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 Atsushi Takeda's research lab focuses on the neurobiological and molecular mechanisms underlying neurological and metabolic disorders, particularly Parkinson’s disease and oculocutaneous albinism. The lab investigates the link between brain glucose metabolism and clinical symptoms such as hyposmia in Parkinson’s disease using PET imaging and metabolic mapping. It also conducts molecular genetic analyses to identify disease-causing mutations, as demonstrated in their work on tyrosinase gene defects in tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism. The lab integrates clinical neuroscience with molecular genetics to uncover early biomarkers and genetic causes of neurodegenerative and pigmentation disorders.
Professor Keiichi Katoh's research lab specializes in molecular magnetism, with a focus on single-molecule magnets (SMMs) based on rare-earth phthalocyanine and naphthalocyanine complexes. The lab investigates the crystal structures, magnetic anisotropy, and slow magnetic relaxation dynamics in dinuclear and triple-decker Ln(III)-Pc systems, particularly for Tb(III) and Dy(III) ions. Using advanced techniques such as X-ray crystallography, SQUID magnetometry, and scanning tunneling microscopy, the group explores how electronic interactions, coordination geometry, and magnetic coupling influence SMM behavior and quantum phenomena like quantum tunneling of magnetization. Their work contributes significantly to the emerging field of molecular spintronics and the design of non-volatile molecular memory materials.
Professor Yuji Owada's research lab focuses on the role of intracellular lipid-binding proteins, particularly FABP family members such as B-FABP and FABP7, in brain development, function, and disease. The lab investigates how these proteins regulate fatty acid metabolism, neuronal morphology, and synaptic plasticity, with implications for neuropsychiatric disorders and glioblastoma stem cells. Using genetic models, patient-derived cell lines, and molecular analyses, the lab explores the link between lipid metabolism and neurological diseases, including schizophrenia and brain tumors. Their work bridges cellular metabolism with neural function and disease pathogenesis.
Professor Emiko Sato's research lab focuses on the pathophysiological mechanisms of uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly their role in skeletal muscle wasting (uremic sarcopenia) and organ dysfunction. The lab employs advanced metabolomics and imaging mass spectrometry to investigate how uremic toxins like indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate accumulate in tissues and alter cellular metabolism, with a key emphasis on the Nrf2 pathway and oxidative stress responses. Additionally, the lab explores biomarkers for dialysis adequacy and contributes to clinical understanding of rare disorders such as EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases, including outcomes following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The integration of clinical medicine, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry defines the lab’s translational research approach.
Professor Yoshinao Muro's research lab specializes in autoimmunity and autoantibody biology, with a focus on identifying and characterizing autoantibodies as diagnostic and prognostic markers in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The lab investigates the clinical significance of autoantibodies such as anti-DFS70, anti-MDA-5, and anti-SAE, exploring their roles in disease classification, activity monitoring, and immune pathogenesis. Research also extends to the molecular mechanisms of centromere proteins, including CENP-B, and their interactions with centromeric DNA, contributing to understanding chromosomal stability and autoimmunity. The lab integrates clinical immunology with molecular biology to uncover biomarkers with translational potential for precision medicine.
Professor Chao Li's research lab focuses on interdisciplinary environmental and social science research, with a strong emphasis on the impacts of environmental factors—such as air pollution, urbanization, and land use—on human health and well-being. The lab investigates the complex relationships between environmental exposures (e.g., PM₂.₅, urban greenery) and physical and mental health outcomes, particularly in children and urban populations. It also explores the socio-economic and policy dimensions of environmental health, including income effects on mental health and the role of urban planning in promoting well-being. The lab employs advanced statistical and spatial modeling techniques to analyze large-scale, nationally representative datasets and environmental data.
Professor Ammar Elakhdar's research lab focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying abiotic stress tolerance in barley, with a particular emphasis on salinity, drought, and low-temperature stress. The lab integrates genomics, molecular breeding, and high-throughput phenotyping to identify key genes, QTLs, and molecular markers associated with stress resilience and agronomic performance. Utilizing advanced genetic tools such as SSR and DArT markers, the lab constructs high-density genetic maps and conducts association mapping to accelerate the development of climate-resilient barley cultivars. Their work bridges fundamental genetics with applied breeding to enhance crop productivity under challenging environmental conditions.
Professor Shûhei Yamamoto's research lab specializes in the systematics, evolutionary biology, and paleontology of rove beetles (Staphylinidae), with a particular focus on understanding the macroevolutionary patterns of social parasitism, morphological diversification, and phylogenetic relationships within major subfamilies such as Aleocharinae, Tachyporinae, and Osoriinae. The lab integrates fossil evidence from Cretaceous and Tertiary ambers—especially Burmese and Baltic amber—with modern morphological and molecular data to reconstruct evolutionary histories and test phylogenetic hypotheses using total-evidence dating methods. A central theme is uncovering the deep-time origins of ecological specialization, including social parasitism and specialized feeding adaptations, through detailed comparative morphology and phylogenetic systematics.
Professor Yuichi Ikuhara's research lab specializes in advanced electron microscopy and materials characterization, focusing on the atomic-scale understanding of complex oxide materials, particularly in energy storage systems. The lab investigates the structural evolution, phase transitions, and defect dynamics in cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, with a strong emphasis on lithium-rich layered oxides and spinel-type oxides. Using state-of-the-art in situ transmission electron microscopy techniques, including aberration-corrected STEM, the lab uncovers the behavior of dislocations, grain boundaries, and light elements such as lithium and oxygen at the atomic level. Their work bridges fundamental materials science with practical applications in next-generation batteries for electric vehicles and sustainable energy technologies.
Professor Hirokazu Tsukaya's research lab focuses on the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying plant organ morphogenesis, particularly leaf and floral organ shape development in *Arabidopsis thaliana*. The lab investigates how polar cell proliferation and expansion, dorsoventral patterning, and cell cycle regulation contribute to the diversity of plant form. Key interests include the identification and functional analysis of novel regulatory genes, such as small peptides like ROT4, and the role of ribosomal proteins in developmental regulation beyond general protein synthesis. The lab also explores metabolic and hormonal signals that modulate gene expression during organogenesis, using transgenic systems and reverse genetics approaches.
Professor Kunihiro Ohta's research lab specializes in cell biology and molecular genetics, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying mitosis, meiosis, and microtubule dynamics. The lab investigates centrosome function and microtubule nucleation using Xenopus egg extracts, elucidating key regulatory mechanisms in cell cycle control. It also explores the roles of conserved proteins in chromosomal recombination and genome stability, particularly in the context of DNA double-strand break formation and gene conversion. The lab's work bridges cell biology with molecular genetics, emphasizing fundamental processes in eukaryotic cell division and genome maintenance.
Professor Takaya Kubo's research lab specializes in the development of eco-friendly, solution-processed nanomaterials for next-generation optoelectronic devices, with a primary focus on thin-film solar cells. The lab explores novel heterojunction architectures using quantum dots (such as PbS and AgBiS₂), ZnO nanowires, and chalcogenide nanocrystals to enhance light absorption, carrier transport, and device stability. Key research directions include interface engineering, defect control in wide-bandgap semiconductors, and the design of efficient, lead-free, and scalable solar cell structures for tandem and bottom-cell applications. The lab emphasizes fundamental understanding of material properties—such as optical gaps, defect states, and Raman-active modes—through advanced spectroscopic techniques to guide device optimization.
Professor Alan Kawarai Lefor's research lab focuses on minimally invasive surgical techniques, particularly laparoscopic splenectomy for hematologic disorders such as immune thrombocytopenia purpura, and on improving diagnostic accuracy in colorectal and head and neck cancers through advanced histopathological methods. The lab investigates the role of immunohistochemical and special staining techniques—such as D2-40, EVG, and CAM5.2—in identifying critical prognostic factors like lymphatic and venous invasion and tumor budding. Additionally, the lab explores the biological effects of hyperthermia on tumor and normal tissue permeability, contributing to oncological therapeutics. The research integrates surgical innovation with translational pathology to enhance patient outcomes.
Professor Yasuyuki Arai's research lab specializes in translational immunology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, focusing on the immune mechanisms underlying post-transplant complications such as graft-versus-host disease, thrombotic microangiopathy, and autoimmune disorders like IgG4-related disease. The lab employs advanced techniques including machine learning for clinical prediction models, cellular therapy using engineered CAR-T cells, and investigation of innate immune mediators such as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Their work bridges basic immunology with clinical applications to improve outcomes in bone marrow and cord blood transplantation.
Professor Shimpei Iikuni's research lab specializes in the development of targeted radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging and radiotherapy, with a focus on theranostics—integrating diagnostic imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy. The lab develops novel radiolabeled compounds that selectively target disease-specific biomarkers, such as carbonic anhydrase-IX in hypoxic tumors, PSMA in prostate cancer, and amyloid aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. A key research direction involves optimizing radioligands to enhance tumor retention while minimizing off-target accumulation, particularly in the kidneys, to improve imaging contrast and therapeutic efficacy. The lab also pioneers strategies to enhance binding affinity and pharmacokinetics through molecular design, including albumin-binding moieties and bivalent ligands.
Professor Norikatsu Miyoshi's research lab focuses on cancer biology and molecular oncology, with a particular emphasis on the role of pluripotency factors, epigenetic regulation, and novel biomarkers in gastrointestinal cancers. The lab investigates how reprogramming factors and epigenetic modifications—such as DNA methylation dynamics and 5-methylcytosine erasure—contribute to cancer progression and treatment response. Key research directions include identifying prognostic markers like TRIB3, ANXA9, and SCRN1 in colorectal and esophageal cancers, and exploring the implications of these markers for patient survival and therapy. The lab also examines the impact of chemotherapy-induced myelotoxicity on clinical outcomes in advanced cancer patients.
Professor Hikaru Sotome's research lab specializes in ultrafast photochemistry and photophysics of functional organic molecules, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of excited-state processes in photochromic systems and stable open-shell organic semiconductors. The lab employs advanced ultrafast laser spectroscopy techniques—such as femtosecond transient absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy—to investigate reaction mechanisms, conical intersections, and non-radiative decay pathways in diarylethenes and triangulene derivatives. A key research direction involves manipulating electronic structures through molecular design, including nitrogen doping and symmetry breaking, to achieve stable triplet states and near-infrared emission. The lab also explores supramolecular self-assembly of π-conjugated molecules, where aggregation-induced emission is achieved through controlled stacking and steric engineering.
Professor Nobuaki Kambe's research lab specializes in the development of innovative transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, with a particular focus on activating inert C–H and C–X (X = F, Cl, Br, I, OTs, OMs) bonds in organic synthesis. The lab pioneers methods for functionalizing sp³-hybridized carbon centers, including alkyl halides and fluorides, using novel ligands and catalytic systems such as Cu- and Ni-based catalysts. A key theme is the design of selective transformations—such as sulfenylation, sulfonylation, and C–C bond formation—enabled by directing groups like 8-aminoquinoline, expanding the scope of late-stage functionalization. The lab also explores the use of organometallic reagents, including Grignard and telluride-based reagents, for efficient and chemoselective transformations under mild conditions.
Professor Zheng Zhang's research lab specializes in advanced materials and microelectronics, focusing on the reliability and performance of electronic interconnects and packaging technologies. Key research directions include the development of non-planarized copper pillar bonding with silver capping layers, microstructure characterization of electroless copper deposition, and the mitigation of nanovoid formation due to hydrogen inclusion. The lab also applies advanced sensing and machine learning techniques for real-time condition monitoring in power electronics and fish behavior recognition in aquaculture.
Professor Keietsu Abe's research lab focuses on fungal cell wall biology, particularly the molecular mechanisms underlying cell wall integrity, biosynthesis, and signaling in filamentous fungi such as *Aspergillus nidulans*. The lab investigates key components like α-1,3-glucan synthases, transcription factors (e.g., RlmA, Swi4/6), and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades involved in stress response and cell wall homeostasis. Additionally, the lab explores microbial metabolism, especially proton-motive force-driven processes in lactic acid bacteria, including amino acid decarboxylation and electrogenic transport systems. These studies bridge fundamental microbiology with industrial and medical applications, such as bio-plastics and fermentation biotechnology.
