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 Kaoru Takabayashi's research lab specializes in gastrointestinal endoscopy and oncology, focusing on advanced endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancers. The lab investigates innovative applications of imaging techniques—such as dynamic contrast-enhanced endoscopy—for early detection of conditions like ulcerative colitis-associated neoplasia, and explores minimally invasive therapeutic strategies like endoscopic mucosal resection in complex cases. Additionally, the lab conducts preclinical studies on radiation therapy using I-125 seed implants to evaluate their efficacy across different histological subtypes of gastric cancer, aiming to improve therapeutic precision and outcomes.
Professor Atsushi J. Nagano's research lab focuses on plant cell biology, particularly the molecular mechanisms underlying the biogenesis and function of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived organelles such as ER bodies. The lab investigates protein complexes, including beta-glucosidases like PYK10 and their associated proteins, to understand their roles in plant defense and cellular organization. Using integrative approaches combining genomics, proteomics, and automated image analysis, the lab explores gene function and phenotypic variation in *Arabidopsis thaliana*, especially in relation to trichome development and herbivore interactions. The research also extends to understanding the cellular basis of human laminopathies through comparative studies of nuclear envelope proteins.
Professor Keiichi Fukuda's research lab specializes in cardiac neurobiology and regenerative cardiology, focusing on the intricate neural regulation of heart function and the potential of stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes for cardiac repair. The lab investigates both the intrinsic and extrinsic neural control of the heart, including afferent and efferent signaling pathways, and explores the differentiation and functional maturation of cardiomyogenic cells from bone marrow stroma. A key focus is on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cardiac rhythm and contractility through in vitro models and primary cell systems.
Professor Ryoichi Imasu's research lab specializes in atmospheric remote sensing and greenhouse gas monitoring using satellite-based instruments. The lab focuses on developing advanced retrieval algorithms for trace gases such as CO₂, ammonia, and fluorinated compounds, with an emphasis on improving the accuracy of global concentration measurements. Key research directions include validating satellite data against airborne and in-situ observations, enhancing signal-to-noise performance in thermal and shortwave infrared sensors, and assessing the radiative forcing and environmental impacts of synthetic greenhouse gases. The lab also contributes to the development of next-generation Earth observation missions, such as GOSAT-2, to support climate change mitigation efforts.
Professor Jun Ogawa's research lab specializes in microbial metabolism and biocatalysis, focusing on the enzymatic conversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) into bioactive metabolites with physiological and health-promoting properties. The lab investigates gut microbial transformations of essential fatty acids, particularly the production of hydroxy fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers, and elucidates the enzymatic mechanisms underlying these processes. Key research directions include the identification and characterization of novel enzymes such as fatty acid hydratases and α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, with applications in functional food development, pharmaceuticals, and industrial biotechnology. The lab also explores microbial and fungal systems—such as *Lactobacillus acidophilus* and *Mortierella alpina*—for sustainable production of high-value polyunsaturated fatty acids like arachidonic acid.
Professor Saburo Hosokawa's research lab specializes in the development of advanced oxide materials with exceptional structural and redox stability for energy-related applications. The lab focuses on complex oxides such as Sr₃Fe₂O₇−δ, which exhibit unique topotactic oxygen insertion and extraction behavior, enabling high oxygen storage capacity and robust performance under extreme conditions. Key research directions include the design of functional oxides for solid oxide fuel cells, oxygen separation membranes, and sustainable energy conversion systems. The lab combines materials synthesis, structural characterization, and electrochemical analysis to explore fundamental mechanisms of oxygen ion transport and phase stability.
Professor Takahiro Horie's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying lipid metabolism, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic stress responses, with a central emphasis on microRNAs—particularly miR-33—as key regulators of cholesterol homeostasis and atherosclerosis. The lab investigates how non-coding RNAs modulate key genes such as ABCA1, ABCG1, and SREBP family members to influence HDL metabolism, macrophage cholesterol efflux, and systemic lipid profiles. They also explore the role of microRNAs like miR-146a in cardiotoxicity and the regulation of glucose transporters such as GLUT4 in cardiac protection under ischemic stress. Their work bridges basic molecular biology with translational applications, including CRISPR-based gene editing for treating familial hypercholesterolemia and reducing cardiovascular risk.
Professor Yoshiaki Uchida's research lab specializes in immunotherapy for cancer, with a focus on enhancing cell-mediated immunity using biological response modifiers such as OK-432 (a streptococcal preparation). The lab investigates the mechanisms underlying natural killer (NK) cell activation and dysfunction in cancer patients, particularly in the context of malignant effusions like pleural effusions. It also explores novel biomaterials, such as CLC-based emulsions, for applications in flexible, omnidirectional laser systems. The integration of immunology and materials science defines the lab’s interdisciplinary approach to cancer therapy and biomedical device development.
Professor Nobuhito Imanaka's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced functional inorganic materials, with a primary focus on ion-conducting oxides and nanomaterials for energy and environmental applications. The lab explores solid-state ion conductors—particularly trivalent and divalent cation conductors—using structural engineering to optimize ionic conductivity, with key work on Sc2(WO4)3 and doped lanthanum oxychlorides. Another major direction involves the synthesis of ultrafine, high-surface-area nanoparticles, such as CeO2 and boron nitride-coated oxides, via hydrothermal and sol-gel methods for use in catalysis, coatings, and sustainable materials. The lab emphasizes materials with high thermal stability, chemical durability, and safety, aiming to create next-generation functional materials for clean energy and environmental technologies.
Professor Yasushi Shintani's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its role in cancer metastasis, particularly in fibrotic cancers such as pancreatic and lung cancer. The lab investigates how extracellular matrix components, especially collagen I, activate intracellular signaling pathways—such as JNK and Rac1—to drive tumor cell invasion, metastasis, and expression of mesenchymal markers like N-cadherin. A central theme is the identification of key signaling nodes and therapeutic targets, including ADAM9 and N-cadherin, with translational efforts aimed at developing inhibitors like ADH-1 to block metastasis. The lab integrates in vitro cell culture models with in vivo mouse models to validate molecular pathways and therapeutic strategies.
Professor Tomomi Tsunematsu's research lab focuses on the neural circuits and cellular mechanisms underlying sleep-wake regulation, energy homeostasis, and neurodegenerative diseases. Using advanced optogenetic, chemogenetic, and in vivo imaging techniques in transgenic mouse models, the lab investigates the roles of specific neuropeptidergic neurons—such as orexin/hypocretin, MCH, and AVP neurons—in controlling arousal, sleep states, and behavior. The lab also explores astrocyte dynamics and brainstem-hippocampal interactions during sleep, aiming to uncover how neural and glial activity coordinate across brain regions to regulate behavior and contribute to disease pathology.
Professor Hiroki Sekine's research lab focuses on transcriptional regulation and cellular stress responses, particularly the roles of key transcription factors such as AhR, NRF2, and NRF1 in maintaining cellular homeostasis and protecting against oxidative and inflammatory stress. The lab investigates how these factors regulate gene expression in response to environmental stimuli, hypoxia, and electrophilic stress, with a strong emphasis on their functions in immune cells, kidney cells, and cancer cells. Using advanced techniques including live imaging, transgenic models, and proteomic analysis, the lab uncovers molecular mechanisms underlying cytoprotection, fibrosis, and drug resistance.
Professor Tetsuya Yamamoto's research lab specializes in polymer science and materials engineering, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of soap-free emulsion polymerization, particle nucleation, and growth dynamics. The lab employs advanced in situ characterization techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the formation and interfacial behavior of polymer particles. Key research directions include the development of functional polymer particles with tailored surface charges for enhanced adhesion in composite materials and the application of these particles in high-performance carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. The lab also explores sustainable materials and processes, including the use of low-grade raw materials in ironmaking, reflecting a broader interest in green materials science and industrial sustainability.
Professor Kazuya Motomura's research lab specializes in neurosurgical oncology and functional neurosurgery, focusing on improving surgical outcomes for patients with brain tumors located in eloquent brain regions. The lab integrates advanced intraoperative techniques such as awake craniotomy, intraoperative MRI, and direct cortical and subcortical stimulation to maximize tumor resection while preserving critical neurological functions like language and motor skills. Their work also extends to molecular and proteomic classification of glioblastoma, aiming to bridge genomic profiling with clinical practice for personalized treatment strategies.
Professor Takeshi Zendo's research lab specializes in the discovery, characterization, and application of novel bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and other beneficial microbes. The lab focuses on identifying bacteriocins with unique antimicrobial spectra and molecular structures, including novel nisin variants, two-peptide bacteriocins, and leaderless bacteriocins, using innovative screening and purification techniques. A key research direction involves linking genetic analysis with functional characterization to accelerate the identification of bioactive compounds for use in food preservation and microbial control.
Professor Yoshikane Kikushige's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying leukemic stem cells (LSCs) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), with a central emphasis on identifying and targeting LSC-specific surface markers such as TIM-3. The lab investigates the role of key signaling molecules and metabolic pathways—particularly branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism—in maintaining leukemia stemness while sparing normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). By leveraging xenograft models and translational immunotherapeutic approaches, the lab aims to develop precision therapies that selectively eradicate LSCs, offering potential curative strategies for acute leukemias. Their work bridges basic stem cell biology, immunology, and metabolic reprogramming in hematologic malignancies.
Professor Eriko Sasaki's research lab focuses on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying natural phenotypic variation in *Arabidopsis thaliana*, with a central emphasis on gene-environment interactions, epigenetic regulation of transposable elements, and the molecular dissection of complex traits such as flowering time. The lab integrates genome-wide association studies (GWAS), epigenomic profiling, and systems biology approaches to uncover the regulatory networks governing DNA methylation—particularly in CHH and CHG contexts—and their roles in genome stability and adaptation. By combining high-throughput phenotyping, SNP and variance component analyses, and mediation modeling, the lab aims to dissect the hierarchical and interactive genetic architecture of quantitative traits.
Professor Toshiyuki Momma's research lab specializes in advanced materials for next-generation energy storage systems, with a primary focus on solid-state batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries. The lab develops innovative electrode engineering strategies, such as chemical pre-lithiation and hybrid polymer electrolyte systems, to enhance ion transport, electrochemical stability, and cycle performance. Key research directions include nanostructured current collectors, interfacial engineering in solid electrolytes, and the design of functional conductive polymers for high-performance cathodes. The lab emphasizes practical, room-temperature fabrication techniques to enable scalable and durable battery technologies.
Professor Hitoshi Iuchi's research lab specializes in computational biology and bioinformatics, focusing on the development of advanced computational methods to analyze high-throughput 'omics' data. The lab primarily investigates time-series and single-cell omics data to uncover dynamic biological processes such as gene expression oscillations, cell differentiation trajectories, and virus-host interactions. By integrating machine learning, statistical modeling, and natural language processing techniques, the lab aims to extract biologically meaningful patterns from complex biological sequences and temporal expression profiles. Their work bridges computational innovation with biological discovery, particularly in systems biology and infectious disease research.
Professor Hiroyuki Uchida's research lab specializes in psychopharmacology and neuropsychiatry, focusing on optimizing antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia through the integration of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and neuroimaging. The lab investigates age-related changes in antipsychotic sensitivity, the role of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy in treatment outcomes, and the metabolic side effects of antipsychotics, particularly weight gain. Using positron emission tomography (PET) and plasma level monitoring, the lab aims to establish evidence-based dosing strategies that balance efficacy with reduced side effects.
