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Akimitsu Lab
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A lab that uncovers how RNA works, with the aim of leading to nucleic acid therapeutics and cancer diagnostics.
AboutAbout the lab
Uncovering the functions of nucleic acids, especially RNA
The lab studies the molecular functions of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, especially RNA, and their applications.
Using molecular biology, multi-omics analysis, and molecular imaging, the lab investigates the functions of long non-coding RNAs that regulate stress responses, cancer, and innate immunity.
Building on these findings, the lab is also working to develop a new platform for nucleic acid therapeutics based on the concept of "designer RNA."
The lab is based at the Isotope Science Center and is also developing technology that uses radioisotopes to combine cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Key terms
- Long non-coding RNA
- A long RNA that does not serve as a blueprint for proteins. The functions of many of them are still unknown.
- Nucleic acid therapeutics
- Drugs made using nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA as their material.
- PET
- A device that detects the radiation emitted by a radioactive drug to create images of the inside of the body.
ResearchResearch themes
Nucleic acids play a central role in the flow of gene expression. The lab investigates the molecular functions of RNA and the mechanisms of its degradation, and also develops technology that uses radiation to image living organisms.
*Illustrative imageResearch on Non-coding RNAs
Large amounts of RNA that do not carry protein-coding information are transcribed from the genome. The lab aims to clarify how long non-coding RNAs function in cellular responses to stresses such as heat.
*Illustrative imageMechanisms of RNA Degradation
The lab studies how the degradation of long non-coding RNAs in the nucleus is regulated in response to stimuli such as infection. Using next-generation sequencing, it also investigates the role of RNA degradation in the response to DNA damage.
*Illustrative imageDevelopment of Imaging Technology
The lab develops and applies technology to image the inside of living small animals such as mice, using small-animal CT and PET scanners.
MembersFaculty
The lab's members include faculty, project researchers, JSPS Postdoctoral Fellows, technical staff, technical assistants, doctoral and master's students, and research students.As of 2026
- ProfessorAkimitsu NobuyoshiPublications ↗
- Project Associate ProfessorKenzui Tanigami
- Assistant ProfessorKazuyuki Tao
- Assistant ProfessorRena Onoguchi
- Project Assistant ProfessorTatsuma Matsubara
- Project Assistant ProfessorSotaro Miyao
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: “RNAP TEC small” User:Abbondanzieri on the English Wikipedia / Public domain (cropped)
- Research on Non-coding RNAs: “RF00017 hsap” Christian Zwieb / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Mechanisms of RNA Degradation: “Structure of the human RNA exosome - Exosome complex component RRP41 - 2NN6” Vorlaender, M.K., Khatter, H., Wetzel, R., Hagen, W.J.H., Mueller, C.W. / CC0 (cropped)
- Development of Imaging Technology: “Large-Animal PET-CT Imaging System (NIH BioArt )” Courtesy of NIAID Malcolm Houston / Public domain (cropped)
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