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 María Belén Alfonso's research lab focuses on aquatic ecosystem dynamics, with a strong emphasis on microplastic pollution and its ecological impacts in freshwater and marine environments. The lab investigates microplastic abundance, characterization, and trophic transfer, particularly through zooplankton, with a special interest in small microplastics (<300 μm) in understudied regions such as Southeast Asia. They also study the effects of environmental stressors—like storms and water management—on lake metabolism and plankton communities, integrating physicochemical, hydrological, and biological data to assess ecosystem health and resilience.
Professor Ken Kobayashi's research lab specializes in tissue engineering and epithelial barrier biology, with a focus on tight junction regulation in mammary, tracheal, and amniotic epithelia. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying epithelial barrier integrity, particularly the role of claudin subtypes in controlling permeability during inflammation and disease. Using primary cell cultures and organotypic models, the lab aims to develop regenerative strategies for epithelial repair in conditions such as mastitis, tracheal defects, and chorioamnionitis. Their work bridges basic cell biology with clinical applications in regenerative medicine and reproductive health.
Professor Andrea Fiorani's research lab specializes in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) as a powerful analytical and sensing technique, with a strong focus on advancing electrode materials, luminophores, and reaction mechanisms for enhanced sensitivity and stability. The lab pioneers the use of advanced materials such as boron-doped diamond electrodes to overcome limitations in signal reproducibility and interference, particularly in biological and clinical applications. Key research directions include in situ generation of coreactants (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), surface engineering of electrodes (e.g., polypyrrole-derived carbon films), and the development of chemical lens effects to control the ECL-emitting layer thickness for high-resolution imaging. The lab’s work bridges fundamental electrochemistry with practical applications in biosensing, point-of-care diagnostics, and bioimaging.
Professor Kentaro Nakamura's research lab focuses on deep-sea geochemistry and marine mineral resources, with a particular emphasis on hydrothermal vent systems and rare-earth element (REE)-enriched sediments in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The lab investigates the physicochemical processes controlling hydrothermal fluid composition, the formation of polymetallic sulfide deposits, and the biogeochemical cycles of rare earth elements in deep-sea environments. Research also includes the development of advanced exploration techniques for seafloor hydrothermal activity and the study of unique chemosynthetic ecosystems associated with hydrothermal vents. The lab integrates field observations, geochemical modeling, and innovative analytical methods to address challenges in deep-sea resource assessment and environmental monitoring.
Professor Xiangchong Li's research lab specializes in cosmology and weak gravitational lensing, focusing on precision measurements of cosmic shear to probe the large-scale structure and evolution of the universe. The lab develops advanced shear measurement algorithms—such as the Fourier Power Function Shapelets (FPFS)—to mitigate systematic biases in galaxy shape estimation, with an emphasis on analytical corrections for noise and selection effects. Their work leverages deep imaging surveys like the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program to test the standard cosmological model and uncover potential discrepancies in dark matter distribution across cosmic time.
Professor Takeshi Naota's research lab specializes in transition-metal-catalyzed organic transformations, with a strong focus on ruthenium- and palladium-catalyzed reactions for selective synthesis. Key research directions include the development of chemoselective oxidation methods—particularly aerobic and Baeyer-Villiger oxidations—using sustainable catalysts, and innovative applications of ultrasound in controlling sol-gel transitions and molecular assembly. The lab also explores efficient, metal-catalyzed condensation reactions for lactam and amide formation, emphasizing atom economy and functional group tolerance.
Professor Satoshi Imazato's research lab specializes in the development of bioactive dental materials with a focus on incorporating antibacterial monomers—particularly methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinium bromide (MDPB)—into resin-based restoratives. The lab pioneers non-releasing antibacterial composites and adhesive systems that maintain mechanical integrity while providing long-term inhibition of cariogenic bacteria such as *Streptococcus mutans* and *Lactobacillus* species. Research also extends to bioactive materials like hydroxyapatite/soluble calcium phosphate composites (HAp/SCaP) that promote osteoblast activity and tissue regeneration. The overarching goal is to create next-generation dental materials that prevent secondary caries and enhance tissue integration through smart, functional monomers and biomaterials.
Professor Tomohiro Shiraki's research lab specializes in the design and fabrication of functional nanomaterials through supramolecular and molecular recognition strategies. The lab focuses on chiral nanostructures, particularly helix-based assemblies involving polysaccharides and conjugated polymers, to achieve circularly polarized luminescence and stimuli-responsive behavior. A key direction involves the precise functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes to modulate their near-infrared photoluminescence through local covalent modification and molecular recognition. The lab also explores dynamic structural responses in soft nanomaterials for applications in optoelectronics, biosensing, and smart materials.
Professor Hiroyuki Toda's research lab specializes in advanced X-ray microtomography and in-situ characterization of metallic materials, focusing on the three-dimensional visualization and mechanical analysis of microstructural evolution under load. The lab employs synchrotron radiation to achieve ultra-high-resolution 3D imaging, enabling the observation of nanoscale features such as precipitates, cracks, voids, and hydrogen micropores in real time. Key research directions include in-situ fatigue and fracture behavior, hydrogen-induced damage, stress corrosion cracking, and strain mapping using digital volume correlation and microstructural tracking techniques. The lab's work bridges the gap between microstructure and mechanical performance, offering new insights into failure mechanisms in engineering alloys.
Professor Shu-Qi Wu's research lab specializes in the design and investigation of molecular materials with advanced multifunctional properties, focusing on spin crossover, single-molecule magnetism, and magnetoelectric coupling in coordination complexes. The lab explores the interplay between electronic structure, magnetic anisotropy, and lattice dynamics to develop stimuli-responsive materials for next-generation spintronic and memory devices. Key research directions include the rational construction of supramolecular assemblies for isolating magnetic centers and enhancing relaxation dynamics, as well as utilizing 2D heterostructures to manipulate light-matter interactions such as the spin Hall effect of light.
Professor Akihiro Takezawa's research lab specializes in computational design and optimization of advanced functional materials and structures, with a strong focus on additive manufacturing (AM) and topology optimization. The lab investigates the development of lattice structures, phononic crystals, and thermoelectric devices to achieve tailored mechanical, thermal, and functional properties. Key research directions include robust design under uncertainty, thermal distortion reduction in metal AM, and multi-material AM for enhanced performance. The lab integrates numerical methods such as polynomial chaos expansion and homogenization with practical manufacturing validation through experiments.
Professor Takayoshi Awakawa's research lab specializes in natural product biosynthesis, focusing on the enzymatic pathways and genetic mechanisms underlying the production of structurally complex and bioactive molecules. The lab employs a multidisciplinary approach combining genome mining, heterologous expression, structural biology, and in vitro reconstitution to uncover novel biosynthetic routes, particularly for polyketide synthase (PKS)- and non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-derived metabolites, aziridine-containing compounds, and meroterpenoids. A central theme is the engineering of biosynthetic pathways to generate new derivatives with enhanced or novel bioactivities.
Professor Keiji Numata's research lab specializes in the development and application of biopolymers—particularly silk and poly(lactide) derivatives—for advanced biomedical technologies. The lab focuses on designing smart biomaterials that enable controlled drug and gene delivery, tissue engineering, and targeted cancer therapy through innovative nanostructured systems. Key research directions include engineering silk-based hydrogels and nanoparticles with tunable mechanical and degradation properties, as well as creating bioactive complexes for enhanced cellular delivery and specificity. The lab integrates principles of polymer chemistry, structural biology, and biotechnology to create sustainable and biocompatible materials for clinical applications.
Professor Hiroshi Miyasaka's research lab specializes in photophysical and photochemical processes in organic and hybrid materials, with a focus on ultrafast dynamics, molecular viscosity sensing, and photoresponsive systems. Key research directions include time-resolved spectroscopy to investigate excited-state dynamics, development of novel photochromic and fluorogenic probes for environmental sensing, and mechanistic studies of electron and energy transfer in molecular systems. The lab also explores applications in molecular switches, molecular viscosity probes (e.g., FLAP), and photoreduction processes in donor-acceptor complexes.
Professor Yusuke Shimoyama's research lab specializes in advanced materials and chemical engineering for sustainable energy and environmental applications. Key research directions include the development of functional adsorbents for carbon dioxide capture and dye removal, innovative ionic liquid-based electrolytes and ionogels for next-generation batteries, and machine learning-assisted screening of cocrystals for pharmaceutical applications. The lab also investigates thermodynamic properties of complex fluid systems and novel photothermal materials to enable energy-efficient processes.
Professor Tomoaki Nakaishi's research lab focuses on environmental sustainability and human behavior, with a particular emphasis on food waste valorization and the societal impacts of air pollution. The lab investigates technological and systemic inefficiencies in converting food waste into animal feed using data-driven methods such as data envelopment analysis (DEA), while also exploring how environmental stressors like air pollution influence moral cognition and ethical decision-making. By integrating environmental science with social science methodologies, the lab aims to uncover hidden inefficiencies in waste management and the broader psychological consequences of pollution. Their work bridges ecological sustainability with human behavior, offering policy-relevant insights for both industrial practices and public health.
Professor Hiroyuki Nishide's research lab specializes in the design and development of advanced functional polymers for sustainable energy applications. The lab focuses on radical polymers with stable organic radicals, particularly TEMPO-based systems, for high-performance electrochemical devices such as aqueous rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors. Key research directions include the synthesis of hydrophilic redox-active polymers, chelate resin formation for selective metal ion capture, and the integration of these materials into efficient, eco-friendly energy storage systems. The lab emphasizes materials that enable fast electron transfer, high Coulombic efficiency, and long-term cyclability in aqueous electrolytes.
Professor Takahiro Yamaguchi's research lab specializes in advanced signal processing and machine learning for non-destructive evaluation of civil infrastructure. The lab focuses on leveraging ground-penetrating radar (GPR) combined with deep learning techniques—such as 3D-CNNs and SVM—for accurate detection and characterization of subsurface utilities, voids, cracks, and structural elements like manhole covers. A key research direction involves overcoming challenges in radar data interpretation through innovative simulation methods and spatial-temporal modeling to enhance resolution and detection accuracy. The lab also explores fusion of GPR with Lidar and image processing for quantitative assessment of road and bridge conditions.
Professor Toru Miwa's research lab focuses on molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying hereditary and age-related hearing loss, with a strong emphasis on inner ear development, sensory cell function, and immune regulation. The lab investigates key genes such as connexin, Tsukushi, Dach1, and Sirtuin 1, exploring their roles in auditory system homeostasis, stereocilia formation, and endocochlear potential regulation. Using mouse models and molecular techniques, the lab aims to develop gene therapy and metabolic interventions for sensorineural hearing loss, particularly targeting congenital deafness and age-related hearing decline. The work also extends to understanding macrophage-mediated immune responses in autoimmune inner ear disease, highlighting translational potential for novel therapeutics.
Professor Kazuyoshi Kanamori's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced organic-inorganic hybrid aerogels with tailored functionalities. The lab focuses on developing superflexible, mechanically robust, and multifunctional aerogels through innovative sol-gel and polymerization strategies, emphasizing ambient-pressure drying techniques to preserve nanostructure and porosity. Key research directions include the creation of transparent, superinsulating, and processable aerogels for thermal insulation and flexible sensor applications, as well as the integration of graphene and siloxane networks for smart sensing and multifunctional materials.
