Research labs at Japan's QS Top 10 universities including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Professor Katsuhiro Isozaki's research lab specializes in the design and application of functional nanomaterials, particularly gold nanoclusters and peptide-based supramolecular systems, for advanced catalysis. The lab focuses on developing stimuli-responsive materials—such as ultrasound-triggered sol-gel transitions in Pd-complexed dipeptides—and creating smart, bio-inspired catalytic environments using self-assembled monolayers and hydrogen-bonding networks. A key direction involves harnessing the unique electronic and structural properties of thiolate-protected gold nanoclusters for dual-function photocatalysis, including singlet oxygen generation and selective C–C bond formation. The lab also pioneers innovative catalytic systems, such as Fe(III) fluoride/SIPr-composite catalysts, enabling challenging cross-coupling reactions with broad substrate scope and high efficiency.
Professor Yui Hayashi's research lab specializes in theoretical particle physics and quantum field theory, with a focus on non-perturbative phenomena in gauge theories. The lab investigates the mechanisms of color confinement in quantum chromodynamics (QCD), particularly through the study of complex singularities in propagators, duality symmetries, and topological defects. Key research directions include the analytic structure of gluon and ghost propagators, the role of confinement in massive Yang-Mills models, and the unification of monopole and center-vortex mechanisms in compactified spacetimes. The lab also explores the implications of non-invertible symmetries and spectral functions in strongly coupled systems.
Professor Mariko Okada's research lab specializes in systems biology and molecular systems immunology, focusing on understanding dynamic cellular transitions in cancer and immune responses. The lab develops computational and systems-level approaches to decipher the regulatory mechanisms underlying cell fate decisions, drug resistance, and signaling dynamics using multi-omics data. Key research directions include identifying tipping points in disease progression through dynamic network biomarkers, dissecting the role of transcription factors like NF-κB in super-enhancer regulation, and modeling gene expression dynamics to predict cellular behavior. The lab integrates single-cell genomics, live-cell imaging, and mathematical modeling to uncover principles of robust and switch-like gene regulation in health and disease.
Professor Yasuhisa Mizutani's research lab specializes in ultrafast dynamics and structural relaxation in biological molecules, particularly focusing on heme proteins and chromoproteins. Using advanced time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy, the lab investigates vibrational energy relaxation, electronic transitions, and structural changes following photoexcitation in systems such as myoglobin, nickel octaethylporphyrin, and phytochromes. The research emphasizes the correlation between electronic excitation, bond cleavage, and protein conformational changes on the picosecond to nanosecond timescale, providing insights into the fundamental mechanisms of biological photoresponses. The lab also explores chromophore structural evolution in microbial rhodopsins, particularly the role of hydrogen bonding and proton transfer in retinal-based photocycles.
Professor Hitoshi Nishizawa's research lab focuses on metabolic regulation, particularly the endocrine and secretory functions of adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle in the context of metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The lab investigates adipokines and novel secretory factors—like musclin and adiponectin—along with key metabolic regulators such as SHP and IGF-I, to understand their roles in insulin sensitivity, fibrosis, and lipid/glucose homeostasis. A central theme is the crosstalk between endocrine organs and systemic metabolism, with translational aims to identify therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome and liver fibrosis.
Professor Masayuki Miyasaka's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor progression, with a central emphasis on the roles of extracellular matrix components—particularly hyaluronan (HA) and proteoglycans such as versican—in cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. The lab investigates how specific fragments of HA and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains on proteoglycans modulate cell surface receptors like CD44 and influence chemokine signaling, thereby promoting tumor cell behavior. A key research direction involves understanding the proteolytic cleavage of adhesion molecules and the functional consequences of extracellular matrix remodeling in the tumor microenvironment. The lab also explores the interplay between extracellular matrix molecules and immune cell trafficking molecules, such as L-selectin and chemokines, to uncover novel mechanisms of cancer metastasis and potential therapeutic targets.
Professor Minoru Ashizawa's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of novel π-conjugated semiconducting materials for organic electronics. The lab focuses on molecular engineering of conjugated polymers and small molecules—particularly those based on diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP), thienoisoindigo (TII), and benzothienoisoindigo (BTII)—to optimize their electronic, morphological, and mechanical properties. Key research directions include tuning molecular planarity, incorporating hydrogen-bonding motifs for self-assembly, and exploring structure-property relationships in field-effect transistors and organic photovoltaics. The lab also investigates crystallization control and thin-film morphology to enhance charge transport performance.
Professor Shigefusa F. Chichibu's research lab specializes in the optical and electronic properties of III-nitride semiconductors, particularly InGaN-based quantum wells and bulk alloys. The lab focuses on understanding excitonic recombination mechanisms, localization effects, and the impact of compositional and thickness fluctuations on light emission in nitride-based light-emitting devices. Key investigations include the role of piezoelectric fields, quantum-confined Stark effects, and localized states in determining the emission characteristics of blue and green InGaN LEDs.
Professor Kuniyasu Niizuma's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal cell death following brain ischemia and stroke, with a particular emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and the role of key signaling proteins such as PUMA and the PIDDosome complex in delayed neuronal death. The lab investigates novel therapeutic targets and regenerative strategies, including the use of Muse cells—pluripotent stem cells with immune privilege and tissue-homing capabilities—for stroke recovery. Their work bridges basic neuroscience with translational applications, aiming to develop effective treatments for acute brain injuries and neurodegenerative conditions.
Professor Kouki Hikosaka's research lab focuses on plant physiological ecology, particularly the mechanisms underlying photosynthetic acclimation to environmental factors such as temperature and light. The lab investigates how plants optimize nitrogen allocation among photosynthetic components to maximize carbon gain and resource-use efficiency under varying environmental conditions. Central themes include the biochemical and physiological basis of photosynthetic capacity, nitrogen use efficiency, and the dynamic regulation of leaf turnover and nutrient resorption.
Professor Yoshihiro Miyake's research lab specializes in transition metal-catalyzed and photoredox-mediated transformations, with a focus on developing innovative methods for C–H functionalization, C–C and C–heteroatom bond formation, and the synthesis of complex organic molecules under mild conditions. The lab pioneers the use of visible light and transition metal polypyridyl complexes as photocatalysts to generate reactive intermediates such as α-aminoalkyl radicals and silyl enol ethers, enabling selective and efficient transformations. Key research directions include the direct functionalization of sp³ C–H bonds, allylic and propargylic substitutions, and the construction of heterocyclic scaffolds via cycloaddition and radical addition processes. The work emphasizes atom-economical, step-economical, and late-stage functionalization strategies for complex molecule synthesis, particularly in medicinal chemistry and natural product synthesis.
Professor Hideaki Miyoshi's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms regulating lipid metabolism in adipocytes, with a central emphasis on the role of perilipin A and its post-translational modifications in controlling lipolysis and lipid storage. The lab investigates how protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation of perilipin A orchestrates the recruitment and activation of key lipases such as ATGL and HSL, thereby modulating energy homeostasis. Using genetically engineered mouse models and primary adipocytes, the lab explores the physiological and pathological implications of perilipin dysregulation in obesity, insulin resistance, and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Their work also extends to identifying novel therapeutic targets by manipulating lipid droplet-associated proteins to induce a metabolically beneficial brown-like phenotype in white adipose tissue.
Professor Tomohiro Seki's research lab specializes in the design and characterization of functional molecular materials, with a primary focus on gold(I) isocyanide complexes that exhibit unique solid-state transformations. The lab investigates stimuli-responsive phenomena such as mechanochromism, photochromism, and the salient effect, where external stimuli like mechanical force, light, or temperature induce reversible crystal-to-crystal phase transitions with dramatic optical and mechanical responses. A key strength lies in combining single-crystal X-ray diffraction with photophysical analysis to correlate structural changes at the molecular level with macroscopic optical and mechanical behaviors.
Professor Yasuo Kawakami's research lab specializes in human muscle physiology and biomechanics, focusing on the architectural and functional properties of skeletal muscles in vivo. Using advanced imaging techniques such as ultrasonography and MRI, the lab investigates muscle-tendon unit mechanics, fascicle dynamics, and the effects of training, disuse, and aging on muscle structure and function. Key research directions include muscle fiber pennation, joint angle and muscle length effects on force production, and the physiological adaptations to resistance training and immobilization. The lab also explores neuromuscular control and muscle fatigue through electromyography and dynamic movement analysis.
Professor Sadao Ota's research lab specializes in the development of innovative microfluidic and optoelectronic platforms for advanced biological and biophysical studies. The lab focuses on creating novel imaging and manipulation techniques—such as ghost cytometry and lipid bilayer-integrated optoelectronic tweezers—that enable high-speed, label-free, and non-invasive analysis of cells and nanoscale objects. A central theme is the integration of machine learning with optical and microfluidic systems to extract complex biological information from minimal data, particularly in imaging flow cytometry and membrane transport studies. The lab also pioneers the design of robust, monodisperse phospholipid vesicles for applications in drug delivery and synthetic cell models.
Professor Hiroaki Abe's research lab specializes in biomedical engineering and applied photonics, focusing on improving gait stability and mobility in stroke survivors through innovative orthotic devices and advanced laser technologies. The lab investigates the biomechanical and physiological impacts of plastic ankle-foot orthoses (PAFO) on hemiplegic patients, aiming to enhance walking performance and reduce fall risk. Concurrently, the lab explores novel semiconductor laser designs, particularly single-mode distributed feedback lasers using post-growth processing and waveguide engineering, for applications in optical communications and sensing. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge clinical rehabilitation with cutting-edge photonics research.
Professor Yukiko Gotoh's research lab focuses on signal transduction pathways, particularly the roles of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their upstream regulators in stress responses, apoptosis, and cellular differentiation. Her work explores the activation mechanisms of MAPK cascade components—such as ASK1, MAPKKKs, and MAPK phosphatases—under various cellular stresses, including oxidative stress, osmotic shock, and cytokine signaling. The lab employs molecular and cell biological approaches in model systems like fission yeast, Xenopus oocytes, and mammalian cell lines to dissect conserved signaling networks governing cell fate decisions. A central theme is understanding how post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and redox regulation, control kinase activity and downstream cellular outcomes.
Professor Junichiro Kanazawa's research lab specializes in the development of novel synthetic methodologies for three-dimensional, strained organic scaffolds—particularly bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP) and bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane (BCH)—to serve as bioisosteres in drug discovery. The lab focuses on enabling efficient functionalization of these rigid, cage-like frameworks to improve drug-like properties such as permeability, solubility, and metabolic stability. A key innovation involves the use of radical chemistry and cross-coupling reactions at sterically congested sp³ carbon centers, including pioneering work on silaboration and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling on BCP. The lab also explores the chemistry of monocarba-closo-dodecaborate anions, leveraging their unique stability and electronic properties for applications in medicinal chemistry and materials science.
Professor Motoko Unoki's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor suppression and epigenetic regulation in cancer. The lab investigates tumor suppressor genes such as ING4, ING2, and EGR2, exploring their roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. A key focus is on epigenetic modifications, including lysine hydroxylation by enzymes like JMJD6 and the functional impact of gene splicing variants. The lab also develops diagnostic tools using proteins such as UHRF1 for early cancer detection in lung and other cancers.
Professor Tatsuhiko Naito's research lab specializes in computational genetics and bioinformatics, focusing on advanced statistical and deep learning methods for genomic data analysis. The lab develops innovative algorithms for HLA imputation and genotype imputation, with particular emphasis on improving accuracy for rare and low-frequency alleles across diverse populations. Their work addresses challenges in fine-mapping disease-associated variants in complex genomic regions such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), contributing significantly to the understanding of genetic predispositions to autoimmune and neurological diseases. The lab also pioneers machine learning approaches for predicting the functional impact of genetic variants, especially those affecting splicing mechanisms.
