Members

Research Director

Masatsugu Toyota

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Medicine
Expertise Biophysics, Plant Physiology

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

When I was a child, I loved the science magazine “Newton” and dreamed of becoming a physicist. After entering university, I happened to watch an NHK Special TV program titled “The Human Body: A Miraculous Universe” and I was fascinated to learn that there is an unknown microcosm within our own bodies. That experience sparked my interest in biology, and I eventually decided to pursue biophysics — a field that combines biology and physics.

Hometown：Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture
Interests：Guitar, basketball
・researchmap
・TOYOTA Lab

Biography

2002　B.S. in Physics, School of Science, Nagoya University
2004　M.S. in Physics, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University
2008　Ph.D. in Cellular Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University
2008-2011　JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow (PD), Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology
2011-2016　Researcher, Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin–Madison
(Toyobo Biotechnology Foundation Long-term Overseas Fellow / JSPS Overseas Research Fellow / JST PRESTO Researcher / Assistant Scientist / Research Associate / Honorary Fellow)
2016-2016　Specially Appointed Assistant Professor (S-YLC), Nagoya University Institute for Advanced Research
2016-2022　Associate Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University
2021-2026　SunRiSE Fellow, Suntory Foundation for Life Sciences (Concurrent Position)
2023-2026　Visiting Professor, Huazhong Agricultural University (Concurrent Position)
2022-Present　Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Research Members

Project Coordinator
Optical Equipment Development Group
Group Leader

Hiraku Suda

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Science
Expertise Plant Physiology, Plant Biomechanics

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

When I was in elementary school, I encountered a carnivorous plant called Drosera (sundew) in the Ozegahara marshland. Fascinated by how a brainless plant could sense and respond to insects, I became deeply interested in how plants perceive and transmit information. In a way, I’m still pursuing the answer to that question through my research today.

Hometown：Tama City, Tokyo
Interests：Field observation of wildlife
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・Hiraku Suda|Researcher Profile
・TOYOTA Lab

Plant Molecular Genetics Group
Group Leader

Masayoshi Nakamura

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Bioscience
Expertise Cell Biology, Live-cell Imaging

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

Observing the striking dynamics of microtubules in plant cells inspired me to pursue a research career in plant cell biology.

Hometown：Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture / Ise City, Mie Prefecture
Interests：Soccer, listening to the radio
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・Masayoshi Nakamura|Researcher Profile

Electrophysiology/Structural Biology Group
Group Leader

Hironori Takeda

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Science
Expertise Structural Biology / Electrophysiology

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

I was inspired to pursue research when I successfully captured ion transport through ion channels electrically in an electrophysiological experiment — an experience that deeply moved me. After that, I entered the field of structural biology to understand how ion channels selectively and rapidly transport ions. The appeal of structural biology is that once a three-dimensional structure is determined, the function of a protein can be elucidated at the atomic level — transforming complexity into clarity in an instant.

Hometown：Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture
Interests：Watching soccer, reading books
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・Hironori Takeda|Researcher Profile

Biophysics Group
Group Leader

Mikihiro Shibata

WPI Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University

Degree Ph.D. in Engineering
Expertise Biophysics, Single-Molecule Imaging

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

Originally, my dream was to become a university professor. As I went through the doctoral and postdoctoral stages toward that goal, I gradually became fascinated by the process of research itself — the creative trial and error involved in making the impossible possible. In particular, I’m captivated by beautiful imaging data, and I aspire to capture images that will amaze the world.

Hometown：Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture
Interests：Baseball, traveling
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・Shibata Lab|WPI Nano Life Science Institute, Kanazawa University

Plant Molecular Genetics Group
Sub-Group Leader

Kazuo Ebine

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Science
Expertise Cell Biology, Plant Physiology

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

I became interested in biology when I took classes in junior high school. Later, when I observed organelles inside plant cells under a microscope at university, it inspired me to learn more about their underlying mechanisms.

Hometown：Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture
Interests：Walking
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・Kazuo Ebine|Researcher Profile

Electrophysiology/Structural Biology Group
Sub-Group Leader

Satoshi Ogawa

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Agriculture
Expertise Plant Physiology, Molecular Biology, Electrophysiology

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

When I was in the third grade of elementary school, my science teacher helped me realize that I liked science, and I began studying it enthusiastically. During that time, I learned about the seriousness of environmental issues and the significant impact of plants on ecosystems. Motivated by the desire to “solve environmental issues through the power of plants,” I decided to pursue a career as a plant researcher.

Hometown：Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Interests：Running, traveling, photography
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・Satoshi Ogawa|Researcher Profile

Biophysics Group
Sub-Group Leader

Hiroshi Watanabe

Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyushu University

Degree Ph.D. in Science
Expertise Molecular simulation, Quantum computing

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

The kanji in my name mean “aspiring to the universe,” so I naturally became interested in physics and space. (Although my parents chose the name with the intention of giving me “a heart as broad as the universe.”) Later, I encountered biophysics and biomolecular science at university, was fascinated by their depth, and decided to pursue biophysics research.

Hometown：Kagoshima Prefecture
Interests：Reading books (especially historical works), watching movies and TV dramas
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・Theoretical Chemistry Group, Kyushu University|HP
・Hiroshi Watanabe|Researcher Profile

Optical Equipment Development Group
Sub-Group Leader

Ryoma Takeshima

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Agriculture
Expertise Breeding, Plant Genetics

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

When I was in the first year of junior high school, I was deeply shocked by Kevin Carter’s “The Vulture and the Little Girl.” It made me feel that we must solve global food problems, and that experience inspired me to pursue a career as an agricultural researcher.

Hometown：Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture
Interests：Camping, tennis
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・Ryoma Takesshima|Researcher Profile

Plant Molecular Genetics Group

Takumi Tomoi

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Life Science
Expertise Cell biology, Quantitative Imaging

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

When I was in second grade, I was amazed that every plant along the roadside had its own name, and I became fond of looking through plant encyclopedias. In fifth grade, I learned how to use a microscope, which made me deeply curious about how visible differences among plants relate to their cellular structures. Since then, I have continued my research to explore how interactions between cells shape the entire organism, and which cellular characteristics are responsible for differences among plant species.

Hometown：Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
Interests：Working out, coffee, plant taxonomy
researchmap

Plant Molecular Genetics Group

Noriyoshi Yagi

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Science
Expertise Cell biology, Live-cell Imaging

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

Before entering university, I was determined to become a virus researcher, but at some point, I became fascinated by plant cell biology.

Hometown：Osaka Prefecture
Interests：Sleeping, eating, watching Formula 1 (not enthusiastic, just a casual fan)
ORCiD

Electrophysiology/Structural Biology Group

Shuntaro Ono

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Agriculture
Expertise Plant physiology, Molecular Physiology, Electrophysiology

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

I have been interested in science since I was a child. Among the various fields, biology fascinated me the most, and before I knew it, it had led me to where I am today.

Hometown：Okayama Prefecture
Interests：Reading books, appreciating art
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Outreach Division

Yuko Amikura-Kawaguchi

University Research Administrator,
Research and Development Bureau, Saitama University

Degree Ph.D. in Life Science
Expertise Astrobiology, STEM Education

What Inspired Me to Become a Researcher

When I was in fifth grade, I looked up at the night sky and wondered if there was life beyond Earth. Also, reading Osamu Tezuka’s "Phoenix" inspired me to become a researcher. After working as a researcher for ten years, I realized I wanted to support children’s pure curiosity for science, so I decided to pursue a career as a science teacher.

Hometown：Born in Okayama Prefecture, raised in Kyoto
Interests：Origami, crafts, visiting architectural sites
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Other Members

Technical Assistant

Saori Noguchi

Kaori Mizuno

Hideko Watabe

Kazunori Mashiyama

Emi Ebine

Yui Kamide

Administrative Staff

Risa Takeda

Sekiya Noriko

Yuri Kurihara