Research labs at Japan's QS Top 10 universities including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Professor Jun-ichi Kishikawa's research lab specializes in structural and molecular biology of rotary ATPases, with a focus on V/A-ATPases and F-ATP synthases. The lab investigates the mechanisms of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis, proton pumping, and rotary catalysis using advanced techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy and single-molecule analysis. Key research directions include understanding the structural basis of enzyme regulation, auto-inhibition, and antibiotic targeting, particularly in bacterial systems like *Vibrio cholerae* and *Thermus thermophilus*. The lab also explores the impact of anesthetics on cellular energy metabolism, linking bioenergetics to physiological responses.
Professor Tomohiko Murakami's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory responses and joint homeostasis, with a particular emphasis on the NLRP3 inflammasome, endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling, and cytokine-mediated cartilage destruction. The lab investigates key regulators such as calcium signaling, G protein subunits, and stress-responsive transcription factors like OASIS, aiming to uncover novel therapeutic targets for inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. Their work integrates molecular biology, immunology, and in vivo disease models to elucidate pathogenic pathways in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Professor Daniel Pastor-Galán’s research lab specializes in tectonics and geodynamics, focusing on the formation and evolution of supercontinents, particularly Pangea. The lab investigates orocline development, lithospheric deformation, and the kinematic and paleomagnetic constraints of continental collision zones, with a strong emphasis on the Iberian Peninsula as a key natural laboratory. Using a combination of fieldwork, paleomagnetic data, and analogue modeling, the lab explores how thick-skinned tectonics and mantle-lithosphere interactions shape orogenic belts during supercontinent assembly. Their work contributes to understanding long-term Earth system dynamics, including mantle convection, global climate change, and the distribution of geological resources.
Professor Atsushi Matsuzawa's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular signaling, particularly in the context of cell fate decisions such as apoptosis, survival, and inflammation. The lab investigates redox regulation, stress-responsive signaling pathways, and the role of organelles like lysosomes in innate immune activation, with a strong emphasis on the NLRP3 inflammasome and MAPK cascades. Key areas include the TAK1-JNK pathway, calcium signaling, and the function of enzymes like PAF-AH in cellular homeostasis and disease. The lab integrates cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular signaling to uncover fundamental regulatory mechanisms in health and disease.
Professor Toshihiko Arita's research lab specializes in advanced polymer science and nanomaterials, focusing on the development and application of reversible deactivation radical polymerization techniques—particularly RAFT polymerization—under extreme conditions such as high pressure and elevated temperatures. The lab investigates the control of molecular weight, dispersity, and architecture in polymer synthesis using functional RAFT agents, with applications in stimuli-responsive materials and functional nanocomposites. A key research direction involves the design of smart materials, including magnetic Janus particles and PMMA brushes for advanced separation technologies, leveraging unique interfacial and colloidal properties.
Professor Akito Masuhara's research lab specializes in the design, synthesis, and functional characterization of advanced nanomaterials with a focus on controlling their size, shape, and electronic properties for optoelectronic and energy-related applications. The lab pioneers innovative solution-based methods—such as reprecipitation and ultrasound-assisted milling—to fabricate uniform nanostructures, including C60 crystals, polydiacetylene-silver hybrids, perovskite quantum dots, and polymer-silica composites. A central theme is the development of hybrid materials that exhibit enhanced or novel optoelectronic behaviors through interfacial engineering at the molecular and nanoscale levels. The lab also investigates structure-property relationships in proton-conducting membranes and fullerene-based supramlexes, aiming to advance sustainable energy and high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Professor Yasumasa Okazaki's research lab focuses on the biological and pathological impacts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in disease processes, particularly in cancer and inflammatory conditions. The lab investigates the role of non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP) in generating reactive species and their effects on biomolecules, as well as the antioxidant mechanisms of functional proteins like lactoferrin in protecting against oxidative tissue injury. A key research direction involves understanding iron metabolism and transport, especially the regulation of DMT1 in iron homeostasis, and exploring microRNA profiles in asbestos- and iron-induced malignant mesothelioma. The lab also examines biomarkers such as CD146 and IMP3 for early detection and prognosis of mesothelioma across species.
Professor Muye Yang's research lab specializes in corrosion science and engineering, with a focus on galvanic corrosion mechanisms in dissimilar metal-composite systems, particularly involving carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP)-strengthened steel structures. The lab investigates electrochemical behaviors under atmospheric and marine conditions, emphasizing the influence of environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and electrolyte distribution. Innovative cathodic protection systems using moisture-absorbing fibers and sacrificial anodes are also a key research direction, aiming to enhance the durability of aging steel infrastructure.
Professor Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi's research lab specializes in veterinary clinical pathology and translational medicine, focusing on identifying novel biomarkers and diagnostic tools for canine diseases. The lab investigates inflammatory and fibrotic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hepatic fibrosis, and chronic kidney disease, with an emphasis on serum markers like C-reactive protein and serine. They also explore the role of micronutrients—particularly vitamin D—in cardiac remodeling and disease progression. Advanced imaging techniques, including 2D shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), are employed to non-invasively assess organ fibrosis in dogs.
Professor Atsushi Yamaguchi's research lab specializes in molecular biology and synthetic biology, with a focus on genetic code expansion for site-specific protein engineering. The lab develops novel aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pairs, particularly based on pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) from diverse microbial sources, to incorporate non-canonical amino acids into proteins in living cells. Their work enables the creation of protein conjugates with tailored functionalities, advancing applications in biotechnology and structural biology. The lab also investigates the ecology and life cycles of marine copepods, contributing to our understanding of pelagic ecosystem dynamics in oceanic regions.
Professor Mitsuru Sugawara's research lab specializes in the design, fabrication, and characterization of semiconductor quantum dot-based optoelectronic devices, with a focus on self-assembled InAs/GaAs and InGaAs/GaAs quantum dots for applications in high-speed optical communications and optical amplification. The lab investigates fundamental optical properties such as excitonic behavior, spectral broadening, and nonlinear light-matter interactions using advanced theoretical models and experimental techniques. Key research directions include the development of temperature-stable, high-bandwidth laser diodes operating at 1.3 µm and ultrawideband, high-power semiconductor optical amplifiers for the 1.5 µm window, essential for next-generation telecommunication systems. The lab also explores the role of carrier dynamics, spectral hole burning, and quantum confinement effects in nanostructured semiconductors.
Professor Naoki Osada's research lab specializes in evolutionary and population genomics, with a focus on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying genome evolution, gene regulation, and adaptation in primates and Drosophila. The lab investigates genomic architecture, including structural variations, gene duplications, and regulatory elements, using high-throughput sequencing and comparative genomics approaches. Key research directions include the evolution of mitochondrial genomes and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins, the role of cis- and trans-regulatory variation in gene expression divergence, and the impact of genetic exchange during speciation. The lab also contributes to biomedical genomics by characterizing cell lines and non-human primate genomes for use in biotechnology and disease modeling.
Professor Mai Thanh Nguyen's research lab specializes in the green synthesis and advanced characterization of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, with a focus on innovative physical methods such as sputtering onto liquid matrices. The lab develops novel, environmentally friendly approaches to produce size-, shape-, and composition-controlled nanomaterials, including hexagonal zinc nanoplates and bimetallic Au/Cu alloy nanoparticles, using techniques like double-target sputtering. Emphasis is placed on understanding the role of liquid matrices, surface ligands, and sputtering parameters in controlling nucleation, growth, and stability of nanomaterials. The lab's work bridges materials synthesis with applications in catalysis, biomedicine, and functional nanomaterials.
Professor Masaki Kuribayashi's research lab specializes in developing assistive technologies for blind individuals, focusing on indoor navigation, social interaction support, and environmental exploration using robotics and smartphone-based systems. The lab pioneers map-less navigation solutions, such as PathFinder and Corridor-Walker, which leverage LiDAR, RGB-D sensors, and real-time environmental sensing to guide users through unfamiliar buildings. Another key direction is social navigation, exemplified by LineChaser, which helps blind users navigate standing lines in public spaces. The lab also explores human-centered AI for visual language navigation, creating benchmarks like Memory-Ma to improve robot understanding of natural, memory-based route instructions.
Professor Hiroshi Nishi's research lab focuses on renal pathophysiology, with a particular emphasis on the interplay between mineral metabolism, inflammation, and kidney injury. Key research directions include the role of vitamin D metabolites and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) in mineral bone disorders, neutrophil-mediated glomerular inflammation in glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis, and the development of uremic sarcopenia and chronic kidney disease after transplantation. The lab also investigates complications such as thrombotic microangiopathy in transplant recipients, especially in the context of calcineurin inhibitor use. These studies aim to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve outcomes in chronic kidney disease and post-transplantation settings.
Professor Tomoya Naito's research lab specializes in theoretical nuclear physics, focusing on the development and improvement of energy density functionals (EDFs) for describing nuclear structure and properties. Key research directions include isospin symmetry breaking effects—such as charge symmetry breaking and isospin symmetry breaking—in mirror nuclei and neutron skins, as well as the role of tensor and spin-orbit interactions in reproducing experimental isotope shifts and kink structures. The lab also pioneers advanced methods to extract nuclear properties like neutron-skin thickness from electromagnetic moments and to refine EDFs using ab initio constraints and perturbation theory.
Professor Jun Fujishiro's research lab specializes in translational pharmacology and surgical innovation, focusing on immunomodulatory therapies for organ transplantation and postoperative outcomes in pediatric surgery. The lab investigates novel S1P receptor modulators like KRP-203 for long-term graft survival and explores the clinical impact of surgical interventions such as abdominal drainage in pediatric complicated appendicitis. Additionally, the lab contributes to renal gene therapy and neuropharmacological models, aiming to bridge preclinical findings with clinical applications.
Professor Nozomu Yachie's research lab specializes in the intersection of synthetic biology, genomics, and computational biology, focusing on developing innovative high-throughput technologies for genome-scale functional analysis and DNA-based data storage. The lab pioneers methods such as Barcode Fusion Genetics-Yeast Two-Hybrid (BFG-Y2H) for comprehensive protein interaction mapping and engineered base editors for systematic genome-wide mutagenesis. A key focus is leveraging the stability and heritability of living genomes to store digital information with minimal error correction, while also integrating multi-omics data to uncover fundamental principles of post-translational regulation, particularly phosphorylation networks. The lab combines experimental molecular biology with computational modeling to explore the evolutionary and systems-level implications of genetic and epigenetic modifications.
Professor Kazuyoshi Yoshimi's research lab specializes in theoretical and computational quantum materials physics, focusing on strongly correlated electron systems in low-dimensional organic conductors and molecular solids. The lab investigates complex quantum phenomena such as charge ordering, spin correlations, superconductivity, and magnetic ordering using advanced first-principles calculations, many-body theory, and machine learning-based optimization techniques. Key research directions include deriving accurate low-energy Hamiltonians from ab initio methods, understanding phase competition in frustrated systems, and exploring the interplay between electron correlation, lattice effects, and electronic order. The lab also develops open-source computational tools like PHYSBO for accelerating materials discovery through Bayesian optimization.
Professor Hiroyuki Aburatani's research lab focuses on DNA damage and repair mechanisms, particularly the enzymatic pathways involved in recognizing and repairing oxidative DNA lesions such as 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OH-G). The lab investigates the molecular functions of DNA glycosylases, including the human homolog of the yeast OGG1 protein (hMMH), which plays a key role in base excision repair. Their work bridges molecular biology and cancer research, aiming to understand how endogenous oxidative stress contributes to mutagenesis and aging-related diseases. The lab also explores the genetic and structural basis of DNA repair enzymes using bioinformatics and molecular cloning techniques.
