Research

Stimuli-responsive activation of bioactive materials

Our laboratory focuses on the development of stimuli-responsive bioactive materials that enable precise control over biological activity in space and time. Many bioactive small molecules, peptides, and lipid-based agents exhibit potent physiological effects, yet their constitutive activity often leads to limited selectivity and undesired side effects. Regulating their activation in response to defined stimuli provides a powerful strategy to overcome these limitations.

We design molecular systems that remain biologically inert under basal conditions and become selectively activated only in the presence of specific triggers, such as pH changes, reactive oxygen species (ROS), enzymatic activity, or light. This is achieved by masking key functional groups or structural motifs essential for biological function, followed by stimulus-triggered unmasking under biologically relevant conditions.

By integrating molecular design, organic synthesis, and mechanistic studies, our research develops chemical approaches to regulate bioactivity with spatiotemporal precision. These efforts provide versatile chemical tools for probing complex biological environments and lay the groundwork for next-generation therapeutic and diagnostic materials with enhanced specificity and safety.

Biomimetic amphiphilic catalyst

Amphiphilic catalyst systems, including surfactant-based assemblies, have enabled a wide range of organic reactions to be carried out in aqueous environments, offering an alternative to conventional organic solvents. Such systems provide unique reaction microenvironments that can enhance reactivity, selectivity, and sustainability in chemical transformations.

Our laboratory is interested in expanding the functional scope of amphiphilic catalysts by incorporating biologically relevant functional groups inspired by enzymes into amphiphilic molecular frameworks. By embedding catalytic motifs commonly found in enzymes into amphiphiles, we aim to mediate organic transformations and materials-related processes in water under mild and biologically compatible conditions.

Through this biomimetic approach, our research explores how molecular organization, local microenvironments, and functional group presentation within amphiphilic assemblies influence reactivity. These studies seek to bridge concepts from enzymatic catalysis, organic synthesis, and materials chemistry, providing new strategies for performing chemical transformations in aqueous systems.

Stretchable electronics for biomedical applications

Stretchable and flexible electronic materials have attracted significant attention in recent years, driven by the growing demand for wearable and implantable biomedical devices. These systems require materials that can maintain stable electrical performance under mechanical deformation while remaining compatible with soft and dynamic biological environments.

Our laboratory is involved in the development of new stretchable electronic materials with improved electrical conductivity and mechanical compliance for biomedical applications. We are particularly interested in molecular and materials-level strategies that enhance both conductivity and stretchability, enabling reliable electronic function under physiological conditions.

In parallel, we explore biocompatible material designs that support the safe and effective integration of stretchable electronic devices with biological systems. By combining concepts from chemistry, materials science, and chemical biology, our research aims to contribute to the development of functional electronic platforms suitable for interfacing with living tissues.