Research Activities

Our Medical Research Center has 20 laboratories.

  • Interferon ＆ Host-defense Research Laboratory

    Laboratory Director
    Kazuko UNO
    Chief Research Scientist
    Kazuo SUZUKI
    Research Scientists
    Katsumi YAGI, Sumiko IHO
    Project Researchers
    Leeja RUSSELL, Ukan KOU

    This lab researches immune markers that reflect the early stages and pathophysiology of different types of diseases including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and Castleman's disease. The laboratory has its own independently developed method of quantifying interferon production ability, and provides affiliated clinics and other medical institutions with information on immune markers and immune function. This data helps these institutions to early detect and treat cancer.

    Since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station incident, this lab has been part of a government project that provides Fukushima residents with the support required to help them maintain optimal immune function to overcome the effects of low-dose radiation exposure.

  • Laboratory of Developmental Neuroscience

    Laboratory Director
    Yuko YASUDA
    Research Scientist
    Setsuya FUJITA

    This laboratory's research is centered on the central nervous system, the molecular mechanisms of neuronal glial switches, and the molecular evolution of matrix cell systems in the human brain. In addition to doing research in the above areas, this laboratory is also examining the role of glial cells in brain function and the morphology and function of microglia.

  • Laboratory of Clinical Pathology

    Laboratory Director
    Yasunari TSUCHIHASHI

    We developed a telepathology system by digitizing patients' pathological diagnostic records. Along with providing medical institutions with pathological diagnosis, the laboratory is also developing operational guidelines for remote pathological diagnosis and cytology. Additional activities of this lab includes conducting clinical pathological case studies.

  • Cell Therapy Laboratory

    Laboratory Director
    Osamu KIMURA
    Research Scientist
    Taizo FURUKAWA
    Project Researchers
    Kaori TAKADA,Yuki MASUDA,
    Taichiro OGAWA,
    Kiminori SEKIMOTO

    In recent years, there has been a worldwide increase in basic and clinical research targeting cell-based therapies such as regenerative medicine using stem cells and cancer immunotherapy using immune cells.

    In light of this, the main objective of this laboratory is to conduct clinical research on cell based therapies while doing translational research on the mechanism involved so as to improve the therapeutic efficacy of these treatments.

  • Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacology

    Laboratory Director
    Yoshiko YASUDA
    Senior Research Scientist
    Yasushi KONDO
    Research Scientists
    Megumi YASUDA,TANG Miao,
    ZHUANG Xiaotong

    In 1993, we discovered that erythropoietin promotes survival, growth and differentiation of benign and malignant tumors. Until 2021, we collaborated with Epo-Med Inc., on a project, that is still ongoing, to develop an anticancer drug with a low molecular weight peptide that blocks the erythropoietin signaling system.

    Our laboratory is also using the compound created by Epo-Med Inc. to conduct experiments to shed light on the disruption of the erythropoietin signaling system in tumors and cancer biomarkers. In particular, we are focusing on liver and pancreatic cancer, which have the highest mortality rates.

  • Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Advanced Medical Science

    Laboratory Director
    Mao TAKAGAKI
    Senior Research Scientists
    Noriko KAGAWA,
    Tomoko SAOTOME
    Research Scientists
    Shuji KAMIMOTO,
    Haruko INOIE, Takuji OKADA,
    Kazuhito NAKAMURA,
    Satoshi MIYAMOTO,
    Keiko YONEZAWA

    The laboratory conducts interdisciplinary fieldwork based on knowledge from medical science, anthropology, philosophy and history. We discuss and analyze various aspects of the ever-evolving field of advanced medical science and its relationship with humans. Our goal is to explore and analyze the state of medical science in the near future and its prescription for humanity, and to publish our results in an easy-to-understand manner.

  • Laboratory for Human Diseases Models

    Laboratory Director
    Yoichiro IWAKURA

    Many genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and allergic diseases. Clarifying the role of these individual genes will enable us to better understand the pathogenic mechanisms, leading to the development of new therapeutics. This laboratory has produced more than 100 strains of gene modified mice in which specific external genes have been introduced into their DNA (transgenic mice) or in which gene functions have been silenced (knockout mice). Through these activities, we have identified a plethora of genes involved in disease development and have clarified their pathogenic roles, mainly of genes implicated in autoimmune diseases and allergies. These areas are specifically important as there are many patients worldwide who are depending on the development of effective treatments. We are committed to helping to find meaningful cures for autoimmune and allergic diseases, and as such, we offer our mouse models to scientists who want to use them in their research. If you are such a scientist, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yoshikawa Research Group 【Director: Toshikazu Yoshikawa】

  • Sick Building Syndrome Laboratory

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Iwao UCHIYAMA

    This laboratory conducts basic research on the disease pathology of Sick Building Syndrome and chemical hypersensitivity and creates diagnostic guidelines for these conditions. We also conduct research on brain function, immune function, genetic factors, and the psychological effects related to these diseases.

  • Laboratory of Advanced Particle Therapy

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Naruhito TAKAHASHI
    Senior Research Scientist
    Jun HATAZAWA
    Research Scientists
    Taro KATSUMATA

    This laboratory acts as an umbrella organization for clinical trials and at the same time conducts research for new cancer therapy. Charged particle radiotherapy that uses protons, neutrons, and other charged particles, is being used as a more high-precision cancer treatment. However, this type of treatment is done with large devices that have many restrictions in how they can be used; as such, charged particle radiotherapy is not yet widely available.

    This laboratory is working to create a new generation of particle radiotherapy that is more compact. Using state-of-the-art technology, we are developing a miniaturized boron neutron complementary therapy (BNCT) device. Our goal is to create a very compact design that requires little space, has emits low levels of radiation and has excellent safety features.

    At the same time, comprehensive research is underway to develop new boron agents that accurately target and accumulate in cancer cells and will lead to safer and more effective therapies for BNCT.

  • International Medical Cooperation

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Senior Research Scientist
    Masahiro TAKASHIMA
    Research Scientist
    Katsuhiro NISHINO

    With the internationalization of medical care, there is an urgent need to accept patients from overseas, dispatch medical personnel overseas, and provide technical support for medical devices and operations. However, before this can be achieved, there are language, financial, institutional and other problems that need to be addressed.

    In order to help solve these problems, we create textbooks and do practical exchanges to promote research on international collaboration in medical care.

  • Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Hisakazu YANO

    This laboratory is currently active in three main areas. First, our main research focuses on drug-resistant bacteria, including (1) uncovering their mechanism (2) developing methods to detect drug-resistant bacteria, and (3) monitoring the emergence of new resistant bacteria.

    Second, the laboratory analyses microorganisms in general, including how pathogenic microorganisms cause infectious diseases, and the relationship between humans and bacteria in the environment.

    Finally, we also culture and purify novel coronaviruses and evaluate materials and disinfectants that inactivate the virus.

  • Laboratory of Health & Sports

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Yukari KAWAI
    Visiting Research Fellow
    Toshikazu TAKANAMI
    Research Scientist
    Wataru AOI

    The laboratory is focused on establishing effective methods to prevent ageing, metabolic syndrome and lifestyle-related diseases using scientific evidence obtain from the areas of exercise, nutrition and sleep.

  • Free Radical Chemistry Laboratory

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Visiting Research Fellows
    Yukiko MINAMIYAMA
    Hiroshi ICHIKAWA
    Research Scientist
    Liu XiangHong

    We use magnetic resonance (ESR) and chemiluminescence devices to measure free radicals and free radical scavenging capacity in vitro and in vivo. We then study the effects of medicine, foods and other substances on free radical production and scavenging.

    Our research activities will extend to investigating the efficacy of various foods and antioxidants by administering them to rat models with various diseases and senescence (age)-accelerated mice.

  • Laboratory of Anti-Aging Science

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Hidekazu YAMADA
    Visiting Research Fellow
    Kazuko ICHINOMIYA
    Research Scientists
    Masahiro TAKASHIMA,
    Sawako HIBINO
    Project Researcher
    Sho WATANABE

    This laboratory is engaged in researching ideal ways for humans to achieve optimal ageing, and extend healthy life expectancy. Our laboratory is developing ageing biomarkers, so called Aging Clocks, by focusing on DNA methylation and adding other phenotypes such as physical endurance and apparent age.

    Extending healthy life expectancy requires a complete approach to exercise, nutrition, brain, and sleep. It has become increasingly important to improve our lifestyles and the natural environment, utilize the microbiome of the gut and skin, as well as eliminate ageing cells.

  • Laboratory of Environmental Infection Control

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Kenji KIKUCHI
    Visiting Research Fellows
    Kunimoto HOTTA,
    Morimasa YAGISAWA,
    Hirotaka TAKAGI,
    Tadashi HATTORI
    Senior Research Scientist
    OH Seong Wook
    Research Scientists
    Masahiro KONO,
    Yasuhiro SAIHARA,
    Koichi FUJIWARA,
    Tsutomu SATO,
    Kazuhiko INOUE,
    Tomofumi KAWAKAMI,
    Kotaro FUJIMAKI
    Project Researcher
    Yoko AOKI

    This laboratory is a Biolevel Safety 3 category, meaning we are approved to work on potentially lethal microbes. Our main focus is functional water, and our main activities involve collaborating with universities, research institutes, as well as the Society for Functional Water Research and the Foundation for the Promotion of Functional Water Research.

    We are engaged in joint research with six research partners to clarify the characteristics of electrolyzed hypochlorite water with low concentrations of coexisting ion and to reveal the mechanisms of how functional water inactivates and disinfects viruses and pathogens. In another project, we are studying how gargling with hypochlorite water changes oral bacterial flora and drug-resistant bacteria.

    Furthermore, this laboratory is seeking to establish a new storage management system in response to the increasing need to purify, and store, bacteria and viruses as a means to control new infectious diseases.

  • Agro-Medical & Food Environment Laboratory

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Izumi SAWADA
    Visiting Research Fellow
    Tomokiyo TANAKA
    Senior Research Scientist
    Shigeki ODA
    Research Scientists
    Yoko SAWADA,
    Susumu FUJIKAGE,
    Masaki ODA

    In recent years, it has become clear that the diverse functional nucleic acids contained in many foods have positive and negative impacts on human health. Based on the idea that we consume not only nutrients but also functional information from the foods we eat, we are actively promoting the exchange of information between the medical and agricultural scientific communities.

    We are conducting research to find scientific evidence on measures that will enable Japan, the world's largest food importer, to secure a stable supply of safer and more health-enhancing agricultural products.

  • AI ＆ e-Sports Medicine Laboratory

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Hiroaki SUGINO
    Research Scientists
    Masaki TERUOKA,
    MIchiyoshi BUNYU,
    Yugo MAEKAWA

    This laboratory is a sub-division of the AI Device Laboratory. Our present focus is on three main research activities. The first is to analyze the effects of e-sport on brain function and anti-ageing using AI and other technologies, to more objectively evaluate the physiological state of the brain and body.
    In addition, we will continue researching device systems that are made with patented technologies, such as multiple-wave interferential deep electrical stimulation devices and deep bioacoustic sensors. Simultaneously, we will push forward with our third research which is to target new information infrastructures that will enable the development of non-fungible token (NFT) systems to manage individual patient data. This type of privacy-preserving technology is needed to improve research and clinical applications within the medical system.

  • Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Ping DAI
    Senior Research Scientist
    Yoshinori HARADA
    Research Scientists
    Masatoshi EGOSHI,
    Toshihiro KURAHASHI,
    Yukimasa TAKEDA,
    Junichi MATSUMOTO

    This laboratory is currently developing a technology that can directly induct and differentiate different types of somatic cells using only small molecule compounds and without using gene transfer technology. The aim is to further elucidate the mechanism of somatic cells so as to establish novel regenerative medicine technology and provide a source for the cells needed for regenerative treatment.

  • Antioxidant Research Laboratory

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Haruhiko INUFUSA
    Senior Research Scientist
    Fukka YOU

    Our laboratory conducts basic and clinical research into the efficacy of Twendee X and Twendee Mtcontrol antioxidants. These antioxidants are being considered for the prevention and treatment of various oxidative stress diseases.

  • Applied Biodefense Laboratory

    Laboratory Director
    Toshikazu YOSHIKAWA
    Chief Research Scientist
    Hiromasa OE
    Research Scientists
    Moriaki KUSAKABE,
    Yujiro KAWADE, Kenji GOTO

    In order to extend healthy human life expectancy, this laboratory conducts basic and clinical research focused on the environment, diet, intestinal bacteria, sleep, and life rhythms. In addition to allergies and lifestyle-related diseases, we are also focusing on how to prevent other common everyday diseases.