We investigate various biological characteristics such as genetics, morphology, physiological reproduction, and nutrition of wild animals, especially small mammals, through breeding and preservation of their breeding stock (e.g., suncus and voles). To elucidate the diverse biosystems in humans and other animals, we aim to create unique animal resources that enable us to obtain knowledge that is difficult to obtain with common laboratory animals (e.g., mice and rats) and to improve their added value.

There exist three states of matter, i.e. gas, liquid and solid and a flow in which two or three of these states are mixed is called a multi-phase flow. We analyze the flow and heat transfer of multiphase flows using numerical simulations and visualization systems. The thermal flow in the garbage incinerator and the dough mixing in the noodle dough kneader are analyzed as a flow of mixed solids and gases. Bubbles generated in the molten solder bath are analyzed as a flow of mixed liquid and gas. For such problems, we use open source code e.g. OpenFOAM for simulation. In order to visualize heat and flow, PIV, large-diameter Mach-Zehnder interferometer, system schlieren, and infrared thermal image analyzer are utilized.

We have been working on the mechanism of inactivation of the plant hormone auxin. In one of our research projects, we have discovered potent plant growth regulator, designated as KAKEIMIDE, which is a potent inhibitor of the GH3 enzyme that inactivate auxin. Auxin degradation inhibitor in plants can regulate auxin levels in various plant species, including crops, and thus promote rooting of cuttings and fruit set and enlargement of fruits.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Prospective veterinary medicine for farm animals should endeavor to augment productivity by incorporating strategies to combat production maladies, all the while actively contributing to the prevention and containment of infectious diseases. Through a focused emphasis on theriogenology and herd health management, our aim is to undertake research endeavors that elucidate the etiology, mechanisms, and pathogenesis of diseases in both individual animals and populations, with the overarching objective of advancing diagnostic and therapeutic methodologies.

Two major research themes have been addressed. The first is the identification of novel pathogens and the development of disease control methods for fish and shellfish. In aquaculture farms, mortality caused by unidentified diseases is often observed. The causative factors are quite complex including deterioration of the environment, nutritional disorders, and outbreak of infectious diseases. With recent advances in aquaculture technology, the targeted species for aquaculture have expanded, and new infectious diseases have been reported one after another. Therefore, we are exploring the pathogens using a comprehensive genetics approach to develop the diagnosis methods and control the diseases. Second, we are also studying the unique immune system in shrimp. As invertebrates, shrimp have no adaptive immune system like vertebrates. However, they show some resistance to re-infection of particular pathogen, like a phenomenon known as “immunological memory”. We hope to elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon and propose new disease control measures to improve productivity.

I analyze influences of biogeographic phenomena such as evolution and migration of host animals on parasite distribution or population using molecular phylogenetic analyses. I’m also conducting research on the mechanisms of migration and pathology of helminths in their host.

Food hygiene is expected to more important due to HACCP and export of meat and marine product.
Pneumonia is a common disease in feedlot, and Mycoplasma bovis may be involved. The bacteria occur such as pneumonia, mastitis, and arthritis. Endocarditis, which causes lesions in the heart, is occasionally observed at slaughterhouses (Fig). The researches of adhesive factors for vaccine development leads to a stable supply of meat product.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC, STEC), Salmonella, Campylobacter,which are known to be food poisoning, are tested at the Meat Inspection Center. The study of food microbiology that have attracted attention in recent years, such as Clostridium perfringens and Listeria monocytogenes, makes to improve food safety.

Quantitative analysis of histopathological changes and brain atrophy using volumetric MRI in BSE prions to cynomolgus macaques. Our results point out that C-BSE and L-BSE infected monkeys could be compatible models of vCJD and sCJD of human.
Administration of the compound in macaques infected with BSE slowed down the development of neurological and psychological symptoms. The de novo rational design of chaperone compounds could lead to therapeutics that can bind to different prion protein strains to ameliorate the pathology of Prion disease.