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 Koh-ichi Nagata's research lab focuses on the molecular and cellular functions of cytoskeletal proteins, particularly septins and Rho GTPase regulators, in cellular morphogenesis, cytoskeletal dynamics, and neurodevelopment. The lab investigates how septin complexes and their interactions with actin and small GTPases such as Cdc42 regulate fundamental processes like cell migration, neuronal positioning, and morphological polarity. Using biochemical, cell biological, and genetic approaches in model systems including fibroblasts, neurons, and epithelial cells, the lab explores the pathophysiological roles of these proteins in diseases such as neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer.
Professor Tatsuya Yokoi's research lab specializes in computational materials science, focusing on the atomic-scale understanding of grain boundaries and point defects in advanced ceramics and semiconductors. The lab develops and applies machine learning interatomic potentials—particularly artificial neural network (ANN) potentials—combined with first-principles calculations and atomistic simulations to predict the thermodynamic and dynamic behavior of materials under various conditions. Key research directions include grain boundary segregation, vibrational entropy effects, defect engineering, and the design of stable oxide materials for high-temperature applications. The lab integrates density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulations to bridge electronic structure calculations with macroscopic material properties.
Professor Midori Tuda's research lab specializes in the evolutionary ecology and phylogenetics of seed-feeding beetles, particularly bruchid and bean beetles (Bruchinae), with a focus on host plant associations, speciation, and pest evolution. The lab investigates how ecological transitions—such as shifts to novel host plants or adaptation to stored crops—drive diversification and pest status, integrating molecular phylogenetics, population genetics, and field ecology. Research also extends to biological control applications, exploring the potential of seed beetles to manage invasive leguminous plants while developing novel strategies to control pest species. The lab emphasizes understanding evolutionary transitions in insect-plant interactions in the context of global trade and anthropogenic change.
Professor Hideya Onishi's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic and gallbladder cancers, with a central emphasis on the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway. The lab investigates how Hh signaling contributes to tumor progression, cancer stem cell maintenance, and therapy resistance, particularly under hypoxic tumor microenvironments. Key research directions include the role of Hh components such as Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Smoothened (Smo), and Gli1 in cancer invasiveness and proliferation, as well as the translational potential of Hh inhibitors in clinical settings. The lab also explores the crosstalk between Hh signaling and other oncogenic pathways in aggressive solid tumors.
Professor Tohru Dairi's research lab specializes in microbial natural product biosynthesis, with a focus on the enzymatic pathways and genetic mechanisms underlying the production of biologically active compounds such as menaquinone, tetracycline derivatives, diterpenoids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining bioinformatics, gene cloning, mutant analysis, and in vitro enzymology to decipher complex biosynthetic pathways and understand the molecular basis of product specificity. A central theme is the discovery and functional characterization of novel enzymes and gene clusters involved in the synthesis of medicinally and nutritionally important metabolites.
Professor Akihiro Homma's research lab specializes in advanced head and neck oncology, focusing on innovative regional chemotherapy techniques such as superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy. The lab investigates dose-dense and alternative platinum-based regimens—like weekly cisplatin and carboplatin—to improve treatment efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. A key research direction involves optimizing treatment protocols for advanced nasal and paranasal sinus cancers, with a strong emphasis on organ preservation and long-term outcomes.
Professor Yasuyuki Fujita's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine and genetic skin disorders, with a primary focus on epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and other genodermatoses. The lab investigates the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived stem cells, particularly Muse cells and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, to restore structural proteins in EB caused by defects in keratinocyte adhesion molecules such as collagen XVII. Their work also explores immune cell trafficking in skin diseases, including the role of chemokine receptors like CCR10 in mycosis fungoides, and emphasizes translational approaches such as allogeneic cell infusion and gene-corrected stem cell therapy. The lab integrates molecular biology, stem cell biology, and clinical dermatology to develop novel regenerative strategies for severe inherited skin diseases.
Professor Noriyoshi Arai's research lab specializes in computational materials science and molecular simulation, focusing on self-assembly processes of soft matter systems such as surfactants, lipids, and Janus nanoparticles under nanoscale confinement. The lab investigates the formation of complex morphologies—including micelles, vesicles, and polymorphic structures—by tuning interfacial interactions, confinement effects, and environmental conditions. A key focus is on understanding and predicting the design principles for functional nanostructures relevant to nanofluidics, nanomedicine, and prebiotic systems.
Professor Murat Doğru's research lab focuses on ocular surface diseases, particularly dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), with an emphasis on understanding the underlying pathophysiology, improving diagnostic techniques, and developing targeted therapeutic strategies. The lab investigates the role of oxidative stress in ocular surface damage and explores antioxidant-based treatments, while also advancing clinical tools such as strip meniscometry for objective assessment. A key goal is establishing international consensus on MGD classification and management to improve patient outcomes.
Professor Jun Fujita's research lab focuses on regenerative medicine and stem cell biology, with a central emphasis on cardiac regeneration using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiomyocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism in pluripotent stem cells, and the optimization of large-scale culture systems to enable clinically viable cell expansion. Key research directions include improving the efficiency and scalability of hPSC-derived cardiomyocyte production, understanding metabolic dependencies in stem cell survival, and exploring the role of hematopoietic cell mobilization in post-infarct cardiac repair.
Professor Minoru Yoshida's research lab specializes in epigenetic regulation, particularly focusing on histone deacetylases (HDACs) and their role in chromatin dynamics and gene expression. The lab investigates natural and synthetic HDAC inhibitors, such as trichostatin A and novel analogues like CHAP1, to understand enzyme mechanisms and their potential in cancer therapy. Additional research includes the molecular characterization of oncogenic viruses, such as HTLV, in human T-cell malignancies, especially in endemic regions. The lab also explores high-pressure materials science, examining structural transitions in silicon carbide polytypes under extreme conditions.
Professor Yoshio Yamauchi's research lab focuses on cellular cholesterol homeostasis, with a central emphasis on the molecular mechanisms governing cholesterol and phospholipid transport, particularly through ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). The lab investigates how ABCA1 regulates high-density lipoprotein (HDL) biogenesis, sterol sensing at the endoplasmic reticulum, and the interplay between lipid metabolism and disease, including cancer metabolism and Tangier disease. Key research directions include the roles of signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt-mTOR and PKC in regulating SREBP transcription factors and lipid raft integrity in cancer cells, as well as the origin and function of extracellular vesicles in intercellular communication. The lab integrates cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular signaling to uncover fundamental mechanisms of lipid homeostasis and their implications in human disease.
Professor Masanari Okuno's research lab specializes in advanced optical spectroscopy and nonlinear optical techniques for probing molecular structures and dynamics at interfaces, particularly in biological and soft matter systems. The lab focuses on developing cutting-edge methods such as multifocus confocal Raman microscopy, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), and vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG), with applications in live-cell imaging, chiral molecular recognition, and interfacial science. A key research direction involves using tailored optical setups and novel materials—such as magnetic ionic liquids and photonic crystal fibers—to enable high-resolution, non-invasive analysis of molecular orientation, secondary structure, and vibrational modes with exceptional sensitivity and contrast.
Professor Shinichi Morishita's research lab specializes in computational biology and bioinformatics, focusing on the analysis of genomic variation and its functional implications. The lab investigates the relationship between DNA sequence variation, chromatin structure, and gene regulation, particularly through long-read sequencing and population genomic approaches. Key research directions include understanding centromeric repeat diversity, identifying structural variants in complex genomic regions, and exploring the evolutionary dynamics of higher-order repeats across human populations. The lab also applies statistical and algorithmic methods to mine biological data, such as association rules in genomics and the functional effects of pharmacological agents on cardiac and respiratory systems.
Professor Kento Asai's research lab specializes in theoretical particle physics, focusing on extensions of the Standard Model involving lepton number symmetries and their phenomenological implications. The lab investigates gauged U(1) symmetries such as $\mathrm{U}(1)_{L_\mu - L_\tau}$, $\mathrm{U}(1)_{L_e - L_\mu}$, and $\mathrm{U}(1)_{B-L}$, exploring their roles in explaining the muon $g-2$ anomaly, neutrino mass generation via seesaw mechanisms, and dark matter models. A central theme is the search for light, long-lived gauge bosons (Z') that could be discovered in future experiments like ILC beam dump and MUonE. The lab also emphasizes model-building that ensures anomaly cancellation and connects to experimental constraints and discoveries.
Professor Yutaka Kazoe's research lab specializes in micro- and nanofluidics, focusing on fundamental fluidic phenomena in confined nanoscale environments. The lab develops advanced optical measurement techniques—such as super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and evanescent wave particle tracking—to investigate ion distribution, diffusion, and flow dynamics in nanochannels with high spatial and temporal resolution. Key research directions include nanofluidic device fabrication, including femtoliter-scale valves and low-temperature glass bonding for integrated fluidic systems, and the interplay between electric fields and colloidal transport near surfaces. The lab bridges experimental nanoscience with applications in analytical chemistry and lab-on-a-chip technologies.
Professor Kohei Fujikura's research lab specializes in theoretical particle physics and cosmology, focusing on the interplay between new physics beyond the Standard Model and early Universe phenomena. Key research directions include phase transitions in composite Higgs and twin Higgs models, the dynamics of dark sectors (particularly axion-like particles and boson stars), and the generation of gravitational wave backgrounds from first-order phase transitions. The lab also investigates mechanisms for baryogenesis, radion stabilization in warped extra dimensions, and the cosmological implications of strongly coupled dynamics and spontaneous CP violation.
Professor Kazuo Takatsuka's research lab specializes in theoretical and computational quantum chemistry, focusing on electron-molecule scattering, nonadiabatic dynamics, and the theoretical foundations of chemical dynamics. The lab develops advanced variational principles and quantum mechanical frameworks to study inelastic scattering, electron-atom and electron-molecule interactions, and the dynamics of wavepackets in polyatomic molecules under intense laser fields. A central theme is the extension of traditional quantum theories—such as the Born-Oppenheimer approximation—beyond their standard limits to describe nonadiabatic and time-dependent processes in complex molecular systems. The lab also pioneers methods for optical control of chemical reactions via laser-induced manipulation of conical intersections and avoided crossings.
Professor Katsuaki Koike's research lab specializes in geothermal energy assessment and radon-based geophysical monitoring, focusing on the interplay between subsurface fluid dynamics, seismic activity, and geochemical signals. The lab investigates how radon gas concentrations in soil and groundwater respond to tectonic strain and seismicity, aiming to develop early warning indicators for earthquakes. It also conducts advanced 3D temperature modeling using borehole data and remote sensing to evaluate geothermal resource potential. The lab integrates field measurements, laboratory experiments, and geostatistical modeling to understand subsurface processes in active tectonic zones.
Professor Yu Tanaka's research lab focuses on plant physiology and molecular breeding, with a central emphasis on stomatal development, photosynthetic efficiency, and leaf morphological traits in crop plants such as soybeans and Arabidopsis thaliana. The lab investigates how genetic regulation of stomatal density and leaf epidermal structure influences gas exchange, water use efficiency, and overall plant productivity under varying environmental conditions. By integrating molecular genetics, high-throughput phenotyping using deep learning, and physiological measurements, the lab aims to identify key traits for improving crop resilience and yield. The research also extends to photonic crystal devices, where the lab explores optical properties in nanostructured materials for potential applications in photonic technologies.
