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.

Through advanced imaging techniques, biochemistry, and gene expression analyses, I work to understand the mechanisms of how plants adapt to changes in the environment.

(1) Mechanisms of Plant Motion and Growth 　Many people believe that plants do not move. However, the reality is that plants respond by sensing changes in light intensity, color, and temperature and moving. I focus on the behavior of microtubules in plant cells, which may be playing a key role in regulating plant motion and growth. This project tries to answer this classic, unanswered question in plant physiology, one that had been a focus of Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882), the Father of Evolution.

(2) Mechanisms of Plant Environmental Responses To adapt to environmental change, plants must survive and reproduce through seed production because they cannot physically leave the place where their seeds germinate. In particular, my focus is on how plants adapt to higher temperatures. As we face the challenge of climate change and global warming, understanding mechanisms of biological adaptation to higher temperatures is critical.

(3) Functions of Small RNAs on Plant Embryogenesis and Development Small RNAs play important roles to regulate plant embryogenesis and developments. I discovered a novel gene expression mechanism involving small RNAs. This project tries to further develop this new field in plant physiology.

[Overview of research]
We studied the marine fish of aqua culture that does not use seawater.
Breeding possible fish species flounder, tiger puffer, striped jack, grouper, Japanese eel, New Guinea eel, blue fin tuna, chum salmon, Kuruma prawn, deman prawn etc.
We aim to gently safe and secure closed aqua culture in the environment at low cost.
These research activities has been attracting attention from the world not only in Japan but.

[Acquired patents]
· Patent No. 4665252
· Patent No. 4665258
· Patent No. 5062550
· Patent No. 5364874
· Patent No. 5487377
· Patent No. 5487378
· Patent No. 5578401

[International cooperation]
Introduction to the acetic acid injection method( Crown-of-thorns starfish control manual 2011 :Ministry of the Environment)
The Jica Project Study on Value-add Macrobrachium rosenbergii Aquaculture by the Third Water in the Kingdom of Cambodia

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.

Plants can adapt to various environmental conditions by perceiving intensity and quality of light, direction of gravity, and so on. By elucidating such a stimulus-responsive mechanism, we will be able to modulate the growth of a plant to be optimized for an artificial condition such as in a space station or a plant factory.
We are studying on 1) the molecular bases for a wound-responsive gene expression, 2) the effect of light quality on root gravitropism, and 3) a novel plant growth regulator within a distilled extract from industrial waste biomass.

We are investigating the dynamics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Seto Inland Sea and other areas of western Japan. In addition, clarifying the mechanism of contamination of Lake Kojima, we are conducting water quality surveys of Lake Kojima and elution experiments of organic matter and nutrient salts from the bottom sediment. We are also investigating the effects of chemical substances on the properties of aquatic organisms.

Physarum polycephalum can servive in extreme desiccation conditions. Stabilization of biomolecules, including proteins, is essential action for survival in the desiccation condition. To understand the molecular mechanism of desiccation tolerance in Physarum polycephalum, I have researched the whole aspect of adaptation by omics analysis.

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.

My research interests focus on screening of useful microorganisms from environmental samples for future industrial applications. For example, I attempt to develop novel fermented foods using fermentation microorganisms.

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.

1. We investigate the role of calcitonin-gene relate peptide (CGRP) which is a potent peptide vasodilator and can function in the transmission of pain on mice behavior. Recently, we have demonstrated that intracerebroventricular administration of CGRP induced anti-depressant effect in 15-day restraint stressed mice. This anti-depressant effect is associated with a massive nerve growth factor production in hippocampus. We are now investigating whether the fear memory associated with the exogenous CGRP in mice.

2. We also exploring the effect of CGRP on atherosclerosis in apoE knockout mice which has on CGRP. ApoE knockout mice, which develop atherosclerosis lesion in short time.

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

We are developing and researching systems and devices that support treatment. Our basic approach is to develop products that operate with mechanical and electrical mechanisms such as robots and manipulators. I am interested in researching systems and devices that read human movements and biological signals in some form and operate or are controlled based on these.