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Department of Microbiology (Takeda Lab)
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The lab uncovers, at the molecular level, how respiratory viruses infect cells and multiply.
AboutAbout the lab
Understanding viruses in order to control them.
The Department of Microbiology studies, at the molecular level, how viruses, mainly respiratory viruses, infect hosts, replicate, and cause disease.
Through basic research that uncovers the interactions between viruses and their hosts one by one, the department works to get to the heart of infectious disease.
It aims to turn the knowledge gained into new methods and technologies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
The department hopes to be a place where motivated students and young researchers can discuss freely and take on challenges.
Key terms
- Host
- An organism or cell that a virus or microorganism infects and lives in
- Spike protein
- A spike-shaped protein on the surface of a virus particle. It acts when the virus attaches to a cell
- Viral vector
- A virus modified into a tool for delivering genes into cells. It is used in therapies and vaccines
NewsLab news
PhD student's presentation selected for a Young Investigator Award
Paper on controlling virus replication with light and temperature accepted by J Gen Virol
Research results selected for promotion by the Microbiology Society
Paper on receptor usage and species differences in morbilliviruses accepted by J Gen Virol
Medical student wins Best Poster Award at the UTokyo Retreat
ResearchResearch themes
The lab studies, at the molecular level, how viruses, mainly respiratory viruses, infect hosts, replicate, and cause disease. Starting from basic research that uncovers the interactions between viruses and their hosts, it aims to create new methods and technologies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
*Illustrative imageReplication mechanisms of paramyxoviruses
The lab searches for the host factors that paramyxoviruses, such as mumps virus and Nipah virus, need in order to replicate inside cells. By clarifying how these factors interact with viral factors, it investigates how the viruses cause disease.
*Illustrative imageActivation of respiratory viruses
Many viruses carry spike proteins on the surface of their particles. The lab has shown that the spike proteins of a variety of respiratory viruses are activated by TMPRSS2, a protease of the host cell.
*Illustrative imageHost range of morbilliviruses
Measles virus is a morbillivirus that infects humans. Related viruses that infect cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, dolphins, bats, and other animals are also known, and the lab studies how their host range is determined.
*Illustrative imageDevelopment of viral vectors
Paramyxoviruses are used as viral vectors in gene therapy, cancer therapy, and vaccine development. The lab is advancing research to develop a variety of viral vectors aimed at clinical application.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Department of Microbiology consist of faculty, technical and administrative assistants, graduate students in the doctoral and master's programs, and undergraduate students of the School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine.As of 2026
- ProfessorMakoto TakedaPublications ↗
- Associate ProfessorHiroshi KatohPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorYukiko Akahori
- Assistant ProfessorYuki Kitai
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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: “Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)” NIAID / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Replication mechanisms of paramyxoviruses: “Mumps virus electron micrograph” Dr Graham Beards / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Activation of respiratory viruses: “Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a cell (teal) infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (orange), isolated from a patient sample” NIAID / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Host range of morbilliviruses: “Measles Virus Particle” NIAID / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Development of viral vectors: “Retroviral vector production in an eukaryotic cell culture 04-22” Laldekoetxea / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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