Explore research labs at leading universities worldwide — research fields and key papers at a glance.
Professor Toshikazu Takata's research lab specializes in stimuli-responsive macromolecular systems, with a focus on rotaxane-based topological polymers and dynamic supramolecular architectures. The lab explores the design and synthesis of mechanically chiral rotaxanes, helical polymers, and responsive gels that exhibit unique switching behaviors in response to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, and anion exchange. Key research directions include the development of topology-transformable polymers, smart microgels with decoupled stimuli-responsiveness, and optically active materials for chiral sensing and separation applications.
Professor Heeyun Lee's research lab specializes in intelligent energy management and control strategies for advanced electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The lab focuses on developing model-based reinforcement learning and dynamic programming techniques to optimize power distribution among multiple energy sources—such as internal combustion engines, electric motors, and batteries—thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Key research directions include eco-driving control, real-time energy management, and adaptive parameter tuning using machine learning, particularly for fuel cell and hybrid electric vehicles. The lab emphasizes practical, online control solutions that balance performance, energy efficiency, and computational feasibility.
Professor Dongryeol Ryu's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying muscle degeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic diseases, with an emphasis on identifying key regulators such as NAD+ and GDF15 in maintaining muscle and metabolic health. The lab investigates tissue engineering strategies—particularly cell-laden hydrogel constructs—for treating volumetric muscle loss, integrating biomaterials and regenerative medicine approaches. Additionally, the lab explores the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress and altered cancer metabolism in chemoresistance, particularly in gastric cancer, aiming to develop metabolic interventions to overcome therapeutic resistance. Their work bridges systems biology, regenerative medicine, and translational therapeutics to address age-related and disease-associated tissue dysfunction.
Professor Miyuki Harada's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian dysfunction, particularly in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The lab investigates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) in granulosa and cumulus cells, exploring how androgen excess triggers ER stress, leading to follicular arrest and apoptosis. They also examine the role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor RAGE in exacerbating ovarian pathology. Additionally, the lab studies mechanical stress-induced signaling in endometrial stromal cells, linking uterine motility to inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis.
Professor Tomohisa Sawada's research lab specializes in bio-inspired molecular architecture, focusing on the design and synthesis of complex peptide-based nanostructures through metal coordination and supramolecular self-assembly. The lab pioneers the creation of topologically intricate systems such as peptide catenanes and helical nanochannels, leveraging conformational control and metal-induced folding to achieve unprecedented structural topologies. A central theme is the mimicry of biological principles—such as hydrophobic shielding and mutual induced fit—enabling stable non-covalent interactions in aqueous environments.
Professor Yasuhiko Tabata's research lab specializes in tissue engineering and biomaterials science, focusing on the development of advanced drug delivery systems and bioactive scaffolds for regenerative medicine. The lab investigates biodegradable polymers, hydrogels, and microspheres as carriers for growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), aiming to enhance cell proliferation and tissue repair. A key research direction involves optimizing the controlled release of signaling molecules and exploring tumor-targeting nanocarriers, such as PEG-conjugated fullerenes, for photodynamic therapy. The lab also examines cellular interactions with biomaterials, including macrophage phagocytosis and material biocompatibility.
Professor Benjamin List's research lab specializes in the development and application of asymmetric organocatalysis, focusing on chiral amine-catalyzed transformations that proceed via iminium and enamine intermediates. The lab has pioneered the use of proline and other organic molecules as efficient, metal-free catalysts for direct asymmetric aldol reactions and related transformations, laying the foundation for modern organocatalysis. Their work emphasizes mechanistic understanding, catalyst design, and the creation of tandem and cascade reactions for complex molecule synthesis. The lab also explores emerging concepts such as asymmetric counteranion-directed catalysis (ACDC), expanding the scope of stereocontrol in organic synthesis.
Professor Ki Young Shin's research lab specializes in neurological disorders, with a primary focus on identifying and validating peripheral blood biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and post-stroke cognitive impairment. The lab investigates blood-based proteins—including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), exosomal proteins, and neuroactive compounds like BT-11 and dehydroevodiamine·HCl—as potential indicators of neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. A key research direction involves exploring the role of extracellular vesicles and their cargo in reflecting central nervous system pathology, enabling non-invasive monitoring of disease progression.
Professor Jeehyeong Khim's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced functional nanomaterials, with a focus on mesoporous and core–shell structured materials for environmental and energy applications. The lab develops highly efficient sonocatalysts, particularly TiO₂-based composites, for the degradation of organic pollutants such as bisphenol-A. Their work emphasizes the rational engineering of material architecture—such as uniform core–shell and ordered mesoporous structures—to enhance catalytic performance and stability under ultrasound irradiation. The lab also explores the integration of carbon and metal oxide components to improve charge separation and reactivity.
Professor Seong-Gi Kim's research lab specializes in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and cerebral hemodynamics, focusing on the development and application of advanced MRI techniques to measure cerebral blood flow, blood volume, and neurovascular coupling with high spatial and temporal resolution. The lab investigates the physiological origins of fMRI signals, particularly the BOLD contrast, and explores how perfusion, vascular reactivity, and microvascular dynamics contribute to brain activation mapping. Using innovative methods such as arterial spin labeling (ASL), flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR), and 19F NMR, the lab aims to disentangle contributions from arteries, veins, and tissue parenchyma in neuroimaging. Their work spans from preclinical models (e.g., rats, cats) to human applications, with a strong emphasis on understanding brain function at the microvascular and columnar level.
Professor Tsuyoshi Sekitani's research lab specializes in flexible and stretchable organic electronics, focusing on the development of high-performance, mechanically robust electronic devices for next-generation applications in wearable sensors, implantable medical devices, and large-area electronics. The lab pioneers innovative materials and device architectures—such as carbon nanotube-doped conductive composites, organic field-effect transistors with advanced dielectrics, and biocompatible gel electrodes—enabling stretchability, high conductivity, and long-term stability under mechanical stress. Their work bridges materials science, device engineering, and biomedical integration, emphasizing low-voltage operation, printing-compatible fabrication, and in vivo biocompatibility.
Professor Abbas Mohammadi's research lab specializes in the mechanical behavior and microstructural evolution of advanced structural alloys, with a focus on high-entropy alloys (HEAs), twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steels, and dissimilar metal welds. The lab investigates deformation mechanisms, phase transformations, and hydrogen embrittlement under various loading and environmental conditions, particularly emphasizing hydrogen-assisted cracking and the role of microstructure in fracture resistance. Experimental and computational approaches, including high-pressure torsion, thermo-mechanical simulation, and electrochemical hydrogen charging, are employed to understand and tailor material performance for high-stress and high-hydrogen environments.
Professor Young-Woong Suh's research lab specializes in the development of advanced catalysts for sustainable energy applications, with a primary focus on liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) and biofuel production. The lab investigates transition-metal and noble metal catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions, emphasizing catalyst design for improved activity, selectivity, and stability. Key research directions include the optimization of support materials—such as mesoporous oxides and carbon-coated aluminas—and the engineering of nanoparticle morphology and surface properties to enhance performance in hydrogen storage and hydrodeoxygenation processes.
Professor Satoru Nakatsuji's research lab specializes in strongly correlated electron systems, with a focus on quantum materials exhibiting unconventional magnetism, heavy fermion behavior, and non-Fermi liquid phenomena. The lab investigates quantum phase transitions, spin liquids, and Mott insulators in transition metal oxides—particularly ruthenates and iridates—using advanced single-crystal growth and low-temperature physical property measurements. Key themes include geometrical frustration, Kondo lattice physics, and the interplay between magnetism, superconductivity, and electronic correlations in low-dimensional systems.
Professor Kanjiro Miyata's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced polymeric nanocarriers for targeted nucleic acid delivery, with a focus on overcoming biological barriers in gene therapy and antisense therapy. The lab pioneers innovative strategies to engineer 'artificial viruses' through precise control of polymer chemistry, including charge density, disulfide cross-linking, and pH-responsive linkages, enabling efficient intracellular delivery with minimal cytotoxicity. A key research direction involves exploiting physiological triggers—such as glucose transporters and endosomal acidity—to achieve site-specific delivery to challenging targets like the central nervous system. The lab also emphasizes the rational design of stimuli-responsive polyplexes and nanocarriers for therapeutic applications in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Professor Pahn-Shick Chang's research lab specializes in enzymatic biocatalysis and carbohydrate chemistry, focusing on the modification of polysaccharides and lipids using selective enzymes and oxidation techniques. The lab investigates novel applications of lipases in non-aqueous and microemulsion systems for sustainable synthesis of structured lipids, while also exploring the development of functional food materials through nanotechnology and enzyme immobilization. A key research direction involves the structural and functional characterization of plant-derived proteases with industrial potential, particularly those exhibiting high stability and activity.
Professor Taketoshi Mizutani's research lab focuses on the host-microbe interactions in infectious diseases, particularly the role of the human microbiome—especially gut and respiratory tract microbiota—in viral pathogenesis and disease progression. The lab investigates how microbial dysbiosis influences immune responses and inflammation in conditions such as COVID-19 and acute gastroenteritis, using longitudinal clinical samples and high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. Additionally, the lab explores viral entry mechanisms, including the role of host factors like transferrin receptor 1 in poliovirus neuroinvasion, and the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in retroviral vectors, highlighting the interplay between host chromatin machinery and viral persistence. These multidisciplinary studies aim to uncover novel therapeutic targets by integrating microbiome science, virology, and host immunology.
Professor Yasujiro Murata's research lab specializes in the synthesis and functionalization of fullerenes and endohedral fullerenes, with a focus on creating novel carbon-based nanostructures through innovative chemical transformations. Key research directions include the controlled encapsulation of small molecules such as H₂ and He within fullerene cages, the development of open-cage and ring-enlarged fullerenes with tailored orifices, and the design of stimuli-responsive molecular systems based on reversible intramolecular coordination. The lab also explores solid-state reactions and mechanochemical methods to access unique fullerene adducts and dimers, combining experimental techniques with computational analysis to understand reactivity and electronic properties.
Professor Takashi Kubo's research lab specializes in the design, synthesis, and characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) radicals, with a focus on singlet biradical systems based on the phenalenyl framework. The lab investigates the unique electronic structures, amphoteric redox behavior, and strong intermolecular interactions—particularly π–π stacking and spin-spin coupling—that lead to semiconductive and magnetic properties in these materials. By combining experimental techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, NMR, cyclic voltammetry, SQUID measurements, and advanced quantum chemical calculations, the lab explores the fundamental principles governing biradical character and electronic delocalization in π-conjugated systems. Their work aims to develop novel carbon-based materials with tailored electronic and magnetic functions for applications in organic electronics and spintronics.
Professor Bahareh Oryani's research lab focuses on sustainable development, with a strong emphasis on energy systems, environmental economics, and industrial policy. Her work explores the integration of waste-to-energy technologies, renewable energy transitions, and energy efficiency standards within the framework of circular economy and climate change mitigation. The lab employs advanced econometric models—such as ARDL, SVAR, and SUR—to analyze the interplay between economic growth, energy consumption, environmental degradation, and industrial competitiveness, particularly in developing economies like Iran. The research also examines macroeconomic and institutional drivers of environmental performance, including globalization, financial development, and energy standards.
