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Introduction of Advisory Board Members
Shuji Akai (Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University)
There used to be laboratories where Ph.D. graduates and those returning from studying abroad were employed to conduct researches and could learn from each other through impassioned discussions. Later they got jobs at universities or public institutions, have been promoted to professors, and now play active roles in education and research. Thus, these laboratories served as a gateway to success for young researchers; however, most of them were unfortunately closed because of various circumstances. Under such situation, the fact that Itsuu Laboratory has continued its research activity for more than 100 years is extremely meaningful. The current Itsuu Laboratory, opened in a new location in 2014, is unique in Japan, which provides young researchers opportunities to freely carry out research activities with four advisory board members who are active professors specialized in diverse areas of organic chemistry.
Each researcher can execute and realize his/her ideas with his/her own hands without any restrictions. They can immerse themselves in research as they wish. Nothing is more fun. We hope that the young researchers make full use of this blessed environment and totally engaged in their work without rushing. We also advise them to have hot discussion among their peers and purely enjoy their own researches. It is very luxurious to have such time when young, and one can only experience it at this time in one’s life.
We welcome young vibrant researchers who wish to build up their skills in this laboratory to take the next step.
Each researcher can execute and realize his/her ideas with his/her own hands without any restrictions. They can immerse themselves in research as they wish. Nothing is more fun. We hope that the young researchers make full use of this blessed environment and totally engaged in their work without rushing. We also advise them to have hot discussion among their peers and purely enjoy their own researches. It is very luxurious to have such time when young, and one can only experience it at this time in one’s life.
We welcome young vibrant researchers who wish to build up their skills in this laboratory to take the next step.
Tomohiko Ohwada, Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo
The new “Itsuu Laboratory” is a research laboratory holding the noble concept of incubating young researcher talents who have just earned their Ph.D. degrees.
It would be right to say that there is hardly similar place anywhere else in Japan. Whether young researchers go into academia, study abroad, or get a job in a company in the future, they will all live as experts in chemistry.
As it can be perceived in the state of the Japanese industries for the recent years, there is no such thing as a stable career path. I have been involved in the academic society for 30 years, where research has trends, but many trends only last for 5 to 6 years. Although it can be promising to be a part of a trend, some people find themselves that they eventually regret it, and wonder what they have been studying all that time after 10 or 15 years. In order to avoid this, it is important to think carefully and take the initiative to look for research themes after earning the degree, rather than becoming part of a trend.
I hope that such young talents would gather and grow, and I look forward to learning from these young people, too.
As it can be perceived in the state of the Japanese industries for the recent years, there is no such thing as a stable career path. I have been involved in the academic society for 30 years, where research has trends, but many trends only last for 5 to 6 years. Although it can be promising to be a part of a trend, some people find themselves that they eventually regret it, and wonder what they have been studying all that time after 10 or 15 years. In order to avoid this, it is important to think carefully and take the initiative to look for research themes after earning the degree, rather than becoming part of a trend.
I hope that such young talents would gather and grow, and I look forward to learning from these young people, too.
Research Advisor
Noritaka Chida(Professor Emeritus, Keio University)
I have been appointed as a research advisor of Research Foundation Itsuu Laboratory, succeeding Prof. Kin-ichi Tadano, as of April 2023. During my time at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, I worked on total synthesis of natural products for approximately 35 years. After retiring from Keio University, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to engage in deep discussions on organic chemistry with young researchers at the Itsuu Laboratory, and have been enjoying stimulating days ever since.
Here at the Itsuu Laboratory, we have prepared state-of-the-art equipment and enlisted world top-level advisory board members to cultivate young researchers who are expected to be future leaders of world’s synthetic organic chemistry. The institute has an environment that allows for original and innovative basic research based on the researchers' own ideas. Discussions with the advisory board members and mutual competition among researchers will deepen the research. The Itsuu Laboratory, with such attractive features, is eagerly awaiting the active participation of motivated and enthusiastic young researchers.
Here at the Itsuu Laboratory, we have prepared state-of-the-art equipment and enlisted world top-level advisory board members to cultivate young researchers who are expected to be future leaders of world’s synthetic organic chemistry. The institute has an environment that allows for original and innovative basic research based on the researchers' own ideas. Discussions with the advisory board members and mutual competition among researchers will deepen the research. The Itsuu Laboratory, with such attractive features, is eagerly awaiting the active participation of motivated and enthusiastic young researchers.
Introduction of Researchers
Kosaku Tanaka Ⅲ
Personal history
- Graduated from Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Meiji Pharmaceutical University
- Graduated with Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Science), Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Meiji Pharmaceutical University
- Postdoctoral Researcher at Meiji Pharmaceutical University
- Postdoctoral Researcher at Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Assistant Professor at Showa Pharmaceutical University
Affiliated academic associations
- The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
- The Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan
Shintaro Shibata
Personal history
- Graduated from Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University
- Received Ph.D. from Department of Multidisciplinary Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
- Postdoctoral Researcher in Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences and Agriculture, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture
- Visiting Researcher in Kanagawa University
- Project Assistant professor in Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kanagawa University
Affiliated academic associations
- The Chemical Society of Japan
- Catalyst Society of Japan
- Japan Zeolite Association
- The Society of Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan
Koki Nakamura
Personal history
- Graduated from Department of Applied Biology and Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Biosciences, Tokyo University of Agriculture
- Graduated with Ph.D. (Agriculture), Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Graduate School of Applied Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture
Affiliated academic associations
- Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry
- Pesticide Science Society of Japan
Theme
- Synthetic Study of Natural C–P Compounds
Yoshifumi Matsuura
Personal history
- Graduated with Ph.D. (Chemistry), Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University. Project researcher
Affiliated academic associations
- The Chemical Society of Japan
- The Japanese Society of Carbohydrate Research
A Cotribution Article
Hisashi Yamamoto, Professor and Directore, Molecular Catalyst Research Center, Chubu University
Alumni
Gifu Pharmaceutical University (Assistant Professor), Juzen Chemical Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Osaka University (Specially-Appointed Assistant Professor), Takasaki University of Health and Welfare (Assistant Professor), Tohoku University (Assistant Professor), Gifu University (Assistant Professor), Tohoku University (Lecturer), Hiroshima University (Assistant Professor), Meiji Pharmaceutical University (Assistant Professor), Kyoto University (Program-Specific Assistant Professor), University of Pennsylvania (Postdoctoral Researcher), Tokyo University of Science (Assistant Professor),PRISM BioLab Co., Ltd., Red Arrow Therapeutics, Inc. etc.
Structure Formula List of the Natural Products Totally Synthesized (PDF)
Structure Formula List of the Natural Products Totally Synthesized in ITSUU Laboratory (1968 - 2004)
Since its establishment on June 10, 1915, in Ashide-machi of Shiba-ku, Tokyo, Japan, the Itsuu Laboratory has moved to Aoyama Minami-machi of Akasaka-ku in 1917 and Kinnocho of Shibuya-ku in 1934. During this period, in 1938, the laboratory was approved as an incorporated foundation. In its 51st year since inception, the laboratory was moved to its present location in Tamagawa, Setagaya-ku, in 1966. This was a period in which new trends were observed in the field of organic chemistry as well. Until then, chemistry on natural products was focused on the structural determination of natural organic compounds, but in addition to such research, this period saw full-scale attempts globally to reproduce these compounds by total synthesis.
The Itsuu Laboratory has an important theme of research called “Pharmaceutical study of aromatic heterocyclic bases.” The goal is to establish new reactions using nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds such as pyridine, isoquinoline, and indole as building blocks and then to use them for synthesizing natural products and physiologically active substances. The Itsuu Laboratory has always adhered the following research steps: i) finding a unique reaction and then ii) using this reaction as part of the total synthesis protocol of natural products to demonstrate its usefulness.
This list provides structural formulas of natural organic compounds reproduced by total synthesis at the Itsuu Laboratory between 1968 and 2004.
The Itsuu Laboratory has an important theme of research called “Pharmaceutical study of aromatic heterocyclic bases.” The goal is to establish new reactions using nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds such as pyridine, isoquinoline, and indole as building blocks and then to use them for synthesizing natural products and physiologically active substances. The Itsuu Laboratory has always adhered the following research steps: i) finding a unique reaction and then ii) using this reaction as part of the total synthesis protocol of natural products to demonstrate its usefulness.
This list provides structural formulas of natural organic compounds reproduced by total synthesis at the Itsuu Laboratory between 1968 and 2004.
