FACULTY
- Department
- Department of Pharmacy
- Laboratory
- Immunology and Microbiology Laboratory
- Field of Study
- Biological Systems
History
Graduate School/University, etc.
・2008: B.S., Faculty of Pharmacy, Fukuoka University ・2010: M.S., Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University ・2014: PhD: Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University
Why I Became a Researcher
When I was in school, a book I started reading casually sparking my interest in the Ebola virus. Due to our natural defense mechanisms and highly developed medical care, humans are highly resistant to the pathogens that cause the common cold. Ebola, however, has rocked the world with repeated outbreaks, and the case fatality rate during outbreaks in the 1970s topped 90%, while the rate in more recent outbreaks has topped 70%. Why is this virus unusually pathogenic? What happens in the body when you are infected? Why is it so difficult to develop a drug therapy? I am fascinated by the "minimal and incomplete existence” of this virus which only possesses the minimum components necessary for proliferation, namely, nucleic acids and proteins, and can only produce offspring by parasitizing cells. I became a researcher because I want to know more about the Ebola virus and find a drug to treat it.
Research Information
Research Area and Theme
Analysis of the relationship between pathogen exacerbation and biological defense mechanisms
Agents that do not demonstrate pathogenic properties by themselves may exacerbate a condition in the presence of a concomitant infection by other pathogens. I take an immunological standpoint to analyze how the biological defense mechanisms are disrupted, how immune cells are affected by the primary infection, and how that, in turn, affects the elimination of subsequent pathogens.
Thoughts on Research Theme
Just as humans prosper by having offspring, microorganisms also adapt to the limitations of their environment and try to produce offspring. Humans are equipped with complex and precisely controlled biological defense mechanisms to protect their bodies from the invasion and proliferation of microorganisms and other external agents. However, some microorganisms have acquired the ability to disrupt the immune system, and others try to efficiently proliferate by utilizing functions peculiar to other types of microorganisms with which they have infected the body (i.e., co-infection). This area of research is garnering increasing attention. To defeat infectious diseases, we need to focus not only on the life cycle of single microorganisms, but also on the life cycle of these co-infecting microorganisms. Looking at this topic from the angles of microbiology, immunology, bioinformatics, and other related fields, I would like to take a multifaceted approach to searching for artificial control methods for these microorganisms.
Message to Students
I hope I can encourage you, if even just a little bit, to take a proactive approach to learning.
Life science and genetics are advancing, and drug therapy is becoming more sophisticated and diversified. I think that expectations are rising for pharmacists to serve as medical professionals who can fully understand this process. Therefore, you need more than specialized knowledge. You also need to develop an awareness as an expert in drug therapy, high ethical standards and communication skills, and the attitude of a team care leader. Also, I believe that more efficient and in-depth research can be achieved by producing pharmacist/scientists equipped with expertise and a unique sense of mission and values who can handle research while recognizing clinical needs. I hope you will strive to improve your English proficiency as well as the ability to quickly grasp cutting-edge medical trends at the global level, all while aiming to become scientists who can share information and technologies. Your time at university will be over before you realize it. I hope you will lead fulfilling lives while learning and engaging in practical activities together with your classmates across colleges, departments, and nationalities. Once again, I hope I can encourage you, if even just a little bit, to develop a deeper interest in pharmacy and science and take a proactive approach to learning. Let’s work hard together.