Keio University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Shinji Fukuda's research lab focuses on the gut microbiota and its role in human metabolic and immune health, with a particular emphasis on the gut-metabolite-host axis. The lab investigates how specific gut bacteria and their metabolites influence conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiorenal syndrome, and infectious diseases. Using multi-omics approaches—including genomics, metabolomics, and microbiome analysis—the lab uncovers mechanisms by which probiotics, prebiotics, and mineral water consumption modulate host physiology and disease outcomes. The research also extends to developing rapid molecular diagnostics, such as RT-LAMP assays for norovirus detection, highlighting translational applications in infectious disease control.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
The human gut harbors a large and diverse community of commensal bacteria. Among them, Bifidobacterium is known to exhibit various probiotic effects including protection of hosts from infectious diseases. We recently discovered that genes encoding an ATP-binding-cassette-type carbohydrate transporter present in certain bifidobacteria contribute to protecting gnotobiotic mice from death induced by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. We elucidated the molecular mechanism on lethal infectio
Diabetes mellitus is a type of metabolic disorder whereby patients are unable to regulate glycemia. It is currently a worldwide public health issue, and is a burden to society because of its disabling and common complications. Diabetes is multifactorial, and also induces the onset of other diseases. In the present report, we review the labyrinth encompassing the gut microbiota and gut microbiota-derived metabolites in type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes pathogenesis. There have been exceptional
In this study, we developed a one-step, single-tube genogroup-specific reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for the detection of norovirus (NoV) genomes targeting from the C terminus of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene to the capsid N-terminal/shell domain region. This is the first report on the development of an RT-LAMP assay for the detection of NoV genomes. Because of the diversity of NoV genotypes, we used 9 and 13 specially designed primers conta
Hot spring water and natural mineral water have been therapeutically used to prevent or improve various diseases. Specifically, consumption of bicarbonate-rich mineral water (BMW) has been reported to prevent or improve type 2 diabetes (T2D) in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms of the beneficial effects behind mineral water consumption remain unclear. To elucidate the molecular level effects of BMW consumption on glycemic control, blood metabolome analysis and fecal microbiome analysis w
Linaclotide reduced TMAO and uremic toxin levels and could be a powerful tool for the prevention and control of the cardiorenal syndrome by modification of the gut-cardio-renal axis.
Although gut microbiota has been linked to exercise, whether alterations in the abundance of specific bacteria improve exercise performance remains ambiguous. In a cross-sectional study involving 25 male long-distance runners, we found a correlation between <i>Bacteroides uniformis</i> abundance in feces and the 3000-m race time. In addition, we administered flaxseed lignan or α-cyclodextrin as a test tablet to healthy, active males who regularly exercised in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-
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