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Nomura (S.)-Matsubayashi Lab
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The lab designs artificial cells and molecular robots from the molecular level.
AboutAbout the lab
Let's create living machines.
The Nomura (S.)-Matsubayashi Lab builds "artificial cells" made of human-designed molecular systems.
By incorporating molecules such as DNA and proteins into microscale sacs made of lipid membranes, the lab seeks to reproduce some of the functions of cells.
The lab studies assemblies of molecules that move automatically according to a program, which it calls AutoMatter.
As part of the molecular robotics field, the lab holds lab seminars and lab events together with the Murata Lab.
Key terms
- Artificial cell
- A microscale active unit made of a human-designed molecular system, with functions that resemble, yet differ from, those of living cells
- Lipid membrane
- A membrane made of lipid molecules that separates the inside of a cell from the outside
- Molecular robot
- A robot made of molecules that integrates molecular components corresponding to sensors, processors, and motors
NewsLab news
A doctoral student won the Best Student Paper Award at MARSS 2026
Joint research with Mitsubishi Chemical Engineering began
A paper on a drug release model from artificial multicellular bodies was published
A master's student won the Young Researcher Encouragement Award at the Molecular Robotics Annual Meeting
A student team took second place at the BIOMOD Jamboree
ResearchResearch themes
The lab designs and builds autonomously functioning molecular systems, starting with artificial cells. Learning from natural cells, it aims to control movement and behavior through molecular programs.
*Illustrative imageArtificial Cells Capable of Autonomous Motion
The lab reproduces "movements" such as cell deformation, motility, and phagocytosis (engulfing other cells) in artificial cells, seeking to understand how they arise by building them from the bottom up. Using a method of controlling proteins with light, it has made it possible to bias reactions inside artificial cells and to return them to their original state.
*Illustrative imageMulticellular-Like Structures Made of Lipids
The lab has discovered methods to make microcompartment structures resembling the multicellular tissues of living organisms from natural and synthetic lipid molecules. It studies their use for drug storage and stimulus-responsive release, as artificial multicellular models, and as a foundation for soft robots.
*Illustrative imageAutoMatter That Moves as Programmed
The lab studies groups of matter that move automatically according to a program (AutoMatter). Examples include groups of molecular robots driven by motor proteins and controlled with molecular computing circuits, and artificial multicellular bodies whose movement is controlled with molecular or electrical signals.
*Illustrative imageArtificial Cells That Work with Natural Cells
The lab incorporates "pores" that pass on signals of specific molecules, sensors, and molecular systems that amplify information into artificial cells, aiming to have them work as "caretakers" of natural cells. They are also considered usable as containers that carry substances into cells.
MembersFaculty
The Nomura (S.)-Matsubayashi Lab's members consist of faculty, staff, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorShinichiro Nomura
- Associate ProfessorHideaki Matsubayashi
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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: “Sarfus.LipidVesicles” Nanolane / Public domain (cropped)
- Artificial Cells Capable of Autonomous Motion: “Fagocytoza” Przemysław Tarka / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Multicellular-Like Structures Made of Lipids: “Lipid bilayer and micelle svg” Urutseg / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- AutoMatter That Moves as Programmed: “Selfassemble Sierpinski” Dr. Satoshi Murata / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Artificial Cells That Work with Natural Cells: “Scientist checks cell culture flask on microscope” Peter Saxon / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Murata-Abe Lab): “Molecular Machines of Life” 作者不詳 / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Hayashibe-Zhu Lab): “Cronos humanoid robot” Science Swiss @ Singapore / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Owaki Lab): “NCATS Robots ( )” National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences from Bethesda, MD / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Advanced Robotics Lab): “Electric-powered wheelchair Belize1” Memasa / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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