In biological systems, life process is led by the unique behavior of macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. Molecular recognition by macromolecules plays an important role, for example, in substrate specificity of enzymes and antigen-antibody reactions in human life. Selective molecular recognition among macromolecules is achieved through a large number of weak interactions. We have focused our attention on the special behavior of antibodies, especially monoclonal antibodies, because they can recognize a larger and more complicated compound with high specificity than that can synthetic host molecules or enzymes.
In this laboratory, we develop novel materials through hybridization of bio-related macromolecules such as monoclonal antibodies with artificial/synthetic small molecules. We construct functionalized catalytic and energy conversion systems based on specific molecular recognition of biomacromolecules and selective assembly of bio/synthetic molecules.
News & Topics
31th Oct, 2025
Dr. Xiao's paper "Reversible Mechanical Interlocking via Stimuli-Triggered Nonhomeomorphic Topology Transformation Enables Highly Efficient Rotaxane Synthesis" has been published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition ( Publications (Papers) have been updated.).
28th Oct, 2025
Li (D2) received the Excellent Poster Prize for his presentation titled "Preparation of Tough Elastomers via Sequentially Activated Multi-Pathway Energy Dissipation" at the 3rd Stoddart Molecular-cum-Supramolecular Science Symposium 2025 (M3S 2025).
23rd Oct, 2025
Fujiwara (M1) received the Excellent Poster Award for his presentation titled "Synthesis, Mechanical Properties, and Degradability Evaluation of Polyurethanes Using Sulfur-Containing Diol Monomers" at the 74th SPSJ Annual Polymer Symposium.
20th Oct, 2025
Dr. Kobayashi received the Young Scientist Award in the "SEKISUI Chemical: Learning from Nature" research program (also featured on the Graduate School of Science website).
18th Oct, 2025
Dr. Kobayashi's sulfur polymer project will participate in the ILS2024 networking event. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested.
17th Oct, 2025
At the 74th Network Polymer Discussion Meeting, Matsuda (M2) ("Development of Functional Composite Materials Using Sulfur-Containing Polymers") and Fujiwara (M1) ("Synthesis and Structure?Property Relationship of Sulfur-Containing Polyurethanes Using Diol Monomers with Different Sulfur Contents") received the Best Poster Award (also featured on the Graduate School of Science website).
19th Sep, 2025
Xiao's (D3) paper "Reversible Mechanical Interlocking via Stimuli-Triggered Nonhomeomorphic Topology Transformation Enables Highly Efficient Rotaxane Synthesis" has been published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition (view article).
26th Aug, 2025
Dr. Kobayashi was selected as a finalist for the Ecotech Grand Prix 2025.
22nd Aug, 2025
On September 18th, Kobayashi will present a pitch titled "Creation of Environmentally Harmonious Sulfur Polymer Materials from Surplus Sulfur" at the KSAC DEMODAY 2025. Participation is free for those interested.
8th Aug, 2025
At the Joint Symposium of the 12th Polymer Society of Japan Green Chemistry Division and the 26th Plastic Recycling Chemistry Meeting, Kamioka ("Synthesis and Recycling Properties of Novel Sulfur-Containing Polymers Derived from Elemental Sulfur") and Matsuda ("Investigation of Property Changes through Blending of Sulfur-Containing Polymers") received the Excellent Presentation Award (also featured on the Graduate School of Science website).
1st Aug, 2025
Dr. Yamawaki joined our group as a Specially Appointed Researcher.
16th Jul, 2025
At the 14th JACI/GSC Symposium, Dr. Yoshida received the GSC Poster Award for his presentation "Development of Polymer Materials from Waste Sulfur" (also featured on the Graduate School of Science website).
21st May, 2025
At the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Society of Rubber Industry, Kamioka (M2) ("Synthesis and Property Evaluation of Sulfur-Containing Polymers Derived from Sulfur and Dihalogen Monomers") received the Young Researcher Excellent Presentation Award, and Toda (M1) ("Ultrafast Synthesis of Sulfur-Containing Polymers from Elemental Sulfur and Epihalohydrin") received the Poster Excellent Presentation Award (also featured on the Graduate School of Science website).
6th Jan, 2025
Our paper on "Self-assembled Supramolecular Materials for Substrate Transport by External Stimuli" was published in Macromol. Mater. Eng. (publications updated).
17th Dec, 2024
Kamioka (M1) won won the Poster Award the 35th Elastomer Symposium "Synthesis of polysulfide polymers from monomers having linear sulfur and halogen groups and their characterization".
13th Dec, 2024 publications updated.
12th Dec, 2024
The research project "Creation of polythioesters using waste sulfur as a raw material for building a sustainable society" by Hashimoto (M2), Kamioka (M1), and Assistant Professor Kobayashi was selected forthe 8th "General Research Grant" of the Sasakura Foundation for 2024.
9th Dec, 2024
Hashimoto (M2) won the Poster Award at the 2nd Polymer Bonding Control Symposium "Synthesis of sulfur-containing epoxy cured materials by step-growth polymerization and its applications".
26th Nov, 2024 publications (Conference)updated.
25th Nov, 2024
Kamioka (M1) won the Poster Award the 33rd Polymer Materials Forum "Effect of the number of sulfurs in sulfur-containing polymers on their physical properties and recycling characteristics".(also featured on the Graduate School of Science website).
15th Oct, 2024
Kamioka (M1) won the Poster Award the 73rd Polymer Symposium "Room-temperature aqueous synthesis of polysulfide polymers and their recycling properties".(also featured on the Graduate School of Science website).
Kamioka (M1) won the Poster Award the 11th Polymer Society Green Chemistry Study Group Symposium and the 25th Plastic Recycling Chemistry Study Group Research Symposium "Room-temperature aqueous synthesis of polymers with different sulfur contents and their recycling characteristics".
Our paper on "Control of sulfur number in sulfur-containing compounds: The effect of base type, equivalent of the base, and reaction solvent in synthesizing linear sulfur" was published in Chem. Lett. (Publications updated. and Recent Work)
17th July, 2024
Our review on "Synthesis of sulfur-containing polymers using a supramolecular science approach" was published in Journal of Network Polymer(Publications updated.).
Kobayashi won "Excellent Poster Awards" at the Plastic Molding Processing Society 35th Annual Conference.
18th June, 2024
Our review on "Synthesis of supramolecular sulfur-containing polymers and their properties" was published in Journal of the Adhesion Society of Japan(Publications updated.).
Our paper on "Controlled Photoinduced Electron Transfer via Triplet in Polymer Matrix Using Electrostatic Interactions" was published in J. Photochem. Photobiol. A (Publications updated. and Recent Work)
12th Apr, 2024
Our review on "Synthesis of supramolecular sulfur-containing polymers" was published in Journal of The Society of Rubber Industry(Publications updated.).
Our review on "Synthesis and properties of supramolecular sulfur-containing polymers" was accepted in Journal of the Adhesion Society of Japan (Publications updated.)
10th Feb, 2024
A video of Kobayashi's NEDO project has been released.
In biological systems, life process is led by the unique behavior of macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. Molecular recognition by macromolecules plays an important role, for example, in substrate specificity of enzymes and antigen-antibody reactions in human life. Selective molecular recognition among macromolecules is achieved through a large number of weak interactions. We have focused our attention on the special behavior of antibodies, especially monoclonal antibodies, because they can recognize a larger and more complicated compound with high specificity than that can synthetic host molecules or enzymes. 
News & Topics
