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Masuda Lab
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A lab that investigates at the molecular level how photosynthesis adapts to environmental change.
AboutAbout the lab
Uncovering the mechanisms of photosynthesis at the molecular level.
The Masuda Lab studies how photosynthetic organisms adapt to changes in their environment.
Almost all the energy that sustains life on Earth ultimately comes from sunlight, and photosynthesis underpins it.
Research on photosynthesis therefore contributes to a wide range of fields involving living organisms, as well as to solving energy and environmental problems.
Each student has their own unique theme and continues to publish cutting-edge results.
Key terms
- Reactive sulfur species
- Molecules in which sulfur atoms are bonded in a chain. They react easily and are involved in maintaining cell function
- Anoxygenic photosynthesis
- An ancient type of photosynthesis that does not release oxygen, using electron sources such as hydrogen sulfide instead of water
- Photosynthetic bacteria
- Bacteria that perform photosynthesis. The term refers to those that use hydrogen sulfide and similar compounds to carry out photosynthesis that does not release oxygen
NewsLab news
Paper published in Physiologia Plantarum
Paper published in Biochemistry
Results of collaborative research published in Advanced Science
Paper accepted for publication in Front. Plant Sci.
Review article with an Assistant Professor as first author published in Nitric Oxide
ResearchResearch themes
The lab clarifies, at the molecular level, how photosynthetic organisms adapt to constantly changing environments and keep photosynthetic efficiency as high as possible. Based on the results, it is also advancing applied research toward a decarbonized society.
*Illustrative imageEnvironmental Adaptation of Photosynthetic Organisms
Photosynthetic organisms grow while adapting to constantly fluctuating environments and keeping photosynthetic efficiency as high as possible. The lab clarifies these mechanisms at the molecular level and links them to applied research toward a decarbonized society.
*Illustrative imageSignal Transduction by Reactive Sulfur Species
Reactive sulfur species, in which sulfur atoms are bonded in a chain, are highly reactive and attract attention as molecules essential for maintaining cell function. Using photosynthetic bacteria and a bacterium that infects onions, the lab investigates how these molecules mediate signal transduction within cells.
*Illustrative imageEvolution of Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is thought to have evolved from anoxygenic photosynthesis, which uses electron sources such as hydrogen sulfide, to oxygenic photosynthesis, which uses water as the electron source. Using anoxygenic bacteria as study material, the lab is working to recreate this evolutionary process experimentally.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Masuda Lab consist of faculty members, master's and undergraduate students, joint researchers from private companies, technical assistants, and administrative assistants.As of 2026
- ProfessorShinji MasudaPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorShouta NonoyamaPublications ↗
VoicesStudent voices
Compiled from answers by students who were in the lab. Ratings and reviews reflect individual students' experiences, not the lab's official views.
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On a 4-point scale, ● marks where students' answers fall
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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: “Cyanobacteria guerrero negro” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Environmental Adaptation of Photosynthetic Organisms: “Guava leaves sunlight” מינוזיג / CC0 (cropped)
- Signal Transduction by Reactive Sulfur Species: “Crystals growing from melted sulfur” AlexmarPhoto / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Evolution of Photosynthesis: “Stromatolithe Paléoarchéen - MNHT.PAL.” Didier Descouens / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (田中
(寛)・吉田研究室): “Leaf epithelium, guard cells, stomatal pore and peripheral chloroplasts” Emilio Ermini / CC BY 4.0 (cropped) - Related lab (刑部祐里子研究室): “Arabidopsis thaliana kz07” Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (加藤研究室): “Takifugu poecilonotus by DaijuAzuma” Daiju Azuma / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (マックグリン研究室): “Stromatolites in Sharkbay” Paul Harrison / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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