Research Supervisor:

Isao Morishima (Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University/ Visiting Professor, Ritsumeikan University)

Research area in the strategic sector:

"Creation of basic technology for the realization of leading edge measuring and analytical equipment through development of a new technique, etc."

Outline of Research Area

The area of this research covers studies aiming to create seeds for innovative technologies based on creative ideas of living matter concerning techniques for measurements and analyses based on new principles and methods necessary for the elucidation of life phenomena.
More concretely, it covers new techniques for measurements and analyses of various chemical processes in cells and for the elucidation of life phenomena of cells, living matter, and ecological systems ranging from a micro-scale to a macro-scale. It covers studies expected to trigger the creation of new methodologies and technological development that aim to obtain unique results in life science technologies. It also includes environmental measurements associated with life phenomena.

Research Supervisor's Opinions on Public Invitation and Selection

In the field of life science, studies in biomolecular science such as structural biology, which are closely associated with the structures and functions of biomolecules, are actively carried out. Needless to say, this research area undoubtedly has the molecular science of life phenomena within its view. It is becoming clearer that the area of chemistry is shifting from "chemistry of biomolecules" to "chemistry of life phenomena (chemical biology)", which aims at the chemical elucidation of life phenomena. However, a leaping development in technology for measurements and analyses related to life phenomena is essential for the progress from science of biomolecules to that of life phenomena. The science of life phenomena can not make progress without unique techniques for measurements and analyses of interactions of biomolecules in living matter and cell or at levels of living matter, cell, individual, and, further, ecology. Studies that are positive for the development of advanced methods for measurements and analyses based on new concepts by taking advantage of physical, chemical, and biological phenomena are welcome for the purpose of elucidating life phenomena including various complex chemical processes. This research area includes studies on measurements and analyses covering environment related to life phenomena.