Discipline of Systems Biology

How do microorganisms behave and interact to build complex ecosystems? We study yeasts and other unicellular organisms familiar to humans at the molecular, metabolic, cellular, and ecological levels to deepen understanding of diversity in the microscopic world. Our achievement will also contribute to modern biotechnology in food and health science.

The size, morphology, and function of organelles vary depending on the environmental change. Using yeasts, the eukaryotic microbe, we investigate the molecular basis of organelle control, which, in the future, will contributes to the industrial production of biopharmaceuticals and ethanol by yeasts.

We aim to elucidate the mysteries of microorganisms with unique functions, their enzymes and metabolism, and evolution. We hope to use the strategies that life has created as guideposts for the development of technologies that contribute to the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

In the cells, various proteins are involved in a variety of fundamental biological phenomena. To unveil such mechanisms coupled with dynamic interactions and structural changes of biomolecules, including proteins, we conduct basic research through structural biological analyses in combination with other newly developed methods.

Using mice and zebrafish as model systems, we will clarify the principles of development and growth. We use not only experimental biology but also information science and nanotechnology in a concerted effort to tackle the mysteries of life.

With the aim of contributing to society through biotechnology, we are developing fundamental technologies for the efficient production of biopharmaceuticals and other useful substances in plants.

In addition to the direct programming method to convert non-neuronal cells into neurons, human brain organoids, humanized mouse models, and single-cell multi-omics analysis will be utilized to achieve neural regeneration and brain repair under disease conditions.

We aim to derive the laws between biological functions and molecules through mathematical analysis of experimental data. We also design relational equations that represent biological functions according to the obtained laws and physical conditions. I enjoy this kind of “design within constraints,” and at NAIST, you can study different fields. It can be a little difficult and tiring, but our motto is to enjoy it to the fullest.

We investigate the relationship between protein structure and function guided by the philosophy of “Understand – Enhance – Design.” Currently, by integrating machine learning with protein engineering, we study enzymes involved in plastic synthesis and degradation to contribute to the realization of a sustainable circular society.