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 Junji Nakamura's research lab specializes in surface science and heterogeneous catalysis, with a focus on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of catalytic reactions at the atomic level. The lab investigates non-precious metal electrocatalysts—particularly nitrogen-doped carbon materials—for oxygen reduction reactions in fuel cells and metal-air batteries, aiming to identify and optimize active sites such as pyridinic nitrogen. They also explore catalytic processes like the water-gas shift reaction and CO2 hydrogenation, using advanced surface characterization techniques under ultrahigh and high-pressure conditions to correlate surface structure with reactivity. Their work bridges materials synthesis, surface analysis, and reaction kinetics to develop efficient, low-cost catalysts for sustainable energy applications.
Professor Yosuke Minoda's research lab specializes in advanced endoscopic diagnostics and interventional gastroenterology, with a focus on improving the accuracy of subepithelial lesion (SEL) diagnosis using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and artificial intelligence. The lab investigates innovative techniques such as EUS-FNAB, EUS-AI systems, and novel endoscopic therapies like the SCCT for artificial ulcer closure. A key research direction involves optimizing endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and rare tumors such as glomus tumors, particularly in challenging anatomical sites like the duodenum. The lab also emphasizes clinical training and standardization of classification systems, such as the JNET classification, to enhance diagnostic consistency among endoscopists.
Professor Hirofumi Miyaji's research lab specializes in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with a focus on developing bioactive nanomaterials for bone and periodontal regeneration. The lab investigates functionalized collagen scaffolds coated with graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO), and nano-β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) to enhance cellular responses and tissue formation. A key research direction involves the controlled delivery of growth factors such as FGF-2 to promote periodontal attachment reorganization and new bone augmentation. The lab combines materials science, biomaterials engineering, and preclinical animal models to design advanced scaffolds for clinical applications in dentistry and orthopedics.
Professor Souichiro Kato's research lab specializes in microbial ecology and environmental biotechnology, focusing on interspecies electron transfer (IET) in anaerobic microbial communities. The lab investigates how conductive minerals such as magnetite and iron oxides facilitate electron exchange between microbes, enabling cooperative metabolic processes like methanogenesis and cellulose degradation. A central theme is the role of extracellular electron transfer (EET) in shaping microbial community functions and enhancing biotechnological applications, including sustainable energy production and bioremediation. The lab also explores the ecological and engineering implications of microbial interactions mediated by solid-phase electron conduits.
Professor Masaaki Tanaka's research lab specializes in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth and characterization of ferromagnetic semiconductors and metallic films, with a focus on integrating magnetic and spintronic properties into III–V semiconductor heterostructures. The lab investigates epitaxial growth control, magnetic anisotropy, and spin-dependent transport in materials such as MnAs, MnGa, and Mn-doped GaAs, aiming to develop room-temperature spintronic devices. Key research directions include the design of magnetic tunnel junctions with giant tunneling magnetoresistance, the engineering of perpendicular and in-plane magnetic anisotropy, and the development of epitaxial templates for high-quality ferromagnetic films on semiconductors. The lab's work bridges fundamental materials science with applications in non-volatile magnetic memory and spin-based electronics.
Professor Paul Lester Chua's research lab specializes in environmental health and climate change adaptation, focusing on the impacts of climate change on human health—particularly vector-borne and heat-related diseases in tropical and urban settings. The lab conducts epidemiological and environmental health research with an emphasis on temperature and precipitation-related health outcomes, including severe diarrhoea and mortality. Their work integrates data science and public health policy to inform climate-resilient health strategies in vulnerable regions such as the Philippines. The lab also investigates the role of urban infrastructure, such as air conditioning, in mitigating climate-related health risks.
Professor Wujun Yin's research lab specializes in the design, processing, and mechanical behavior of advanced metallic materials, with a focus on magnesium-based alloys and high-strength steels. The lab investigates microstructure–property relationships, particularly how phase morphology, texture, and deformation mechanisms influence strength and ductility. Using advanced characterization techniques such as atom probe tomography and high-resolution digital image correlation, the lab explores nanoscale strain localization and phase partitioning in complex multi-phase systems. Current research directions include optimizing extrusion processing in Mg-Zn-Y alloys and understanding the micromechanics of quenching and tempering (Q&T) and quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steels.
Professor Masahide Terazima's research lab specializes in photophysical and photodynamic processes in solution, with a primary focus on the transient behavior of radical species generated by photochemical reactions. The lab employs advanced laser spectroscopic techniques—particularly the transient grating method—to investigate the diffusion dynamics, solvation effects, and intermolecular interactions of short-lived intermediates such as radicals and triplet states. Their work provides critical insights into the fundamental dynamics of photoinduced processes, especially in hydrogen abstraction reactions and excited-state chemistry of organic molecules and fullerenes.
Professor Kenji Sato's research lab specializes in food biochemistry and muscle physiology, with a primary focus on the structural and functional properties of collagen in fish and other animal tissues. His work explores collagen solubility, its role in muscle texture and swimming mechanics, and the biochemical changes during postmortem storage, particularly in relation to connective tissue degradation. The lab also investigates protein cross-linking and analytical methods for detecting bioactive compounds in food proteins.
Professor Terumasa Kato's research lab specializes in physical organic chemistry and materials science, focusing on the mechanistic studies of catalytic reactions—particularly those involving N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs)—in both synthetic and solid-state environments. The lab investigates umpolung reactivity, proton transfer processes, and the role of cooperative catalysis in enabling challenging transformations such as tail-to-tail dimerization of unsaturated nitriles and esters. Additionally, the group employs electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy to probe dynamic processes in crystalline materials, including radical behavior and molecular motions near phase transitions. Their work bridges molecular-level reaction mechanisms with the physical properties of functional materials.
Professor Kento Uchida's research lab specializes in ultrafast quantum optics and nonlinear light-matter interactions, focusing on how intense laser fields reveal and manipulate electronic quantum states in quantum materials. The lab explores high-harmonic generation in solids to probe complex electronic phenomena such as Berry curvature, band structure, and many-body correlations in strongly correlated systems. By combining ultrafast spectroscopy with theoretical modeling, the group investigates photon-dressed states, Floquet engineering, and coherent electron dynamics on sub-cycle timescales. Their work bridges fundamental quantum physics with applications in quantum control and next-generation optoelectronic materials.
Professor Wataru Ando's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine and orthopedic tissue engineering, with a focus on cartilage and tendon repair using mesenchymal stem cells. The lab investigates the development and mechanical characterization of tissue-engineered constructs (TECs) derived from synovial mesenchymal stem cells, particularly emphasizing extracellular matrix formation, scaffold-free engineering, and in vivo performance in cartilage repair. The lab also explores clinical applications in rare metabolic disorders such as ochronosis, where tendon integrity is compromised by pigment deposition, and evaluates long-term outcomes of metal-on-metal hip arthroplasties in relation to metal ion release and pseudotumor formation. Their work bridges basic tissue engineering with translational orthopedic surgery, aiming to improve functional outcomes in joint and tendon repair.
Professor Kumi Y. Inoue's research lab specializes in the development of advanced electrochemical sensing platforms for biomedical and biochemical applications. The lab focuses on designing integrated LSI-based sensor systems, such as Bio-LSI, for high-sensitivity, multi-point amperometric detection and electrochemical bio-imaging. Key research directions include the creation of zymogen-based sensors for endotoxin detection, the integration of electrochemical detection with microfabricated electrode arrays, and the application of novel electroactive substrates for protease and pathogen detection. The lab also explores innovative techniques such as bipolar electrochemical microscopy and electrochemiluminescence detection for enhanced spatial and temporal resolution in biosensing.
Professor Kenjiro Terada's research lab specializes in multiscale modeling and numerical analysis of heterogeneous materials, with a focus on advanced computational mechanics for composite and functionally graded materials. The lab develops innovative numerical methods—such as the finite cover method, extended B-splines, and homogenization-based topology optimization—to accurately simulate micro–macro mechanical behavior under complex loading, including elastoplasticity, damage, and finite deformation. Key research directions include the development of stable and reliable computational frameworks for multi-scale analysis, particularly in the context of fiber-reinforced plastics and heterogeneous solids with complex microstructures.
Professor Akihiro Hayakawa's research lab specializes in combustion science, with a focus on fundamental combustion characteristics of alternative fuels such as ammonia. The lab investigates ammonia flame behavior, NOx formation mechanisms, and chemiluminescence under varying pressure conditions, aiming to support the development of clean-burning, carbon-free energy systems. Numerical simulations are employed alongside experimental studies to understand and optimize flame stability and pollutant reduction. The lab also explores turbulent flame propagation, particularly the differences between spherically expanding and burner-stabilized flames, to improve predictive models for practical combustion applications.
Professor K. Takenaka's research lab specializes in the discovery and development of advanced functional materials, with a primary focus on negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials. The lab investigates novel materials—particularly antiperovskite manganese nitrides and layered oxides—exhibiting giant, isotropic, and nonhysteretic NTE through structural and electronic engineering. Key research directions include understanding the mechanisms behind phase-transition-type NTE, optimizing thermal expansion tuning via doping (e.g., Ge, Sn, C), and enabling practical applications in thermal expansion compensation for high-precision devices. The lab also explores electronic transport properties in complex oxides, such as cuprates, to link electronic behavior with structural instabilities.
Professor Hiromichi Ebi's research lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying oncogenic signaling pathways in human cancers, particularly the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathways. The lab investigates how genetic alterations such as PIK3CA mutations, HER2 amplification, and KRAS/BRAF mutations drive tumor progression and resistance to targeted therapies. A central theme is identifying combination therapies that overcome adaptive resistance and improve treatment outcomes in breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. The lab also contributes to the clinical translation of precision oncology, including genomic profiling and health policy implementation in Japan.
Professor Masaaki Kurasaki's research lab specializes in environmental toxicology and metal-microbe interactions, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals and nanomaterials on biological systems. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of metal toxicity—particularly mercury, silver nanoparticles, cadmium, and chromium—along with the protective roles of essential elements like selenium and metallothioneins. Research spans in vitro cellular models, water quality assessment in diverse geographical regions, and the development of sustainable materials for heavy metal remediation. The lab emphasizes both environmental risk assessment and innovative solutions for water purification and pollution control.
Professor Daisuke Ito's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The lab investigates protein homeostasis, stress responses such as the unfolded protein response (UPR), and the pathogenic roles of RNA-binding proteins like FUS and C9orf72 in protein aggregation and stress granule dynamics. They also explore the genetic basis of motor neuron diseases, including the dual roles of seipin mutations in lipodystrophy and neurodegeneration, and the contribution of oxidative stress and genetic variants like NADPH oxidase p22 PHOX to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative pathologies.
Professor Alexandre Cauquoin's research lab specializes in Earth system modeling with a focus on integrating stable water isotopes into climate models to improve the understanding of past and present hydrological cycles and climate variability. The lab develops and applies isotope-enabled versions of global climate models—such as MPI-ESM-wiso, ECHAM6-wiso, and AWI-ESM-2.1-wiso—to simulate isotopic signals in the atmosphere, ocean, and ice cores, enabling direct comparison with paleoclimate archives. Their work bridges atmospheric science, paleoclimatology, and model development, particularly in studying past climate states like the pre-industrial and mid-Holocene periods.
