LAB LOGA page on LabLog, a review site (not the lab's official page)
Biomolecular Device Lab
Machine-translated · View original
A lab that creates new materials by combining DNA and gold nanoparticles.
AboutAbout the lab
Creating new materials from biomolecules and nanoparticles.
The Biomolecular Device Lab studies materials that combine DNA or proteins with metal nanoparticles.
DNA binds to specific partners, and proteins can recognize target substances.
Metal nanoparticles, on the other hand, exhibit a phenomenon called localized surface plasmon resonance when illuminated, and their behavior changes depending on how they assemble.
The lab works on combining the two to create materials with unprecedented functions.
Key terms
- Self-assembly
- A phenomenon in which molecules or particles arrange or gather by themselves into a defined form.
- Localized surface plasmon resonance
- A phenomenon in which, when light hits metal nanoparticles, the electrons on the surface oscillate collectively and strongly absorb the light.
- Raman scattering
- Scattering in which light shone on a sample returns with its color shifted by the amount of molecular vibration. It is used to identify substances.
NewsLab news
A paper on gold nanorod capsules that respond to near-infrared light has been accepted by Small
A paper on chiral plasmonic hot spots made with peptides has been accepted by ACS Sensors
A paper investigating shape-dependent differences in surface-enhanced Raman scattering has been accepted by ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces
A postdoctoral researcher's paper has been selected for a Supplementary Cover
A paper on highly sensitive detection of microRNA inside cells has been accepted by Analytical Chemistry
ResearchResearch themes
The lab focuses on self-assembly, molecular recognition, and nanotechnology. By combining biomolecules such as DNA and proteins with metal nanoparticles, it works to create functional materials with unprecedented capabilities.
*Illustrative imageControlling the self-assembly of nanoparticles
The optical response of gold nanoparticles changes depending on how they assemble. By attaching various molecules to the particle surface to tune their properties, the lab aims to realize diverse self-assemblies, such as capsule-shaped assemblies that carry drugs.
*Illustrative imageDynamic plasmonic sensors
When gold nanoparticles come close to each other, a strong electric field (hot spot) forms in the gap, which can enhance weak Raman scattering. By immobilizing particles on a hydrogel whose volume changes in response to stimuli, the lab makes the interparticle distance shift back and forth, aiming at applications as sensing materials.
*Illustrative imageAligning gold nanorods
The plasmonic properties of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles depend on their orientation relative to light. Using polymers such as DNA stretched straight on a substrate as a template, the lab has succeeded in aligning gold nanorods in one direction.
*Illustrative imageAdding functions to cells with DNA
DNA recognizes complementary sequences and binds to them, and inserting dyes into the double helix produces strong fluorescence. Using these properties, the lab labels cells with fluorescence and adds functions to them, using enzymes that extend DNA.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Biomolecular Device Lab consist of faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, visiting researchers, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorKuniharu Ijiro
- Associate ProfessorHideyuki Mitomo
VoicesStudent voices
Ratings and reviews reflect the experiences of individual current or former students, not the lab's official views. Whether a lab has reviews, or how many, says nothing about the lab itself.
Students who take part in an interview may receive a thank-you gift worth ¥1,000, regardless of what they say.
Student ratings (0 students)
--
--
--
--
--
--
Student voices answer questions like these
- What's great about this lab?
- What did you learn after joining?
- What's the vibe, and what is the professor like?
- Who is this lab for?
- Where do graduates go?
Your experience can help younger students choose their lab. Your name won't be shown.
Write a lab reviewAnonymous · Your draft is saved if you stopRelatedLabs similar to Biomolecular Device Lab
Ogawa Lab (Systems Neurobiology)Faculty of Science, Department of Biological SciencesSystems neurobiology
Advanced Biological Regulation Science LabFaculty of Science, Department of Biological SciencesConstruction of rational drug discovery systems based on dyn…
Structural Biochemistry LabFaculty of Science, Department of Biological SciencesMultifaceted analysis and application of elaborately designe…
Morphology and Function III LabFaculty of Science, Department of Biological SciencesMolecular geneticsThe 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: “Au nanoparticles” Nikonianman / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Controlling the self-assembly of nanoparticles: “Nanoparticles ( )” National Institute of Standards and Technology / Public domain (cropped)
- Dynamic plasmonic sensors: “Confocal Raman Image of a pharmaceutical emulsion.” Sonjajnos / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Aligning gold nanorods: “TEM image of gold nanoparticles and nanorods” Fionán / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Adding functions to cells with DNA: “Bovine Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells Fluorescent Image 3” Erin Rod / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Ogawa Lab (Systems Neurobiology)): “African.field.cricket.arp” Arpingstone / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Advanced Biological Regulation Science Lab): “Sugar crystals under a microscope 1” Gustamons / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Structural Biochemistry Lab): “Lysozyme Protein Crystal in Hanging-Drop Crystallization” Rohit Sharma / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Morphology and Function III Lab): “Arabidopsis thal background” Reo On / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
About LabLog
LabLog is a lab review app for students only. Student members at each university interview students in labs and publish what they say. Student voices can only be read by students who sign up with a university email address. Operated by bestiee Inc.
Learn more about LabLog ↗Search engines and AI may reference the basic lab info and rating summaries on this page and the description of LabLog. Student voices are for student members only. Automated collection by programs (scraping, or input to or training of AI) is prohibited under Article 8 of the Terms of Service. If you need data for research or analysis, please contact us.