Various DNA nanoscale structures can be designed and arranged by programming of the DNA sequences. Using this unique property, we will place a wide variety of molecules and materials into the individual position called "address", precisely arrange them onto the DNA structures, and explore the novel functionalities expressed in the nano-scale space on the versatile nanostructures. We will develop the advanced and integrated biomolecular devices by utilizing these fundamental techniques, and combine them to the top-down nanotechnology.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been in the forefront of nanoscience and nanotechnology because of their remarkable properties and specific functions. We have presented a novel concept to obtain soluble CNTs. In this project, we design and create novel CNT nanohybrids using soluble nanotubes as materials based on the regulation of CNT nanostructures as well as the combination of bottom-up and top-down processes. We will also shed light on unknown basic CNT electronic properties.

We challenge to construct novel dynamic nano-aggregates that can detect a target in the interior of live cells or can regulate and monitor the cell functions from the exterior, by supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis and MEMS technology. These nano-aggregates and materials are expected to be applicable to bio-imaging, diagnosis, and new 3D-intelligent cell matrices, that should be fundamental to advanced medical chemistry and engineering.

We are going to construct various supramolecular polymers by self-organization using host-guest interactions. We are going to use cyclodextrins, photo-responsive proteins, and antibodies (immunoglobulins) as host molecules, and photo-responsive molecules, redox-responsive compounds as guest molecules. We are planning to devise a system in which a molecular part slides each other to cause contraction and extension. Furthermore, we are going to make supramolecular catalytic systems, energy-conversion systems, supramolecular sensor and transport systems.

In this work, highly functionalized nano-materials with controlled pore sizes and volumes are synthesized by the self-organization of polyoxometalate-based compounds designed at atomic/molecular levels. In addition, the self-organization processes are kinetically controlled to consider not only the crystal structures but also the external morphologies of the materials. The application of the materials such as catalysts, adsorbents, hydrogen storage, electrodes, and infrared blockers will also be attempted.