Lipid Modalities: From Lipid Metabolism to Artificial Cell Membrane

• Overview

  Lipids are major biocomponents along with nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates. While other components such as nucleic acids are water-soluble, covalently bound biopolymers, lipids form unique aggregate structures such as membranes and micelles by aggregating multiple molecules through hydrophobic interactions and other mechanisms. The handling and measurement of nucleic acids and proteins have been established in the long history of research. On the other hand, for lipids, which are hydrophobic and self-assemble, their technologies are still in their infancy. In this project, we will conduct research ranging from basic metabolic analysis of intestinal bacteria and lipids to materialization of lipid membranes from an engineering viewpoint, in collaboration with researchers from foreign institutions who are leading this field worldwide.

  

Members

Takahiro Muraoka (Institute of Engineering/  Professor)
Hiroshi Tsugawa (Institute of Engineering / Associate Professor)
Junki Miyamoto (Institute of Global Innovation Research / Organization for Promotion of Tenure-track System / Associate Professor)
Nanami Takeuchi (Institute of Global Innovation Research / Assistant Professor)