ABOUT US: We are working to establish a novel field of material nanobiology called "surface nanobiology" or "particle nanobiology" because we want to control the functions of genes, proteins, and cells by using nanostructured surfaces or nanoparticles. Basing this new field on the integration of molecular biology and cellular biology with materials science and nanotechnology, we will produce knowledge and information useful to those who design biomaterials and biodevices.
Our laboratory is characterized by its interdisciplinary nature, the collaboration of biologists and materials scientists. Material nanobiology is beginning to generate new insights into how micro- and nanostructured materials affect cellular functions such as attachment, growth, and differentiation. Our knowledge of the interaction between material surface and cellular function is insufficient, however, because biomaterial fabrication technology is less sophisticated than silicon-based technology. Biological evaluation technologies for biomaterials are also immature. We try to develop new fabrication processes for use with biomaterials and biodevices and develop new biological evaluation methods for biomaterials by using advanced genomic science. Our efforts will open a new world of understanding and methods for scientific exploration and biomaterials and biodevices design.