For Prospective Students
Explore the “why” of natural products with us.
Natural products encompass a remarkable diversity of chemical structures and biological activities, together with sophisticated biosynthetic systems that create them—many of which remain unexplored.
In Natural Products Chemistry, we study medicinal plants, microorganisms, marine organisms, and other natural resources, focusing on the discovery of bioactive natural products, elucidation of biosynthetic mechanisms, structural and functional analysis of enzymes, and creation of new molecules through enzyme engineering.
By integrating organic chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, and related approaches, we pursue research to discover, understand, and engineer natural products.
Research in Our Lab
Research projects are determined through discussion, taking into account each student’s interests and the progress of ongoing research.
Discover Natural Products
We search medicinal plants, microorganisms, marine organisms, and other natural resources for bioactive natural products and determine their chemical structures.
Understand Biosynthesis
We investigate how natural products are produced in living organisms and elucidate the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis and their reaction mechanisms.
Understand and Engineer Enzymes
Using approaches such as X-ray crystallography, we investigate the molecular mechanisms of enzymes and engineer their functions to create new molecules not found in nature.
Translate Discoveries into Drug Leads
We analyze the biological activities and mechanisms of action of natural products and engineered molecules and explore their potential as new drug leads.
What You Can Learn Through Research
We value not only the acquisition of experimental skills, but also the ability to formulate questions, design experiments, interpret results, and use those findings to guide the next stage of research.
Depending on the research project, students learn techniques including isolation and purification of natural products, spectroscopic structure elucidation, enzyme assays, gene cloning and protein expression, and X-ray crystallography.
Students discuss their findings within the laboratory, present their work at conferences in Japan and abroad, and ultimately aim to communicate their research to the world through peer-reviewed publications.
An International Research Environment
Natural Products Chemistry brings together students and researchers from Japan and many other countries and regions.
Through collaborations with universities and research institutions overseas, as well as exchanges of researchers and students, our members are regularly exposed to diverse research cultures and perspectives.
We encourage students interested in international research exchange and collaboration to actively pursue these opportunities.
Explore International Collaboration →Who We Welcome
No specialized knowledge or technical skills are required at the outset.
We welcome students who are interested in natural products and medicines, curious about both chemistry and life sciences, eager to think independently and try new ideas, and interested in conducting research while interacting with researchers from around the world.
Research does not always proceed as expected. We therefore place great importance on thinking about results together, discussing them openly, and turning unexpected findings into new discoveries.
For Prospective Students
Students interested in joining our laboratory as undergraduates, pursuing graduate study, or learning more about our research are welcome to visit the laboratory and discuss opportunities with us.
We encourage prospective students to see the research environment firsthand and talk with faculty members and students while considering the research they would like to pursue.
For official information on graduate admissions and applications, please consult the latest admissions guidelines from the University of Toyama.
Visit & Contact
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to visit the laboratory or discuss our research.
Natural Products Chemistry, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama
2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
Natural Products Chemistry, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama
E-mail: hmorita#inm.u-toyama.ac.jp
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