—— RIKEN — MOLECULAR BIOREGULATIO

Manuplating biological function with synthetic molecules

Increasing food production is an urgent challenge for sustaining human society. However, this goal is being hindered by various factors, including climate change. Our research team addresses this challenge through both chemical and biological approaches. By means of rational molecular design and screening of compound libraries, we generate novel molecules capable of regulating plant physiological functions. Using these molecules, we identify genes that are essential for stable food production and develop optimal strategies for controlling plant growth in diverse agricultural settings. Through this interdisciplinary research, we aim to uncover new avenues for solving global-scale challenges that could not be addressed by conventional methods, while also opening up new fields of study.
THEME 01
Chemical Control of Plant Reproduction
We aim to accelerate both breeding and basic research by using chemical approaches to control plant reproduction and flowering, thereby reducing the time constraints associated with crossing.
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THEME 02
Precise Control of Plant Hormone Signaling
By combining the bump-hole approach for receptor engineering with ligand design, we develop novel technologies to control hormone functions at the receptor level.
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THEME 03
Mechanisms and Control of Chloroplast Degradation
We investigate the mechanisms underlying chloroplast degradation and seek to improve crop yield and quality through artificial regulation of this process.
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― NEWS

News

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― OUR MISSION

Understanding Plant Signaling through Chemical Approaches and Applying It to Plant Control

Through rational molecular design and screening of chemical libraries, we create novel molecules that control biological phenomena. Using these molecules, we elucidate the mechanisms underlying life processes and aim to contribute to solving global-scale challenges such as food security and environmental issues.

Strigolactones
Chemical biology of parasitic plants / receptor chemistry for germination control and ligand design
Plant Immunity
Analysis and control of defense responses using fluorescent probes and small-molecule modulators
Development of Chemical Tools
Expansion of analytical platforms in plant life science through the design of fluorescent probes, assay systems, and small molecules

― FEATURED PUBLICATION

Publications

Chemical genetics reveals cross-regulation of plant developmental signaling by the immune peptide-receptor pathway

Arvid Herrmann, Krishna Mohan Sepuru, Pengfei Bai, Hitoshi Endo, Ayami Nakagawa, Shuhei Kusano, Asraa Ziadi, Hiroe Kato, Ayato Sato, Jun Liu, Libo Shan, Seisuke Kimura, Kenichiro Itami, Naoyuki Uchida, Shinya Hagihara, Keiko U. Torii*

  • Sci. Adv. 2025, 11, eads3718.

Autophagosome development and chloroplast segmentation occur synchronously for piecemeal degradation of chloroplasts

Masanori Izumi*, Sakuya Nakamura, Kohei Otomo, Hiroyuki Ishida, Jun Hidema, Tomomi Nemoto, Shinya Hagihara

  • eLife 2024, 12, RP93232.

Radicle Growth Regulation of Root Parasitic Plants by Auxin-related Compounds

Kei Tsuzuki, Taiki Suzuki, Michio Kuruma, Kotaro Nishiyama, Ken-ichiro Hayashi, Shinya Hagihara, Yoshiya Seto*

  • Plant Cell Physiol. 2024, 65, 1377-1387.

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― OUR TEAM

Members

Team Director
Shinya Hagihara
Overall team management / Control of plant hormone signaling (small molecules)
Senior Research Scientist
Masanori Izumi
Chloroplast degradation (autophagy) / Chlorophagy / Plant bioimaging
Senior Research Scientist
Shuhei Kusano
Organic synthetic chemistry / Chemical biology (development of chemical tools)

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― SNS · Updates

SNS

― WANTED

We Are Looking for the Next Generation of Researchers

We are recruiting graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to join our chemical biology research on plants. We welcome applicants from chemistry (molecular design and synthesis), molecular biology, cell biology, bioinformatics, and related fields. Regardless of prior specialization, we encourage anyone with curiosity and enthusiasm for research to apply.

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― ACCESS

Access

ADDRESS

2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198
S01, Room N401, RIKEN
Molecular Bioregulation Research Team

TRANSPORTATION

20-minute walk from Wako-shi Station on the Tobu Tojo Line
20-minute walk from Wako-shi Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
20-minute walk from Wako-shi Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line
10 minutes by bus from Nishi-Takashimadaira Station
Parking available (advance request required)

CONTACT

Tel: 048-462-1111
For inquiries regarding lab visits, collaborative research, or recruitment, please feel free to contact us via the inquiry form.

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