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Tanaka Lab
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A lab that explores how DNA assembles and functions from a chemical perspective.
AboutAbout the lab
Exploring DNA function from a chemical perspective.
The Tanaka Lab studies DNA from a chemical perspective.
As basic research with an eye toward drug and materials development, the lab investigates how DNA assembles in its surrounding environment and what functions it has.
To clarify DNA function in the environment inside living organisms, the lab focuses on electron transfer in molecularly crowded environments and on the ability of DNA to self-assemble into liquid crystals.
The lab was established in February 2016.
Key terms
- Molecular crowding
- An environment, like that inside living organisms, in which many other molecules surround the DNA. It is mimicked with high concentrations of polyethylene glycol.
- Electron transfer
- The phenomenon in which electrons move through DNA. It has been studied from the viewpoint of treating DNA as an electron conductor.
- Self-assembly
- The phenomenon in which DNA assembles in response to its surrounding environment and co-existing molecules, forming structures such as liquid crystals and droplets.
NewsLab news
Press release on research showing that a single type of DNA forms two types of liquid crystals
A doctoral student receives a Student Award for outstanding research results
An undergraduate student wins an Excellent Presentation Award at the graduation thesis presentation
A review of the lab's research is published in Chemistry Letters and selected for the inside cover
A doctoral student receives a Student Award for outstanding research results
ResearchResearch themes
DNA is the molecule that carries the genetic information of living things, and it is also a research subject of great interest to chemists. This lab investigates how DNA behaves and assembles in molecularly crowded environments, with the ultimate goal of discovering systems that link matter and life.
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MembersFaculty
The Tanaka Lab's members consist of faculty, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- Associate ProfessorMakiko Tanaka
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: “Mitochondrial DNA lg” National Human Genome Research Institute / Public domain (cropped)
- Assembly Properties and Functions of DNA: “DNA Polymerase DNA Replication” Christinelmiller / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Kaizu Lab): “Quantum Dots” Brandon CP BMED / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Taki Lab): “Picture of peptide hydrogel formation shown by the inverted vial method” Hutchinson Jessica / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Yamaguchi Lab): “U.S. Department of Energy - Science - )” U.S. Department of Energy from United States / Public domain (cropped)
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