GO TOP

Field

Molecular and Chemical Life Science :
Cooperative faculties

Research

Associate Professor SATO Shinichi
Campus Aobayama campus
Laboratory Functional Chemical Proteomics
Tel +81-22-795-5262
E-mail shinichi.sato.e3@tohoku.ac.jp
Website https://www2.fris.tohoku.ac.jp/~sato/
Career
  • B.Sc (Organic Chemistry : April 2002 – March 2006) –Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Japan (Prof. Tomomi Kawasaki)
  • M.Sc (Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry: April 2006 –March 2008) –University of Tokyo, Japan (Prof. Yuichi Hashimoto)
  • Ph.D (Organic Chemistry, Chemical Biology : April 2008 – March 2011)-University of Tokyo, Japan, (and worked in RIKEN, Japan as Ph.D student, October 2008 –March 2011) (Prof. Yuichi Hashimoto and Prof. Mikiko Sodeoka)
  • Riken Junior Research Associate (April 2009 – March 2010) (Prof. Mikiko Sodeoka)
  • Japan Society For The Promotion of Science (JSPS), Young Scientist Research Fellow (DC2) (April 2010 – March 2011)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher (April 2011 – March 2012)-Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo (Prof. Yuichi Hashimoto)
  • Postdoctoral Researcher (May 2011 – March 2012)-The Scripps Research Institute, U.S.A. (Prof. Carlos F. Barbas III)
  • Assistant Professor (April 2012 – January 2014)-Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Japan. (Prof. Hiroyuki Nakamura)
  • Assistant Professor (February 2014 – March 2020)-Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. (Prof. Hiroyuki Nakamura)
  • Assistant Professor (April 2020 – March 2024)-Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Japan. (PI, mentor: Prof. Minoru Ishikawa)
  • Associate Professor (April 2024 – March 2025)-Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Japan. (PI) 
  • Associate Professor (Distinguished Associate Professor)(April 2025 – present)-Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, Japan. (PI for International Excellence) 
     
Selected Publications
【Review】
  1. Liu Z., Okamoto Y., Sato S.*, Photocatalytic Structures for Protein Modifications. ChemCatCheme 202301424 (2024). 
【Original Articles】
  1. Nakane K., Fujimura C., Miyano S., Liu Z., Niwa T., Nishi H., Kadonosono T., Taguchi H., Tomoshige S., Ishikawa M., Sato S.*, Laccase-catalyzed tyrosine click reaction with 1-methyl-4-arylurazole: rapid labeling on protein surfaces. Chem. Commun. 60, 14208-14211 (2024). 
  2. Okamoto Y.*, Mabuchi T., Nakane K., Ueno A., Sato S.*, Switching Type I/Type II Reactions by Turning a Photoredox Catalyst into a Photo-Driven Artificial Metalloenzyme. ACS Catal. 13, 4131–4141 (2023). 
  3. Sato S.*, Matsumura M., Ueda H., Nakamura H., Preparation of antigen-responsive fluorogenic immunosensor by tyrosine chemical modification of antibody complementarity determining region. Chem. Commun. 57, 9760-9763 (2021). 
  4. Nakane K., Sato S.*, Niwa T., Tsushima M., Tomoshige S., Taguchi H., Ishikawa M., Nakamura H., Proximity Histidine Labeling by Umpolung Strategy Using Singlet Oxygen. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 143, 7726–7731 (2021). 
  5. Sato S., Nakamura H.*, Ligand-directed Selective Protein Modification Based on Local Single Electron Transfer Catalysis. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 52, 8681-8684 (2013).

Recent Activities

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics has revolutionized biological analysis, enabling simultaneous detection of thousands of proteins and single-cell level analysis. Our laboratory develops unique chemical tools to advance next-generation proteomics, including: light-controlled nanometer-precision protein labeling technology, molecular recognition site identification tools that determine where protein interactions occur, and selective labeling platforms for aggregated proteins. By integrating these chemical methods with cutting-edge proteomics technology, we achieve "chemical precision × proteomics scale" research, targeting applications from basic life science understanding to drug discovery and diagnostics development.

Message to Students

Our laboratory is dedicated to developing and applying innovative methodologies that contribute to diverse life science research fields. Through our highly original research approaches, access to world-class proteomics analytical instruments, and collaborative research with interdisciplinary scientists, we aim to cultivate researchers who can think about life science phenomena at the chemical level and make global impact in the international scientific community.
We believe that the combination of cutting-edge chemical tools and advanced proteomics technology will prepare you to become a globally competitive scientist capable of addressing complex biological questions from a unique molecular perspective. Our research environment provides opportunities to develop both technical expertise and cross-cultural communication skills essential for worldwide scientific collaboration.
Laboratory visits and on-line interview are always welcome! Let's explore the exciting world of molecular life sciences together!