A chemist at Komaba, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Chemistry for Intermediate between Living and Non-Living Matter
Research interests
Minimal Cell Model.
Origins of Life.
Synthetic Biology.
Membrane Fluctuation Measurement.
Laser Spectroscopy.
Flow Cytometry.
In vivo Vesicle Marker.
Drug Delivery System.
NIR Fluorescence Imaging.
Field Programmable Soft Device.
Network Structure.
Memristor.
M. Oka, H. Takagi, T. Toyota, S. Honda,
Photon Factory Highlights 2018, 40-41 (2019).
H. Sugiyama, T. Toyota,
Life, 8, 53 (2018).
T. Toyota, T. Banno, K. Asakura,
Self-organized Motion (S. Nakata, V. Pimienta, I. Lagzi, H. Kitahata, N. J. Suematsu eds.), RSC Publishing (London, UK), Chapter 5, 116-138 (2018).
K. Takiguchi, M. Hayashi, Y. Kazayama, T. Toyota, Y. Harada, M. Nishiyama,
Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 41, 288-293 (2018).
T. Toyota, T. Banno, J. M. Castro, M. Imai,
Journal of Physical Society of Japan, 86, 101006 (2017).
T. Banno, T. Toyota, K. Asakura,
Properties and Uses of Microemulsions (D. N. Karunaratne, G. Pamunuwa, U. Ranatunga eds.), InTech (Rijeka, Croatia), Chapter 7, 139-154 (2017).
T. Banno, T. Toyota,
Current Physical Chemistry, 5, 37-51 (2015).
H. Hayashi, T. Toyota, S. Goto, A. Oishi, T. Gao, L. B. Ee, H. Matsubara,
Fluorescence Imaging for Surgeons (F. D. Dip, T. Ishizawa, N. Kokudo, and R. J. Rosenthal eds), Springer, Chapter 23, 223-229 (2015).
T. Nomoto, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Analytical Sciences, 30, 707-716 (2014).
T. Banno, T. Toyota, S. Matsumura,
Biodegradation, Intech (Rijeka, Croatia), Chapter 5, 115-139 (2013).
T. Toyota, Y. Wakamoto, K. Hayashi, K. Ohnuma,
Innovations in Biotechnology (E. C. Agbo ed.), Intech (Rijeka, Croatia), Chapter 9, 187-207 (2012).
K. Suzuki, T. Toyota, K. Takakura, T. Sugawara,
Chemistry Letters, 38, 1010-1015 (2009).
This project uses a constructive approach for understanding strategies of living matter, i.e., of cells, organs, or bodies. To date, molecular biology has achieved great success in analyzing biological events at the molecular level. Thus, a constructive approach is now setting up to make a science collaborating with such analytical approach. Using these emerging disciplines, such as synthetic biology and systems biology, this project focuses on combining bio-inspired dynamic molecular assembly with organic synthetic chemistry. Our goal is to produce an artificial wet system exhibiting self-reproduction, self-propelling motion, chemotaxis, molecular communication, or molecular computing. To this end, vesicles, emulsions, or microgels (coacervates) are receiving increasing attention.
To construct an artificial cell-like reactor for performing biological catalytic reactions, a lipid membrane capsule is required for handling the components. Compared to microchip devices, lipid membrane capsules allow mixing, salvaging, and reusing the catalyst or products in small amounts (at the attomole level). These techniques should allow the establishment of the artificial evolution process without biological limitations.
Visit an inspiring website: Exploring Life's Origins
M. Tameyuki, H. Hiranaka, T. Toyota, K. Asakura, T. Banno,
Langmuir 35, 17075-17081 (2019).
M. Matsuo, Y. Kan, K. Kurihara, T. Jimbo, M. Imai, T. Toyota, Y. Hirata, K. Suzuki, T. Sugawara,
Scientific Reports 9, 6916 (2019).
M. Matsuo, S. Ohyama, K. Sakurai, T. Toyota, K. Suzuki, T. Sugawara,
Chemistry and Physics of Lipids 222, 1-7 (2019).
J. M. Castro, H. Sugiyama, T. Toyota,
Scientific Reports 9, 165 (9pages) (2019).
A. Hirono, T. Toyota, K. Asakura, T. Banno,
Langmuir 34, 7821-7826 (2018).
N. Ueno, T. Banno, A. Asami, Y. Kazayama, Y. Morimoto, T. Osaki, S. Takeuchi, H. Kitahata, T. Toyota,
Langmuir 33, 5393-5397 (2017).
T. Banno, Y. Tanaka, K. Asakura, T. Toyota,
Langmuir, 32, 9591-9597 (2016).
T. Banno, A. Asami, N. Ueno, H. Kitahata, Y. Koyano, K. Asakura, T. Toyota,
Scientific Reports, 6, 31292 (9 pages) (2016).
Y. Natsume, T. Toyota,
Transactions of the Materials Research Society of Japan, 41, 147-149 (2016).
M. Hayashi, M. Nishiyama, Y. Kazayama, T. Toyota, Y. Harada, K. Takiguchi,
Langmuir, 32, 3794-3802 (2016).
Nat Nanotech
Y. Natsume, T. Toyota,
PLOS ONE, 11, e0146683 (16 pages) (2016).
K. Kurihara, Y. Okura, M. Matsuo, T. Toyota, K. Suzuki, T. Sugawara,
Nature Communications, 6, 8352 (7 pages) (2015).
Press Release by Nat Commun
c&en
T. Banno, T. Toyota,
Langmuir, 31, 6943-6947 (2015).
T. Banno, R. Kuroha, S. Miura, T. Toyota,
Soft Matter, 11, 1459-1463 (2015).
J. M. Castro, T. Toyota, H. Iwasaki,
Recent Advances in Natural Computing, 9, 113-122 (2015).
M. Mizuno, T. Toyota, M. Konishi, Y. Kageyama, M. Yamada, M. Seki,
Langmuir, 31, 2334-2341 (2015).
T. Banno, Y. Kazayama, T. Toyota,
Chemistry Letters, 43, 1707-1709 (2014).
S. Miura, T. Banno, T. Tonooka, T. Osaki, S. Takeuchi, T. Toyota,
Langmuir, 30, 7977-7985 (2014).
S. Hamada, S. Tabuchi, T. Toyota, T. Sakurai, T. Hosoi, T. Nomoto, K. Nakatani, M. Fujinami, R. Kanzaki,
Chemical Communications, 50, 2958-2961 (2014).
K. Takakura, T. Yamamoto, K. Kurihara, T. Toyota, K. Ohnuma, T. Sugawara,
Chemical Communications, 50, 2190-2192 (2014).
T. Banno, S. Miura, R. Kuroha, T. Toyota,
Langmuir, 29, 7689-7696 (2013).
Y. Natsume, T. Toyota,
Chemistry Letters, 42, 295-297 (2013).
T. Banno, R. Kuroha, T. Toyota,
Langmuir, 28, 1190-1195 (2012).
K. Nishimura, H. Suzuki, T. Toyota, T. Yomo,
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 376, 119-125 (2012).
K. Kurihara, M. Tamura, K.-i. Shohda, T. Toyota, K. Suzuki, T. Sugawara,
Nature Chemistry, 3, 775-781 (2011).
New Scientist
Nature Chemistry
Nature Materials
M. Masubuchi, T. Toyota, M. Yamada, M. Seki,
Chemical Communications, 47, 8433-8435 (2011).
T. Sunami, F. Caschera, Y. Morita, T. Toyota, K. Nishimura, T. Matsuura, H. Suzuki, M. M. Hanczyc, T. Yomo,
Langmuir, 26, 15098-15103 (2010).
K. Kurihara, K. Takakura, K. Suzuki, T. Toyota, T. Sugawara,
Soft Matter, 6, 1888-1891 (2010).
K. Nishimura, T. Hosoi, T. Sunami, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami, K. Oguma, T. Matsuura, H. Suzuki, T. Yomo,
Langmuir, 25, 10439-10443 (2009).
T. Toyota, N. Maru, M. M. Hanczyc, T. Ikegami, T. Sugawara,
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131, 5012-5013 (2009).
Nature News
Chemistry World News (published from RSC)
ACS News Service Weekly PressPac
K. Suzuki, T. Tomita, T. Toyota, M. Iwasaka, T. Sugawara,
Polyhedron, 28, 253-256 (2009).
T. Toyota, K. Takakura, Y. Kageyama, K. Kurihara, N. Maru, K. Ohnuma, K. Kaneko, T. Sugawara,
Langmuir, 24, 3037-3044 (2008).
K. Suzuki, T. Toyota, K. Sato, M. Iwasaka, S. Ueno, T. Sugawara,
Chemical Physics Letters, 440, 286-289 (2007).
M. M. Hanczyc, T. Toyota, T. Ikegami, N. Packard, T. Sugawara,
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 129, 9386-9391 (2007).
ACS News Service Weekly PressPac
New Scientist
T. Toyota, K. Takakura, J. Kose, T. Sugawara,
ChemPhysChem, 7, 1425-1427 (2006).
T. Toyota, H. Tsuha, K. Yamada, K. Takakura, T. Ikegami, T. Sugawara,
Chemistry Letters, 35, 708-709 (2006).
M. Ishimaru, T. Toyota, K. Takakura, T. Sugawara, Y. Sugawara,
Chemistry Letters, 34, 46-47 (2005).
T. Toyota, K. Takakura, T. Sugawara,
Chemistry Letters, 33, 1442-1443 (2004).
K.-i. Shohda, T. Toyota, T. Yomo, T. Sugawara,
ChemBioChem, 4, 778-781 (2003).
K. Takakura, T. Toyota, T. Sugawara,
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 125, 8134-8140 (2003).
K. Takakura, T. Toyota, K. Yamada, M. Ishimaru, K. Yasuda, T. Sugawara,
Chemistry Letters, 31, 404-405 (2001).
This project focuses on developing a time-resolved analytical method for measuring lipid membrane fluctuations. Self-organizing lipid membranes, such as monolayer lipid membranes, black lipid membranes (bilayers), vesicles, and cell membranes, all fluctuate, and these dynamics are critical for the macroscopic properties of membranes, such as membrane tension, membrane viscosity, membrane potential, and membrane fluidity, which affect molecules, especially membrane proteins that are on/in the membrane. Lipid molecules themselves also exhibit unique orientations and dynamics in the membrane. The recent development of a methodology that employs fluorescent molecules has proven very useful for this purpose; however, marker-free measurement techniques are in high demand for understanding the membrane molecules themselves. To measure membrane fluctuations, this project is aimed at developing marker-free laser spectroscopy with high time-resolution, such as quasi-elastic laser scattering, Raman scattering, interference signal multiplication, and flow cytometry.
H. Sugiyama, T. Osaki, S. Takeuchi, T. Toyota,
Communications Chemistry, 3, 32 (2020).
T. Nomoto, M. Takahashi, T. Fujii, L. Chiari, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Analytical Sciences, 34, 1237-1242 (2018).
Y. Watahiki, T. Nomoto, L. Chiari, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Langmuir, 34, 5487-5494 (2018).
Y. Karasawa, T. Nomoto, L. Chiari, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 511, 184-192 (2018).
S. Uemoto, T. Toyota, L. Chiari, T. Nomoto, M. Fujinami,
Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 529, 373-379 (2017).
K. Takahashi, T. Toyota,
Life, 7, 11 (2017).
Y. Kazayama, T. Teshima, T. Osaki, S. Takeuchi, T.Toyota,
Analytical Chemistry, 88, 1111-1118 (2016).
K. Goto, T. Nomoto, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 462, 351-358 (2016).
T. Takei, T. Yaguchi, T. Fujii, T. Nomoto, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Soft Matter, 11, 8641-8647 (2015).
M. Ohno, T. Toyota, T. Nomoto, M. Fujinami,
Analytical Sciences, 31, 979-986 (2015).
M. Ohno, T. Toyota, T. Nomoto, M. Fujinami,
Colloids and Surfaces A, 480, 85-90 (2015).
K. Takahashi, T. Toyota,
Journal of Biological Engineering, 9, 3 (11 pages) (2015).
T. Karasawa, T. Nomoto, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Chemistry Letters, 43, 1002-1004 (2014).
T. Nomoto, K. Gotoh, K. Uchiyama, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Analytical Sciences, 30, 463-469 (2014).
K. Oshima, T. Nomoto, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Analytical Sciences, 30, 441-444 (2014).
R. Tanaka, T. Nomoto, T. Toyota, H. Kitahata, M. Fujinami,
Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 117, 13893-13898 (2013).
T. Toyota, K. Uchiyama, T. Kimura, T. Nomoto, M. Fujinami,
Analytical Sciences, 29, 911-918 (2013).
A. Nakata, T. Nomoto, T. Toyota, M. Fujinami,
Analytical Sciences, 29, 865-870 (2013).
T. Toyota, T. Kimura, K. Miyoshi, M. Fujinami,
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 349, 632-636 (2010).
K. Ohnuma, T. Toyota, T. Ariizumi, T. Sugawara, M. Asashima,
Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 108, 76-83 (2009).
Y. Kageyama, T. Toyota, S. Murata, T. Sugawara,
Soft Matter, 3, 699-702 (2007).
T. Toyota, H. Tsuha, K. Yamada, K. Takakura, K. Yasuda, T. Sugawara,
Langmuir, 22, 1976-1981 (2006).
K. Yamada, T. Toyota, K. Takakura, M. Ishimaru, T. Sugawara,
New Journal of Chemistry, 25, 667-669 (2001).
This project is based on the development of intelligent markers or working scaffolds in cells, organs, or bodies. Vesicles (or liposomes) with a diameter of ca. 100 nm have become popular for pharmaceutical applications and as medical carriers, but their size is limited by the diameter of the blood vessels through which they must flow. This project focuses on the use of giant vesicles (giant liposomes) with diameters larger than 1 um. The surfaces of giant vesicles can be modified by anchoring proteins, sugars, and even DNA and RNA. Because the giant vesicles are similar in size to cellular organs or cells, they can serve as artificial scaffolds for living tissue. The dynamics of giant vesicles, for example, their collapse, fusion, or transformation, can be regulated by external stimuli such as heat, electromagnetic forces, light, or pressure. Therefore, the variable properties of vesicles in cells or bodies can be controlled, especially in terms of timing.
Y. Zhang, T. Toyota, H. Matsubara, H. Hayashi,
Japanese Journal of Lymphology, 40, 23-30 (2017).
R. Yahagi, K. Yoshida, Y. Zhang, M. Ebata, T. Toyota, T. Yamaguchi, H. Hayashi
Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 55, 07KF21(3 pages) (2016).
I. Hoshino, T. Maruyama, H. Fujito, Y. Tamura, A. Suganami, H. Hayashi, T. Toyota, Y. Akutsu, K. Murakami, Y. Isozaki, N. Akanuma, N. Takeshita, T. Toyozumi, A. Komatsu, H. Matsubara,
Anticancer Research, 35, 1353-1359 (2015).
T. Maruyama, Y. Akutsu, Y. Tamura, A. Suganami, H. Fujito, T. Ouchi, N. Akanuma, Y. Isozaki, N. Takeshita, I. Hoshino, M. Uesato, T. Toyota, H. Hayashi, H. Matsubara,
PLOS ONE, DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0122849 (15 pages) (2015).
H. Hayashi, T. Toyota, H. Hatayama, S. Goto, A. Oishi, T. Gao, L. B. Ee, T. Nomoto, M. Fujinami, H. Matsubara,
Surgical Endoscopy, 29, 1445-1451 (2015).
T. Toyota, H. Fujito, A. Suganami, K. Onoue, A. Aoki, Y. Muraki, T. Madono, M. Fujinami, Y. Tamura, H. Hayashi,
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 22, 721-727 (2014).
H. Hatayama, T. Toyota, H. Hayashi, T. Nomoto, M. Fujinami,
Analytical Sciences, 30, 225-230 (2014).
A. Suganami, T. Toyota, S. Okazaki, K. Saito, K. Miyamoto, Y. Akutsu, H. Kawahira, A. Aoki, Y. Muraki, T. Madono, H. Hayashi, H. Matsubara, T. Omatsu, H. Shirasawa, Y. Tamura,
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 22, 7481-7485 (2012).
T. Toyota, N. Ohguri, K. Maruyama, M. Fujinami, T. Saga, I. Aoki,
Analytical Chemistry, 84, 3952-3957 (2012).
C&EN(ACS)
H. Morohashi, M. Imai, T. Toyota,
Chemical Physics Letters, 721, 104-110 (2019).
S. Honda, M. Oka, H. Takagi, T. Toyota,
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 58, 144-148 (2019).
S. Konno, T. Banno, H. Takagi, S. Honda, T. Toyota,
PLOS ONE, 13, e0202816 (2018).
S. Honda, T. Toyota,
Polymer, 148, 211-216 (2018).
S. Honda, N. Tanaka, T. Toyota,
Journal of Polymer Science, Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 56, 9-15 (2018).
S. Honda, T. Toyota,
Nature Communications, 8, 502 (2017).
Synfacts, 13, 1144 (2017)
T. Itoh, T. Toyota, H. Higuchi, M. M. Matsushita, K. Suzuki, T. Sugawara,
Chemical Physics Letters, 671, 71-77 (2017).
K. Takahashi, M. Matsuo, T. Banno, T. Toyota,
Soft Matter, 11, 7053-7058 (2015).
M. Iwasaka, Y. Miyashita, Y. Mizukawa, K. Suzuki, T. Toyota, T. Sugawara,
Applied Physics Express, 6, 037002 (2013).
K. Suzuki, K. Kurihara, Y. Okura, T. Toyota, T. Sugawara,
Chemistry Letters, 41, 1084-1086 (2012).
Awards and Honors
Academic Society
Teaching Policy
(1) Search, (2) Plan, (3) Act (experiment), (4) Act (reference experiment 1), (5) Act (reference experiment 2), (6) Discuss, and (7) Chat (brainstorming).
I recommend this activity cycle. To develop research themes for new lab members, I always consult with the new members, and suggestions for new research themes are always welcome. It is important to establish original strategy and science for each group member.
If you successfully obtain any experimental results you want, you approach nice invention. Otherwise, you potentially approach fantastic discovery.
Namely, if the experiments are successful, the results may be used for development of your sciences and useful technologies. Alternatively, the experiments may improve your understanding of basic mechanisms. This attitude toward experimentation is desirable in my group.
"The secret is comprised in three words --- Work, Finish, Publish." Michael Faraday
This is the scientific philosophy in my group.
In a discussion with me, I encourages members to use several theoretical approaches, such as Venn diagrams, truth tables, reduction to absurdity (and contrapositive arguments), tree diagrams, squeeze theorems, as well as deductive reasoning.
My own research focuses on molecular design and analytical chemistry. However, my research interests have expanded to include subjects ranging from physics to biology throughout my activities. In my opinion, to succeed in a given academic field, one or two professional skills and broad interests are required. Daily effort is highly recommended for the members in my group.
Presentation of results to research experts, not only in the nearby region but also from other regions, is greatly admired. I encourage group members to write and present logically sophisticated proposals, research papers, and bulletin reports. Attending seminars and national/international conferences is highly encouraged because I believe that they provide excellent opportunities for learning and teaching for training themselves among persons with the same age.
Department of Basic Science,
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences,
The University of Tokyo, Komaba.
Office address:
3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902
JAPAN
Email address: Lab website
