Enriching human's lives by making the unmeasurable measurable.

People

Yusuke SATO

1.What kind of the research are you doing?

Main research is to develop analytical tools for extracellular vesicles that are secreted by almost all cells. These vesicles contain a variety of biomolecules such as nucleic acids, lipids and proteins. I am working on the creation of functional chemical probes for analysis of the structures and the functions of such vesicles with a view toward the diagnostic/therapeutic applications. Now I am also interested in similar class of vesicles including enveloped virus as well as lipid nanoparticle-based vaccines.

2.What is the reason for starting your study?

I joined the analytical chemistry laboratory in the department of chemistry, Graduate School of Science at Tohoku University, where I started the research about nucleic acid-chemistry. It was a very surprise for me to know the chance to study biomolecule-related chemistry for medicinal applications even at the Graduate School of Science. However, I was lucky to have the opportunity to learn how to face biomolecules as just one chemical compound, and to think about analytical methods with their structural formulas in my mind, through chemistry-based research. During working on this direction, my interest has extended to the analysis of similar chemical compounds, which drives me to consider how they can be targeted by analytical methods.

3.Message for prospective students

I think that bioanalytical chemistry can contribute the enrichment of humans’ lives by creating new methodologies for analysis of the molecules that cannot be targeted by traditional methods. Isn't it exciting just to think about applying what you are studying now to your research and how it will benefit society?

Compared to my student days, the amount of information available has increased dramatically, so I think the ability to choose what you want from the vast amount of information available to you now will become more important. I think it would be good to acquire knowledge that will serve as a basis for your selection and selection by studying and researching on your own, and to increase the breadth of your knowledge by talking and interacting with your friends and faculty members around you.

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