Analytical Chemistry for Drug Discovery

In the analysis of biological phenomena and pathology, "smart molecules" having special functions enable the visualization and control of biological phenomena, which have never been achieved by conventional methods. These molecules exhibit various abilities in biological samples by precisely designing the molecular structures. The objective of our laboratory is to develop new functional molecules which can be applicable in pharmaceutical research. We design and synthesize these functional molecules, and apply them to molecular imaging, drug discovery, drug delivery system (DDS), bio-separation and bio-analysis.

We precisely designed and chemically synthesized activatable fluorescent probes, which can show the fluorescent spectral change in response to the specific biomolecules, based on our novel fluorophores (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 6015. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 5925. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 13713, etc.). By using these probes, the dynamics of biomolecules in biological systems can be visualized. Our goal is to apply these probes to the fluorescence imaging of biosamples and realize the biological phenomena.

We genetically and chemically engineer self-assembling proteins to create designer protein shells which serve as molecular containers for storage, delivery and production of bioactive materials (Nat. Commun. 2017, 8, 14663. ChemBioChem 2020, 21, 74-79.). Our goal is to apply such functional protein shells to drug delivery systems and molecular sensors to analyze and control various biological phenomena.

We are developing innovative purification system for biopharmaceuticals and therapeutic cells using functional polymers. The system can purify antibody drugs and stem cells with maintaining their activity and low cost (Anal Chim Acta. 2020, 1095, 1. Biomater. Sci. 2021, 9, 663.). Thus, the developed purification system would reduce pharmaceutical prices and improve therapeutic efficacy in cell transplantation therapy.