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 Nobuyuki Uozumi's research lab focuses on plant ion transport mechanisms, particularly the molecular and cellular functions of ion channels and transporters involved in potassium and sodium homeostasis. The lab investigates membrane trafficking, subcellular targeting, and post-translational modifications—such as N-myristoylation and S-acylation—that regulate the localization and activity of signaling proteins in plants. Using a combination of molecular biology, electrophysiology, and heterologous expression systems, the lab elucidates the roles of transporters like AtHKT1 and KAT1 in stress tolerance and nutrient uptake.
Professor Masaharu Shiratani's research lab specializes in plasma science and engineering, with a focus on non-thermal plasma applications in agriculture, nanoparticle growth dynamics in reactive plasmas, and the development of plasma-based nano-fabrication systems. The lab investigates the effects of plasma and plasma-treated water on seed germination and plant growth, while also conducting fundamental studies on the formation, size distribution, and transport of nanoscale particles in silane and helium-diluted silane plasmas. A key innovation from the lab is the concept of a 'nano-factory in plasma,' where plasma is used to synthesize, transport, and assemble nanoblocks into ordered structures on substrates, enabling precise control over nanomaterial synthesis. The lab combines advanced optical diagnostics, such as laser-light scattering and electron microscopy, to understand and manipulate nanoscale processes in real time.
Professor Keiji Tanaka's research lab specializes in the fundamental physics and materials science of chalcogenide glasses, focusing on light-matter interactions, structural dynamics, and electronic properties. Key research directions include photoinduced structural modifications such as fluidity, expansion, and birefringence, as well as reversible photodarkening and band-gap engineering under illumination and pressure. The lab combines advanced x-ray diffraction, optical spectroscopy, and theoretical modeling to understand the topological and configurational origins of these phenomena at the atomic level. Their work bridges amorphous materials physics with applications in microfabrication, optical devices, and functional glass technologies.
Professor Yoshiyuki Sugahara's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced functional nanomaterials through innovative intercalation and topochemical transformation strategies. The lab focuses on developing novel inorganic-organic hybrid materials, particularly transition metal oxides like WO₃ and TiO₂, with tailored nanostructures for enhanced photocatalytic and energy-related applications. A key research direction involves controlling the morphology and surface properties of metal oxides via templated synthesis using clay minerals as nanoreactors, enabling precise engineering of interfacial structures for improved charge separation and catalytic efficiency. The lab also explores polymer-clay nanocomposites, emphasizing intercalation chemistry and in-situ polymerization to create hybrid materials with tunable interlayer spacing and strong interfacial interactions.
Professor Ho Namkoong's research lab focuses on respiratory immunology and host genetic factors in infectious and inflammatory lung diseases, with a particular emphasis on pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease (NTM), severe COVID-19, and post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) lung complications. The lab integrates clinical epidemiology, host genomics, and translational immunology to uncover genetic susceptibility and immune mechanisms underlying severe respiratory conditions. Key research directions include genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in East Asian populations, the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in infection and inflammation, and the immunomodulatory effects of macrolide antibiotics. The lab also investigates unique post-HSCT lung disorders with restrictive physiology and characteristic radiographic features.
Professor Yasuhiro Yamashita's research lab specializes in the development of novel chiral catalysts for asymmetric synthesis, with a focus on transition-metal-catalyzed and organocatalyzed reactions. The lab is particularly known for pioneering the use of zirconium-based catalysts in enantioselective transformations such as aldol reactions, Diels-Alder reactions, and [3+2] cycloadditions, achieving high diastereo- and enantioselectivities under mild conditions. Recent work also extends to innovative Ir-catalyzed amination of allylic alcohols, showcasing regio- and enantioselective C–N bond formation. The lab emphasizes mechanistic understanding and catalyst design to enable efficient, selective, and sustainable synthesis of complex chiral molecules.
Professor Rong Xiang's research lab specializes in advanced nanomaterials and energy technologies, with a strong focus on the synthesis, characterization, and application of carbon nanotubes and lithium–sulfur batteries. The lab investigates fundamental growth mechanisms of carbon nanotubes, particularly single-walled varieties, using in situ microscopy and catalytic engineering to achieve precise control over chirality and structure. It also explores multifunctional polymer binders to enhance the electrochemical performance and stability of next-generation batteries, aiming to overcome key challenges such as the polysulfide shuttle effect. The lab integrates materials synthesis with advanced analytical techniques, including in situ electron microscopy and mass spectrometry, to bridge atomic-scale mechanisms with macroscopic device performance.
Professor Masashi Taniguchi's research lab focuses on musculoskeletal health, particularly the pathophysiology and management of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and sarcopenia, integrating clinical, biomechanical, and molecular approaches. The lab investigates neuromuscular adaptations to resistance exercise, muscle quality using ultrasound and bioimpedance techniques, and the role of non-coding RNAs in cancer and degenerative diseases. Additionally, the lab explores marine natural products with potential therapeutic applications, especially in oncology and metabolic disorders.
Professor Takashi Fujita's research lab specializes in innate immunology, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying antiviral responses and cellular signaling pathways. The lab investigates key pattern recognition receptors such as RIG-I-like receptors and their role in detecting viral RNA, leading to the activation of type I and III interferons. Central to their work is the dissection of signaling cascades involving adaptors like IPS-1, kinases such as TBK-1 and IKK-i, and transcription factors including IRF3/7 and NF-κB. The lab also explores the interplay between transcription factors like Runx2 and signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt in both development and immune responses.
Professor Tomohiko Nishiuchi's research lab specializes in the bottom-up synthesis of carbon nanomaterials, particularly carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs), through the design and synthesis of structurally well-defined aromatic macrocycles and π-conjugated systems. The lab focuses on mastering strain-controlled cyclization reactions, oxidative cyclodehydrogenation, and conformational control in flexible π-systems to enable precise construction of CNT precursors. They also explore the electronic and magnetic properties of biradicaloid systems and dynamic molecular architectures, such as molecular tweezers, with applications in stimuli-responsive materials and solid-state optoelectronics. Their work bridges synthetic organic chemistry, physical organic chemistry, and materials science to create functional nanomaterials with tailored structures and properties.
Professor Kimiaki Washino's research lab specializes in computational modeling and simulation of particulate systems, with a focus on advanced numerical methods for fluid-particle and particle-particle interactions. The lab develops and applies innovative coupling techniques such as CFD–DEM and immersed boundary methods to simulate complex granular and multiphase flows in industrial processes like fluidized beds, wet granulation, and powder compaction. A key emphasis is placed on improving simulation accuracy and efficiency through non-local rheology, model particle approaches, and realistic representations of particle surface properties and cohesive forces.
Professor Masashi Aoki's research lab focuses on neuromuscular disorders, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and muscular dystrophies, with an emphasis on identifying genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying disease progression. The lab investigates genes such as dysferlin, SOD1, and EAAT2, exploring their roles in protein misfolding, endolysosomal trafficking, and glutamate transporter dysfunction. A key research direction involves understanding how disruptions in cellular degradation pathways, including autophagy and endosomal trafficking, contribute to neurodegeneration. The lab also examines surgical outcomes in musculoskeletal conditions, such as rotator cuff repair, integrating clinical and biomechanical assessments.
Professor Toshihiro Omori's research lab specializes in the development and fundamental understanding of advanced shape memory and superelastic alloys, with a focus on iron-based systems. The lab investigates martensitic transformations, magnetic phase transitions, and microstructure-property relationships to engineer materials with tailored temperature-dependent mechanical behavior. Key research directions include designing alloys with near-zero or tunable temperature dependence of superelastic stress, achieving large magnetic field-induced strains, and controlling grain growth for enhanced functional properties. The lab also explores the role of nano-scale precipitates and subgrain structures in enabling abnormal grain growth and single-crystal formation in shape memory alloys.
Professor Xilin Zhou's research lab focuses on sustainable urban development, with a strong emphasis on urban environmental health, climate resilience, and human well-being in rapidly urbanizing contexts. The lab investigates the interplay between urban form, built environment, and public health outcomes—particularly hypertension and thermal comfort—while also evaluating large-scale urban resilience programs such as China’s Sponge City initiative. Research integrates environmental monitoring, epidemiological data, and behavioral surveys to inform evidence-based urban planning and policy.
Professor Toyofumi F. Chen-Yoshikawa's research lab specializes in advancing minimally invasive and image-guided thoracic surgical techniques, with a focus on improving outcomes in lung transplantation, lung cancer surgery, and complex thoracic procedures. The lab pioneers innovative technologies such as 3D-CT-based preoperative simulation, real-time fluorescent image projection mapping, and dynamic surgical simulation systems to enhance precision and safety in anatomic pulmonary resection. A key research direction involves mitigating ischemia-reperfusion injury in lung transplantation and exploring its impact on graft survival and rejection. The lab also investigates novel applications of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging and advanced surgical navigation to improve tumor detection and resection accuracy.
Professor Zhou Wu's research lab focuses on the intersection of systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The lab investigates how chronic peripheral infections—such as those caused by *Porphyromonas gingivalis* in periodontitis—trigger systemic and brain-specific inflammatory responses that accelerate cognitive decline. Key research directions include the role of immune cells (e.g., macrophages, microglia, leptomeningeal cells) in signal transduction from peripheral inflammation to the central nervous system, the contribution of molecules like cathepsin B and RAGE to amyloid-beta pathology, and the immunomodulatory potential of phosphatidylserine-containing liposomes in regulating neuroinflammation and bone metabolism. The lab integrates preclinical models, primary cell cultures, and translational insights to uncover mechanisms linking oral and systemic health to brain function.
Professor Pang-jo Chun's research lab specializes in advanced structural health monitoring, nondestructive evaluation, and AI-driven damage assessment of civil infrastructure. The lab focuses on developing innovative machine learning and deep learning techniques—such as Random Forest, Mask R-CNN, and semantic segmentation with structure-oriented loss functions—for detecting and quantifying damage in concrete and slope structures. Research also extends to blast resistance of high-performance materials like SIFCON and multimodal AI for rapid landslide risk assessment using drone imagery and large language models.
Professor Naotomo Kambe's research lab focuses on immunology and inflammatory diseases, with a particular emphasis on mast cell biology, granulomatous disorders such as sarcoidosis and Blau syndrome, and the role of immune mediators like TARC, sIL-2R, and cytokines in disease pathogenesis. The lab investigates human hematopoietic stem cell differentiation and mast cell development in vivo using humanized mouse models, contributing to the understanding of immune cell ontogeny and inflammatory responses. They also explore clinical immunological markers and drug-induced reactions, such as aspirin-induced FDEIA, to improve diagnosis and patient management in chronic inflammatory conditions.
Professor Keiko U. Torii's research lab focuses on the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying plant development, particularly the regulation of organ morphogenesis and stomatal patterning in *Arabidopsis thaliana*. Her work centers on receptor-like kinases, such as the ERECTA family, which play key roles in controlling cell fate decisions, cell proliferation, and tissue patterning in the shoot apical meristem and epidermis. The lab integrates molecular genetics, live imaging, and mathematical modeling to dissect signaling networks that coordinate cell-cell communication and transcriptional regulation during stomatal lineage development. They also investigate how developmental decisions are balanced between different epidermal cell types, such as stomata, pavement cells, and trichomes, through shared and competing gene regulatory circuits.
Professor Masami Yokota Hirai's research lab specializes in systems biology and plant metabolism, focusing on the integration of multi-omics approaches—particularly metabolomics and transcriptomics—to decode gene-to-metabolite networks in plants. The lab investigates key metabolic pathways such as sulfur and nitrogen nutrition, glucosinolate biosynthesis, and stress responses, aiming to uncover regulatory mechanisms and novel gene functions. A central theme is the development of high-throughput metabolomics technologies for comprehensive and quantitative profiling of plant metabolites, enabling systems-level understanding of metabolic regulation. The lab also explores metabolic engineering in cyanobacteria for sustainable bioproduct synthesis, such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB).
