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Molecular Biotechnology Lab
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The lab develops technologies to produce and discover proteins such as antibodies and enzymes.
AboutAbout the lab
From elucidating mechanisms to new bioprocesses
The Molecular Biotechnology Lab elucidates the mechanisms of biological phenomena and uses them to build new bioprocesses.
Its research proceeds in three directions: antibody discovery using cell-free protein synthesis systems, technology for evolving enzymes in vitro, and peptide tags that promote translation.
Many members come from other universities, and many international students are enrolled.
Those who wish to join the lab or go on to graduate school here are expected to have an English test score.
Key terms
- Cell-free protein synthesis system
- A system that uses factors in a cell extract to produce proteins in vitro from DNA or mRNA
- Ecobody method
- The lab's method for obtaining antibodies: amplifying antibody genes from a single B cell, synthesizing and evaluating Fab antibodies, and mass-producing them in E. coli
- cDNA display
- A method that links a protein to its gene and selects proteins with a desired function in vitro from a large number of candidates
- SKIK peptide tag
- A short peptide attached to the beginning of a protein. Attaching it increases the yield of proteins that are difficult to produce in E. coli
NewsLab news
A paper on enzyme evolution was selected for the cover of ACS Synthetic Biology
Prof. Nakano received the 45th Biotechnology Award of the Society for Biotechnology, Japan
A master's student received the Excellent Discussion Award at the Summer Seminar 2026 of the Young Researchers' Gathering in Biotechnology
A doctoral student received the GteX Poster Award at The 20th International Biotechnology Symposium and Exhibition
An undergraduate student received the Branch President's Award from the Chubu Branch of the Japanese Biochemical Society
ResearchResearch themes
The lab aims to elucidate the mechanisms of biological phenomena and use them to build new bioprocesses. Its research covers antibody discovery using cell-free protein synthesis systems, enzyme evolution, and peptides that increase protein production.
*Illustrative imageCell-free synthesis systems and antibody discovery
The lab is improving the efficiency of cell-free protein synthesis systems and developing technologies that take advantage of their features. One of these, the Ecobody method, amplifies antibody genes from a single B cell and enables rapid synthesis and evaluation of Fab antibodies. The lab aims to make it more advanced and simpler.
*Illustrative imageEvolving enzymes in vitro
The lab combines cDNA display, an in vitro selection method, with next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics to develop new methods for artificially evolving enzymes. The targets are oxidoreductases, lipid-modifying enzymes, and bond-forming enzymes.
*Illustrative imagePeptide tags that promote translation
The lab found that attaching a short SKIK peptide tag to the beginning of a protein that is difficult to produce in E. coli increases its yield. It is searching for new peptide tags that promote translation and clarifying how they work, aiming for application to protein production.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Molecular Biotechnology Lab are faculty members, researchers, doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students, and technical assistants.As of 2026
- ProfessorHideo Nakano
- Associate ProfessorJasmina Damnjanović
- Associate ProfessorTeruyo Kato
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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: “Centrifuge in Laboratory 1” Ivangiesen / CC0 (cropped)
- Cell-free synthesis systems and antibody discovery: “Antibody IgG1 surface” Tokenzero / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Evolving enzymes in vitro: “Two small test tubes held in spring clamps” Amitchell125 at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Peptide tags that promote translation: “Protein structure (full)” Thomas Shafee / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Polymer Biomaterials Chemistry Lab): “Biopolymer Research for In-Situ Capabilities (jsc2022e042479)” NASA Johnson Space Center / James Wall / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Natural Products Chemistry Lab): “Fume hood contains chemicals” Rayhana Alhour / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Integrative Organic Chemistry Lab): “Laboratory scientist conducts an experiment with a Rotary evaporator” National Eye Institute / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Animal Cell Physiology Lab): “US Navy 111215-N-PO203-033 Lt. Denis Colomb, principal investigator with Navy Experimental Diving Unit, prepares cell cultures” U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams / Public domain (cropped)
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