BB-EIT: A Generalized Prediction Model for Protein Adsorption on Polymer Brushes Using Augmented Chemical Embeddings Precise control of protein adsorption on polymer surfaces is essential in materials science and biomaterial design, with applications in antifouling materials, biosensors, cell culture, and drug delivery systems. However, the complex interactions between polymers and proteins and the limited availability of high-quality interaction data remain major challenges in polymer informatics. Current approaches often lack the generalizability needed to model diverse polymer–protein systems within a single unified framework, and there is a paucity of comprehensive predictive models capable of handling diverse polymer–protein interactions. To address these challenges, we introduce BB-EIT (Biointerface BERT Encoder for Interaction Translation), a novel generalized model designed to accurately predict the amount of diverse protein adsorption on polymer brushes. BB-EIT leverages the pretrained ChemBERTa large language model (LLM) architecture using SMILES strings for robust chemical representation and convenient data augmentation through SMILES enumeration. By adapting the pretrained model with an extended layer integrating a comprehensive set of physicochemical and biochemical features, including polymer thickness, water contact angle, and surface charge as well as protein isoelectric point (pI) and size, the BB-EIT showed state-of-the-art performance and strong generalizability. The model accurately predicted the adsorption behavior in previously unseen polymer and protein systems. This work represents an important step toward the data-driven design of biomaterials with tailored protein adsorption properties.

RIKEN BDR's Shiwei Su, Nobuyuki Tanaka & others developed a new AI model “Biointerface BERT Encoder for Interaction Translation (BB-EIT)” that can accurately predict protein adsorption across a wide range of polymer surfaces, useful for biomaterial design.
doi.org/10.1021/acsa...

タンパク質吸着量を予測する新AIを開発 理研らの研究チームは、ポリマーの表面にどれくらいのタンパク質が吸着するかを、最新の人工知能（AI）技術を用いて高精度予測するAIモデル「BB-EIT（Bio-interface BERT Encoder for Interaction Translation）」を開発しました。

【プレスリリース】
理研BDRのSU Shiwei特別研究員らは、ポリマーの表面にどれくらいのタンパク質が吸着するかを、最新のAI技術を用いて、広範な材料とタンパク質の組み合わせに対して吸着傾向を正しく導き出せる汎用性のある高精度予測AIモデル「BB-EIT」を開発しました。
www.riken.jp/press/2026/2...

Designing protein-based artificial kinetochores as decoys to prevent meiotic errors in oocytes - Nature Cell Biology Zhou et al. design protein-based artificial kinetochore constructs as decoys to prevent premature chromosomal separation in aged oocytes. These constructs compete with chromosomal kinetochores, reduci...

The above study was published in #NatureCellBiology.

"Designing protein-based artificial kinetochores as decoys to prevent meiotic errors in oocytes."

doi.org/10.1038/s415...

Taking the pressure off aging chromosomes during meiosis RIKEN researchers have developed protein assemblies that relieve the strain on chromosome pairs during cell division, and which could ultimately be used to facilitate healthy reproduction in older par...

Read about a study led by BDR's Tomoya Kitajima showing that a protein-based artificial #kinetochore they developed can serve as decoys to relieve pulling forces acting on #chromosome pairs in dividing aged mouse #oocytes to prevent premature segregation.
👇
www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs...

RIKEN BDR is now entering its 9th year!
We begin FY2026 with 34 principal investigators.
Stay tuned for updates on our research, events, and job opportunities.
Thank you for your continued support!

理研BDR 生命機能科学 連携大学院研究室見学会 Online 2026

理研BDRでは、連携大学院制度を通して積極的に大学院生を受け入れています。
4月11日(土)に理研 生命機能科学連携大学院研究室見学会をオンラインで開催します。
研究室紹介の聴講・オンライン個別訪問が可能な研究室、参加方法等をご確認の上、是非ご参加ください。
www.bdr.riken.jp/daigakuin/

理研BDRは活動開始から9年目に入りました。
2026年度は34名の研究室主宰者とともにスタートです。
研究成果や教育・学術イベント、採用情報など発信していきますので、今年度もどうぞよろしくお願いします！

Circumferential actomyosin bundles anchored by CCM1 drive endothelial cell contraction and vessel constriction - Nature Communications Dysregulation of blood vessel size can cause vascular malformations. Here, the authors demonstrate that endothelial cells generate circumferential actomyosin cables to control the size of cells and ve...

The above study by Yan Chen, @phnglab.bsky.social, @labphb.bsky.social and others was published in #NatureCommunications.

"Circumferential actomyosin bundles anchored by CCM1 drive endothelial cell contraction and vessel constriction."
doi.org/10.1038/s414...

When vessel constriction fails: Cellular mechanics linking developmental remodeling to vascular malformations

📃Read about a study led by Yan Chen & @phnglab.bsky.social revealing how circumferential actomyosin drives contraction of endothelial cells to regulate blood vessel diameter, and how vascular malformations can arise when these cellular mechanics go awry.
👇
www.bdr.riken.jp/en/news/rese...

Call for applications for the position of Special Postdoctoral Researcher (SPDR) for FY 2027

📢Apply for RIKEN Special Postdoctoral Researchers (SPDR) position for FY2027!

Many BDR labs are open to hosting SPDRs!
Contact the head of the lab you are interested in working in before applying.

Deadline to register basic info: 17:00 Apr 2, 2026 JST
See full details👇
www.riken.jp/en/careers/p...

The program for the RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 is now available from the link below👇
www2.bdr.riken.jp/sympo/2026/p...

📣Final call to submit abstracts for poster presentations or to register for the RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 "Biological Horizons: Innovative Explorations into Life's Mechanisms and Dynamics" to be held March 2-3, in Kobe.

Deadline extended to Feb 4, 2026.

Details👉 www2.bdr.riken.jp/sympo/2026/

RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 -Biological Horizons: Innovative Explorations into Life’s Mechanisms and Dynamics- will be held at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research in Kobe, Japan on March 2 to 3...

RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026「Biological Horizons: Innovative Explorations into Life’s Mechanisms and Dynamics」を2026年3月2-3日に理研BDRにて開催します。

ポスター発表演題登録・参加登録は2月4日まで延長しています。
ぜひこの機会にご参加ください！
www2.bdr.riken.jp/sympo/2026/i...

RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 -Biological Horizons: Innovative Explorations into Life’s Mechanisms and Dynamics- will be held at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research in Kobe, Japan on March 2 to 3...

🚨Last call to submit abstract for poster presentation or to register for the RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 "Biological Horizons: Innovative Explorations into Life's Mechanisms and Dynamics" to be held March 2-3, 2026 in Kobe, Japan.

Deadline: Feb 1, 2026 JST
Details👉 www2.bdr.riken.jp/sympo/2026/

RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 -Biological Horizons: Innovative Explorations into Life’s Mechanisms and Dynamics- will be held at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research in Kobe, Japan on March 2 to 3...

RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026「Biological Horizons: Innovative Explorations into Life’s Mechanisms and Dynamics」を2026年3月2-3日に理研BDRにて開催します。

ポスター発表演題登録・参加登録は2月1日までです。
ぜひご参加ください！

🔗 www2.bdr.riken.jp/sympo/2026/

An extensive ER network develops in the olfactory hair cells of Drosophila. Inagaki et al. @riken-bdr.bsky.social report that the transmembrane protein Gore-tex controls a novel ER to the plasma membrane trafficking pathway essential for the cuticular nanopore formation. rupress.org/jcb/article/...

Endoplasmic reticulum patterns insect cuticle nanostructure. New study from Sachi Inagaki, Shigeo Hayashi @riken-bdr.bsky.social and colleagues: rupress.org/jcb/article/...

🎦 See video summary by Sachi Inagaki 👉 youtu.be/50JRPysrTNU

#Drosophila #ER_literature #Development #Organelles

ノックイン技術がシリアンハムスターで利用可能に 理研BDR生体モデル開発チームの繁田麻葉 専門技術員らは、ノックイン技術が確立されていなかったシリアンハムスターにおいて、CRISPR/Cas9ゲノム編集を用いた前核期胚マイクロインジェクションによって、ノックインシリアンハムスターの作製に世界で初めて成功した。本成果は科学誌genesisに2025年9月18日付で掲載された。

理研BDR生体モデル開発チームの繁田麻葉 専門技術員らは、ノックイン技術が確立されていなかったシリアンハムスターにおいて、CRISPR/Cas9ゲノム編集を用いた前核期胚マイクロインジェクションによって、ノックインシリアンハムスターの作製に世界で初めて成功しました。
www.bdr.riken.jp/ja/news/rese...

小胞体による細胞外基質のナノ加工作用を発見 理研らの共同研究グループは、細胞外基質の一つ、昆虫の体表面を覆うクチクラのナノメートル（nm、1nmは10億分の1メートル）サイズの微細構造が、細胞内の小胞体と細胞膜の相互作用によって生み出されることを発見しました。

【プレスリリース】
理研BDRの稲垣幸テクニカルスタッフ(研究当時)らは、細胞外基質の一つである昆虫の体表面を覆うクチクラのナノメートルサイズの微細構造が、細胞内の小胞体と細胞膜の相互作用によって生み出されることを発見しました。
www.riken.jp/press/2026/2...

圧縮的な細胞環境をつくる細胞外基質の新機能 理研らの研究チームは、細胞外基質が細胞に対して圧縮力を及ぼすような環境（圧縮的な環境）をつくり出し、その結果として、昆虫の表皮を覆うクチクラに微細構造が構築されることを発見しました。

【プレスリリース】
理研BDRの板倉由季研究員(研究当時)らは、ショウジョウバエの嗅覚毛細胞が細胞外基質であるZPDタンパク質に「雲」のように覆われて圧縮力を受けることで、クチクラ層に多数のナノポアが構築されることを発見しました。
www.riken.jp/press/2026/2...

Vasopressin-to-oxytocin receptor crosstalk in the preoptic area underlying parental behaviors in male mice - Nature Communications Neural mechanisms underlying shift toward caregiving behaviors in male animals are not fully understood. Here authors show that parental behaviors in male mice are facilitated by vasopressin released ...

Study by Kengo Inada, Kazunari Miyamichi, et al. reveals that paternal caregiving behavior in mice can be promoted by vasopressin neuropeptides through binding to oxytocin receptors in the preoptic area, i.e. vasopressin-to-oxytocin receptor crosstalk.
#NatureCommunications
doi.org/10.1038/s414...

バソプレシンが父親の子育てを支える仕組み 理研らの共同研究チームは、神経ペプチドの一つであるバソプレシンが、オキシトシン受容体への結合を介して、雄マウスの養育行動に重要な役割を果たしていることを明らかにしました。

【プレスリリース】
理研BDRの稲田健吾研究員らは、視床下部のバソプレシン神経細胞から分泌されるバソプレシンが、オキシトシン受容体への結合を介して、雄マウスの養育行動に重要な役割を果たしていることを明らかにしました。
www.riken.jp/press/2025/2...

📣Reminder about the RIKEN BDR Symposium 2026 to be held March 2-3 in Kobe, Japan.

Deadline to submit abstracts for talks, apply for travel grants, or to register if you live outside Japan is December 14!

For more details & other deadlines, see the website:
www2.bdr.riken.jp/sympo/2026/

Sperm tails and male infertility: critical protein revealed by ultrastructure microscope

Read the #RIKEN press release summarizing the study led by Shibuya👇

"Sperm tails and male infertility: critical protein revealed by ultrastructure microscope"
www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs...

Centrin-POC5 inner scaffold provides distal centriole integrity for sperm flagellar assembly Expansion microscopy illuminates centriole dynamics during sperm development.

Team led by Hiroki Shibuya revealed major centriolar structural changes during flagellar assembly of mouse #sperm using ultrastructure expansion microscopy #UExM and identified Poc5 protein as a key factor ensuring structural integrity of sperm flagellum.
In #ScienceAdvances
doi.org/10.1126/scia...

精子形成に伴う細胞小器官の構造変化 理研らの国際共同研究チームは、精子形成に伴う中心小体の特殊な構造変化を発見し、精子の尻尾（べん毛）の形成機構の一端を明らかにしました。本研究成果は、精子の運動不全に起因する男性不妊のメカニズムの理解や診断法の開発に貢献することが期待されます。

【プレスリリース】
理研BDRの竹田穣 基礎科学特別研究員らは、精子形成の過程で起こる中心小体内部構造の時空間的変化を高解像度で観察し、中心小体内部に存在する内側足場構造と呼ばれる部分の脆弱性が、べん毛形成の異常や雄性不妊の一因になることを明らかにしました。
www.riken.jp/press/2025/2...

[3P-795] Reconstruction of a Three-Layered Urothelium and Establishment of a Novel In Vitro Model for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) | The 48th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan ... The 48th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan

BDR's Mizuki Fukuda is presenting a poster at #MBSJ2025!

🗓️Dec 5, 2025 (Day 3) 17:00 JST
📌Poster no.: 3P-795
"Reconstruction of a Three-Layered Urothelium and Establishment of a Novel In Vitro Model for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)"
pub.confit.atlas.jp/en/event/mbs...

第48回日本分子生物学会年会 | Confit 第48回日本分子生物学会年会の大会サイトです。

#MBSJ2025 にて、理研BDRの福田瑞起さんがポスター発表を行います！

日時：3日目(12月5日) 17:00〜
ポスター番号：3P-795
「3層構造を再現した膀胱上皮の作製と新規尿路感染症（UTI）in vitroモデルの確立」

ぜひお越しください！
pub.confit.atlas.jp/ja/event/mbs...

Temporal changes in amino acid profiles coordinate mosquito physiology and egg maturation in Aedes aegypti - BMC Biology Background Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes utilize host blood to support egg maturation by digesting, absorbing, and metabolizing its components. Among these, amino acids are essential as both signali...

Y Kato, A Oi, N Dohmae, F Obata & C Sakuma systematically profiled #aminoacids in the #mosquito body, ovaries and excreta over time after blood feeding and found distinct temporal dynamics across amino acids, balancing demands of egg maturation and survival.
In #BMCBiology
doi.org/10.1186/s129...

[3PS-14] 【E】State of the Art Kidney Organoid Research to Rebuild a Transplantable Kidney | The 48th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan | Confit Fri. Dec 5, 2025 2:20 PM - 4:20 PM JST The 48th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan

BDR Team Director Minoru Takasato is organizing a symposium at #MBSJ2025!

🗓️Day 3: Dec 5, 2025, 14:20 JST
📌Symposium: 3PS-14 State-of-the-art kidney organoid research to rebuild a transplantable kidney
pub.confit.atlas.jp/en/event/mbs...