Takuho Saito and Shiki Yagai
Introducing the researchers:
Takuho Saito was born in 1996 in Tochigi, Japan. He graduated Chiba University in 2019, and is currently a master’s student under the guidance of Prof. Shiki Yagai at the same University.
Shiki Yagai was born in 1975 in Japan and received his PhD in 2002 at Ritsumeikan University. Then he directly became an assistant professor at Chiba University, and became an associate professor in 2010. In July 2017, he became a full professor in Chiba University. Find out more on his lab webpage.
What inspired your research in this area?
We are always inspired by natural molecules and macromolecules to organize into intricate nanostructures, wherein non-covalent interaction such as hydrogen bonds play important role to achieve hierarchical assembly of structures.
What do you personally feel is the most interesting outcome of your study?
The answer is definitely the fact that just changing the direction of amide groups remarkably improved the thermal stability of our nano-aggregates, as prof. Hackenberger said.
What directions are you planning to take with your research in future?
We are very much interested in the introduction of more amide groups to further improve thermal stability. At the same time, we are interested in the interplay of photoisomerization of azobenzene units and supramolecular chirality.
Read the full article: Hierarchical self-assembly of an azobenzene dyad with inverted amide connection into toroidal and tubular nanostructures
See the other articles showcased in this month’s Editor’s Collection
