Research Activities

 The Biocatalysis Research Division is conducting basic and applied research to elucidate the reaction mechanisms of biocatalysts with carbon dioxide reduction and fixation functions, and to construct hybrid-type light-driven carbon dioxide conversion systems that combine these biocatalysts with molecular dyes and semiconductor photocatalysts. We are also conducting research and development of homogeneous particulate catalysts for efficient decomposition of organic molecules generated from carbon dioxide to obtain hydrogen.

 The Bioenergetics Research Division is conducting research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of highly efficient energy and material conversion specific to living organisms and to find their utilization in energy production. Currently, we are focusing on the function and structure of the "photosynthetic antenna pigment-protein complex," which converts solar energy into excitation energy to drive the high-energy material production system of photosynthesis, and are working on the modification of proteins and pigments and structural analysis from algae cultivation. We are also conducting research to mimic the energy conversion mechanism of living organisms in vitro and link it to material production.

 The Chemical Reaction Field Division defines a "chemical reaction field" as a potential surface where a chemical reaction is likely to occur when matter and matter (or photons) are in close proximity, and studies the formation and energetics of such a field. In the formation of a field, the interaction with the environment (also matter) surrounding the matter is an important dominant factor. This is because the reactivity of a reaction is usually quite different depending on whether it occurs in the gas phase, in solution, on the surface of a solid, or inside an enzyme.

 In this division, we pay particular attention to the reaction systems (oxygen evolution reaction, hydrido reduction reaction, and electron transfer reaction) occurring in the photosynthetic light reaction. We aim to extract and clarify the unique reactivity of these reactions by experimentally (or computationally) testing and comparing artificial reaction fields, which can only be done in a flask or on a computer, and the unique reactivity that does not depend on the reaction field. In addition, we are also conducting daily research on the interaction between materials and chemical reaction fields, including the fabrication of actual devices, to see if particularly useful materials can be utilized as the operating principles of devices that convert light energy to chemical energy.