Many biological systems and advanced materials make clever use of surfaces and interfaces. These include phenomena such as adsorption and separation, touch sensation, wettability, maintaining biological functions (like cell membranes), and converting energy. Our research group aims to design functional “interfaces and surfaces” that will support next-generation industries, using knowledge from organic chemistry, biochemistry, polymer science, and surface/interface science.

In particular, we study synthetic organic compounds, nucleic acids and proteins equally as individual molecules, and explore how their interactions can work together to create new functions that go beyond what single molecules can do. These functions appear at liquid-liquid interfaces and on material surfaces. Examples include forming gels, blocking enzyme activity, showing new medical effects (such as anticancer activity), enabling highly selective separation, developing innovative analytical tools, and controlling micro-scale structures with nano-scale molecules.

Our research covers everything from molecular-level design and synthesis to large-scale manufacturing technologies. By proposing new materials, ideas, and approaches, we are addressing global challenges in science and technology.

：molecular selfassembly, surface functionalization, surfactant, biomacromolecule (protein, DNA, RNA), polymer, separation technique, cell, precious metal ions.