2005 - 2009　

B.S., Biophysics and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo

2009 - 2014　

Ph.D., Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate school of science, The University of Tokyo (Osamu Nureki lab)

2014 - 2019　

Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, School of Medicine, Stanford University (Brian Kobilka lab)

2019 - 2024　

Associate professor, Department of Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo

2024 - present　

Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo

Masahiro received his undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees in Biophysics and Biochemistry at the University of Tokyo. During his graduate studies in the laboratory of Osamu Nureki, Masahiro elucidated the molecular mechanism of nitrate recognition and transport by nitrate/nitrite antiporter NarK. After a short assistant professor at Keio University, he joined the Kato lab in 2019. In Kato lab, Masahiro is interested in the structure-function relationship of GPCR and G protein signaling molecules.

Suhyang received her Ph.D. degrees at Kyoto University. During her graduate studies, Suhyang studied the photochemical properties of Photoactive Yellow Protein (PYP). As a postdoc, she is interested in the strucure-function relationship of broad photoreceptors including PYP and rhodopsins.

Kazuhiro received his undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees in Biophysics and Biochemistry at the University of Tokyo. During his graduate studies, he studied structures and dynamics of class B GPCRs. In Kato lab, Kazuhiro expands his interests to broader membrane proteins and develops novel structural, biological, and medical technologies.

Kouki received his Ph.D. degree at Tohoku University. During his graduate studies, he studied GPCR functions using multiple cell-based assays. In Kato lab, Kouki expands his expertise to structural biology and sheds light on the new aspects of GPCR signalings.

Seiya obtained his M.S. degree at Yokohama National University, where he analyzed the fine structure of the Schiff base region of schizorhodopsin using NMR. Now in the Kato lab, he is studying newly discovered channel-type rhodopsin family proteins using cryo-EM.

Koichiro obtained his B.S. degree in pharmaceutical sciences from Keio University in 2020. He is currently a PhD student at the University of Tokyo, Department of Life Sciences. His research interests include revealing the structure and dynamics of ion-translocating rhodopsins and developing novel optogenetics tools.

Toshiki received his bachelor's degree at UTokyo. As a grad. student, he is interested in the selectivity and dynamics of GPCRs.

Mai received her B.Sc. at Yokohama City University. In the Kato lab, she is interested in exploring GPCRs and GPCR-like proteins.

Asato received his bachelor's degree at UTokyo. As a grad. student, he wants to explore both GPCR and microbial rhodopsin fields.

Ayami received her bachelor's degree at Gakushuin University. As a grad. student, she is interested in the structure and pharmacology of GPCRs.

Kosuke received his bachelor's degree at UTokyo, and he is interested in the evolution of GPCR and G-protein signalings.

Seiwa received his bachelor's degree at Chiba University. As a grad. student, he wants to study both animal and microbial rhodopsins.

Kohei received his bachelor's degree at UTokyo. As a grad. student, he is interested in the structure-function relationship of enzyme rhodopsins.

Yuka received her bachelor's degree at Osaka Prefecture Univ., and she is interested in the development and application of novel optogenetics tools.

Yuzhong received his bachelor's degree at Fudan Univ (Ichikawa lab).

Jie received her bachelor's degree at Fudan Univ (Hattori lab).

Niichi received his bachelor’s degree at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. For him, structural biology is the source of “understanding” — the ultimate priority over anything. He is now looking forward to seeing what he will be in the future, living in this academic field.

Tomohiro received his bachelor's degree at Tohoku University. As a grad. student, he is interested in the complexity of diverse GPCR signalings.