Molecular science in the 20th century has progressed by simplifying, idealizing, and modeling molecular systems in the real world. Various methods have been developed: molecular beams that enable us to study the structure and dynamics of isolated molecules and clusters precisely, ultrafast lasers that generate down to sub-femtosecond pulses and their application to time-resolved spectroscopy. There are also site-selective observations of biological molecules by resonance Raman spectroscopy. By these innovative methods, we are now able to deeply understand simple elementary processes. On the other hand, molecular systems in the real world, including biological systems, often show ultimate-performance by synchronizing various molecular processes harmonically. Therefore, it is very important for molecular science in the 21st century to elucidate the mechanisms of such efficient complex systems on the basis of a deep understanding of elementary molecular processes. It is a new trend in molecular science that will provide a solid scientific basis for various related fields, such as life science, material science, and nanoscience, and hence has a potential to form a new scientific landscape.

This research project aims to understand the mechanism of “supra functional molecular systems” by combining advanced methodology and analysis that have been developed in molecular science. We will organize an active team of excellent researchers in different research fields of gas-phase clusters, condensed phase, and biomolecular science that have been developed individually. Intensive collaborations of molecular scientists will reveal the essence of supra functional systems, and will open new horizons in science.