东京大学、京都大学、大阪大学等日本QS前10名大学的研究室信息。
Professor Masashi Kishimoto's research lab specializes in advanced solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technologies, with a strong focus on ammonia-fueled systems, microstructure-property relationships in porous anodes, and multi-scale numerical modeling. The lab investigates fundamental electrochemical and transport phenomena in SOFCs using cutting-edge techniques such as FIB-SEM tomography, sub-grid scale modeling, and 3D simulation to optimize performance and durability. Key research directions include catalyst development for ammonia cracking, quantitative microstructural analysis, and the design of high-efficiency, long-life fuel cell systems for sustainable energy applications.
Professor Masao Matsuoka's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) pathogenesis, with a central emphasis on viral oncogenesis, immune evasion, and the roles of viral regulatory proteins such as Tax and HBZ in adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated diseases. The lab investigates viral gene expression, host cell signaling pathways, and the dysregulation of immune cells—particularly regulatory T cells—contributing to leukemogenesis and inflammatory conditions. Recent work also explores host factors involved in hypercalcemia and bone resorption in ATL, highlighting the interplay between viral infection and host metabolism.
Professor Masae Kuboniwa's research lab focuses on the host-microbe interactions in the oral cavity, particularly the role of polymicrobial communities in periodontal disease pathogenesis. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying biofilm formation, metabolic cross-talk between periodontal pathogens such as *Porphyromonas gingivalis*, *Fusobacterium nucleatum*, and *Streptococcus gordonii*, and the contribution of these interactions to chronic inflammation and tissue destruction. Using molecular microbiology, real-time PCR, and metabolomics, the lab aims to identify key microbial factors and host responses that drive disease progression and to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on microbial community dynamics.
Professor Takaaki Ikeda's research lab focuses on aging-related health disparities, particularly socioeconomic and social determinants of health in older adults. The lab investigates inequalities in chronic conditions such as low back pain and frailty, as well as end-of-life care outcomes, including place of death and palliative service utilization. A key focus is on how policy environments—such as tobacco control and home care infrastructure—influence health behaviors and outcomes across different countries. The lab also conducts clinical and pathological studies on rare but severe conditions, such as paraneoplastic hypercalcemia due to hepatocellular carcinoma.
Professor Michio Kondoh's research lab focuses on theoretical and computational ecology, exploring the mechanisms that maintain species diversity and community stability in complex ecosystems. The lab investigates the role of multiple interaction types—such as competition, predation, and mutualism—in stabilizing food webs, and examines how adaptive foraging and environmental fluctuations influence community persistence. A key focus is on integrating ecological theory with empirical data, including environmental DNA (eDNA) for species abundance estimation, to improve biodiversity monitoring and conservation strategies. The lab also studies evolutionary dynamics in mating systems, particularly the co-evolution of nuptial gifts and female mating behavior in insects.
Professor Amane Makino's research lab specializes in plant physiology, with a primary focus on the regulation of photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism in C3 crops such as rice and wheat. The lab investigates how nitrogen availability influences key photosynthetic enzymes—particularly Rubisco—and their relationship to photosynthetic capacity, leaf nitrogen content, and carbon fixation. Using hydroponic systems and advanced biochemical techniques, the lab explores the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying plant growth responses to environmental factors like elevated CO2 and nutrient supply. Their work provides critical insights into improving crop productivity through optimized nutrient use and photosynthetic efficiency.
Professor Yuta Suzuki's research lab specializes in cardiovascular and metabolic health, with a focus on real-world outcomes of diabetes and hypertension management. The lab investigates the comparative effectiveness of diabetes medications—particularly SGLT2 inhibitors—on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes, as well as the dose-dependent impact of blood pressure and glucose levels on aortic diseases. Using large-scale population-based databases, the lab explores risk stratification, early detection, and prevention strategies for hypertension and related complications in young and middle-aged adults. The research also extends to biomechanics, examining movement patterns in athletes to inform injury prevention and performance optimization.
Professor Seiichi Ohta's research lab specializes in the design and application of functional nanomaterials for biomedical and environmental systems. Key research directions include DNA-responsive nanoscale assemblies for dynamic control of optical and biological properties, targeted drug delivery using biocompatible polymers like hyaluronan, and the development of stimuli-responsive nanogels for cancer therapy. The lab also investigates nanoparticle transport across biological barriers—such as the blood-brain barrier—using ultrasound-enhanced delivery strategies, and conducts detailed soil characterization to understand nutrient dynamics and mineral transformations in tropical ecosystems.
Professor Wen Wen's research lab specializes in cognitive neuroscience and human-machine interaction, focusing on the sense of agency, control, and spatial cognition. The lab investigates how individuals perceive control over their actions and external environments, particularly in complex or automated systems such as driving automation. Key research directions include the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying working memory in spatial knowledge acquisition, the role of attention in action control, and the psychological impact of automation on human engagement. The lab employs behavioral experiments, EEG, and dual-task paradigms to explore the interplay between perception, action, and cognition.
Professor Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi's research lab specializes in viral hepatitis, with a focus on the molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical implications of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and emerging or occult viral infections such as TT virus and hepatitis A virus (HAV). The lab investigates the role of persistent and occult HBV infection in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, particularly in non-B, non-C HCC cases, and examines viral shedding dynamics and detection methods using molecular techniques like RT-PCR. Their work also explores the geographic and genotypic distribution of HBV in Japan and its correlation with clinical outcomes.
Professor Umeharu Ohto's research lab specializes in structural biology and innate immunity, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of pathogen recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and NLRP3 inflammasome. The lab employs X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate the structural basis of ligand recognition, receptor activation, and disease-associated mutations in these immune sensors. Key research directions include understanding species-specific responses to endotoxins (e.g., LPS), the structural dynamics of TLR8 and TLR4 in signaling, and the inhibition mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome by therapeutic compounds. These studies provide critical insights for developing novel immunomodulatory drugs and understanding the pathogenesis of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
Professor Shing-Chi Leung's research lab specializes in theoretical and computational astrophysics, focusing on the structure, stability, and evolution of compact stellar objects such as neutron stars, white dwarfs, and massive stars. The lab investigates the impact of exotic components—particularly non-self-annihilating dark matter—on stellar equilibrium and dynamics using general relativistic two-fluid formalisms and advanced hydrodynamic simulations. Key research directions include pulsational pair-instability in massive stars, Type Ia supernova explosions via the double-detonation mechanism, and the oscillatory and structural properties of dark matter–containing compact stars. The lab integrates multi-scale modeling techniques, including stellar evolution, pulsation, and hydrodynamic simulations, to interpret observational data from stars like Betelgeuse.
Professor Yasutomi Higashikuni's research lab focuses on cardiac pathophysiology, particularly the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying heart failure, hypertrophy, and post-myocardial infarction repair. The lab investigates key pathways involving innate immunity (e.g., TLR2 and HSP70), endothelial function, and transporter proteins such as BCRP1/ABCG2 in regulating cardiac adaptation and vascular integrity. Current research also explores the impact of systemic diseases—like COVID-19—on cardiovascular outcomes, emphasizing immune modulation and microvascular dysfunction.
Professor Kenichi Kato's research lab specializes in the design, synthesis, and characterization of stable organic radicals and functional macrocyclic compounds, with a focus on porphyrin-based systems and pillar[n]arenes. The lab pioneers the development of air-stable, neutral carbon-centered and helical radicals with unique magnetic and chiroptical properties, leveraging metal coordination and steric stabilization. Key research directions include the creation of mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs), dynamic chirality in supramolecular systems, and the exploration of diradical species with tailored electronic structures. The lab employs advanced spectroscopic, electrochemical, and theoretical techniques to understand electronic delocalization and reactivity in these systems.
Professor Naoaki Yabuuchi's research lab specializes in the development of advanced materials for sustainable energy storage, with a primary focus on alkali-ion batteries—particularly sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries. The lab investigates novel electrode materials, such as layered oxides and polyanionic compounds, aiming to enhance energy density, cycle stability, and rate capability through fundamental understanding of structural and electronic changes during electrochemical reactions. A key research direction involves exploring anionic redox activity in oxide-based cathodes, where oxygen anions contribute to charge compensation, enabling higher capacities beyond conventional transition metal redox limits. The lab employs advanced characterization techniques, including synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction, to probe local and long-range structures under operating conditions.
Professor Hisayo Yamane's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying dormancy regulation and self-incompatibility in perennial fruit trees, particularly in the genus Prunus. The lab investigates MADS-box transcription factors, such as PpDAM and PmDAM6, in relation to endodormancy and chilling requirement for bud break. Additionally, the lab explores the genetic and molecular basis of gametophytic self-incompatibility, including S-locus F-box proteins and S-RNases in sour and sweet cherries. Their work integrates functional genomics, gene expression analysis, and transgenic approaches to understand key regulatory genes in dormancy and reproductive isolation.
Professor Shinjiro Yamaguchi's research lab focuses on plant hormone signaling and regulation, with a central emphasis on gibberellins (GAs) and strigolactones (SLs). The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying GA biosynthesis, deactivation, and signaling, particularly the role of DELLA proteins as integrators of hormonal and environmental cues. They also explore how phytohormones such as SLs regulate plant development, including axillary bud outgrowth and symbiotic interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under nutrient stress. Their work combines molecular genetics, genomics, and physiological approaches to understand hormone homeostasis and its impact on plant growth and adaptation.
Professor Kohji Nishida's research lab specializes in regenerative ophthalmology, focusing on bioengineered corneal epithelial cell sheets for ocular surface reconstruction. The lab pioneers sutureless transplantation techniques using autologous oral mucosal epithelial cells and explores limbal stem cell biology, including the identification of side population cells expressing ABCG2. A key area of investigation involves choroidal physiology using advanced imaging modalities such as high-penetration and enhanced-depth imaging OCT, revealing diurnal fluctuations and pathological changes in conditions like central serous chorioretinopathy. The lab integrates clinical ophthalmology with cutting-edge stem cell and imaging technologies to restore vision in severe ocular surface diseases.
Professor Masayuki Nakamori's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying myotonic dystrophy, particularly the role of RNA toxicity and alternative splicing dysregulation in disease pathogenesis. The lab investigates how expanded (CUG/CCUG) repeat mutations lead to widespread splicing defects, muscle wasting, and systemic complications in DM1 and DM2. Key research directions include identifying splicing biomarkers for disease severity, exploring the impact of transcription on repeat instability, and evaluating repurposed drugs like erythromycin as potential therapeutics. The lab also examines signaling pathways such as IL-6 and dystrophin splicing alterations that contribute to muscle immaturity and degeneration in congenital and adult-onset forms of the disease.
Professor Ryota Shimizu's research lab specializes in advanced oxide materials and nanostructured functional films, with a focus on atomic-scale control of epitaxial oxide heterostructures, quantum phenomena in two-dimensional materials, and the development of autonomous materials discovery platforms. The lab combines cutting-edge techniques such as molecular beam epitaxy, scanning tunneling microscopy, and in situ spectroscopy to explore emergent electronic states like charge-density waves and superconductivity in complex oxides and graphene-based systems. A key innovation is the integration of machine learning and robotics for high-throughput, data-driven materials synthesis and optimization, enabling rapid exploration of complex materials spaces. The lab also investigates electric field distributions in dielectrics using advanced electro-optic imaging, supporting applications in energy and electronic devices.
