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 Naritaka Oshita's research lab specializes in theoretical and mathematical physics, with a primary focus on gravitational wave physics, black hole physics, and quantum gravity. The lab investigates the ringdown phase of black hole mergers, exploring modified dispersion relations, greybody factors, and quasinormal mode excitations to understand the information paradox and test general relativity in strong-field regimes. A key direction involves developing alternative ringdown modeling techniques—such as using greybody factors instead of superposed quasinormal modes—to improve the robustness of black hole parameter estimation and enhance tests of gravity. The lab also examines quantum effects near black hole horizons, including vacuum decay catalysis by compact objects and the stability of spectral amplitudes under perturbations.
Professor Hironobu Fujiwara's research lab specializes in the neurobiological underpinnings of mental health disorders, with a focus on schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and behavioral addictions such as compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD). The lab employs advanced neuroimaging techniques—particularly structural and functional MRI—to investigate brain network abnormalities, including gray-matter volume loss and white-matter alterations, in relation to social cognition, attention, and emotion regulation. A key direction involves exploring the neural mechanisms of mind-body practices like *Kendo* in enhancing cognitive control and motivation-related brain networks. The lab also emphasizes translational research, developing culturally adapted, multilingual screening tools to improve early detection and intervention in diverse populations.
Professor Shinji Deguchi's research lab specializes in cellular mechanobiology, focusing on the dynamic regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and its role in cell mechanics, migration, and disease processes. The lab investigates how mechanical forces are sensed and transduced through actin stress fibers and related structures in non-muscle and endothelial cells, with particular emphasis on molecular mechanisms underlying cytoskeletal remodeling, tension generation, and cell-matrix interactions. Their work also extends to pathological contexts such as fibroblast damage in periodontal inflammation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), where cytoskeletal dynamics play pivotal roles. Using advanced live-cell imaging, micropipette manipulation, and biochemical approaches, the lab aims to uncover fundamental principles of cytoskeletal regulation in health and disease.
Professor Takaomi Hagi's research lab specializes in gastrointestinal oncology and surgical oncology, with a strong focus on improving the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal and gastric cancers. The lab investigates perioperative systemic inflammation, metastasis mechanisms, and the role of biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and adhesion molecules in cancer progression. Key research directions include optimizing neoadjuvant chemotherapy response prediction, enhancing T-staging accuracy in gastric cancer, and exploring novel molecular diagnostics using next-generation sequencing. The lab also investigates the immunomodulatory effects of perioperative steroid therapy to prevent metastasis.
Professor Yuta Kimura's research lab specializes in advanced materials characterization and design for next-generation energy storage systems, with a primary focus on solid-state batteries (SSBs). The lab employs cutting-edge operando 3D imaging techniques—such as hard X-ray computed tomography combined with X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy (CT-XANES)—to visualize and understand mesoscopically inhomogeneous electrochemical reactions in complex electrode architectures. Key research directions include optimizing composite electrode microstructures, developing thermodynamically stable interface coatings, and investigating the mechanical and electrochemical properties of oxide materials under operational conditions. The lab also explores functional oxide-based devices, such as transparent self-switching nanodiodes, demonstrating a broad interest in functional oxides for energy and electronic applications.
Professor Luis Moya's research lab specializes in disaster response and remote sensing, focusing on the rapid detection and assessment of damage following large-scale natural disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rainfall. The lab develops advanced image analysis techniques—particularly using high-resolution lidar data and multispectral imagery—to enable precise change detection, building collapse identification, and ground displacement mapping. A key research direction involves leveraging machine learning and data from past disasters to create near real-time damage assessment tools, overcoming the critical challenge of limited training data in post-disaster scenarios. The lab also emphasizes geospatial data co-registration and texture analysis to improve the accuracy and efficiency of remote sensing applications in emergency response.
Professor Toshiya Takahashi's research lab focuses on the immunological mechanisms underlying chronic inflammatory skin diseases, particularly psoriasis and related disorders such as dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (PCAS). The lab investigates the role of endogenous host defense peptides—especially cathelicidin LL-37—in breaking self-tolerance to self-nucleic acids, thereby promoting innate immune activation through pattern recognition receptors. Using molecular and cellular approaches, including reporter cell lines and multi-omics techniques, the lab explores how damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and antimicrobial peptides synergize to drive interferon production and chronic inflammation. The lab also engages in translational research, evaluating therapeutic targets such as TNF inhibitors in treatment-resistant inflammatory skin conditions.
Professor Yuji Nashimoto's research lab specializes in developing advanced electrochemical and scanning probe microscopy techniques for high-resolution, non-invasive analysis of living cells and tissues. The lab focuses on single-cell and subcellular analysis, particularly in the context of vascular biology, tumor microenvironments, and intracellular molecular dynamics. Key research directions include the application of scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and electrochemical methods to study cellular topography, secretory processes, and oxygen metabolism in 3D tissue models without labeling or physical disruption.
Professor Naoki Uchida's research lab specializes in geophysical and seismological studies focused on understanding fault mechanics, seismicity, and deformation processes along plate boundaries. The lab investigates slow-slip events, repeating earthquakes, and interplate coupling to reveal the dynamics of subduction zones, particularly in northeastern Japan. By analyzing seismic data and using repeating earthquakes as natural creepmeters, the lab uncovers hidden fault slip and its relationship to large earthquakes and tsunamis. Their work contributes to improved earthquake hazard assessment and understanding of deep Earth processes.
Professor Huafang Yu's research lab specializes in metallurgical materials and resource recovery, with a focus on the crystal chemistry and carbothermic reduction behavior of calcium silicate–phosphate solid solutions found in steelmaking slag. The lab investigates the transformation mechanisms and thermodynamic properties of Ca2SiO4–Ca3P2O8 systems to enable efficient phosphorus recovery and reuse. A key research direction involves optimizing carbothermic processes for phosphorus extraction from steelmaking slag under controlled conditions, aiming to develop sustainable solutions for secondary resource utilization in the steel industry.
Professor Tetsuya Okajima's research lab specializes in glycobiology, with a primary focus on the role of post-translational modifications—particularly O-fucosylation and O-HexNAc glycosylation—in regulating the structure, folding, and function of signaling receptors such as Notch. The lab investigates the dual enzymatic and chaperone activities of glycosyltransferases like OFUT1, elucidating how these modifications are essential for proper Notch trafficking and signaling in development. Additionally, the lab explores the molecular mechanisms underlying rare glycosylation events and their implications in human diseases, including progeroid-type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, through molecular cloning and functional characterization of glycosyltransferases. Their work bridges structural biology, cell signaling, and human genetics to uncover the functional significance of glycan modifications in health and disease.
Professor Tetsu Kachi's research lab specializes in the development and optimization of wide-bandgap semiconductor devices, with a primary focus on gallium nitride (GaN) for power electronics applications. The lab investigates advanced doping techniques—particularly magnesium ion implantation and ultra-high-pressure annealing—to achieve high-performance p-type GaN, which is critical for vertical GaN power devices. Key research directions include improving crystal quality through innovative buffer layers, reducing defect densities, and enhancing device reliability for use in electric and hybrid vehicles. The lab also explores fundamental carrier compensation mechanisms in GaN to enable more efficient and stable power switching devices.
Professor Daisuke Kurihara's research lab focuses on plant cell biology and developmental genetics, with a central emphasis on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying plant growth, cell division, and gametophyte development. The lab employs advanced imaging techniques—such as ClearSee-based clearing and live-cell microscopy—to visualize dynamic processes like chromosome segregation, histone modifications, and female gametophyte development in real time. By integrating live imaging with molecular and genetic analyses, the lab investigates key regulators such as Aurora and Haspin kinases in mitotic regulation and chromatin dynamics. Their work bridges cell biology, epigenetics, and developmental biology to uncover fundamental principles of plant morphogenesis and cell fate determination.
Professor Seiya Watanabe's research lab specializes in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multiphase flow simulations, focusing on large-scale, high-performance numerical methods for complex environmental and engineering flows. The lab develops advanced lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and discrete element method (DEM) coupled solvers to simulate free-surface flows with floating debris, wind turbine wakes, ice-structure interactions, and diffuser-augmented wind turbines. Emphasis is placed on GPU-accelerated, scalable simulations using adaptive mesh refinement and innovative data layouts for exascale computing platforms such as Fugaku. The research bridges fundamental fluid dynamics with real-world applications in disaster mitigation, offshore energy, and maritime safety.
Professor Yuki Kimura's research lab specializes in the in-situ observation and fundamental understanding of nucleation, crystallization, and defect formation processes across diverse systems, ranging from biological macromolecules and ionic liquids to semiconductors and astrophysical materials. The lab employs advanced electron microscopy techniques—particularly time-resolved liquid-cell TEM and in situ TEM—to visualize dynamic processes such as cluster formation, heterogeneous nucleation, and defect evolution at the nanoscale. A central theme is unraveling the mechanisms behind phase transitions, polymorph selection, and solidification under extreme or biologically relevant conditions.
Professor Masaharu Kobayashi's research lab specializes in next-generation semiconductor devices and materials for ultra-low power electronics, with a focus on ferroelectric and high-κ dielectrics, especially hafnia-based (HfO₂) materials. The lab pioneers innovative device architectures such as negative capacitance FETs, ferroelectric tunnel junctions, and Schottky barrier engineering in group IV semiconductors like germanium, aiming to enable sub-0.2V operation for energy-harvesting IoT applications. Key research directions include fundamental physics of ferroelectricity, interface engineering, and process integration for CMOS compatibility. The lab combines advanced simulation, experimental characterization, and novel fabrication techniques to push the limits of energy efficiency and performance in nanoscale transistors and memory devices.
Professor Tsubasa Kodaira's research lab specializes in physical oceanography and fluid dynamics, focusing on wave-ice interactions, internal waves in stratified fluids, and oceanic processes in the Arctic. The lab investigates the dynamics of internal solitary waves, sea ice variability, and oceanic heat transport using a combination of field observations, laboratory experiments, and high-resolution numerical modeling. A key emphasis is placed on understanding climate-relevant processes such as wave dissipation in sea ice, the role of atmospheric forcing in Arctic warming, and the impact of internal tides on surface currents. The lab also contributes to improving operational storm surge and tidal current forecasting through advanced ocean modeling.
Professor Yutaka Yatomi's research lab specializes in lipid signaling, with a primary focus on sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P), a bioactive sphingolipid mediator. The lab investigates the metabolism, cellular functions, and physiological roles of Sph-1-P in human platelets and body fluids, particularly its involvement in platelet activation, secretion, and intercellular communication. Key research directions include the identification and quantification of Sph-1-P in human plasma and serum, its release from activated platelets, and the mechanisms underlying its extracellular signaling, including interactions with albumin and surface receptor engagement. The lab also explores the enzymatic pathways regulating Sph-1-P synthesis and degradation, especially in the context of platelet function and vascular biology.
Professor Linhao Li's research focuses on symmetry-protected topological (SPT) phases, particularly in gapless and strongly correlated quantum systems. His work explores nonunitary duality transformations—such as the generalized Kennedy-Tasaki transform—to construct and classify SPT phases, including intrinsically gapless topological states. He employs advanced field-theoretic methods, including conformal field theory and decorated defect constructions, to understand topological invariants, boundary modes, and anomalies in quantum many-body systems. His group bridges condensed matter theory with quantum information concepts, emphasizing the interplay between symmetry, topology, and quantum criticality.
Professor Katsuaki Tanabe's research lab specializes in advanced III-V compound semiconductor materials and devices for next-generation energy and photonic applications. The lab focuses on monolithic integration of III-V semiconductors on silicon substrates to enable high-efficiency, low-cost photovoltaics and high-speed, low-power silicon photonics. Key research directions include quantum dot-based lasers and solar cells, heterointerfacial band engineering, and plasmonic field enhancement for optoelectronic performance enhancement. The lab also pioneers metal- and oxide-free bonding techniques for defect-free heterostructures, enabling high-performance tandem solar cells and electrically pumped lasers on silicon.
