Research Theme

Dynamical Ordering of Biomolecular Systems for Creation of Integrated Functions

Keywords

Biomolecule, Dynamical Ordering, NMR

Living systems are characterized as dynamic processes of assembly and disassembly of various biomolecules that are self-organized, interacting with the external environment. The omics-based approaches developed in recent decades have provided comprehensive information regarding biomolecules as parts of living organisms. However, fundamental questions still remain unsolved as to how these biomolecules are ordered autonomously to form flexible and robust systems. Biomolecules with complicated, flexible structures are selforganized through weak interactions giving rise to supramolecular complexes that adopt their own dynamic, asymmetric architectures. These processes are coupled with expression of integrated functions in the biomolecular systems.

Toward an integrative understanding of the principles behind the biomolecular ordering processes, we conduct multidisciplinary approaches based on detailed analyses of dynamic structures and interactions of biomolecules at atomic level, in conjunction with the methodologies of molecular and cellular biology along with synthetic and computational technique.

Formation of supramolecular machinery through dynamic assembly and disassembly of biomolecules.

Selected Publications

1. S.Yanaka and K.Kato, “Fc architecture and emerging principles in antibody engineering: From modular views to dynamic networks,” in Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry IV (D.P.Rotella and S.E.Ward Eds.), Elsevier (Amsterdam), vol. 3, pp. 231–246 (2026).
2. H.Yagi, S.Tateo, and K.Kato, “Regulation of glycan modification by glycosyltransferases in the Golgi apparatus,” in The Golgi Network II (A.Nakano and J.Saraste Eds.), Subcellular Biochemistry, Springer (Cham) vol. 111, pp.251-267 (2026)
3. K.Kato, S.Yanaka, and H.Yagi, “Glycoprotein preparation by heterologous expression,” in NMR of Glycoproteins (J.Jiménez-Barbero and O.Millet Eds.), Methods in Molecular Biology, Humana (New York), vol. 2961, pp.53-67 (2025)
4. K.Kato, S.Yanaka, and T.Yamaguchi, “The synergy of experimental and computational approaches for visualizing glycoprotein dynamics: Exploring order within the apparent disorder of glycan conformational ensembles”, Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 92, 103049 (2025)
5. K.Kato, S.Yanaka, and H.Yagi, “Technical basis for nuclear magnetic resonance approach for glycoproteins”, in Experimental Approaches of NMR Spectroscopy II (The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Society of Japan Ed.), Springer Nature (Singapore), pp.169-195 (2025)
6. H.Yagi, K.Takagi, and K.Kato, “Exploring domain architectures of human glycosyltransferases: Highlighting the functional diversity of non-catalytic add-on domains,” Biochim. Biophys. Acta –General Subjects, 1868, 130687 (2024)