In our laboratory, we explore the untapped potential of microorganisms that play important roles in agriculture, food processing, and human health, both inside and outside our bodies. Our goal is to discover useful microorganisms with novel abilities and develop technologies to enrich our lives sustainably.

The aim of the one of my research is to develop the cultured thick and huge musclular tissue. To do this, I am developing the blood vescle in cultured tissues by using selfaggregation technique.
I am studying the mechanisms of muscular hypertrophy by Kaatsu training (pressurized muscle training) in cellular level to develop the method to treat musclular atrophy etc. Also I am studying the effects of physical environments (temperature, air contact, and ultrasonic wave irratiation, etc.) around blood in extracorporeal circulation devices such as artificial carcdiopulmonary device or dialysis cdevice on blood coagulation to develop the high-performance extracorporeal blood circulation device.

Our group is interested in developing new synthetic methodologies to enable synthesis of biologically active natural compounds and their derivatives in environmental friendly manner. As such manners, we have developed metal-free regioselective cycloaddition of highly reactive o-quinone to form 1,4-benzodioxane and a procedure for construction of benzene ring from o-quinone and terminal alkynes through cycloaddition and photo-decarboxylation. We have also reported concise synthetic route to KDO, a kind of carbohydrate, including elimination of cyclic sulfite as a key step. By collaborative research with a company, functional monomers for dental adhesive resin cements have been developed. 　

Denatired protein forms insoluble aggrigate. Chemical cationization of decatured protein s them water soluble. Based on this protein cationization method, we have studied two theme as described later. Left panel shows the outline of cationized protein transduction for living mammalian cells。Cationized protein efficiently adosorbed to negatively charged cell surface and uptaked by endocytosis. Right panel shows application of cationized protein for adosorbent of autoantibody. Denatured and cationized whole antigen immobilized on adsorber would be possible to capture antibodies with various epitope.

Type II DNA topoisomerase (topo II) is an essential enzyme for resolution of topological problems arising in DNA metabolic processes such as transcription and replication. We study a role of the C-terminal domain of topo II in its nuclear dynamics and enzymatic activities.

My research focuses on elucidating the structure and function of biopolymers involved in the human life sciences. In particular, I focus on the field of human taste perception and study the mechanism of sweet taste perception. I also studies proteins that transform the human sense of taste. Certain proteins have the ability to alter human taste perception (e.g., changing sour taste to sweet). I believe that by elucidating this mechanism, we may be able to change “undesirable tastes” into “desirable tastes.

Skeletal muscle is an essential tissue for healthy living, and thus, age-related deterioration of motor function is a major problem. This is related to the fact that skeletal muscles become larger (muscle hypertrophy) or smaller (muscle atrophy) depending on the conditions of use. In addition, the dysfunction of muscle satellite cells causes serious symptoms. By elucidating the molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle regeneration and muscle hypertrophy, this laboratory aims to contribute to the improvement of quality of life by overcoming the decline in muscle regenerative capacity associated with aging and muscle diseases.

I think that it is only “a clinical engineer” basically that they can call it an engineer in clinical situation. I improve a medical device used in an operating room or an intensive care unit by technique of the engineering. I want to promote this study that can suggest better medical care.

A Non-pulsatile flow pump is used mainly now in a clinical scene. However, a pulsatile pump is reviewed recently. It is a field of the neonate in particular. Therefore I tried that I developed the pulsatile flow monitoring system which was effective in a heartbeat. I aim at the development of the system for this usability test.

(1) Many medical devices that use electricity, such as defibrillators, AEDs, and electrocautery, are used in the medical field. If these devices are not used properly, they can cause electric shocks and burns. In this study, we investigate the electrical hazards associated with improper use of these devices.

(2) It is important to obtain information on patients noninvasively in blood purification therapy. We are developing and improving sensors such as urea sensor using chemiluminescence.

(3) In training clinical engineering technicians, it is necessary to provide various practical training, but it is not possible to use actual patients. Therefore, we are developing educational materials for practical training that can be used in place of living bodies. We are also developing educational tools that can be used in primary life saving seminars for the general public.

Epithelial cells in spheroids formed through three-dimensional culture exhibit a quiescent state. Our research aims artificial interventions to control cell proliferation and differentiation during spheroid formation. Additionally, aiming for the standardization of cell culture techniques, we are advancing the development of a assessment system utilizing recorded videos.

Proteins exert their functions by adopting specific three-dimensional structures. Molecular chaperones are known to be involved in the process of achieving proper protein folding, which is crucial for the formation of these three-dimensional structures. We are focusing on a specific molecular chaperone known as heat shock protein and investigating its role in the brain. Through our research, we have revealed a connection between heat shock protein and depressive-like symptoms. Currently, we are further expanding this research to explore the relationship between depression and protein misfolding abnormalities.
Additionally, we are studying the impact of heat shock protein expression on memory, sensation, as well as its effects on allergies such as rhinitis.

Microbubbles have unique properties, existing stably for a long time, shrinking and disappearance (shrinking collapse) in a liquid to produce a gaseous supersaturated solution, and generation of hydroxyl free radicals. On the other hand, in the medical field, respiration and circulation management is given top priority, and oxygen administration and venous infusion routes are routinely carried out. Therefore, focusing on the property of the microbubble shrinking collapse phenomenon, if we can create an oxygen supersaturated infusion solution which directly oxygenate the blood, we can easily manage respiratory and circulatory conditions at the same time, which can be widely used for general treatment in various situations. Normally, when air bubbles are infused the blood, a thrombus is formed, which is dangerous and causes thromboembolism (infarction of the heart, lungs, brain, etc.). However, fine oxygen microbubbles that can easily pass through the thrombus removal filter (20-40㎛) of the CPB(cardio-pulmonary bypass) will naturally shrink and disappear (shrinking collapse) due to the nature of the microbubbles, so theoretically, thrombus can be eliminated. Therefore, the risk of embolism is small and considered safe. In the past, we have demonstrated that oxygen microbubble solutions with a diameter of 10 µm or less can be produced and the blood can be directly oxygenated. Furthermore, by combining a pressurized nozzle and ultrasonic waves, fine oxygen microbubbles with a diameter of 1.5 µm or less were produced in physiological saline, demonstrating the possibility and usefulness as an infusion solution. As for the application of the oxygen supersaturated infusion solution, it is expected to be used for emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary arrest, hypoxemia (pneumonia, respiratory failure, heart disease etc.), and ischemic diseases (myocardial/cerebral infarction, etc.). In general, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are known to induce cancer cell apoptosis and enhance their antitumor effects when they are placed in a hyper-oxygen state. If the oxygen supersaturated infusion solution are used in combination with anticancer drugs, the dose of anticancer drugs with strong side effects can be expected to be reduced, and the dose of antibiotics for infections (sepsis) can also be expected to be reduced.

Clostridium perfringens is a bacterium that causes gas gangrene and food poisoning. a-toxin (phospholipase C) is a pathogenic factor in gas gangrene. We showed which amino acids in the C-terminal domain of the αsubunit (αCTD) of RNA polymerase interact with the phased A-tracts DNA upstream of the promoter of a-toxin gene. The autolytic enzyme autolysin of C. perfrignes was identified as one of the fibronectin-binding proteins. In addition, through joint research, we were able to determine the three-dimensional structure of CppA, a pili-constituting protein.

We found that vagal hyperactivity produced by ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions stimulated cell proliferation of rat pancreatic islet B through a cholinergic receptor mechanism. Previously, we developed a new technique regarding high-quality RNA extraction from rat pancreas for cDNA microarray analysis, and thereby, we found that VMH lesions may change the expression of cell proliferation-related genes and neuron-related genes in a rat pancreas, using DNA microarray and real-time polymerase chain reaction. We believes that these new gene network analysis will lead to Diabetes MellitusTreatment or Pancreatic Cancer.

・Drug Discovery and Target Identification
Human plasma contains over 3,000 proteins, yet less than 20 are used in current blood products. To discover novel therapeutic candidates, we integrate Data Science, CRISPR-based genome editing, and zebrafish models—focusing on neurological diseases and congenital heart defects.

・Medical Coating Development
Medical devices such as catheters and artificial blood vessels require high biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties. We are developing novel coatings using patented Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) technology, aiming for improved safety, tissue regeneration, and real-time biosensing functionality.

・Health and Safety in Agriculture
Agricultural workers face a significantly higher risk of fatal accidents. Our work focuses on long-term health monitoring and accident prevention, using data-driven approaches and bio-design strategies in collaboration with industry, academia, and government.

Infectious diseases caused by bacteria begin with the attachment (Binding) of bacteria to the host. We use <ｉ>Clostridium perfringens</ｉ>, one of the pathogenic bacteria, as wound infection model. We are studying host-pathogen interaction from the following viewpoints.

1. Interaction between fibronectin and fibronectin binding protein (Fbps) of <ｉ>C. perfringens</ｉ>
2. The effect of Fbps on dermatopontin (DPT)-induced fibronectin fibrosis.
3. Fbps functions as a peptidoglycan hydrolyzing enzyme
4. The effect of Fbps on wound healing

・Investigation a novel renal function assessment using round cells as an indicator and to elucidate the mechanism of tubular lumen regeneration.
Since round tubular epithelial cells (round cells) are rarely found in urine and are neglected in daily clinical examinations, we aim to clarify the significance of their appearance and their relationship to disease. The round cells may be stem cells, and we hope to elucidate the process of tubular lumen regeneration and the cells from which they originate.

・Identification and functional analysis of specific microRNAs for early diagnosis of endmetrial cancer
We aim to identify microRNAs that can serve as biomarkers for early detection of endmetrial cancer and to detect them in blood samples. Furthermore, we will analyze the functions of microRNAs expressed in endmetrial cancer and clarify their molecular biological characteristics.

Using skin cells, I investigate how oxidative stress in vivo is involved in aging.
I also conduct research related to antioxidants and skin pigmentation, which is relevant to the development of new treatment and testing methods, beauty devices and cosmetics.

How can the population ｓustain in wetlands where the environment spatially and temporally fluctuates? We study the ecology of amphibians and reptiles in wetlands as target areas. Also, we study the anthropogenic impacts, such as paddy improvement and abandonment, on those populations from the viewpoint of conservation biology as well as ecology and evolution.

We study the natural history of wild animals using ecological and ethological methods. In particular, we study the distribution, diet, and behaviour of freshwater turtles and sea turtles, to understand their lifestyle and to study how human activities affect their lives. Additionally, we are conducting researches to elucidate the mechanisms of reproductive isolation in turtles, where interspecific hybridization is common. We are also interested in the distribution and population structure of aquatic species such as the giant salamander and the finless porpoise.