Etsuo KOKUFUTA
GO to Japanese Version
Affiliation University of Tsukuba
Position Professor Emeritus
Degree D.Eng
Professional background(s) Polymer Chemistry, Biomimetic Chemistry, and Colloid Chemistry
Address 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan
Phone +81.29.853.2111
E-mail
Brief Resume
B.Eng.: School of Industrial Technology, Nihon University, 1971
M.Eng.: Graduate School of Industrial Technology, Nihon University, 1973
D. Eng. (Ph.D.): Graduate School of Industrial Technology, Nihon University, 1976
Postdoctoral Associate: Department of Chemistry, University of Tsukuba, 1976-78
Research Associate: Institute of Applied Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba, 1978-79
Assistant Professor: Institute of Applied Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba, 1979-86
Associate Professor: Institute of Applied Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba, 1986-94
Visiting Scientist and Professor: Department of Physics and Center for Materials Science & Engineering, MIT (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA), 1989-90
Professor: Institute of Applied Biochemistry, University of Tsukuba, 1994-2013
Professor: Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 2004-2013
Professor Emeritus: University of Tsukuba, 2013~
Research Interests
Our research projects involve the interdisciplinary areas of polymer chemistry and biochemistry. The novel concept of "biomimetic" chemistry---simulating natural biofunctions in the design and construction of artificial materials or their composites with biopolymers---has been taken into consideration in these projects.

Over the years, we have conducted a large number of extensive experiments in different polymer systems: (i) bulk and nano-gels with immobilized biocatalysts, both the size and shape of which change to create mechanical work by converting biochemical reactions, i.e., "biochemo-mechanical system, (ii) microencapsulated enzymes whose catalytic activities are accurately controllable via changes in externally applied stimuli, (iii) polyelectrolytes and neutral polymers for complex formation with proteins, and (iv) metallo-porphyrin complexes in uphill transport membranes through which several anions are transported against their concentration gradients. Of particular interest are the understanding and explanation of polymer-polymer interactions as well as polymer-protein interactions in these systems. The results from such a fundamental research at the molecular level are then available for the enhancement or improvement of functional capability for each system. Currently developed experimental techniques such as microscopic UV-fluorescence spectroscopy, light scattering, electrophoretic light scattering, and image processing methods are being employed in our laboratory, with appropriate modifications.
The oxidation of glucose with the immobilized GOD bought about gel collapse (see the right-hand photograph), through which biochemical energy would be converted into a mechanical work (the left-hand picture).

Biomimetic chemistry will provide a good basis not only for development of new materials, but also for the understanding of biofunctions in living systems from a different viewpoint other than the usual concepts utilized in biochemistry and molecular biology. Our resent studies for simulation of natural biofunctions with macromolecular systems are focusing on the regulation of hydrophobic interaction and/or hydrogen bonding, both of which serve as an attractive force in balance with a repulsive force, usually electrostatic in nature. Moreover, we are also interested in how to apply knowledge gained from such basic research towards solving problems in the fields of biomedical devices and environmental pollution control techniques.
Selected Publications
1. T. Okubo, A. Tsuchida, E. Kokufuta: Drying Dissipative Structures of Gelatin Solution, Colloid. Polym. Sci., 293[6], 1583-1591 (2015). DOI: 10.1007/s00396-015-3558-z.
2. E. Kokufuta, S. Sato, M. K. Kokufuta: Electrophoretic Behavior of Microgel-Immobilized Polyions, Langmuir, 29 [49], 15442－15449 (2013). DOI: 10.1021/la403597u.
3. M. Masakii, E. Kokufuta: Polyampholyte Gels of a Cross-linked Polyanion or Polycation Network into Which an Oppositely Charged Polyion Was Immobilized: Their pH-Induced Swelling/Shrinking Characteristics, Colloid. Polym. Sci., 291[3], 669-681 (2013). DOI: 10.1007/s00396-012-2771-2.
4. M. K. Kokufuta, S. Sato, E. Kokufuta: Swelling–Shrinking Behavior of Chemically Cross-linked Polypeptide Gels from Poly(alpha-L-lysine), Poly(alpha-DL-lysine), Poly(epsilon-L-lysine) and Thermally Prepared Poly(lysine): Effects of pH, Temperature and Additives in the Solution, Colloid. Surf. B, 87[2], 299–309 (2011). DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2011.05.033.
5. R. Doi, E. Kokufuta: Conductometric and Light Scattering Studies on the Complexation between Cationic Polyelectrolyte Nanogel and Anionic Polyion, Langmuir, 27 [1], 392－398 (2011). DOI: 10.1021/la1037519.
6. R. Doi, E. Kokufuta: On the Water Dispersibility of a 1:1 Stoichiometric Complex between a Cationic Nanogel and Linear Polyanion, Langmuir, 26[16], 13579－13589 (2010). DOI: 10.1021/la101852b.
7. M. Kano, E. Kokufuta: On the Temperature-Responsive Polymers and Gels Based on N-Propylacrylamides and N-Propylmethacrylamides, Langmuir, 25[15], 8649-8655 (2009). DOI: 10.1021/la804286j.
8. M. Furukawa, R. S. Farinato E. Kokufuta: Potentiometric Titration Behavior of Poly(acrylic acid) within a Cross-linked Polymer Network Having Amide Groups, Colloid Polym. Sci., 286[12], 1425-1434 (2008). DOI: 10.1007/s00396-008-1913-z.
9. E. Kokufuta, K. Ogawa, R. Doi, R. Kikuchi, R. S. Farinato: Geometrical Characteristics of Polyelectrolyte Nanogel Particles and Their Polyelectrolyte Complexes Studied by Dynamic and Static Light Scattering, J. Phys. Chem. B, 111[29], 8634-8640 (2007). DOI: 10.1021/jp070147d.
10. M. Miyake, K. Ogawa, E. Kokufuta: Light Scattering Study of Polyelectrolyte Complex Formation between Anionic and Cationic Nanogels in an Aqueous Salt-free System, Langmuir, 22[17], 7335-7341 (2006). DOI: 10.1021/la060701v.
11. E. Kokufuta: Polyelectrolyte Gel Transitions: Experimental Aspects of Charge Inhomogeneity in the Swelling and Segmental Attractions in the Shrinking, Langmuir (Special Issue in Honor of Robert L. Rowell), 21[22], 10004-10015 (2005). DOI: 10.1021/la050530e.
12. Y. Ogawa, K. Ogawa, E. Kokufuta: Swelling-Shrinking Behavior of a Polyampholyte Gel Composed of Positively Charged Networks with Immobilized Polyanions, Langmuir, 20[7], 2546-2552 (2004). DOI: 10.1021/la0347408.
13. H. Suzuki, A. Kumagai, K. Ogawa, E. Kokufuta: New Type of Glucose Sensor Based on Enzymatic Conversion of Gel Volume into Liquid Column Length, Biomacromolecules, 5[2], 486-491 (2004). DOI: 10.1021/bm034331q.
14. T. Matsudo, K. Ogawa, E. Kokufuta: Complex Formation of Protein with Different Water-soluble Synthetic Polymers, Biomacromolecules, 4[6], 1794-1799 (2003). DOI: 10.1021/bm0341935
15. K. Yabusaki, E. Kokufuta: Aggregation Mechanism of Blood Platelets by Time-Resolved Light Scattering Method, Langmuir, 18[1], 39-45 (2002). DOI: 10.1021/la010879b.
16. K. S. Schmitz, B. Wang, E. Kokufuta: Mechanism of Microgel Formation via Crosslinking of Polymers in Their Dilute Solutions: Mathematical Explanation with Computer Simulations, Macromolecules, 34[23], 8370-8377 (2001). DOI: 10.1021/ma010956+.
17. E. Kokufuta, B. Wang, R. Yoshida, A. R. Khokhlov, M. Hirata: Volume Phase Transition of Polyelectrolyte Gels with Different Charge Distributions, Macromolecules, 31[20], 6878-6884 (1998). DOI: 10.1021/ma971565r.
18. E. Kokufuta, S. Matsukawa, T. Tanaka: Enzymatically Induced Reversible Gel-Sol Transition of a Synthetic Polymer System, Macromolecules, 28[9], 3474-3475 (1995). DOI: 10.1021/ma00113a056.
19. E. Kokufuta: Functinal Immobilized Biocatalysts, Prog. Polym. Sci., 17[4], 647-697 (1992). DOI: 10.1016/0079-6700(92)90004-I. PDF.
20. E. Kokufuta, Y.-Q. Zhang, T. Tanaka: Saccharide-sensitive Phase Transition of a Lectin-loaded Gel, Nature, 351[6324], 302-304 (1991). .DOI: 10.1038/351302a0
21. F. Ilmain, T. Tanaka, E. Kokufuta: Volume Transition in a Gel Driven by Hydrogen Bonding, Nature, 349[6308], 400-401 (1991). DOI: 10.1038/349400a0.
22. E. Kokufuta, M. Nobusawa: Uphill Transport of Phosphate Ion through an Oxomolybdenum (V)-Tetraphenylporphyrin Complex-containing Bulk Liquid Membrane: Effect of Halogen Ions on Phosphate Ion Flux, J. Membrane Sci., 48[2], 141-154 (1990). DOI: 10.1016/0376-7388(90)85002-3. PDF.
23. H. Abe, E. Kokufuta: Hydroxide Ion-selective Polymeric Membrane-coated Wire Electrode Based on Oxomolybdenum (V) Tetraphenylporphyrin Complex, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 63[5], 1360-1364 (1990). ISSN: 1348-063. PDF
24. E. Kokufuta, I. Nakamura, M. Haraguchi, A. Shimada: Sugar-responsible Initiation-Cessation Control of Enzyme Release from Gel Matrix by Use of an Agarose/Concanavalin A System, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., [20], 1564-1566 (1989). DOI: 10.1039/c39890001564. PDF.
25. E. Kokufuta, Y. Yamaya, A. Shimada, I. Nakamura: Prevention of Limitting Substrate Diffusion in an Enzyme Reaction System: Lectin-induced Activation of Gel-entrapped β-D-Galactosidase, Biotechnol. Lett., 10[5], 301-306 (1988). DOI: 10.1007/BF01026155. PDF.
26. E. Kokufuta, M. Shimohashi, I. Nakamura: Simultaneously Occurring Nitrification and Denitrification under Oxygen Gradient by Polyelectrolyte Complex-coimmobilized Nitrosomonas europea and Paracoccus denitrificans Cells, Biotechnol. Bioeng., 31[3] 382-384 (1988). DOI: 10.1002/bit.260310415. PDF.
27. E. Kokufuta, K. Takahashi: Adsorption of Poly(diallydimethylammonium chroide) on Colloid Silica from Water and Salt Solution, Macromolecules, 19[2], 351-354 (1986). DOI: 10.1021/ma00156a019.
28. E. Kokufuta, T. Sodeyama, T. Katano: Initiation-Cessation Control of an Enzyme Reaction Using pH-Sensitive Poly(stryrene) Microcapsules with a Surface-coating of Poly(iminoethylene), J. Chem. Soc., Cem. Commun., [9], 641-642 (1986). DOI: 10.1039/C39860000641. PDF.
29. E. Kokufuta, T. Sodeyama, S. Takeda: Oxochloromolybdenum (V) Tetraphenylporphyrin Complex-containing Polymer as a Phosphate Ion Exchanger, Polym. Bull., 15[6], 479-484 (1986). DOI: 10.1007/BF00281756. PDF.
30. E. Kokufuta, T. Shibasaki, I. Nakamura, K. Hrada, T. Sodeyama, K. Harada: Degradation of Polyethylene Glycol in a Localized Reaction Zone during Glow Discharge Electrolysis, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., [2], 100-102 (1985). DOI: 10.1039/C39850000100. PDF.
31. E. Kokufuta, T. Sodeyama, K. Fujimori, K. Harada, I. Nakamura: D-H Exchange and Hydroxylation of (2H3)Acetic Acid in Aqueous Solution During Glow Discharge Electrolysis, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., [5], 269-270 (1984). DOI: 10.1039/C39840000269. PDF.
32. E. Kokufuta, H. Shimizu, I. Nakamura: Stoichiometric Complexation of Human Serum Albumin with Strongly Acidic and Basic Polyelectrolytes, Macromolecules, 15[6], 1618-1621 (1982). DOI: 10.1021/ma00234a031.
33. E. Kokufuta, S. Fujii, I. Nakamura: Stoichiometric Salt-linkage Formation of Trimethyl- ammonium Glycol Chitosan Iodide with a Carboxylic Type Ion Exchanger, Makromol Chem., 183[5], 1233-1238 (1982). DOI: 10.1002/macp.1982.021830517. PDF.
34. E. Kokufuta, Y. Hirai, I. Nakamura: On the Salt-linkage Formations of Porous and Nonporous Silica Particles with Trimethylammonium Glycol Chitosan Iodide, Makromol. Chem., 182[6], 1715-1725 (1981). DOI: 10.1002/macp.1981.021820612. PDF.
35. E. Kokufuta, N. Watanabe, I. Nakamura: On the Function of the Polyion Complex of Methemoglobin and Polyelectrolytes as Cyanide Ion Exchanger, J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 26[8], 2601-2612 (1981). DOI: 10.1002/app.1981.070260810. PDF.
36. E. Kokufuta: Electrophoretic and Viscometric Properties of Poly (dicarboxylic acids), Polymer, 21[2], 177-182 (1980). DOI: 10.1016/0032-3861(80)90057-9. PDF
37. E. Kokufuta: Colloid Titration Behavior of Poly(ethyleneimine), Macromolecules, 12[2], 350-351 (1979). DOI: 10.1021/ma60068a043. PDF.
38. E. Kokufuta, T. Terada, M. Tamura, S. Suzuki, K. Harada: Potentiometric Titration Behavior of Polylysine and Copolymer of Lysine with Alanine Prepared by Thermal Polycondensation, Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 196[1], 23-32 (1979). DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(79)90547-2. PDF
All Pubulications (pdf) (*, review; §, book chapter; non, original)
1973～1975 1976～1980 1981～1985 1986～1990
1991～1995 1996～2000 2001～2005 2006～present
Links Tsukuba University EK Web Page Archive Directory Database of Research and Development Activities (ReaD)
Update: April 1, 2026

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