Research & Initiatives

代謝物とは生命が生体内で合成する化学物質であり、エネルギー源となるグルコースや神経伝達を担うドーパミン、生物毒やフェロモンまで、その構造や機能は生命活動のあらゆる側面に関与しています。代謝物の研究は、代謝という生命の基本原理の理解から始まり、有用天然物、生命進化、医療、食品、環境保全に至るまで、幅広い分野に革新をもたらす可能性を秘めています。​

　我々は最新の分析化学とデータサイエンスを駆使し、多分野の研究領域と連携することで、「生命現象の背後にある代謝変動のダイナミクスとそのメカニズム」や「自然界・生命史における代謝物の多様性と進化」の解明 を目指しています。 また、そのための独自のデータ解析技術の開発を行うことで従来の手法では捉えきれなかった代謝物の複雑なネットワークと、その動的な変化を包括的に理解することに挑戦しています。​

　この分野は、アカデミアの基礎研究にとどまらず、産業分野への発展性や環境問題などの課題解決にも大きく貢献すると期待されています。今後、オミクス技術やAI、ビッグデータ解析などの先端技術との融合により、代謝物の研究はさらに加速し、予想もしなかった発見や応用が生まれる可能性があります。代謝物の世界は、ミクロな視点からマクロな課題解決まで、科学と社会を橋渡しする重要な研究領域です。

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Metabolites are chemical compounds synthesized by living organisms. They include molecules such as glucose, which serves as an energy source; dopamine, which functions as a neurotransmitter; as well as biological toxins and pheromones. Through their diverse structures and functions, metabolites are deeply involved in virtually every aspect of life.

Research on metabolites begins with understanding metabolism as a fundamental principle of life. At the same time, it has the potential to drive innovation across a wide range of fields, including natural product discovery, evolutionary biology, medicine, food science, and environmental conservation.

　Our laboratory aims to elucidate the dynamics and mechanisms of metabolic changes underlying biological phenomena, as well as the diversity and evolution of metabolites in nature and throughout the history of life. To achieve this goal, we integrate state-of-the-art analytical chemistry with data science and collaborate across diverse research disciplines.

We also develop original data analysis technologies to comprehensively understand complex metabolite networks and their dynamic changes—phenomena that have been difficult to capture using conventional approaches.

This research field is expected to contribute not only to fundamental academic science, but also to industrial applications and solutions to environmental challenges. In the coming years, the integration of metabolite research with advanced technologies such as omics, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics will further accelerate discovery and open new possibilities for applications that are difficult to anticipate today.

　The world of metabolites connects microscopic molecular events to macroscopic societal challenges, making it an important research area that bridges science and society.