Cell Functional Molecular Chemistry Lab

AboutAbout the lab

Rational design of functional molecules to observe and control biological functions.

The Mizukami Lab (Cell Functional Molecular Chemistry) uses organic chemistry as its foundation to elucidate a wide range of biological phenomena and to control biological functions.
The lab's stated aim is to rationally design functional molecules and apply them to the observation and control of biological functions.
Its work includes visualizing biomolecular dynamics inside cells, controlling molecular functions in cells and in living organisms with light, and elucidating protein functions and developing new functional proteins.

ResearchResearch themes

Based on organic chemistry, the lab works to elucidate a wide range of biological phenomena and to control biological functions. It rationally designs functional molecules and applies them to the observation and control of biological functions, and it is advancing the visualization of biomolecular dynamics inside cells, the optical control of molecular functions, the elucidation of protein functions, and the development of new functional proteins.

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Visualizing biomolecular dynamics inside cells↗

The lab combines organic molecules with proteins to develop techniques for quantitatively analyzing, with high temporal and spatial resolution, the dynamics of molecules that function in the various environments inside cells. In particular, it develops molecular probes that target intracellular ions and enzyme activity.

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Optical control of molecular functions in living cells and in vivo↗

The lab designs and synthesizes two types of functional molecules: caged compounds, whose function can be controlled irreversibly by light, and photoswitch compounds, whose function can be controlled reversibly. It uses them to develop techniques for controlling biomolecular functions with light.

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Bioorthogonal reaction activation system↗

Using the tetrazine cycloaddition, an extremely fast reaction known as a "click" reaction, the lab has developed new tetrazine compounds that can be activated in response to stimuli. These compounds are connected through linkers that are cleaved by stimuli such as light or enzymes.

VoicesStudent voices

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