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.

We are developing “sensors that collect information” necessary for patients to receive treatment with peace of mind.
For example, a ventilator used by patients with lung diseases at home is an indispensable medical device. We are developing sensors based on our own ideas to provide patients with more secure treatment using such ventilators.

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.

It is said that physical education classes are relatively popular with children and students, and that they are highly independent in these classes.It is true that this has been supported by the diligent research of teaching materials by in-service teachers and the development of teaching methods.
However, in the in-service teachers differentiation according to individuals and groups is required because.However, the development of teaching materials and the choice of teaching methods are becoming half-implicit knowledge.I am trying to systematize the enormous teaching methods of in-service teachers that have been cultivated so far.As such, I hope to make teacher behavior explicit knowledge.

“Home economics” in school education aims to improve the skill of homemaking through the velationships between oneself and their family, their consumption habit, their eating habit, their dwelling life, their clothing life and so on.
“Home economics” is concerned with not only our claily life but some subjects life social studies and science. Moreover it’s very important to reflect on your home life so far.
I investigate how “Home economics” should be and I design exciting, satisfactory and practical classes.

I am interested in teacher involvement in supporting children’s social-emotional development. School is not only a place to develop academic skills, but also to promote children’s social-emotional development. So, what kinds of teacher involvement contribute to the development of children’s social-emotional competence? I am collecting and analyzing data on these questions.
I am also developing programs to foster communication skills, etc., with reference to psycho-educational programs that foster knowledge and skills related to the mind and social-emotional learning (SEL). These programs are meant to “prevent” problematic or maladaptive behaviors before they occur. I am also interested in how to utilize such programs in actual educational settings.

Specializes in education through teaching materials, methods, curriculum design, teachers’ training for inter-linguistic and intercultural communication based on social psychology. In 2007, started “Primary School Project” in Democratic Republic of Congo through intercultural collaboration, has continuously introduced how to create an atmosphere for “mutual collaboration” and “sustainable relationship” with the local community, and is always working with young researchers on the fieldwork-based approach in exploring how to interpret social and cultural phenomena in local communities to develop a model school for the area. We have other related projects in Kagoshima, Yamaguchi, Nagano, Kanagawa, Akita, Aomori.

As my specialty is interlinguistic and intercultural communication based on education, and I am researching its curriculum design and teaching methods. Generally, when we think about intercultural communication, it is exchange with foreign countries that comes to mind. However, even when we are talking with Japanese people, a word can often be interpreted completely differently by the other person, due to individual understandings of the image evoked by that particular word that arises from our diverse backgrounds. Nevertheless, there is the mistaken impression that sharing a language or an interpretation equals understanding, and major communication gaps can arise before we know it.
What is more, my special field of research is the creation of environments for interlinguistic and intercultural communication that generate these kinds of “discoveries.” What steps are required, what kind of settings do we need to create, and what kind of program do we need to assemble? This involves developing a curriculum design, creating an environment that generates sustainable shared understandings as quickly and naturally as possible, and coming up with the methodology to teach the required content and language, for example. We are undertaking this research by putting these concepts into practice through specific projects.

[Health promotion and lifelong sports]
The important thing is to keep exercising. Sports are also important from the perspective of release stress and mental health. Wearable devices have made it possible to measure heart rate and walking distance during exercise. I promote research that contributes to health promotion and lifelong sports.
[Choice reaction time and performance]
The study of choice tasks leads to improved sports performance. The study of reaction time improved prevent accidents. I am studying reaction time and selection tasks.
[Environmental temperature and physiological stress]
Physiological stress during exercise in a hot or cold environment is evaluated using indices such as heart rate and body temperature. I am studying against heatstroke and prevention of hypothermia.

The effcts of chemical substances on living organism depend on animal species and developmental stage. A lot of unexplained subjects exist in these reserch topics. I tackle researches in order to clarify the pathogenesis of lesions induced by chemical substances in various aminal species, such as rat, quail, chicken, medaka and newt in different developmental stages.

We not only analyze the health status of humans, animals, the environment, and food, but also develop new testing methods to evaluate them.
In recent years, we have been conducting joint research with local governments and companies to develop processing methods to reduce food loss and add value to food ingredients, to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of functional ingredients in foods, and to develop new testing methods for inflammation markers.

Novel technologies to efficiently and safely disinfect agricultural products have been studied. We aim to contribute to food safety and security by developing innovative disinfection methods..

In addition, we have studied the effect of disinfectants against a range of pathogens on different materials, including influenza virus and feline calicivirus (a surrogate of human norovirus) as well as prions (most resistant pathogen). We also analyzed the likely mechanism of pathogen inactivation. Given our focus of research, we would like to collaborate with companies to assist in evaluating products as well as developing new technologies.

We study on the biological characteristics of fish parasites with the aim of disease control. Also, many fish parasites in seafoods have been subject to complaints by comsumers. However, fish parasites normally live in wild environments, and it is crucial to discriminate between harmful and harmless for humans.
To improve the quality of farmed fishes, we try to feed grape pomace, effluent from winemaking, on the immunity and health condition in cultured fishes.

Smooth muscle cells are major components of the organ walls of organs, such as artery, gastrointestinal tract, bladder and trachea. Smooth muscle cell motility is highly regulated by nerve and hormonal stimuli. Accumulating lines of evidence suggest that impaired smooth muscle motility is involved in a variety of diseases, such as hypertension, digestive dysfunction, asthma, and dysuria. To elucidate the molecular basis of smooth muscle diseases, and to develop their effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, we have been studying the mechanisms that regulate smooth muscle motor function. Meanwhile, we have discovered a protein that regulates smooth muscle contractile function and have elucidated the underlying mechanism by which the protein mediates regulation of smooth muscle motility. We now study the signals in smooth muscle disease.
In parallel with our research on smooth muscle disease, we are assisting in the development of devices and products to improve the quality of life of animals, including pets, and their owners through collaborative research.

Our research focuses on analyzing cancer stem cells (CSCs), which drive metastasis, to suppress post-operative recurrence caused by metastasis. Cancer stem-like sphere cells (CSLCs) exhibit prominent CSC phenotypes, including high metastatic potential, drug resistance, and immune evasion. Our findings have clarified that genes involved in exosome secretion play a crucial role in the acquisition of these CSC phenotypes. Given the observed similarities between CSLCs and cellular senescence, the role of senescence in the acquisition of CSC phenotypes is currently under investigation.
Furthermore, research is underway to realize precision medicine through the identification of biomarkers for predicting drug efficacy and adverse effects. Current genomic analysis targets pancreatic cancer, a refractory malignancy with limited treatment options. In parallel, in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) are being developed to measure these genetic markers.

Among infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria, we are studying zoonoses, which are infectious diseases between animals and humans. In recent years, with the increasing distance between animals and humans and the improvement of diagnostic techniques for pathogenic microorganisms, it has become clear that a variety of zoonoses exist in the world and pose a significant threat to us and human society. Our research contributes to the prevention and control of these zoonotic diseases by clarifying how these pathogenic microorganisms are actually maintained in the field and the degree of risk they pose to humans and animals. We also conduct molecular biological studies using actual pathogens and various types of cultured cells to evaluate pathogenicity and elucidate the mechanisms of pathogen transmission.

We aim to reveal the mechanism of pathogenicity on highly pathogenic viral zoonoses, using our Biosafety level 3 (BSL3) laboratory, as well as BSL4 facility in the foreign country (as a coolaborative research with Australian Animal Health laboratory, CSIRO).

So far, through a collaborative research with AAHL, we had established the reverse genetics system for nipah virus or hendra virus. By introducing mutations into the viral genome with the system, we are trying to rescue or make mutant virus and characterize the mutant virus. This approach would find or characterize nature of the original virus. Moreover, we would like to develope effective and safe vaccines for the viruses using recombinant mutant viruses.

Most female mammals have an estrous cycle in which they ovulate periodically. During the estrous cycle, ovarian follicles develop and blood levels of estrogen secreted by the developing follicles increase. This increased estrogen induces ovulation, promotes the proliferation of the endometrium to prepare for implantation of a fertilized egg, and induces sexual behavior by acting on the central nervous system. In addition, estrogen is known to have a wide range of effects, including effects on bone formation, central effects such as memory, and effects on the cardiovascular systems. This means that a wide range of cells are affected by estrogen, and these effects fluctuate during the estrous cycle. In our laboratory, we are investigating the factors and functions affected by estrogen during the estrous cycle, especially in tissues related to reproductive functions such as the pituitary gland and uterus. Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland and is involved in milk secretion and uterine contractions. Recently, its central effects, such as the ability to trust others more easily, have been attracting attention. Vitamin D is considered to be a hormone and is known to have many actions, just like estrogen. We are currently investigating the regulatory mechanisms of oxytocin receptor and vitamin D receptor expressions, which are involved in the expression of these hormones’ actions.