About our laboratory

This laboratory does research on and educates people about the interdisciplinary field combining biology with nanotechnology. Although we know that cell differentiation and cell function are regulated by cytokines, we also know that we can regulate cell differentiation and cell function by using materials with specifically structured surfaces. We do not, however, know the mechanisms by which cells recognize material structure. We have three research targets related to this subject. The first is to identify genes and proteins whose expressions depend on the surface structures of materials. The second is to examine the effects of surface structure on protein adsorption to and protein conformation on the materials. This is important because proteins are the mediators of cell attachment to material surfaces. Third target is to use the knowledge thus obtained to design intelligent materials that promote regeneration of tissue in vivo.

The "Frontier Biomaterials Science" field will pioneer a new interdisciplinary field by a fusion of life science and maeterials/nanotechnology. With the aim of creating innovative technology, education to enable students to acuire both knowledge and experience through research activities will be provided under the guidance of us as academic advisors, and members in the Hokkaido University Graduate School of Life Science as assistant academic advisors.


The students in this laboratory stay in National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Tsukuba during the course, and can be receive the financial support from NIMS.
Degree conferred: Ph.D.