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Forest Chemistry Lab
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The lab investigates the biosynthesis of lignin and terpenes in trees.
AboutAbout the lab
Uncovering how tree components are made
The Forest Chemistry Lab studies how lignin, a component of tree cell walls, and terpenes, the aroma compounds of forests, are produced and what roles they play.
The lab investigates biosynthetic processes and biological defense mechanisms at the levels of cells, enzymes, and genes.
Its research also covers plant-to-plant communication via volatile compounds and the analysis of lignin degradation by mushrooms (basidiomycetes).
Key terms
- Lignin
- The main component of plant cell walls, which plays a role in mechanically supporting the plant body.
- Terpene
- A class of compounds that is the source of much of the scent emitted by forests. Known examples include fragrances and rosin (pine resin) used as a grip aid.
- Hinokitiol
- A type of terpene with a distinctive structure and strong antimicrobial activity, whose biosynthetic pathway is almost entirely unknown.
- White-rot fungi
- Fungi known as the only organisms able to degrade lignin, which is resistant to decomposition.
ResearchResearch themes
Wood is a resource that trees make from carbon dioxide and store. The lab aims to clarify, at the levels of cells, enzymes, and genes, how the cell wall components that give trees their distinctive character are formed and how trees defend themselves.
*Illustrative imageElucidating the Function of Versatile Peroxidase
CWPO-C, an oxidative enzyme from poplar, can oxidize substrates regardless of their molecular size or structure, and is thought to be involved in lignin polymerization on the cell wall. The lab investigates the function of this enzyme and related enzymes.
*Illustrative imageThe Role of Terpenes, the Aroma Compounds of Forests
The scents emitted by forests mostly originate from compounds called terpenes. The lab is interested in what functions these aroma compounds have within forests.
*Illustrative imageBiosynthesis of Hinokitiol
Hinokitiol is a type of terpene with a distinctive structure and strong antimicrobial activity, but its biosynthetic pathway is almost entirely unknown. The lab aims to uncover the mechanism of its biosynthesis.
*Illustrative imageLignin Degradation by White-Rot Fungi
White-rot fungi are known as the only organisms able to degrade lignin, which is resistant to decomposition, but the overall picture of their degradation function and the purpose of the degradation remain unclear. The lab investigates these questions using white-rot fungi and soil bacteria.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Forest Chemistry Lab consist of faculty, master's and undergraduate students, and research students.As of 2025
- Assistant ProfessorKoki Fujita
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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: “Conifer resin from Agathis lanceolata (New Caledonia, southwestern Pacific Basin) )” James St. John / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Elucidating the Function of Versatile Peroxidase: “Enzymes -- Smart-Servier” Laboratoires Servier / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- The Role of Terpenes, the Aroma Compounds of Forests: “Pine resin harvesting in Ferrel” Alexkom000 / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Biosynthesis of Hinokitiol: “Thujopsis dolabrata Lutea 01” Agnieszka Kwiecień (Nova) / CC BY 2.5 (cropped)
- Lignin Degradation by White-Rot Fungi: “Wood decay fungus” Sindugab / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Silviculture Lab): “Beech Forest (AU), Great Otway National Park” Dietmar Rabich / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Marine Resource Chemistry Lab): “Seawater and rocks” Deishini Mariam / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Livestock Biological Function Lab): “2025 Michigan State Fair August 2025 08 (Beef Cattle)” Michael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Plant Nutrition Lab): “Plant Cells 03” Debojit37 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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