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Ishiuchi Lab
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A lab that uses lasers to probe ultracold molecular ions and explore the mechanisms of molecular recognition.
AboutAbout the lab
Molecular science of complex systems explored through cold-ion spectroscopy
Ishiuchi Lab studies the mechanisms of molecular recognition by probing molecules cooled to extremely low temperatures with laser light.
Molecular recognition is the function of selecting only specific molecules from among many, and it is essential for sustaining life.
Behind the behavior of molecules that look simple at first glance lie complex mechanisms, and elucidating them requires both state-of-the-art spectroscopic measurements and computational chemistry.
The lab welcomes students who are enthusiastic about pioneering new fields at the boundary between physics and chemistry.
Key terms
- Molecular recognition
- The function of selecting and binding only specific molecules from among many. DNA base pairing and antigen-antibody reactions are examples.
- Spectroscopic measurement
- A method of studying the shape and properties of molecules by shining light on a substance and measuring how much light of each color (wavelength) it absorbs
- Ion trap
- A device that confines electrically charged atoms or molecules (ions) at a fixed location in a vacuum
NewsLab news
A doctoral student received a Poster Prize at an international workshop on atmospheric chemistry and astrochemistry
A master's student received the PCCP Poster Prize at Pacifichem 2025
A master's student received an Excellent Presentation Award at the 2025 Symposium on Molecular Science
Assistant Professor Keisuke Hirata received the 19th PCCP Prize
A master's student received the Japan Society for Molecular Science Excellent Poster Award at the 18th Symposium on Molecular Science
ResearchResearch themes
The lab investigates the mechanisms of molecular recognition using isolated molecules with no surrounding solvent. The core of the research is cold ion trap infrared spectroscopy, in which molecules are cooled to extremely low temperatures and their light absorption is measured.
*Illustrative imageMolecular Recognition and the Role of the Solvent
Crown ethers, artificial ring-shaped molecules, selectively take in metal ions that match the size of the ring. This selectivity is lost in a vacuum without solvent molecules, so the involvement of the solvent is essential.
*Illustrative imageCold Ion Trap Infrared Spectroscopy
Molecular ions introduced into a vacuum are trapped and cooled to extremely low temperatures, and their light absorption is measured. This "flash-freezes" the shapes of fluctuating molecules, making it possible to distinguish differences in shape that cannot be told apart at room temperature.
MembersFaculty
Ishiuchi Lab consists of faculty members and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorShun-Ichi IshiuchiPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorKeisuke HirataPublications ↗
VoicesStudent voices
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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: “IR Optical Parametric Oscillator” Kkmurray / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Molecular Recognition and the Role of the Solvent: “18-crown-6-potassium” Benjah-bmm27 / Public domain (cropped)
- Cold Ion Trap Infrared Spectroscopy: “Linear Paul ion trap” Coldsmokerider / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (河野研究室): “Structure of NU-1000” Georgina P. Robertson, Sara Mosca, Celia Castillo-Blas, Florencia A. Son, Omar K. Farha, David A. Keen, Simone Anzellini, and Thomas D. Bennett / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (大島・山﨑研究室): “LOA1” Ecole polytechnique / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (沖本研究室): “Ferroelectric domains at a PZT grain boundary ( )” Oak Ridge National Laboratory / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (後藤・
小野研究室): “Cucurbit(6)uril-(top)-3D-spacefill” Jynto (talk) / CC0 (cropped)
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