探索全球顶尖大学的研究室——研究领域与主要论文一览无余。
Professor Jiangkuan Xing's research lab specializes in combustion science and kinetics, with a focus on sustainable energy fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen, and synthetic paraffinic kerosene (AtJ-SPK). The lab develops and validates detailed and reduced chemical mechanisms to accurately predict combustion behaviors, including flame speed, heat release rate, and pollutant formation—particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx) in ammonia-hydrogen blends. Their work bridges fundamental reaction kinetics with practical applications in clean energy systems, supporting the design of low-emission, high-efficiency combustion technologies for aviation and power generation.
Professor Masayuki Nakashima's research lab specializes in surgical oncology and gastrointestinal surgery, with a strong focus on complex abdominal malignancies, rare gastrointestinal tumors, and surgical management in special populations such as pregnant patients. The lab investigates minimally invasive surgical techniques, including laparoscopic surgery for colorectal and small intestinal cancers, and evaluates systemic therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer in real-world clinical settings. The team also explores rare surgical emergencies, such as secondary intestinal volvulus due to gastrointestinal stromal tumors and radiation-induced bladder rupture, emphasizing diagnostic challenges and surgical outcomes in complex cases.
Professor Yoichi Otsuka's research lab specializes in nanoscale electrical and ionization characterization techniques, focusing on the electrical properties of biomolecular and nanomaterial systems. The lab develops advanced atomic force microscopy methods—such as point-contact current-imaging AFM and scanning probe electrospray ionization—for in situ, high-resolution analysis of conductivity, structure, and chemical composition at the nanoscale. Key research directions include the fabrication of nanogap electrodes without lithographic processes, the study of DNA and carbon nanotube conductivity under environmental conditions, and the advancement of ambient ionization mass spectrometry for biological imaging. The lab's work bridges nanoelectronics, molecular electronics, and analytical chemistry with applications in life sciences and materials characterization.
Professor Takuya Tsuji's research lab specializes in multiphase flows and granular dynamics, focusing on the numerical and experimental analysis of complex fluid-solid interactions. The lab investigates dense gas–solid flows, turbulent natural convection, and the mechanics of granular materials under various boundary conditions using advanced simulation techniques such as the discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Key research directions include the development of hybrid numerical models for multi-scale particle systems, the dynamics of drag forces in granular media, and the characterization of turbulent boundary layer structures in natural convection. The lab combines computational modeling with experimental validation to address fundamental challenges in industrial and environmental applications such as fluidized beds, pneumatic conveying, and heat transfer in complex flows.
Professor Seihou Jinnai's research lab specializes in the molecular design and synthesis of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) for high-performance organic photovoltaics (OPVs). The lab focuses on fine-tuning molecular structures to control interfacial energetics, crystallinity, and exciton dissociation efficiency, with particular emphasis on London dispersion forces and molecular symmetry. Key research directions include engineering π-conjugated systems to reduce exciton binding energy and enhance charge generation in bulk-heterojunction solar cells.
Professor Junji Kawanaka's research lab specializes in high-power, high-energy ultrafast laser systems, with a strong focus on cryogenic solid-state lasers and optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA). The lab pioneers the development of diode-pumped Yb-doped laser materials—such as Yb:YLF and Yb:YAG—operating at low temperatures to achieve high efficiency, broad tuning, and exceptional beam quality. Key research directions include regenerative amplification architectures (e.g., TRAM), pulse compression techniques, and the design of next-generation petawatt-class lasers for applications in inertial fusion and fundamental physics. The lab also explores quantum collision dynamics in ultracold atomic systems, particularly in lithium traps, to understand loss mechanisms in quantum devices.
Professor Tadahiro Sasaki's research lab specializes in infectious disease diagnostics and virology, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance, emerging viral pathogens, and the development of rapid, accurate diagnostic tools. The lab investigates the molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as CTX-M-producing Enterobacteriaceae and explores host-pathogen interactions in viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus. A key research direction involves the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic platforms, such as engineered ACE2 decoys and quantitative viral load assays, to combat evolving viral variants and improve clinical management. The lab also contributes to point-of-care testing innovation to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use.
Professor Hidehiro Ishizawa's research lab focuses on microbial ecology and plant-microbe interactions, particularly in aquatic systems. The lab investigates the assembly and functional dynamics of microbial communities associated with duckweed, a fast-growing aquatic plant, with an emphasis on plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and their roles in enhancing biomass production and wastewater treatment. Using synthetic microbial communities, Tn-seq, and multi-omics approaches, the lab explores higher-order microbial interactions, colonization mechanisms, and ecological resilience in host-associated microbiomes. Their work bridges fundamental ecological principles with practical applications in sustainable biotechnology and environmental remediation.
Professor Elizabeth Maly’s research lab focuses on post-disaster recovery, with a central emphasis on people-centered housing reconstruction, disaster risk reduction policy, and the social dimensions of disaster resilience. Her work explores the long-term impacts of disasters such as the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Hurricane Katrina, analyzing housing relocation, recovery planning, and the role of community participation in rebuilding. The lab also investigates disaster memory and commemoration through museums, examining how societies preserve trauma, knowledge, and resilience through institutional and public memory practices.
Professor Akichika Kumatani's research lab specializes in the development and fundamental understanding of advanced materials for sustainable energy applications. The lab focuses on designing and characterizing nanostructured materials—particularly carbon-based and oxide-based catalysts and semiconductors—through advanced characterization techniques and theoretical modeling. Key research directions include the atomic-level design of metal-free electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, the fabrication of high-performance organic single-crystal field-effect transistors, and the electrochemical engineering of materials for lithium-ion batteries and ammonia synthesis. The lab integrates in situ electrochemical microscopy, pulsed laser deposition, and density functional theory to uncover structure–activity relationships in energy materials.
Professor Phoonsuk Limraksasin's research lab specializes in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, with a focus on leveraging mechanical stimuli and microenvironmental cues to direct the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into bone and cartilage tissues. The lab investigates how mechanical forces such as shear stress, compression, and dynamic culture systems enhance osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, aiming to develop self-organizing, functional tissue constructs for regenerative therapies. A key emphasis is placed on optimizing microculture systems and biophysical signals to mimic physiological conditions and improve tissue regeneration outcomes.
Professor Kozo Tanaka's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying chromosome dynamics, DNA repair, and genome stability, with a particular emphasis on the roles of SNF2/SWI2-family proteins in homologous recombination and chromosomal integrity. The lab investigates key regulators such as RAD54B and RAD54, exploring their interactions with Rad51 and functions in DNA repair pathways. Additionally, the lab examines the cellular consequences of tetraploidy and chromosomal instability in cancer and aging, linking these processes to tumorigenesis and karyotypic evolution. The research integrates molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry to dissect fundamental mechanisms of genome maintenance.
Professor Wei Yu's research lab specializes in the development of low-cost, high-sensitivity analytical platforms using nanomaterials and paper-based microfluidics, with a strong focus on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for trace chemical and biomolecular detection. The lab pioneers innovative, inkjet-printed SERS substrates on cellulose paper and polymer membranes, enabling portable, pump-free, and quantitative detection for point-of-care and field applications. In parallel, the lab advances next-generation energy storage systems, particularly dendrite-free alkali-metal-oxygen batteries and stable carbon cathodes for lithium-oxygen batteries, emphasizing materials design for enhanced electrochemical performance and safety. The integration of materials science, analytical chemistry, and sustainable device engineering defines the lab’s interdisciplinary approach.
Professor Yasutoshi Akiyama's research lab focuses on the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a central emphasis on uremic toxin accumulation and its role in driving hypertension, renal fibrosis, and cardiovascular complications. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying tRNA fragmentation and oxidative stress as early biomarkers of tissue injury, particularly in acute kidney injury and CKD. A key research direction involves identifying and characterizing endogenous and exogenous compounds—such as AST-120 and organic anion transporters like SLCO4C1—that modulate uremic toxin levels and renal function. The lab also explores the regulatory roles of tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) and stress-induced RNases in cellular adaptation and disease progression.
Professor Kazuo Osada's research lab specializes in atmospheric aerosol science, focusing on the sources, transport, and deposition of mineral dust and anthropogenic particles in the free troposphere. The lab conducts long-term, high-altitude measurements at Murododaira on Mount Tateyama, Japan, to investigate the seasonal and vertical variability of aerosols, ozone, and their chemical characteristics. Key research directions include wet and dry deposition processes of Asian dust (Kosa), the role of long-range transport in regional air quality, and the impacts of industrialization on submicrometer aerosol concentrations. The lab employs advanced techniques such as tethered balloon-borne sampling, scanning electron microscopy with X-ray analysis, and automated deposition samplers across multiple sites in Japan.
Professor Atsushi Takagaki's research lab specializes in the development of advanced solid acid and base catalysts derived from layered metal oxides and hydrotalcites for sustainable chemical transformations. The lab focuses on designing nanosheet-based catalysts with strong, selective acid sites for biomass conversion, including the one-pot synthesis of valuable platform chemicals like 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) from sugars. Key research directions include the exfoliation and functionalization of layered oxides such as HTiNbO₅, HSr₂Nb₃O₁₀, and HNbMoO₆ to create highly active and reusable catalysts for reactions like dehydration, isomerization, and oxidation under mild, green conditions. The lab also explores the application of these materials in glycerol valorization and other biomass-derived chemical processes, emphasizing catalytic efficiency, recyclability, and environmental sustainability.
Professor Mitsuru Tanaka's research lab specializes in metrology and analytical chemistry, with a focus on high-precision measurements of physical properties of water, including density and temperature relationships under standard conditions. The lab also conducts cutting-edge research in biomedical sciences, particularly in the transport mechanisms of bioactive peptides across biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier and intestinal membranes. Their work bridges fundamental physical measurements with translational applications in neuroscience and peptide-based therapeutics.
Professor Takahisa Anada's research lab focuses on biomaterials and tissue engineering, with a central emphasis on octacalcium phosphate (OCP) for bone regeneration and bioactive materials design. The lab investigates the physicochemical mechanisms underlying OCP's ability to induce osteogenic differentiation and its transformation into hydroxyapatite in physiological environments. Utilizing advanced fabrication techniques such as bioprinting and THz spectroscopy, the lab explores the role of hydration dynamics and molecular interactions in protein stability and cellular responses. The integration of stem cells, vascularization, and functional hydrogel constructs highlights the lab’s commitment to developing next-generation bone-mimetic implants.
Professor Kenji Kitamura's research lab specializes in functional oxide materials, particularly ferroelectric and piezoelectric single crystals such as LiTaO3. The lab focuses on the growth of high-quality, stoichiometric single crystals using advanced crystal growth techniques like the double crucible Czochralski method, aiming to minimize defects and internal fields. Their work explores the fundamental relationships between crystal composition, defect structure, and macroscopic properties such as switching fields and electrical behavior. The lab also investigates the influence of point defects on ferroelectric performance, contributing to the development of more efficient and stable materials for advanced electronic and photonic applications.
Professor Shigeyuki Koshikawa's research lab specializes in evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), focusing on the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying the evolution of novel morphological traits. The lab investigates gene regulatory networks, cis-regulatory evolution, and the co-option of developmental pathways in insects—particularly fruit flies (Drosophilidae) and termites—through comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and functional genetics. Key research directions include the origin of novel gene expression patterns, caste-specific morphogenesis in social insects, and the genetic basis of rapid evolutionary changes in pigmentation and body form.
