Research labs at Japan's QS Top 10 universities including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Professor Takayuki Myo's research lab specializes in theoretical nuclear physics, focusing on the quantum many-body dynamics of exotic and halo nuclei. The lab investigates the role of tensor and pairing correlations, Pauli blocking effects, and three-body or four-body unbound states in light neutron-rich nuclei such as $^6$He, $^{11}$Li, $^{11}$Be, and $^7$He. Using advanced methods like the complex scaling method (CSM), tensor-optimized shell model, and cluster orbital shell model, the lab explores resonance spectroscopy, Coulomb breakup reactions, and the emergence of exotic structures in unstable nuclei.
Professor Ryohei Kishi's research lab specializes in theoretical and computational quantum chemistry, focusing on the electronic structures and nonlinear optical properties of open-shell and diradical systems. The lab investigates singlet diradicals, π-conjugated systems, and excited-state phenomena using advanced quantum chemical methods such as spin-flip configuration interaction, long-range-corrected density functional theory, and finite-field approaches. A key research direction involves understanding the relationship between diradical character and nonlinear optical responses, particularly second hyperpolarizabilities (γ), in complex organic systems. The lab also explores the synthesis and electronic properties of novel carbon-rich architectures, such as periazulene-based macrocycles, combining theory with experimental collaboration.
Professor Ryuichi Morishita's research lab specializes in vascular biology and gene therapy, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular diseases such as restenosis and peripheral arterial disease. The lab investigates cell cycle regulation, transcription factors like E2F, and growth factors such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to develop innovative gene and oligonucleotide-based therapies. Key research directions include antisense oligonucleotide delivery, viral vector-free gene transfer, and the modulation of inflammatory pathways in aging and vascular injury. The lab integrates preclinical models with translational clinical studies to advance therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disorders.
Professor Yanjun Li's research lab specializes in advanced optoelectronic materials and devices, with a strong focus on nanoscale sensing, optical fiber sensors, and organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). The lab develops innovative techniques for high-resolution imaging of nano-defects using microwave and optical interferometry, and explores novel materials for efficient light emission and electron transport. Key research directions include the design of functional materials for OLEDs, anti-relaxation coatings for quantum sensors, and fiber-based sensors for strain and refractive index sensing under extreme conditions.
Professor Takuya Maekawa's research lab specializes in intelligent data analysis and human-computer interaction, with a focus on activity recognition, sensor-based behavior modeling, and mobile computing. The lab develops innovative methods that leverage wearable sensor data, deep learning, and unsupervised pattern recognition to understand human activities in real-world settings—ranging from industrial work environments to biological movement patterns. A key theme is enabling personalized and adaptive systems without requiring users to collect or label their own training data, emphasizing usability and scalability in mobile and pervasive computing contexts.
Professor Hiroyuki Yasuda's research lab specializes in the development of advanced catalysts and functional materials for sustainable chemical transformations. Key research directions include the design of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts for selective organic synthesis—such as the synthesis of propylene carbonate from CO₂ and epoxides, selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes to hydroxylamines, and cyanosilylation reactions—under mild and environmentally benign conditions. The lab also investigates novel inorganic and organometallic compounds, including silicon-containing heterocycles and high-entropy alloys, with a focus on their unique electronic and structural properties. Additionally, the group explores the relationship between catalyst composition, oxidation states, and catalytic performance, particularly in NO decomposition and CO₂ utilization.
Professor Koichi Hattori's research lab specializes in theoretical particle and many-body physics, focusing on quantum field theory and relativistic hydrodynamics in strong electromagnetic fields and finite-temperature systems. The lab investigates emergent phenomena in quark-gluon plasma, including transport properties like electrical conductivity and viscosity under strong magnetic fields, with particular attention to chiral and spin dynamics. Key themes include the interplay of spin, chirality, and gauge fields in relativistic fluids, as well as non-perturbative effects such as the Kondo effect in dense quark matter. The group employs advanced field-theoretic methods, including kinetic theory, Wigner functions, and effective field theories, to explore fundamental aspects of quantum matter in extreme conditions.
Professor Takeya Kasukawa's research lab specializes in functional genomics, with a focus on transcriptional regulation, non-coding RNA biology, and the systematic annotation of mammalian transcriptomes. The lab leads the FANTOM Consortium, generating comprehensive maps of transcription start sites, enhancers, and promoters across diverse cellular states and conditions using cutting-edge technologies like CAGE and RNA-seq. Their work emphasizes creating integrative, high-resolution reference resources—such as refTSS and the FANTOM web platform—that enable systems-level understanding of gene regulation and circadian rhythms in health and disease. The lab also pioneers molecular timetable approaches to estimate internal body time using oscillating metabolites, advancing chronobiology and precision medicine.
Professor Lu Ding's research lab specializes in the clean and efficient conversion of coal and biomass, with a focus on co-pyrolysis and co-gasification processes. The lab investigates the role of biomass-derived additives—particularly biomass ash and hydrochar—in enhancing char reactivity, optimizing product distribution, and modifying the physicochemical properties of coal-derived char. Key research directions include the kinetic analysis of gasification behavior, the evolution of alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs), and the structural transformation of carbon during thermal conversion. The lab aims to develop sustainable strategies for synergistic utilization of low-rank coal and biomass.
Professor Yuji Matsumoto's research lab specializes in the development and characterization of advanced oxide semiconductors and functional thin films, with a focus on transparent ferromagnetic oxides, epitaxial oxide heterostructures, and complex oxide thin films for spintronic and electronic device applications. The lab employs advanced epitaxial growth techniques such as laser molecular beam epitaxy (Laser MBE) and combinatorial synthesis to achieve atomic-level control over film composition, structure, and interface properties. Key research directions include band gap engineering in ZnO-based oxides, flux-mediated epitaxy for bismuth-based ferroelectrics, and the growth of magnetic semiconductors like Co-doped TiO₂ with long-range ferromagnetic order. The lab also leverages advanced characterization tools like scanning SQUID microscopy and STM to probe magnetic and electronic nanostructures at the atomic scale.
Professor Yasushi Yamazoe's research lab specializes in drug metabolism and toxicology, with a focus on cytochrome P450 enzymes, nuclear receptors, and the metabolic activation of procarcinogens. The lab investigates the regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters by transcription factors such as HNF4α and nuclear receptors like PXR and CAR, as well as the role of enzymes like prostaglandin H synthase in chemical-induced toxicity. A key research direction involves understanding herb-drug interactions, particularly the inhibition of CYP3A by furanocoumarins from herbal medicines, and the sex- and age-related differences in hepatic metabolism. The lab employs molecular, biochemical, and in vitro models to elucidate mechanisms underlying metabolic activation, enzyme regulation, and toxicological outcomes.
Professor Mitsuo Umetsu's research lab specializes in protein engineering and biomineralization, focusing on the design and functional optimization of proteins for advanced materials and biocatalysis. The lab employs innovative approaches combining molecular evolution, machine learning, and structural analysis to engineer proteins with tailored functions, such as selective binding to inorganic materials like ZnO or enhanced stability and activity in enzyme systems. A key research direction involves the development of artificial cellulosomes and protein-based nanostructures through rational design and hetero-clustering strategies, aiming to improve the efficiency of biomass degradation and materials assembly. The lab also investigates protein folding mechanisms and structural characteristics in inclusion bodies, particularly for hyperthermophilic proteins, to understand and control structural stability during recombinant protein production.
Professor Katsuyuki Matsunaga's research lab specializes in computational materials science, focusing on the electronic structures, defect chemistry, and mechanical behavior of advanced inorganic materials. Key research directions include first-principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulations to understand point defects, vacancy formation, and structural stability in oxides (e.g., Al₂O₃, hydroxyapatite), nitrides (e.g., Si₃N₄, boron carbonitrides), and semiconductors (e.g., ZnS). The lab explores how intrinsic defects, ion doping, and external stimuli such as light or deformation influence material properties, with applications in bioceramics, structural materials, and functional semiconductors. Their work bridges fundamental electronic structure theory with practical material design, emphasizing defect engineering and thermal/mechanical stability.
Professor Takeshi Ohkuma's research lab specializes in the development of transition metal-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis, with a primary focus on ruthenium-based catalysts for enantioselective hydrogenation. His group has pioneered methods for the efficient and selective hydrogenation of ketones, alkenes, and imines under mild, practical conditions, often using chiral diphosphine and diamine ligands. Key innovations include catalyst systems that function under acidic conditions and enable the kinetic resolution of unstable substrates, expanding the scope of asymmetric hydrogenation in complex molecule synthesis. The lab’s work has significantly advanced the field of catalytic asymmetric synthesis, particularly in the context of pharmaceutical and fine chemical applications.
Professor Yuta Koshino's research lab specializes in lower extremity biomechanics, with a focus on foot and ankle function, postural control, and injury prevention. The lab investigates how foot posture, kinematics during gait and landing, and neuromuscular control influence the risk of musculoskeletal injuries such as medial tibial stress syndrome, chronic ankle instability, and lateral ankle sprains. Using motion analysis, electromyography, and center of pressure measurements, the lab explores energy dissipation strategies and dynamic stability during functional tasks like landing and single-leg stances. Their work aims to inform clinical interventions and training strategies to enhance performance and reduce injury risk in athletes and active individuals.
Professor Masashi Hosokawa's research lab specializes in marine bioactive compounds, focusing on the isolation, characterization, and functional evaluation of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and bioactive peptides from marine and plant sources. The lab investigates the chemopreventive, anti-cancer, and antihypertensive effects of these compounds, particularly fucoxanthin, conjugated linolenic acid, and peptide-derived inhibitors of enzymes like angiotensin-converting enzyme. Key research directions include nutraceutical development, enzyme-mediated synthesis of functional lipids (e.g., DHA-containing phosphatidylserine), and the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and oxidative stress modulation.
Professor Jun-ichi Wakamatsu's research lab specializes in meat science and biochemistry, focusing on the biochemical mechanisms underlying meat color formation, particularly the role of zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) in nitrite-free cured meats. The lab investigates enzymatic and microbial processes that enhance meat color and quality through endogenous pigments, with an emphasis on lactic acid bacteria, organ-specific ZnPP formation, and the influence of processing conditions such as pH and oxidation-reduction potential. Additionally, the lab explores the metabolic effects of dietary proteins, especially poultry and red meat, on postprandial thermogenesis and energy metabolism in animal models. These interdisciplinary studies aim to develop sustainable, additive-free meat processing technologies while advancing understanding of protein metabolism and its physiological impacts.
Professor Daisuke Fukuda's research lab specializes in computational mechanics and numerical simulation of rock fracture and dynamic material behavior, with a focus on advanced modeling techniques such as the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM). The lab develops high-performance, GPU-accelerated simulation tools to investigate complex fracture processes under dynamic and multiaxial loading conditions, particularly in rock mechanics and geomechanics. Research also extends to the durability and self-healing behavior of cementitious materials, especially in relation to fracture sealing in high-strength, low-permeability concrete exposed to aggressive environments. The lab integrates experimental validation with advanced imaging techniques like micro-focus X-ray CT to study material response at the microscale.
Professor N. Takeda's research lab specializes in the synthesis and characterization of quantum materials, with a focus on heavy fermion systems, unconventional superconductivity, and Kondo phenomena in rare-earth and actinide-based intermetallic compounds. The lab investigates emergent quantum behaviors such as non-Fermi liquid behavior, intermediate valence, and strong electron correlations, often using low-temperature transport, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Recent work also extends into functional soft materials, particularly mechanofluorophores based on charge-transfer interactions for stimuli-responsive optical sensing. The lab aims to uncover fundamental principles governing strongly correlated electron systems and to develop advanced materials with tailored electronic and optical responses.
Professor Kazuo Kishi's research lab focuses on regenerative medicine and wound healing, with a particular emphasis on the role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in cutaneous regeneration and scarless healing. The lab investigates molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying fetal-like regeneration, including the modulation of TGF-β1 and extracellular matrix components, aiming to translate these findings into clinical therapies. Additionally, the lab explores advanced reconstructive techniques such as skin grafting and laser therapy for conditions like vitiligo and scarring, with a strong translational focus on improving outcomes in plastic and dermatologic surgery.
