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Ejima Lab
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The lab learns from the mechanisms of living organisms and creates new materials by designing them from the molecular level.
AboutAbout the lab
Biomimetic materials that learn from living organisms
The Ejima Lab studies new materials modeled on the mechanisms of living organisms.
Drawing on knowledge of the structure and function of biomolecules, the lab designs its own original molecules and synthesizes them using chemistry.
By also combining the latest nano- and biotechnology, the lab aims to create "biomimetic materials" that can help address environmental problems and advance cutting-edge medicine.
Key terms
- Biomimetic
- Imitating the forms and mechanisms of living organisms and applying them to making things
- Polyphenol
- A compound found abundantly in the leaves, bark, fruit skins, and seeds of plants. Many polyphenols have antioxidant and other effects
- Metal–Phenolic Network (MPN)
- A network-like structure formed when polyphenols bind with metal ions. It forms a film that covers the surface of a material
NewsLab news
Paper on MPN coating of cellulose nanocrystals published
Collaborative research on molecular dynamics simulation of waterborne paints published in ACS Omega
Paper on stabilization of extracellular vesicles by MPN coating published
Collaborative research on molecular dynamics of polymer membranes and persistent homology analysis published
Paper on surface degradation of MPN published in Chem. Mater.
ResearchResearch themes
Taking living organisms as models, the lab carries out everything from molecular design to synthesis on its own, researching materials useful for the environment and medicine. It works on materials inspired by polyphenols, which are abundant in plants, and by the mechanisms marine organisms use to adhere to surfaces.
*Illustrative imagePolyphenol–Metal Coatings
Adding metal ions to polyphenols such as tannic acid forms a network-structured coating (MPN) on the surface of a material. The properties of this coating change depending on the combination of components, and this research uses it to modify material surfaces.
*Illustrative imageNew Polymers Inspired by Polyphenols
Taking hints from polyphenols, which are abundant in plants, the lab synthesizes polymers with similar structures. It investigates properties such as solubility, ease of adsorption, antioxidant activity, and the ability to make it difficult for bacteria to proliferate.
*Illustrative imageUnderwater Adhesives Inspired by Sea Squirts
Most adhesives are weak in water, yet sea squirts live firmly attached to rocks on the seafloor. Learning from this mechanism, the lab aims to develop medical adhesives that can bond strongly even to wet biological tissue.
*Illustrative imageNanoparticles for Drug Delivery and Disease Detection
Targeting biological nanoparticles such as viruses and extracellular vesicles, as well as artificial nanoparticles such as polymer capsules, the lab studies surface modification and interactions at the interface with biological systems.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Ejima Lab consist of faculty, administrative assistants, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorHirotaka EjimaPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorHaruka OdaPublications ↗
VoicesStudent voices
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RelatedLabs similar to Ejima Lab
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Cabral LabFaculty of Engineering, Department of Materials EngineeringDrug delivery using self-assembled polymeric nanoparticles a…
Takai LabFaculty of Engineering, Department of Materials EngineeringElucidating the functions of biomolecule–material interfaces…
Miyata LabFaculty of Engineering, Department of Materials EngineeringDrug delivery and nucleic acid drug development using biopol…The information on this page is compiled by the LabLog team from the lab's public information and interviews. For corrections or removal requests, please contact LabLog, not the lab.
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: “Water droplets in a lotus leaf” Aathavan jaffna / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Polyphenol–Metal Coatings: “Oak galls and iron(II) sulfate - California State Archives” vlasta2, bluefootedbooby on flickr.com / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- New Polymers Inspired by Polyphenols: “Red wine grape pomace” davitydave / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Underwater Adhesives Inspired by Sea Squirts: “SeasquirtJI1” Joi Ito / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery and Disease Detection: “2 calcified carotid” E.Aikawa / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Katashima-Chung Lab): “Superabsorber Hydrogel KSG 2917 pK” Petra Klawikowski / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Cabral Lab): “SEM Lymphocyte” Unknown photographer/artist
（擬似カラー加工：DO11.10） / Public domain (cropped) - Related lab (Takai Lab): “Microfluidic chip for point-of-care medical devices” FMNLab / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Miyata Lab): “Nanoparticles in Brain Metastases ( )” NIH Image Gallery from Bethesda, Maryland, USA / Public domain (cropped)
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