Department of Organic Materials
Toward the turn of the century, the need for intelligent novel materials is becoming ever stronger calling for even more sophisticated properties and performance. Of such novel materials, organic materials are of the greatest importance in view of their adaptability to various kinds of designs and applications at molecular levels. In particular, in the field of biorelated functions, which consist of the most exquisite structures and reaction systems found in the natural world, discovery and application of a wide range of functions is expected. From this point of view, taking into consideration of the engineering applications of such biorelated functions, we proceed with the research effort to create new materials through three approaches; i.e. biomolecular engineering, biotechnology and molecular assembly engineering. Our principal goal is the creation of highly functional novel molecules by the precise control of molecular species and their assembly. The research efforts are, therefore, pushed ahead with emphasis placed on the harmonious execution of studies on theoretical prediction of molecular structure and function, analyses of the correlation between the structures and resutant functions, and the creation of intended substances and materials.
In the field of biomolecular engineering, our research subjects are focused on both the elucidation of the biological functions and the synthesis of their mimicking materials to create super-biological functions by molecular engineering. In the field of biotechnology, for advanced utilization of bioresources, including microorganisms, the research efforts are directed to explore novel functional substances, improve known biological functions and develop the progressed production techniques by polysaccharide chemistry, enzyme chemistry and genetic engineering. In the field of molecular assembly engineering, material researches are carried out to create novel functional materials of the next generation and those to be based on a human life engineering. The former includes the meso phase technology, which is considered to have great potential for wide applications, and the structure control of organic composite materials to utilize their functions.
Biomolecular Engineering Section
E-mail address :
seitai@onri.go.jp
.
Research work in the Biomolecular Engineering Section is aimed to elucidate the mechanism of the sophisticated biological functions obtainable from protein and other biomolecules for utilizing them in molecular engineering, to create peptides with functional and/or structural unit motif. Especially, to develop biosensors, biomaterials, catalysts and photoelectric conversion devices, and make use of the molecular recognition function, research and development are being carried out on the
peptidestructure forming
technique and synthesis of artificial amino acids with a photoelectric conversion function. Furthermore, researches to elucidate the mechanism of the brain function at the molecular level using cultured neurons and to analyse cells using an STM are going on.
Bioresource Engineering Section
E-mail address :
seibutsu@onri.go.jp
.
Research carried out at the Bioresource Engineering Section on the effective utilization of chitin has resulted in a new enzyme, N-acetylglucasamine deacetylase found from a marine microorganism, as well as the development of a purification process for a high-purity crystallized chito-oligosaccharide. On the basis of these achivements, research work is under way on the production of enzymes using genetic engineering techniques, and on further improvement of the functions of oligosaccharides. Utilization of micro-algae is important from the points of view of the effective utilization of resources and preservation of the environment from a global perspective. Further, the gene recombination technique has so far been developed for such blue-green algae as Synechococcus and
Spirulina
. Our research in this regard aims at still higher utilization of Chlorophyceae and other higher micro-algae by the gene recombination technique.
Functional Polymer Section
E-mail address :
kobunshi@onri.go.jp
.
In the Functional Polymer Section, basic researches are carried out on such aspects of organic materials as biodegradability, biocompatibility, recycleability, mesomorphism, thermal reversibility, etc., focused mainly on synthesis of novel materials and their functional analyses. In addition to the development of
biodegradable polymers
and evaluation of their biodegradability using enzymes and microorganisms, research works are undertaken also on such other themes as the elucidation of interactions between animal organs and polymers to develop biocompatible materials, the synthesis of polymers whose light transmission properties can vary thermo-reversibly, and the synthesis of polymers adaptable to recycling to monomers by chemical processes. On top of these, research is also being conducted on the synthesis and application of
new types of liquid crystal material
as represented by metal-containing liquid crystals.
Polymer Surface Chemistry Section
E-mail address :
hyomen@onri.go.jp
.
In the Polymer Surface Chemistry Section, research is mainly laid on the evaluation of heat and water transporting properties in clothing comforts. In addition to the evaluations using the sweating thermal manikin originally developed, research work is being undertaken to develop an artificial skin system for more precise evaluations. This system includes the simulator of a sweating mechanism,
the humidity sensor using pigment-doped polymer films
, and the test clothes whose hydrophilisity is controled by chemical or the plasma treatment. Further, research includes a basic study on polymeric materials for electrodes in storage batteries.
Polymer Composites Section
E-mail address :
fukugo@onri.go.jp
.
In the Polymer Composites Section, research is being carried on the application of new functions through the structure control of organic composite materials, the refinement of their performance and the utilization of those organic composite materials by recycling. The scope of the research also includes the morphological control of
inter-penetrating polymer network type composites
of multi-component type polymers and their application to responsive functional materials, a rapid molding process using SRIM, and an evaluation of properties such as dynamic visco-elasticity and absorption of vibrations, etc. The research efforts are also directed at adaptability to recycling, that could be realized by imparting compatibility to mixed plastics.
Stabilization of the Alpha-helix structure by an amino acid substitution of N-terminus in
neuro peptide Y.
Spirulina that has obtained the antibiotic property by DNA recombination technoque. Agar
medium containg 0.5 microgram/ml of chloramphenicol.
Examples of synthesis of biodegradable plastics.
Molecular structure and polarized microscopic texture of the metalloporphyrin liquid
crystal.
Humidity sensor using rhodamine B-doped polymer film. Response property and trial product.
Structure model of inter-penetrating polymer network type composite obtained by applying
the sol-gel process.
by M.Taniguchi, Osaka Natl. Res. Inst.
Biomolecular Engineering Section
Bioresource Engineering Section
Functional Polymer Section
Polymer Surface Chemistry Section
Polymer Composites Section