Understanding Viruses. Decoding Infection. Advancing Medicine.
Our laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms by which viruses infect their hosts, replicate, and cause disease, with a particular focus on respiratory viruses.
Through fundamental studies of virus–host interactions, we seek to uncover the principles that govern viral infection and pathogenesis and to translate these discoveries into new approaches and technologies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
By advancing fundamental virology, we aim to contribute to the control of viral diseases and to the future of medicine.
News & Topics
2026.09.26
Conference
2026.09.26
Lecture
2026.08.25
Paper
2026.08.20
Paper
Research
Mechanisms of paramyxovirus replication - Interactions with host factors.
We study disease-causing mechanisms by searching for host factors required for paramyxoviruses such as mumps virus and Nipah virus to multiply in cells and by clarifying their interactions with factors on the viral side.
Mechanism of Activation of Respiratory Viruses by Host Proteases
Many viruses have protein spikes (spike proteins) on the surface of their particles. We have shown that the spike proteins of various respiratory viruses are activated by a protease called TMPRSS2 in host cells.
Studies on the host range of morbilliviruses.
Measles virus is a morbillivirus that infects humans. Other morbilliviruses that infect specific animal species (e.g. cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, dolphins and bats) also exist. We are studying how the host range of these morbilliviruses is determined.
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© 2022–2024 Department of Microbiology, The University of Tokyo.