Young Faculty : Lecturer Hiroshi Ueno

Young Faculty / 065

Lecturer Hiroshi Ueno, Noji Laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry

 < Biography >

March 2005 : Ph.D. in Department of Electronic Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology

April 2005 : Postdoctoral Researcher, ISIR, Osaka University

April 2006 : Postdoctoral Fellow (PD) in JSPS

April 2009 : Postdoctoral Researcher, ISIR, Osaka University

April 2010 : Technical Assistant, Department of Physics, Chuo University

April 2011 : Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Chuo University

February 2015 : Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, The University of Tokyo

April 2022 : Lecturer, Department of Applied Chemistry, The University of Tokyo

< About the Research >

Molecular machines made of proteins and nucleic acids play an important role in the activities of living organisms, including humans. Among the molecular machines, we have been focusing and working on the elucidation of the energy conversion mechanism of rotary molecular motors such as F_oF₁-ATP synthase which synthesizes ATP, an essential energy source for life activity, and V-ATPase which hydrolyzes ATP to transport ions. In order to understand the operating mechanism of rotary molecular motors, it is necessary to investigate the “movement” of the molecular motor in detail at the “single molecule level”. Therefore, I have constructed a single molecule measurement system that realizes high time resolution and high localization precision using a unique optical microscope. Furthermore, we have elucidated the details of the chemo-mechanical coupling mechanism of rotary molecular motors by combining the single molecule analysis with theoretical/computational chemistry, mathematical analysis, theoretical physics and structural analysis.

Recently, we have developed a new technology of analytical chemistry to analyze the individuality of single molecule enzymes/cells by combining our unique technologies of the microscope with fL-reactor array, and also have performed the research to implement cell functions in fL-reactors.

< Future Aspirations >

Our next goal is to establish a technology to create a new molecular machines that have never existed before. We aim to create the molecular machines with new/desired functions, and to truly understand their design principles. Currently, we have been developing new directed evolution technology that combines our technologies of the microscope and the fL-reactor array.

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