Visiting Program in
Hiroshima University & Hokkaido University
In order to explore and broaden student's horizons, our lab provides a very good opportunity for exchanging senior graduate students to the Department of Chemistry in Hiroshima University and Hokkaido University, Japan. Usually, we will send one or two students abroad every semester. Really welcome to join our lab!
Our works
The ultimate goal of our research is to create novel biocomposites by combining biomacromolecules with Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). MOFs act as a porous matrix capable of encapsulating enzymes, oligonucleotides, bacteria, etc. These biocomposites are expected to exhibit high-performance biological capabilities, enabling them to respond effectively to harsh environments in current industrial applications or cancer treatments.
The synthetic methods for biomacromolecules@MOFs biocomposites often employed in our laboratory are known as the “water-based and mechanochemical approach” or the “environmentally friendly system” technique. These unique polymerization routes, including the water-based and grinding techniques, allow for the adjustment of (a) morphology, (b) size, and (c) organization of the materials. The synthesized materials are analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, and biological activity analysis.
Selected Publication
Decoding the Biomimetic Mineralization of Metal–Organic Frameworks in Water
This study unveils the “green” metal–organic framework (MOF) structuring mechanism by decoding proton transfer in water during ZIF-8 synthesis. Combining in situ small- to wide-angle X-ray scattering, multiscale simulations, and quantum calculations, we reveal that the ZIF-8 early-stage nucleation and crystallization process in aqueous solution unfolds in three distinct stages. More...
ACS nano. 2024
A green and ultrafast one-pot mechanochemical approach for efficient biocatalyst encapsulation in MOFs: insights from experiments and computation
Mechanochemistry, a sustainable and efficient approach, is now used to encapsulate biocatalysts like enzymes within MOFs (enzyme@MOFs). Yet, achieving ultrafast, eco-friendly, and high-yield synthesis of enzyme@MOFs, with potential for mitigating biocatalyst and industrial MOF production improvement, remains challenging. More...
J. Mater. Chem. A 2023
Probing Interactions between Metal–Organic Frameworks and Freestanding Enzymes in a Hollow Structure
It has been reported that the biological functions of enzymes could be altered when they are encapsulated in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) due to the interactions between them. Herein, we probed the interactions of catalase in solid and hollow ZIF-8 microcrystals. More...
Nano Lett. 2020
Rapid mechanochemical encapsulation of biocatalysts into robust metal–organic frameworks
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently garnered consideration as an attractive solid substrate because the highly tunable MOF framework can not only serve as an inert host but also enhance the selectivity, stability, and/or activity of the enzymes. More...
Nat. Commun. 2019
Shielding Against Unfolding by Embedding Enzymes in Metal-Organic Frameworks via a de novo Approach
We show that an enzyme maintains its biological function under a wider range of conditions after being embedded in metal−organic framework (MOF) microcrystals via a de novo approach. More...
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017
Imparting Functionality to Biocatalysts via Embedding Enzymes into Nanoporous Materials by a de novo Approach: Size-Selective Sheltering of Catalase in Metal-Organic Framework Microcrystals
We develop a new concept to impart new functions to biocatalysts by combining enzymes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The proof-of-concept design is demonstrated by embedding catalase molecules into uniformly sized ZIF-90 crystals via a de novo approach. More...
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015
Current Members
Advisor
PostDoc
Ph. D
Undergraduate
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