New Molecular Technologies to Open Up Multiple Applications of Light in Life Science and Materials Science

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H06173
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Chemical pharmacy
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Masanobu Uchiyama 東京大学, 大学院薬学系研究科(薬学部), 教授 (00271916)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 澤田 大介 岡山大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科, 教授 (00338691) ; 村中 厚哉 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 開拓研究本部, 専任研究員 (20374902) ; 神野 伸一郎 愛知学院大学, 薬学部, 教授 (20537237)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-05-31 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: π分子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Complex pi-electron compounds that interact with light have long attracted interest, and have become increasingly important in recent years for potential applications in life science and materials science. However, there are still severe limitations in rational design, synthesis, and derivatization of π-electron organic molecules, as well as in their functional modification (absorption/emission properties, quantum yield, thermo-stability, etc.), and these issues have hampered their practical application in advanced technologies, including storage media, organic semiconductors, laser printers, photodynamic therapy of cancer, nonlinear optics, deodorants, and molecular imaging. Through this project, we have developed new synthetic methods, to extend theoretical principles, and to synthesize novel pi-electron molecules with unique functionalities suitable for next-generation technological applications.

Free Research Field

化学系薬学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本プロジェクトでは、光エネルギー、特に生体にダメージを与えない可視光や近赤外光を利用して病気の診断や治療法の開発、ならびに生命現象の解明や制御を目指し研究を行い、生体内で光と反応する分子や、新たな診断技術の提案、こうした分子づくりのための新理論構築、そして光を利活用するための技術創出を実現・達成しました。