
- Phosphorylation
- A mechanism that switches a protein's function by adding or removing phosphate groups.
- Condensate
- A structure that acts as a compartment within the cell even though it has no membrane. Also called a biomolecular condensate.
NewsLab news
A doctoral student received the Outstanding Scientist Award at the NTU Summer Program
A technical staff member received a presentation award at the area meeting on the dynamics of biological order
Professor Shigehiro Yoshimura published the second edition of his book "Daigaku de Manabu Mijika na Seibutsugaku" (Everyday Biology Studied at University)
A technical staff member received a presentation award at the HFSP x Nobel Prize in Kyoto Meeting
ResearchResearch themes
This lab investigates how proteins gather through phase separation and other processes inside cells to create order and function. Its main themes are the mechanism that protects chromosomes, a protein used as a marker of cell proliferation, compartments within cells, and the arms race between viruses and cells.
*Illustrative imageProtecting the Genome through Phase Separation
During mitosis, the long chromosomes become exposed, and the perichromosomal layer (PCL), formed by phase separation, wraps around and protects them. Combining biophysics, bioinformatics, and other approaches, the lab studies how Ki-67, the key component of this layer, has changed form from fish to humans.
*Illustrative imageThe Mystery of Ki-67, a Marker of Proliferation
Ki-67 is used as a marker of cell proliferation, but the molecular reason for this is still unknown. The lab found that the PCL not only coats chromosomes directly but also remodels the actin cortex at the cell surface, and it is approaching this mystery with phosphorylation as the key.
*Illustrative imageChemical Reactions That Control Condensates
Biomolecular condensates, which are compartments without membranes, are formed by phase separation. Using knowledge from physics and biochemistry, the lab aims to uncover how chemical reactions such as ATP hydrolysis and phosphorylation change the environment inside and around condensates and cause their structures to shift.
*Illustrative imageThe Struggle between Viruses and Cells
Cells have defense mechanisms against infection, and viruses change form to evade them. The lab identifies host proteins that counter retroviruses and studies how they act, and it is also advancing applied research on protein delivery technology that turns this arms race to advantage.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Biopolymer Function Lab are faculty, JSPS postdoctoral fellows, technical staff, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorShigehiro Yoshimura
- Assistant ProfessorHiroya Yamazaki
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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: “HeLa-Tubulin-HSP60-Fibrillarin-DNA” GerryShaw / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Protecting the Genome through Phase Separation: “Chromatin and histones” Darryl Leja, NHGRI / Public domain (cropped)
- The Mystery of Ki-67, a Marker of Proliferation: “Cell nucleus 3 -- Smart-Servier” Laboratoires Servier / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Chemical Reactions That Control Condensates: “Protein mosaic” User:Astrojan / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- The Struggle between Viruses and Cells: “Papilloma Virus (HPV) EM” Author: Unknown photographer/artist Source: Laboratory of Tumor Virus Biology / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Mathematical Biology Lab): “Bactritida-ammonoidea evolution morphology” Antonov / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Cell Function Lab): “Cell cycle showing G0 G1 arrest” Lucia de Diego Mialdea / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Behavioral Neuroscience Lab): “Mouse Brain (NIH BioArt )” Courtesy of NIAID Ryan Kissinger / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Animal Developmental Biology Lab): “Chicken-embryo-1week old” Ben Skála / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
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