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Oral Function Analysis Lab
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An oral physiology lab that explores the mechanisms of taste, from molecules to whole organisms.
AboutAbout the lab
Unraveling the mystery of tasty and unpleasant flavors, from molecules to whole organisms.
The Oral Function Analysis Lab analyzes oral sensation, with a focus on taste, at every level from molecules to whole organisms.
The lab aims to develop new ways to prevent and treat taste disorders and lifestyle-related diseases.
To study how taste is sensed, the lab uses genetically modified mice and taste bud organoids grown in test tubes.
The lab belongs to the Department of Oral Homeostasis Regulation in the Faculty of Dental Science at Kyushu University, and is in charge of oral physiology.
Key terms
- Genetically modified mice
- Mice in which a specific gene has been deleted, or in which specific cells have been made to glow green
- Organoid
- A method for building tissue in three dimensions from a single stem cell and culturing it for a long time. Also called a "mini-organ in a test tube"
- Angiotensin II
- A hormone that regulates blood pressure. This lab discovered that it suppresses salty taste and enhances sweet taste
NewsLab news
A lecturer in the lab received the Kyushu University Faculty of Dental Science Outstanding Researcher Award (IF category)
A doctoral student in the lab received the Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for the Study of Taste and Smell
ResearchResearch themes
The lab analyzes oral sensation, with a focus on taste, at every level from molecules to whole organisms, and aims to develop new ways to prevent and treat taste disorders and lifestyle-related diseases. The lab believes that developing methods to keep taste healthy, and to restore taste that has gone wrong, will help maintain both physical and mental health.
*Illustrative imageMolecular mechanisms of taste detection
Of the five basic tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami), the receptors for sour and salty tastes are still unknown. The lab searches for unknown molecules using genetically modified mice and investigates how they work.
*Illustrative imageMechanisms and treatment of taste disorders
Taste disorders have many causes, such as idiopathic and zinc-deficiency-related forms, and no established treatment exists. Starting from taste abnormalities caused by drug side effects, the lab studies the underlying mechanisms and aims to develop treatments in cooperation with clinical departments.
*Illustrative imageTaste bud organoids and regenerative medicine
Using the organoid method, which builds tissue in three dimensions from a single stem cell and allows long-term culture, the lab has succeeded in regenerating taste buds. The lab aims to apply this method to clarifying the causes of taste abnormalities, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine.
*Illustrative imageLinks between systemic diseases and taste
The lab discovered that angiotensin II, a hormone that regulates blood pressure, suppresses salty taste and enhances sweet taste. The lab is considering the possibility that this action is involved in why hypertension is common among people with obesity.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Oral Function Analysis Lab consist of faculty, doctoral and master's students, and collaborators within the university.As of 2026
- ProfessorNoriatsu Shigemura
- LecturerKeisuke Sanematsu
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “1402 The Tongue” OpenStax / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Molecular mechanisms of taste detection: “Taste Receptor Activation and Sweetness Perception” Allen A. Lee and Chung Owyang / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Mechanisms and treatment of taste disorders: “Digestive system - Taste buds -- Smart-Servier” Laboratoires Servier / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Taste bud organoids and regenerative medicine: “Organoid (NIH BioArt )” Courtesy of NIAID Ryan Kissinger / Public domain (cropped)
- Links between systemic diseases and taste: “Food from Bengal” Wikibongmon / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (総合歯科学分野): “Hohenfels Army Dental Clinic (7937241)” U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brandon Best / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (歯周病学分野): “Depiction of a Periodontitis patient” https://www.myupchar.com/en / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (分子口腔解剖学分野): “Bone degrading cells - Osteoclast precursors 2 -- Smart-Servier” Laboratoires Servier / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (口腔細胞工学分野): “Bone degrading cells - Osteoclasts 3 -- Smart-Servier” Laboratoires Servier / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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