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 Norikazu Ichihashi's research lab focuses on the in vitro reconstruction of life-like systems, particularly the self-replication of genetic information and the emergence of cellular functions from minimal molecular components. The lab pioneers synthetic biology approaches to reconstitute key life processes—such as DNA replication, gene expression, and translation—within artificial compartments like liposomes, aiming to understand the principles underlying cellular life and its origins. Central to their work is the development of recursive molecular systems where proteins essential for replication and translation are encoded by the same genetic material they help replicate.
Professor Naoya Shibata's research lab specializes in advanced electron microscopy, focusing on atomic-scale characterization of electric fields and defect structures in functional materials. The lab pioneers quantitative differential phase contrast STEM techniques to visualize and measure electrostatic potentials and electric fields with sub-angstrom resolution, enabling direct observation of atomic-scale electric fields in semiconductors and metals. A key research direction involves understanding the role of atomic-scale defects—such as dislocations and interfaces—in determining the electronic, optical, and mechanical properties of oxides and compound semiconductors. The lab also develops cutting-edge detector technologies, including high-speed segmented detectors, to enhance the spatial and temporal resolution of electron microscopy.
Professor Ting-Hui Xiao's research lab specializes in nanophotonics and plasmonics, focusing on advancing mid-infrared integrated photonics and single-molecule spectroscopy for next-generation sensing and analytical applications. The lab develops novel plasmonic and photonic platforms—such as graphene-based surface plasmon polaritons, germanium photonic integrated circuits, and subwavelength grating couplers—to enhance light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Key research directions include surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, chiral Raman spectroscopy, and high-Q nanocavities for biochemical sensing and on-chip mid-infrared technologies. The lab emphasizes CMOS-compatible, scalable designs for real-world deployment in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and fundamental molecular analysis.
Professor Hisashi Arase's research lab focuses on the immunology of natural killer (NK) cells, particularly the molecular mechanisms underlying NK cell activation and inhibition through various receptors such as Ly49, NKR-P1, and CD49b (DX5). The lab investigates how NK cells recognize and respond to viral infections—especially cytomegalovirus—through both activating and inhibitory receptors, with a strong emphasis on the evolutionary and functional interplay between these receptors. They also explore the role of NK cells in cytokine production (e.g., IFN-γ and IL-4) and their interactions with thymic T cell development, particularly in unique NK1.1+ thymocyte subsets. The lab employs advanced molecular and cellular techniques, including expression cloning and receptor cross-linking, to dissect NK cell biology and its implications in immunity and disease.
Professor Mitsuro Kanda's research lab focuses on improving outcomes in gastrointestinal cancers, particularly gastric and pancreatic cancer, by investigating prognostic markers, molecular mechanisms of disease progression, and early detection strategies. The lab emphasizes preoperative risk assessment using nutritional and immunological indicators—such as the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)—to predict postoperative complications and survival. It also explores molecular biomarkers, including GNAS mutations in pancreatic juice and non-coding RNAs, to enable early diagnosis and personalized surveillance in high-risk patients. The overarching goal is to develop predictive tools that enhance clinical decision-making, optimize perioperative care, and improve long-term outcomes.
Professor Eiji Kobayashi's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine and translational biomedical research, with a focus on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), particularly synovium-derived MSCs, for tissue repair in osteoarthritis and cartilage defects. The lab develops advanced animal models—such as transgenic luciferase-expressing rats and genetically modified pigs—to enable real-time, non-invasive imaging of stem cell behavior and to refine preclinical studies in accordance with the 3R principles. Their work also explores neuroprotective mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease, particularly the role of astrocytes in cognitive resilience despite pathological burden. The lab integrates cutting-edge imaging technologies with stem cell biology to advance regenerative therapies and medical device development.
Professor Warit Asavanant's research lab specializes in continuous-variable (CV) quantum optics and measurement-based quantum computation, focusing on scalable and fault-tolerant quantum information processing using photonic systems. The lab develops advanced optical platforms based on time-domain multiplexing and non-Gaussian state engineering to generate large-scale cluster states and complex quantum states such as cat states and superpositions. Key research directions include dynamic measurement basis control, low-loss optical routing alternatives, and the integration of quantum teleportation and homodyne measurement for state preparation and manipulation. The lab bridges theoretical frameworks with experimental implementations, aiming to realize practical quantum technologies using continuous-variable optical systems.
Professor Shunsuke Takemura's research lab specializes in seismology and earthquake physics, focusing on the spatiotemporal dynamics of slow earthquakes and seismic wave propagation in complex 3D heterogeneous Earth structures. The lab combines long-term onshore seismic observations, advanced numerical simulations using finite-difference methods, and advanced inversion techniques—such as centroid moment tensor (CMT) and cross-correlation analysis—to investigate shallow and deep slow earthquake processes along the Nankai Trough. Their work emphasizes understanding the role of structural heterogeneity, stress accumulation, and frictional properties at plate boundaries in controlling slow seismicity and its implications for megathrust earthquake hazards.
Professor Yosuke Yamamoto's research lab focuses on the intersection of geriatric health, palliative care, and psychological well-being in older adults and chronic disease populations. Key research directions include the longitudinal impact of sleep quality and depressive symptoms on health outcomes, such as falls and pruritus, as well as the role of psychological stress and religious beliefs in advance care planning. The lab emphasizes patient-centered approaches, particularly in promoting end-of-life discussions and improving care planning through cultural and spiritual factors.
Professor Javier Troyano's research lab specializes in the design, synthesis, and functionalization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and copper(I)-based coordination polymers, with a focus on their stimuli-responsive behavior, luminescent properties, and integration into soft, dynamic materials. The lab explores advanced applications in self-actuating films, shape-memory materials, and optoelectronic devices by leveraging the unique swelling and reversible structural properties of MOFs. A key research direction involves creating patterned, responsive composites that enable programmable 2D-to-3D transformations through external triggers such as humidity or solvent vapor.
Professor Hiroshi Umakoshi's research lab specializes in the development and characterization of advanced lipid-based nanocarriers and biomimetic systems for biomedical and biotechnological applications. The lab focuses on nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), liposomes, and aqueous two-phase systems, with an emphasis on understanding their physicochemical properties, membrane dynamics, and applications in drug delivery and protein recovery. Key research directions include the design of multifunctional liposomes with enzymatic activities, controlled protein translocation across membranes, and the use of ionic liquids and polymers to enhance separation and productivity in bioprocessing.
Professor K. Nakajima's research lab specializes in nanomechanical characterization of soft materials, particularly polymers and biological systems, using advanced atomic force microscopy techniques. The lab focuses on quantitative mapping of mechanical properties such as elastic modulus, adhesion energy, and viscoelastic behavior at the nanoscale, with an emphasis on overcoming limitations of classical contact mechanics models. A key research direction involves developing and applying nano-palpation and force-volume methods to study complex polymeric and biological materials. The lab also explores biomarker discovery in cancer, exemplified by work on Cystatin SN as a potential tumor marker for colorectal cancer.
Professor Noriaki Watanabe's research lab specializes in rock mechanics and fluid flow in fractured geological systems, with a focus on understanding fracture formation, permeability evolution, and multiphase flow under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. The lab investigates hydraulic fracturing, chemical stimulation, and fluid-rock interactions in granitic rocks, particularly in the context of enhanced geothermal systems and superhot geothermal energy. Key research directions include fracture network development, permeability enhancement, and the role of temperature, stress, and fluid chemistry in controlling fluid flow and rock failure.
Professor Yoshiki Katayama's research lab specializes in the design and development of stimuli-responsive polymers and molecular probes for biomedical applications, particularly in signal transduction monitoring and artificial gene regulation. The lab focuses on creating smart biomaterials that respond to specific cellular enzymes—such as protein kinase A, caspase-3, and PKC isoforms—through controlled conformational changes or disassembly. These systems enable real-time detection of enzymatic activity and precise control of gene expression, with applications in cancer diagnostics and targeted therapy. The lab also pioneers novel fluorescence probes using unique mechanisms like spin exchange for detecting biologically important molecules such as nitric oxide.
Professor Yohei Mikami's research lab focuses on the immunological mechanisms underlying inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with a particular emphasis on the neuro-immune interactions, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), and T cell plasticity in gut inflammation. The lab investigates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway mediated by the vagus nerve, the role of ILC3 subsets in barrier immunity and inflammation, and the dynamic regulation of Th1 and Th17 cells at inflammatory sites. Using translational mouse models and multi-omics approaches, the lab aims to uncover novel therapeutic targets for IBD and related immune disorders.
Professor Masahiro Hashizume's research lab specializes in environmental health epidemiology, focusing on the impacts of climate variability and extreme weather events—such as floods and temperature fluctuations—on infectious diseases and public health outcomes. The lab investigates the complex interplay between meteorological factors, water and sanitation conditions, and disease incidence, particularly diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections in vulnerable populations. Using advanced time-series and statistical modeling techniques, the lab aims to disentangle climate effects from other confounding factors to inform targeted public health interventions.
Professor Kaori Muto's research lab focuses on public health behavior during crises, particularly examining how individuals respond to government recommendations in the absence of mandatory regulations, as seen in her studies on COVID-19 precautionary behaviors in Japan. The lab also investigates social and ethical issues in genetics, especially genetic discrimination, through large-scale surveys to assess public attitudes and policy gaps. Her work bridges behavioral science, public policy, and bioethics, emphasizing societal responses to emerging health challenges and the implementation of ethical principles in law and practice. The lab employs survey-based, micro-level data analysis to inform evidence-based policy recommendations.
Professor Kazuma Sakoda's research lab focuses on plant photosynthesis and stress responses, particularly under dynamic environmental conditions such as fluctuating light and drought. The lab investigates the physiological and molecular mechanisms regulating stomatal conductance, mesophyll conductance, and Rubisco activity to improve carbon assimilation and water use efficiency in crops. Key research directions include genetic manipulation of stomatal development and photosynthetic enzyme function to enhance biomass production and stress resilience in model plants and major crops like rice, soybean, and tobacco.
Professor Michinori Suginome's research lab specializes in transition-metal-catalyzed organic transformations, with a focus on the development of novel silicon- and boron-based reagents and their application in complex molecule synthesis. The lab pioneers regio- and stereoselective reactions such as silaboration, alkynylboration, and cyanoboration of alkynes, enabling efficient access to stereodefined alkenylsilanes and conjugated enynes. A key direction involves the use of palladium and nickel catalysts to construct valuable heteroatom- and carbon-substituted alkyne derivatives with high precision. The group also develops new organoboron and organosilicon building blocks for use in cross-coupling and cascade reactions.
Professor Takashi Asawa's research lab focuses on urban environmental sustainability, particularly the mitigation of urban heat islands (UHI) and the enhancement of energy efficiency in built environments. The lab investigates microclimate regulation through urban vegetation, passive cooling strategies, and building design, integrating field measurements, lysimeter experiments, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. Key research directions include urban tree water balance, antimicrobial resistance in animal pathogens, and bibliometric analysis of sustainable building technologies. The lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches combining environmental science, urban planning, and engineering to develop practical solutions for climate-resilient cities.
