Research

Proteins are essential components in all living forms. By harnessing their unique attributes, utilization of proteins as isolated molecules emerged as a powerful approach for medicinal and material applications (e.g. therapeutic proteins). The Ohata lab examines selective chemical reactions on proteins, which serve as “chemical tools” for creating new protein-based medicine or materials. In particular, our current interest is to utilize nonaqueous media that are compatible with biomolecules to facilitate unique chemical labeling methods.

1) Phosphine-mediated amine-azide coupling in ionic liquids

2) Fe-sensitive linkage formation with a Wittig reagent

3) Tryptophan-selective catalysis in HFIP