Biomolecular Chemistry Laboratory

We design and evolve research tools based on fluorescent proteins

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Innovative Research Tools from Fluorescent Proteins

We use protein engineering to invent new tools for imaging dynamic biochemical events in live cells and tissues. We distribute these tools to cell biologists and neuroscientists who apply them to address questions ranging from fundamental mechanisms in cell biology, to the underlying causes of mental illness, to the development of novel therapeutics.


The molecules that make our work possible are colourful naturally occurring fluorescent proteins from jellyfish, coral, and other marine organisms. Starting from the gene for a fluorescent protein, we use the techniques of molecular biology, protein engineering, and artificial molecular evolution to create useful research tools. Since these tools are protein based, the instructions to make them can be easily introduced into cells, tissues, or even transgenic model organisms, in the form of DNA.

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  • A paper on Halo-RFP, a chemigenetic calcium indicator, is now published!

    The new research paper, “ A Chemigenetic Ca2+ Indicator Based on a Red Fluorescent Protein and a Synthetic Chelator”, is now published in ACS Chemical Biology. Congratulations, Shosei and co-authors! The paper can be accessed here. 今井さんらによるHalo-RFP(ケミジェネティックベース赤色カルシウムセンサー)に関する論文がACS Chemical Biologyに掲載されました。おめでとうございます！論文はこちらからご覧いただけます。

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  • A paper on serapH, a photostable pH Biosensor based on mStayGold, is now published!

    The new research paper, “Development of a Photostable pH Biosensor Based on mStayGold”, is now published in ChemBioChem. Congratulations, Michael and co-authors! The paper can be accessed here. MichaelさんらによるserapH(mStayGoldベースのpHセンサー)に関する論文がChemBioChemに掲載されました。おめでとうございます！論文はこちらからご覧いただけます。

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