Observing Biological Phenomena through Chemistry

$B!!(BMany phenomena seen in biology are controlled with chemical substances. Organic biochemistry and inorganic biochemistry focus on the elements transmitting information within or between individual organisms (e.g. hormones, pheromones), and the biological functional materials that exist inside organisms (e.g. biotoxins, antibiotics). Recent advancements in chemistry allow us to understand the phenomena of life at the levels of molecules and molecular aggregates. Such research provides the foundation for developing drugs and agricultural chemicals that directly enhance human welfare, and help us to shed light on the mysteries of biological phenomena.

Cancer-causing substance in Pteridium aquilinum ("warabi")

Tracking Ultrafast Reaction Dynamics

$B!!(BYou can see many examples of materials and light interacting around us: the light of a firefly, the blossoming of a morning glory, and the sense of sight allowing us to see objects. Molecules enter a state of excitation after absorbing light energy. Laser beams can be used to target specific molecules and create high-speed reactions. In a very short time period (nanosecond (ns) =10-9s, picosecond (ps) =10-12s) the excited state and reaction intermediate behavior can be exposed, and ultrafast reaction dynamics can be tracked.

Laser spectroscopy system for tracking ultrafast photochemical reactions