TEKMOF User Conference 2026
Toward the frontier of crystalline sponge method R&D and building a co-creation network
TEKMOF is holding its first User Conference to strengthen collaboration with user companies, research institutions, and partners toward further development of molecular analysis technologies using the crystalline sponge method. This event will include updates on TEKMOF's R&D and business progress, introductions to the latest research, special lectures by outside experts, a panel discussion, and a networking reception. Please join us at this forum for cross-industry knowledge sharing and new collaboration opportunities.
Event Overview
Organizer
TEKMOF Co., Ltd.
Date/Time
Wednesday, September 9, 14:00–19:00 (doors open 13:30)
Venue
iCONM, 2nd floor open space, Tonomachi, Kawasaki City
Capacity
30 people (advance registration required)
Target audience
Those in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food, analytical instruments, research institutions, and investment
Participation fee
Free
Program
14:00-14:10
Opening remarks and business report
TEKMOF CEO Chiaki Tsuboi
14:10-14:30
TEKMOF R&D progress report
TEKMOF CSO Masaki Kawano
14:30-14:55
Special lecture: "Usefulness of the crystalline sponge method in structure determination of marine natural products"
Arihiro Iwasaki, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, Chuo University
Abstract: The speaker works on isolation and determination of the structures of novel natural products from marine cyanobacteria found in the Nansei Islands. Using the crystalline sponge method, his team has succeeded in determining trace-level structures of novel natural products with diverse skeletons, including macrolides, terpenes, and peptides. These structures have also been validated using conventional methods such as NMR, confirming the reliability of results obtained via the crystalline sponge method. This talk will present these research outcomes.
14:55-15:05
Break
15:05-15:30
Special lecture: "Application examples of the crystalline sponge method to components derived from crude drugs and Kampo medicine"
Yuta Koseki, Tsumura & Co., Crude Drug Research Laboratories
Abstract: The components derived from crude drugs and Kampo medicine are highly diverse in structure, ranging from hydrophobic to hydrophilic compounds. TEKMOF's TM-1 offers coordination-bonding sites along with a network of water-molecule interactionsthat show strong applicability to the structural analysis of such components. This talk will cover examples of applying TM-1 with crude-drug/Kampo-derived components, along with case studies, introducing and training newcomers to the crystalline sponge method, outlining its practicality and versatility.
15:30-15:55
Special lecture: "Introduction to joint research with the Kawano Laboratory"
Mutsumi Mukaida, Asahi Kasei Therapeutics Co., Ltd., Pharmaceutical Research Center
Abstract: This talk will report on joint research between Asahi Kasei Pharma (now Asahi Kasei Therapeutics) and the Kawano Laboratory at Tokyo Institute of Technology (now Institute of Science Tokyo). Using the MOF "Co-TPHAP" developed in the lab, the team performed inclusion and structural analysis of various compounds, successfully determining the structures of over 15 compounds, including oily ones. The talk will also cover trends observed in optimizing soaking-solution concentration and inclusion success rates.
15:55-16:10
Bruker seminar: Introduction to single-crystal X-ray equipment
16:10-16:20
Break
16:20-16:45
Special lecture: "Exploring BNI-active substances derived from finger millet for low-input agriculture"
Junnosuke Otaka, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)
Abstract: In modern agriculture, more than half of applied ammonium nitrogen fertilizer is nitrified by soil microbes into nitrates before being used by crops, contributing to water pollution and nitrous oxide emissions. Aiming to reduce environmental impact and improve nitrogen-use efficiency, the speaker's team are researching biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) substances released from crop roots. This talk will report on their search for, and structural analysis of BNI substances derived from finger millet, alongside recent trends in BNI research.
16:45-17:25
Panel discussion
featuring:
Arihiro Iwasaki (Chuo University),
Yuta Koseki (Tsumura & Co.),
Mutsumi Mukaida (Asahi Kasei Therapeutics),
Junnosuke Otaka (JIRCAS),
Masaki Kawano (TEKMOF CSO), and
Chiaki Tsuboi (TEKMOF CEO, moderator)
17:25-17:30
Closing remarks
TEKMOF CEO Chiaki Tsuboi
17:30-19:00
Networking reception (standing buffet, including an iCONM lab tour)
for those who wish to attend
Speaker Profiles
Arihiro Iwasaki, Ph.D. (Science)
Associate Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Fundamental Science and Engineering, Chuo University / Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry
Career: Completed Ph.D. at Keio University Graduate School of Science and Technology (2016); Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Keio University (2017); Senior Lecturer, same department (2022); Associate Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, Chuo University (2023); Associate Professor, Chuo University School of Science and Engineering following a departmental reorganization and title change (2026–present).
Yuta Koseki, Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Standard Substances Group, Crude Drug Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co.
Career: Graduated from the University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Chemistry (March 2012); joined Tsumura & Co. (April 2012); entered Chiba University Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences program (April 2023); completed the program and earned a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (September 2025–present); also served in the 2nd and 3rd terms of a University of Tokyo industry-academia collaboration course.
Mutsumi Mukaida, Ph.D. (Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Analysis Group, CMC Research Department, Pharmaceutical Research Center, Asahi Kasei Therapeutics Co., Ltd.
Career: Graduated from Tokyo University of Science, Faculty of Engineering, Industrial Chemistry (2005); completed master's degree, same university's graduate school (2007); worked at Toray Industries (2007); joined Asahi Kasei Therapeutics (2010–present); earned Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Takasaki University of Health and Welfare (2017).
Junnosuke Otaka, Ph.D. (Agriculture)
Senior Researcher, Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)
Career: Completed Ph.D. at Meiji University Graduate School of Agriculture (2014); Special Postdoctoral Researcher, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (2014); Special Postdoctoral Researcher, RIKEN (2015–2018); Tenure-track Researcher, JIRCAS (2019–2023); Senior Researcher, JIRCAS (2024–present).
Masaki Kawano, Ph.D. (Science)
Professor, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Science Tokyo;
CSO, TEKMOF Co., Ltd.
Career: Completed Ph.D. in Chemistry at Waseda University Graduate School of Science and Engineering; Associate Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering; Professor, Department of Advanced Materials Science, POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology); Professor, Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Science Tokyo since 2015 to present. Founder and Technical Advisor of TEKMOF.
Chiaki Tsuboi, Ph.D. (Agriculture)
CEO, TEKMOF Co., Ltd.
Career: Completed Ph.D. in Forest Science at Kyoto University Graduate School of Agriculture; led novel analytical technology research at Asahi Kasei Pharma (now Asahi Kasei Therapeutics), where he later collaborated with co-founders Kawano and Wada on MOF-based molecular structure analysis research that became the technical foundation of TEKMOF; worked in incubation and investment for overseas startups at Corundum System Biology Co., Ltd.; co-founded TEKMOF and serves as Representative Director and CEO.
Registration
Free admission, pre-registration required.
*This seminar has concluded.
Thank you very much to everyone who participated!
Venue Access
210-0821 Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku
Nanomedical Innovation Center
iCONM 2nd floor
[Google Maps Link]
*Detailed access information will be provided to participants.
We will inform you separately.
inquiry
TEKMOF Co., Ltd.
User Conference Secretariat
Email: event@tekmof.com