Introduction

By conducting rational design based on structural information, we are creating enzymes with significantly enhanced functions or entirely new functions. Additionally, we are exploring microorganisms and degradation enzymes that can decompose and assimilate non-degradable plastics. Such discoveries aim to approach the essence of enzyme reactions, elucidate life functions at the molecular level, develop enzyme catalysts that surpass chemical catalysts and solving the plastic waste problem.

■Biodegradation and Environmental Biotechnology
・Research Objective: To investigate the role of Alcanivorax bacteria as degraders of polypropylene in mesopelagic environments.
- Title: Alcanivorax
bacteria as important polypropylene degraders in mesopelagic environments, Koike Hiroki, Miyamoto Kenji, Teramoto Maki （Applied and Environmental Microbiology） 89 （ 12 ） Dec. 2023
- URL: Alcanivorax
bacteria as important polypropylene degraders in mesopelagic environments
・Research Objective: To introduce PET degrading microorganisms and enzymes, and discuss the evolution and potential applications of PET hydrolytic enzymes to address challenges in microbial and enzymatic PET degradation.
- Title: Biodegradation of PET: Current Status and Application Aspects, Taniguchi Ikuo, Yoshida Shosuke, Hiraga Kazumi, Miyamoto Kenji, Kimura Yoshiharu, Oda Kohei （ACS Catalysis） 9 （ 5 ） 4089-4105 May. 2019
・Research Objective: To enhance the catalytic activity of Thermobifida fusca cutinase for efficient degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) using mutagenesis and additive-based approaches.
- Title: Efficient Degradation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) with Thermobifida fusca Cutinase Exhibiting Improved Catalytic Activity Generated using Mutagenesis and Additive-based Approaches, Furukawa Makoto, Kawakami Norifumi, Tomizawa Atsushi, Miyamoto Kenji （Scientific Reports） 9 （ 1 ） Nov. 2019
■Enzyme Engineering and Catalysis
・Research Objective: Development of an integrated chemo-enzymatic synthesis pathway for producing optically pure flurbiprofen.
- Title: Preparation of optically pure flurbiprofen via an integrated chemo-enzymatic synthesis pathway, Enoki Junichi, Linhorst Max, Busch Florian, Baraibar Álvaro Gomez, Miyamoto Kenji, Kourist Robert, Mügge Carolin （Molecular Catalysis） 467 135-142 Apr. 2019
・Research Objective: Development of a chemoenzymatic cascade synthesis method for producing optically pure short-chain 2-methylalkanoic acids using engineered arylmalonate decarboxylase variants.
- Title: Chemoenzymatic Cascade Synthesis of Optically Pure Alkanoic Acids by Using Engineered Arylmalonate Decarboxylase Variants, Enoki Junichi, Mügge Carolin, Tischler Dirk, Miyamoto Kenji, Kourist Robert （Chemistry – A European Journal） 25 （ 19 ） 5071-5076 Apr. 2019
・Research Objective: To develop a sustainable method for the asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of optically pure flurbiprofen using arylmalonate decarboxylase-catalyzed reactions.
- Title: Arylmalonate Decarboxylase‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of Optically Pure Flurbiprofen, Gaßmeyer Sarah Katharina, Wetzig Jasmin, Mügge Carolin, Assmann Miriam, Enoki Junichi, Hilterhaus Lutz, Zuhse Ralf, Miyamoto Kenji, Liese Andreas, Kourist Robert （ChemCatChem） 8 （ 5 ） 916-921 Mar. 2016
■Biochemical and Molecular Biology
・Research Objective: To investigate the roles of paeoniflorigenone (PFG) as an inducer of premature senescence in normal TIG-1 fibroblasts and as an inhibitor of mitosis in cancerous HeLa cells.
- Title: PFG acted as an inducer of premature senescence in TIG-1 normal diploid fibroblast and an inhibitor of mitosis in the HeLa cells, Huang Ying, Ohno Osamu, Miyamoto Kenji （Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry） 83 （ 6 ） 986-995 Jun. 2019
・Research Objective: To investigate the apoptosis-inducing activity and antiproliferative effect of Paeoniflorigenone from moutan cortex on cancer cell lines.
- Title: Apoptosis-inducing activity and antiproliferative effect of Paeoniflorigenone from moutan cortex, Huang Ying, Ohno Osamu, Suenaga Kiyotake, Miyamoto Kenji （Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry） 81 （ 6 ） 1106-1113 Jun. 2017
・Research Objective: To isolate and characterize a novel bacterium capable of degrading and assimilating poly(ethylene terephthalate) as a major energy and carbon source.
- Title: A bacterium that degrades and assimilates poly(ethylene terephthalate), Yoshida Shosuke, Hiraga Kazumi, Takehana Toshihiko, Taniguchi Ikuo, Yamaji Hironao, Maeda Yasuhito, Toyohara Kiyotsuna, Miyamoto Kenji, Kimura Yoshiharu, Oda Kohei （Science） 351 （ 6278 ） 1196-1199 Mar. 2016
■Nanotechnology and Material Science
・Research Objective: To investigate the thermally reversible gel-sol transition of hydrogels through the dissociation and association of an artificial protein nanocage.
- Title: Thermally Reversible Gel–Sol Transition of Hydrogels via Dissociation and Association of an Artificial Protein Nanocage, Nasu Erika, Kawakami Norifumi, Takamura Shuhei, Hotta Atsushi, Arai Ryoichi, Miyamoto Kenji （Biomacromolecules） 25 （ 4 ） 2358-2366 Apr. 2024
・Research Objective: To demonstrate the design and successful reassembly of split subunits of the 60-mer artificial fusion-protein nanocage TIP60 for versatile modification applications.
- Title: Fusion then fission: splitting and reassembly of an artificial fusion-protein nanocage, Ohara Naoya, Kawakami Norifumi, Arai Ryoichi, Adachi Naruhiko, Ikeda Akihito, Senda Toshiya, Miyamoto Kenji （Chemical Communications） 60 （ 34 ） 4605-4608
・Research Objective: To demonstrate the reversible assembly of an artificial protein nanocage using alkaline earth metal ions for potential use in drug encapsulation and release.
- Title: Reversible Assembly of an Artificial Protein Nanocage Using Alkaline Earth Metal Ions, Ohara Naoya, Kawakami Norifumi, Arai Ryoichi, Adachi Naruhiko, Moriya Toshio, Kawasaki Masato, Miyamoto Kenji （Journal of the American Chemical Society） 145 （ 1 ） 216-223 Jan. 2023
■Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
・Research Objective: To investigate the dependence of the effective distance between the plasma meniscus and the beam extraction grid on the amount of surface H- production in negative hydrogen ion sources.
- Title: Effect of Surface Produced H^-Ion on the Plasma Meniscus in Negative Hydrogen Ion Sources, HAYASHI Katsuya, HOSHINO Kazuo, HATAYAMA Akiyoshi, MIYAMOTO Kenji, LETTRY Jacques （Plasma and Fusion Research） 18 （ 0 ） 1401008-1401008 Mar. 2023
・Research Objective: To investigate the mechanism of the isotope effect on electron density differences in the NIFS negative ion source using a modified 3D kinetic particle tracking model.
- Title: Numerical analysis of isotope effect in NIFS negative ion source, Kato Ryo, Hoshino Kazuo, Nakano Haruhisa, Shibata Takanori, Miyamoto Kenji, Iwanaka Kengo, Hayashi Katsuya, Hatayama Akiyoshi （Journal of Physics: Conference Series） 2244 （ 1 ） 012035 Apr. 2022
・Research Objective: The objective is to theoretically investigate the plasma meniscus in a hydrogen electronegative plasma and derive an analytical formula for the distance between the plasma meniscus and the extraction grid.
- Title: Analysis of the plasma meniscus in a hydrogen electronegative plasma, Miyamoto Kenji, Hayashi Katuya, Hoshino Kazuo, Hatayama Akiyoshi （Plasma Sources Science and Technology） 31 （ 10 ） 105012 Oct. 2022
■Agricultural and Plant Biotechnology
・Research Objective: To develop a method for generating Fusarium oxysporum-suppressive soil using non-soil carriers and a multiple-parallel-mineralization technique.
- Title: Generation of Fusarium oxysporum-suppressive soil with non-soil carriers using a multiple-parallel-mineralization technique, Meeboon Jamjan, Ando Akinori, Ogawa Jun, Miyamoto Kenji, Kato Yasuo, Shinohara Makoto （Scientific Reports） 12 （ 1 ） May. 2022
■Review and Analysis of Recent Applications
・Research Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism and synthetic application of bacterial arylmalonate decarboxylase (AMDase) while the natural role of the enzyme remains unknown.
- Title: Arylmalonate decarboxylase—a highly selective bacterial biocatalyst with unknown function, Miyamoto Kenji, Kourist Robert （Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology） 100 （ 20 ） 8621-8631 Oct. 2016
・Research Objective: To explore the potential applications and limitations of enzymatic decarboxylation for the production of chemicals from renewable resources.
- Title: Enzymatic Decarboxylation—An Emerging Reaction for Chemicals Production from Renewable Resources, Kourist Robert, Guterl Jan‐Karl, Miyamoto Kenji, Sieber Volker （ChemCatChem） 6 （ 3 ） 689-701 Mar. 2014

Areas of Research

・Green Sustainable Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry
・Biochemistry

Social Contributions

・Decomposition and Upcycling of Plastic Waste
・Enhancing Industrial Processes