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 Chikara Furusawa's research lab focuses on understanding the fundamental principles governing cellular organization and dynamics through a systems biology and theoretical biology approach. The lab investigates universal laws in gene expression and metabolic networks, such as Zipf's law and log-normal distributions of molecular abundances, using mathematical modeling and genomic data analysis. Key research directions include the systems-level understanding of cellular robustness, adaptation, and the emergence of multicellularity from simple intracellular reaction networks. The lab also explores how stochastic gene expression and network dynamics shape cellular behavior and evolutionary fitness in fluctuating environments.
Professor Mako Kamiya's research lab specializes in the development of novel fluorescent and Raman probes for live-cell and in vivo imaging, with a focus on enzyme activity detection. The lab designs activatable probes that exhibit significant signal enhancement upon specific enzymatic activation, enabling high-contrast, single-cell resolution imaging in complex biological environments. Key research directions include the design of ratiometric and retention-based probes for hydrolases such as β-galactosidase and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, as well as the application of electronic preresonance Raman signaling for multiplexed enzyme detection. The lab also pioneers bioorthogonal probe strategies for subcellular targeting and dynamic monitoring of intracellular processes.
Professor Masamine Jimba's research lab specializes in maternal and child health, with a focus on improving health outcomes through community-based interventions and health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries. The lab investigates the continuity of care in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), emphasizing preventive service utilization, early breastfeeding initiation, and the role of family and male involvement. Key research directions include the implementation of national health policies—such as the National School Health Policy—and the development of context-specific tools like the modified Continuum of Care Index to assess and enhance health service delivery.
Professor Toru Sato's research spans biophysics, particle physics, and atmospheric science, with a strong focus on intramembrane proteolysis, particularly the structure and function of gamma-secretase in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. His work also extends to theoretical hadron physics, including weak pion production and chiral dynamics, and he has made significant contributions to atmospheric remote sensing using VHF and UHF radars, especially in studying stratospheric turbulence and precipitation parameters. His interdisciplinary approach combines experimental biochemistry, theoretical particle physics, and advanced radar signal processing to address fundamental biological and geophysical phenomena.
Professor Tatsuya Daikoku's research lab investigates the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying statistical learning in music and language, focusing on how the brain encodes local and global statistical regularities in sequential sensory input. The lab explores the interplay between implicit learning, predictive processing, and musical creativity, using neurophysiological, computational, and behavioral approaches. A central theme is the role of uncertainty, entropy, and prediction errors in shaping aesthetic experience, bodily sensations, and improvisational behavior.
Professor Tomiko Asakura's research lab focuses on plant molecular biology and biochemistry, with a particular emphasis on aspartic proteinases and their roles in seed development and stress responses. The lab investigates gene expression, enzyme function, and metabolic regulation in crops such as rice and tomato, especially under environmental stresses like drought. Using integrated 'omics' approaches—transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics—the lab explores how carbon-nitrogen balance and stress signaling pathways influence seed quality and stress resilience. Their work also extends to metal-ligand interactions in food systems, as seen in studies on zinc binding in instant coffee.
Professor Fengming Yu's research lab specializes in advanced structural health monitoring (SHM) and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques for high-performance composite materials, particularly under extreme environments such as elevated temperatures. The lab focuses on developing fiber-optic sensing technologies—especially phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating (PS-FBG) sensors—combined with ultrasonic and acoustic emission (AE) methods for real-time damage detection and characterization in heat-resistant composites like ceramic matrix composites and carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs). Key innovations include remote AE sensing using optical fibers as waveguides, enabling accurate signal detection from high-temperature regions to room-temperature sensors, and integrating laser ultrasonic visualization for enhanced damage localization and mode identification. The lab also explores the fundamental mechanisms of material behavior during thermal and mechanical loading, supporting the development of reliable SHM systems for aerospace and energy applications.
Professor Keisuke Harigaya's research lab specializes in theoretical particle physics and cosmology, focusing on new physics beyond the Standard Model. Key research directions include models of dark matter production in the early Universe, particularly in scenarios with low reheating temperatures; phenomenology of gauge symmetries such as $L_\mu - L_\tau$ and their implications for the muon anomalous magnetic moment; and mechanisms for solving the strong CP problem via axions and accidental symmetries. The lab also investigates neutrino mass generation, leptogenesis, and the thermalization of decay products in the post-inflationary epoch.
Professor Arata Ebihara's research lab specializes in endodontic biomechanics and dental imaging, focusing on the effects of rotary instruments on root canal treatment outcomes. The lab investigates root canal shaping techniques, file design, and thermal treatments to minimize root damage such as microcracks and strain. Advanced imaging modalities like contrast-enhanced micro-CT and SS-OCT are employed to noninvasively assess root integrity and early pathological changes. The lab also explores fluorescence-based diagnostics for detecting premalignant and malignant oral lesions.
Professor Valeri Vardanyan's research lab focuses on theoretical cosmology and quantum gravity, with a strong emphasis on dark energy, cosmic acceleration, and the swampland program in string theory. The lab investigates multi-field models of dark energy, inflationary dynamics, and primordial black holes as dark matter candidates, aiming to connect fundamental physics with observational cosmology. Key research directions include testing modified gravity, constraining scalar-tensor theories, and probing Lorentz invariance violation using gamma-ray burst data.
Professor Taizo Mori's research lab specializes in the design and fabrication of functional nanomaterials through molecular self-assembly and supramolecular chemistry. The lab focuses on creating advanced 2D carbon nanomaterials, chiral nanostructures, and enzyme-mimetic artificial cavities by leveraging dynamic interfaces such as Langmuir monolayers and precise molecular engineering. Key research directions include the development of nanoscale systems for molecular recognition, energy storage applications, and chiral induction in nanomaterials, with a strong emphasis on structure-property relationships at the nanoscale. The lab integrates experimental techniques like surface pressure isotherms, Brewster angle microscopy, and spectroscopic methods to achieve precise control over nanostructure formation and function.
Professor Yangyu Guo's research lab specializes in the fundamental understanding and modeling of heat transport at the nanoscale, with a focus on phonon dynamics, quantum effects, and non-equilibrium thermodynamics in low-dimensional and ultra-small systems. The lab develops advanced kinetic and quantum transport theories—such as phonon hydrodynamics, nonequilibrium Green's functions, and Boltzmann transport frameworks—to address challenges in thermal management of nanoelectronics and 2D materials. Their work bridges theoretical physics, computational modeling, and atomistic simulations to explore phenomena like phonon tunneling, normal scattering, and coherent quantum effects in sub-100 nm systems.
Professor Chihiro Tsukano's research lab specializes in the total synthesis of complex natural products, with a focus on structurally intricate marine and plant-derived compounds such as polycyclic polyethers, acylphloroglucinols, and Lycopodium alkaloids. The lab develops innovative synthetic methodologies—particularly transition-metal-catalyzed cross-couplings, C–H activation, and stereoselective cyclizations—to enable efficient and convergent access to these targets. A recurring theme is the strategic use of novel reactivity patterns, including unconventional anion chemistry and late-stage functionalization, to address synthetic challenges in natural product synthesis.
Professor Hidenori Harada's research lab specializes in sustainable sanitation and environmental engineering, focusing on faecal sludge management, nutrient recovery (particularly phosphorus as struvite), and greenhouse gas emissions from onsite sanitation systems. The lab investigates the performance and environmental impacts of septic tanks and pit latrines in low- and middle-income countries, with an emphasis on improving sanitation infrastructure and reducing health and climate risks. Their work combines field measurements, laboratory experiments, and modeling to support evidence-based sanitation planning and policy.
Professor Fumihiro Kano's research lab specializes in comparative cognitive science, focusing on the evolutionary origins of social cognition in great apes. The lab investigates theory of mind, particularly false-belief understanding, using innovative eye-tracking methodologies to examine how apes anticipate others' actions based on their mental states. A central theme is distinguishing between mental-state attribution and simpler cue-based behaviors, employing controlled experimental designs such as the 'goggles' test and inanimate controls. The lab also explores species differences in attention, motivation, and social cognition between bonobos and chimpanzees.
Professor Tomoki Uchiyama's research lab specializes in advanced materials and computational methods for energy conversion and artificial intelligence. The lab focuses on optimizing catalysts for fuel cell reactions, particularly through the study of ionomer effects on platinum-based catalysts, and explores innovative applications of machine learning in 3D video analysis. A key direction involves developing explainable AI techniques, such as 3D occlusion sensitivity analysis, to interpret deep learning models in temporal-spatial data. The lab also investigates color image segmentation using competitive learning for computer vision applications.
Professor Junya Fujino's research lab specializes in cognitive and social neuroscience, focusing on the neural mechanisms underlying decision-making, social cognition, and cognitive flexibility—particularly in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The lab employs neuroimaging techniques like fMRI and TMS to investigate how brain function relates to behaviors such as risk and ambiguity processing, intergroup bias, the sunk cost effect, and moral decision-making. A central theme is understanding individual differences in social and cognitive flexibility, with translational goals in mind for clinical and psychological interventions.
Professor Eiichiro Fukusaki's research lab specializes in metabolomics and systems biology, focusing on the application of advanced analytical technologies—particularly GC-MS—for understanding metabolic responses in toxicology and pharmacology. The lab investigates the mechanisms of drug-induced toxicity, such as hydrazine-induced hepatotoxicity, by profiling endogenous metabolites in biological fluids and tissues. Their work bridges metabolomics with systems-level analysis to uncover metabolic pathways involved in disease and drug response. The lab also contributes to the development of non-invasive biomarkers for early detection of toxicity and disease.
Professor Marilou Cadatal‐Raduban's research lab specializes in the development and characterization of advanced functional materials for ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) applications. Key research directions include the design and synthesis of rare-earth-doped fluoride scintillators—particularly Nd³⁺:LaF₃ and Nd³⁺:(La₁₋ₓBaₓ)F₃—optimized for fast response, high transparency, and efficient VUV emission. The lab also focuses on photoconductive detectors based on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films for UV-C sensing, investigating the influence of film thickness, crystallinity, and substrate on photoresponsivity. Additionally, the group employs first-principles density functional theory (DFT) to explore the electronic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of two-dimensional materials such as MXenes (e.g., Mo₂C-MXenes) for next-generation optoelectronic and energy conversion devices.
Professor Takuya Yamamoto's research lab focuses on understanding the immune mechanisms underlying HIV/SIV control and pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on T cell exhaustion, T follicular helper (Tfh) cell responses in germinal center reactions, dendritic cell–T cell interactions, and the induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). The lab investigates how viral persistence and immune dysfunction shape adaptive immunity, especially in the context of chronic infection and vaccine-induced immunity. Using nonhuman primate models and primary human cells, the lab explores host–virus interactions at the cellular and molecular levels to inform the development of effective HIV vaccines and immunotherapies.
