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Biofunctional Chemistry Lab
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The lab uncovers how living organisms work through the flow of electrons and ions, and applies the findings to sensors and batteries.
AboutAbout the lab
Exploring the chemistry of life through the flow of electrons and ions.
The lab studies bioelectrochemistry, the chemistry of biological mechanisms involving the flow of electrons and ions.
In the body, the flow of electrons and ions generates the energy for life activities, and drug transport and information transmission across biological membranes take place.
The lab clarifies phenomena involving biological membranes and oxidoreductases, and also builds devices that imitate the sophisticated functions found in nature.
Undergraduate students join the lab in their fourth year (graduate school: Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture).
Key terms
- Biological membrane
- A membrane that surrounds a cell and the small compartments inside it. It regulates the entry and exit of substances.
- Oxidoreductase
- An enzyme that drives reactions in which electrons are exchanged between substances.
- Membrane potential
- The electrical difference that arises between the inside and outside of a membrane. It underlies nerve signals and more.
NewsLab news
A master's student received the Young Researcher Poster Award at the 75th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry
A paper from the lab was published in Electroanalysis
A master's student received the Excellent Poster Award at the Kinki Branch Summer Seminar of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry
A paper from the lab was published in Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan
A master's student received the Best Poster Award at the Study Group on Mechanisms of Anesthesia
ResearchResearch themes
The lab studies the chemistry of sophisticated biological mechanisms involving the flow of electrons and ions. It clarifies life phenomena involving biological membranes and oxidoreductases, from the atomic to the cellular level, and also builds devices that imitate those functions.
*Illustrative imageMolecules and ions passing through membranes
Biological membranes control the entry and exit of substances through channel proteins in the membrane. The lab clarifies the transport of molecules and ions across membranes from a physical chemistry perspective, and is also developing models of how drugs are carried through the body.
*Illustrative imageHow nerve signals are transmitted
Using model cells that focus on ion permeation through the membrane, the lab investigates from a physical chemistry perspective how changes in membrane potential propagate and how information from neurotransmitters is converted into electrical signals.
*Illustrative imageSensors that measure fertilizer concentration
Too much fertilizer hinders plant growth and pollutes the environment. Using membranes that allow only specific ions to pass, the lab develops sensors that measure the concentration of fertilizer components on site where plants are grown, aiming to optimize fertilization.
*Illustrative imageElectrodes that generate electricity with enzymes
The lab builds enzyme-based functional electrodes by combining oxidoreductases, which involve electron transfer, with electrode materials, for use in the conversion of materials and energy. The research is carried out from the perspective of bioelectrochemistry.
MembersFaculty
Members of the lab include faculty, assistants, and doctoral and master's students.
- ProfessorOsamu Shirai
- Associate ProfessorYuki Kitazumi
- Assistant ProfessorKeisei Sowa
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: “Standard electrode potential of zinc” Andyrendall / Public domain (cropped)
- Molecules and ions passing through membranes: “Thermoreception 2” Sciencia58 utilising the image from LadyofHats; modifier: Kuebi = Armin Kübelbeck. / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- How nerve signals are transmitted: “Resting Potential” Christinelmiller / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Sensors that measure fertilizer concentration: “General ISE Set-Up” PGChem 300 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Electrodes that generate electricity with enzymes: “Better biofuels ( )” Oak Ridge National Laboratory / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Biomacromolecular Chemistry Lab): “Ribbon view of the Orange Carotenoid Protein Structure 1M98” . The original uploader was Melnicki at English Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Cell Biology of Energy Conversion Lab): “Budding yeast cell walls model. 3D printed” Rosser1954 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Chemical Regulation of Biological Functions Lab): “Auxin Phototropism” Patricklockwoood / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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