Research labs at Japan's QS Top 10 universities including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
Professor Hiroyoshi Takeuchi's research lab focuses on optimizing antipsychotic treatment strategies in schizophrenia, with a strong emphasis on pharmacological efficacy, tolerability, and long-term outcomes. Key research directions include the evaluation of antipsychotic polypharmacy, particularly its impact on QTc prolongation; the identification of minimum effective doses in acute schizophrenia; and the comparative effectiveness of antipsychotic discontinuation strategies. The lab also investigates adherence to clozapine and the use of symptom trajectory analysis via clinical rating scales to inform maintenance treatment decisions.
Professor Kimihiro Hino's research lab focuses on urban health and population health promotion, with a strong emphasis on physical activity, built environment, and aging in urban settings. The lab investigates how environmental factors—such as walkability, neighborhood design, meteorological conditions, and urban farming—impact step counts and health behaviors across diverse populations, particularly older adults and urban residents in Japan. Using large-scale, longitudinal, and objective data (e.g., pedometer and GPS data), the lab applies advanced statistical methods to inform public health and urban planning policies in highly dense, aging societies.
Professor Zhikuan Zhang's research lab specializes in structural biology and molecular immunology, focusing on the atomic-level mechanisms of innate immune receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and FcεRI, particularly their ligand recognition and activation dynamics. The lab employs advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography to elucidate the conformational changes and oligomeric assemblies of viral and host membrane proteins, including SARS-CoV-2 M protein and ion channels. Additionally, the lab explores innovative semiconductor device architectures, such as recessed and SOI-based MOSFETs, for next-generation nanoelectronics with enhanced performance and scalability. Their interdisciplinary work bridges virology, immunology, and nanoelectronics, aiming to uncover fundamental biological mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic and technological solutions.
Professor Benjamin McLellan's research lab focuses on sustainable energy systems, with a strong emphasis on the environmental, economic, and geopolitical dimensions of critical materials such as rare earth elements and the role of green hydrogen in decarbonizing energy systems. The lab investigates the sustainability of supply chains for strategic materials, the cost trajectories and technological pathways for green hydrogen production via electrolysis, and the resilience of energy infrastructure in the face of natural disasters. A central theme is the integration of life cycle assessment, systems thinking, and policy analysis to support the transition to low-carbon, resilient, and secure energy systems.
Professor Yuting Guo's research lab specializes in computational and systems biology, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammation in intracerebral hemorrhage and the role of microglial polarization in brain injury. The lab also investigates interfacial heat transfer phenomena in microelectronic and biotechnological systems, using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to explore surfactant effects on thermal interface materials and surface adsorption. Additionally, the lab applies advanced mass cytometry techniques to study host-pathogen interactions, particularly silver-induced responses in bacterial populations and plant defense systems. These interdisciplinary efforts bridge neuroscience, materials science, and systems biology to address critical challenges in health and technology.
Professor Kenta Kiuchi's research lab specializes in numerical relativity and relativistic astrophysics, focusing on the dynamics of compact object mergers such as binary neutron stars and black hole–neutron star systems. The lab conducts high-resolution, general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD) simulations on exascale supercomputers like the Japanese 'K' supercomputer to study magnetic field amplification, turbulence, and energy transport during mergers. Key research directions include the role of instabilities—such as the Kelvin-Helmholtz and magnetorotational instabilities—in driving magnetic field growth and powering electromagnetic counterparts like kilonovae and relativistic outflows. The lab also investigates the connection between gravitational wave signals and electromagnetic emissions from neutron star mergers.
Professor Tomoko Matsuda's research lab specializes in biocatalysis, with a focus on developing sustainable and efficient enzymatic processes for asymmetric synthesis. The lab investigates enzyme-catalyzed reactions in non-conventional media, particularly supercritical carbon dioxide, to enhance reaction efficiency, enantioselectivity, and green chemistry principles. Key research directions include the use of microbial enzymes—such as alcohol dehydrogenase from *Geotrichum candidum*—for stereoselective reductions and carboxylations, as well as innovative enzyme immobilization techniques to improve stability and recyclability. The lab also explores cofactor regeneration and biocatalyst engineering for practical applications in pharmaceutical synthesis.
Professor Yoichi Murakami's research lab specializes in the photophysical properties of low-dimensional nanomaterials, particularly single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), with a focus on their optical anisotropy, exciton dynamics, and photon upconversion mechanisms. The lab investigates fundamental processes such as exciton diffusion, annihilation, and triplet-triplet annihilation in SWNTs, aiming to understand and quantify exciton densities and optical cross sections under intense excitation. Additionally, the lab contributes to bioinformatics by developing computational tools like PSOPIA for predicting protein-protein interactions using network-based features, bridging nanomaterials science with systems biology. Their work spans from quantum-scale photophysics to applications in optoelectronics and biological network modeling.
Professor Susumu Imashuku's research lab specializes in advanced ceramic materials, particularly perovskite oxides and non-metallic inclusions in steels. The lab focuses on optimizing the ionic conductivity of doped barium zirconate for solid oxide fuel cell applications, with particular emphasis on proton conductors and grain boundary engineering. A key research direction involves developing rapid, on-site analytical techniques—such as cathodoluminescence (CL) and X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL)—for the identification of inclusions in high-performance steels, which is critical for improving material reliability and performance in industrial applications.
Professor K. Nakayama's research lab specializes in the electronic structure characterization of quantum materials using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). The lab focuses on understanding unconventional superconductivity, charge-density wave order, and topological states in iron-based superconductors, kagome metals, and topological heterostructures. Key research directions include the interplay between electronic nematicity, spin-orbit coupling, and superconducting pairing symmetry, as well as the role of quantum confinement in enhancing topological band gaps. The lab's work provides critical insights into emergent quantum phenomena in strongly correlated and topological materials.
Professor Yoshihiko Kuchitsu's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying intracellular membrane trafficking, particularly the regulation of autophagy and innate immune signaling. The lab investigates how key regulators such as Rab7 and STING control organelle dynamics, including autophagosome-lysosome fusion, lysosomal degradation, and the spatial organization of immune signaling complexes. Using advanced imaging techniques like Airyscan super-resolution microscopy and correlative light-electron microscopy, the lab uncovers the subcellular logistics of cellular quality control and immune activation pathways. Their work bridges cell biology, immunology, and intracellular trafficking to understand how cells maintain homeostasis and respond to stress or infection.
Professor Yuta Tsuji's research lab specializes in theoretical and computational materials science, focusing on the electronic structure and reactivity of functional oxides, 2D materials, and molecular junctions. The lab investigates surface catalysis—particularly methane activation on transition metal oxides like IrO2—electron transport in π-conjugated systems, and quantum interference effects in molecular conductance. It also explores novel lithium-rich phases and electrides, as well as interfacial interactions in nanocomposites for energy and electronic applications.
Professor Shinji Takeoka's research lab specializes in the design and application of advanced nanomaterials, particularly focusing on semiconductor nanocrystals (such as Si and Ge) and biodegradable polymer nanosheets. The lab investigates size-dependent optical properties of nanomaterials for optoelectronic and biomedical applications, while also pioneering innovative free-standing nanoscale materials for wound healing and tissue engineering. A key direction involves developing functional nanomaterials that combine tunable optical responses with biocompatibility and mechanical robustness for clinical use.
Professor Yun-Gi Kim's research lab focuses on the intricate host-microbiota interactions that shape immune development, metabolic homeostasis, and disease susceptibility. The lab investigates how commensal gut bacteria and microbial metabolites—such as reactive sulfur species, D-amino acids, and short-chain fatty acids—modulate host immunity, oxidative stress responses, and intestinal barrier function. Key research directions include the role of specific bacterial taxa (e.g., Clostridiales, Enterobacteriaceae) in colonization resistance, the immunomodulatory functions of microbial metabolites, and the impact of host pattern recognition receptors (e.g., Nod2) in maintaining gut immune tolerance. The lab integrates gnotobiotic models, metabolomics, and host-pathogen interaction studies to uncover mechanisms underlying inflammatory bowel disease, infection, and metabolic disorders.
Professor Hironobu Yoshimi's research lab specializes in photonic integrated circuits with a focus on topological photonics and slow light phenomena in valley photonic crystals. The lab develops novel waveguide platforms that enable robust, low-loss light transmission even around sharp bends, leveraging topological protection and high group index modes for enhanced light-matter interaction. They also design and demonstrate efficient couplers between topological waveguides and conventional waveguides, as well as compact, low-noise fiber lasers for applications in optical communications and sensing. Their work bridges theoretical design, numerical simulation, and experimental validation in nanophotonic devices using silicon-based platforms.
Professor Satoshi Iwakami's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of herbicide resistance in arable weeds, particularly *Echinochloa phyllopogon*, with a central emphasis on cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in herbicide metabolism. The lab investigates how P450 gene expression and activity contribute to resistance against acetolactate synthase (ALS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, exploring both metabolic and target-site resistance mechanisms. Their work integrates molecular biology, gene expression analysis, and physiological studies to understand herbicide detoxification in weeds and its implications for sustainable crop protection.
Professor Hao Li's research lab specializes in computational mechanics, intelligent sensing, and thermal management systems, with a strong focus on tire–soil interaction, structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure, and advanced thermal design for electronics cooling. The lab develops high-fidelity finite element and analytical models to simulate complex contact mechanics and dynamic responses, while also integrating deep learning for real-time feature extraction and performance optimization. Recent work emphasizes topology optimization for liquid-cooled heat sinks and model updating techniques for prestressed bridges using dynamic response data.
Professor Gert-Jan Bekker's research lab specializes in computational structural biology and molecular dynamics simulations, focusing on understanding protein stability, antibody-antigen interactions, and drug binding mechanisms. The lab develops advanced web-based tools like Molmil and the Biological Structure Model Archive (BSM-Arc) to enable interactive visualization and sharing of molecular data. Their work bridges experimental structural data with in silico modeling, particularly in the context of therapeutic antibody design and drug discovery for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. They also pioneer innovative simulation methods, including multicanonical molecular dynamics and thermodynamic integration, to predict binding affinities and pathways with high accuracy.
Professor Jia-Yi Dong's research lab focuses on nutritional and lifestyle factors influencing chronic disease risk, with a strong emphasis on metabolic and cardiovascular health. The lab conducts systematic reviews and meta-analyses to evaluate the impact of dietary patterns, micronutrients (such as magnesium), probiotics, and dietary glycemic load on conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and breast cancer. A key research direction involves understanding the mediating roles of lifestyle factors—such as alcohol use, hormone therapy, and menopausal status—in disease development. The lab also investigates the protective effects of dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet in populations with existing cardiovascular disease.
Professor Jieun Jung's research lab specializes in molecular catalysis and photochemistry, with a strong focus on the development of transition metal complexes—particularly those of manganese and iridium—for sustainable energy and environmental applications. The lab investigates fundamental reaction mechanisms in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, oxygenation, and mercury capture, using advanced spectroscopic and computational methods to elucidate electronic structures and reaction pathways. Their work bridges synthetic inorganic chemistry with practical applications in clean energy conversion and pollution control.
