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Pathogenic Microbiology Lab
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A lab investigating how viruses establish latent and persistent infections that never disappear from the body.
AboutAbout the lab
Tackling hard-to-cure viral infections through research
The lab studies the mechanisms of viral infections that are difficult to remove from the body.
Focusing on retroviruses such as HTLV-1 and HIV-1, the lab works to elucidate "latent and persistent infection," in which viruses stay hidden in the body and the infection continues.
By combining single-cell analysis, next-generation sequencing, and digital PCR, the lab investigates the interaction between pathogens and hosts and the mechanisms by which disease arises.
A new professor took up the post in April 2026, and the lab started under a new structure.
Key terms
- Retrovirus
- A group of viruses that multiply by integrating their genetic information into the DNA of the cells they infect. HIV and HTLV-1 are included.
- Latent and persistent infection
- A state in which a virus stays inconspicuously hidden in the body and the infection continues for a long time. It is difficult to remove completely even with drugs.
- Single-cell analysis
- A method of separating cells one by one and examining things such as gene activity within each. It reveals differences between individual cells.
NewsLab news
View More ↗ResearchResearch themes
The lab studies the mechanisms of latent and persistent infection, in which viruses remain in the body without disappearing, focusing on retroviral infections such as HTLV-1 and HIV-1. The lab aims to extend the analytical methods developed through this work to other infectious diseases, and to understand the process from infection to disease onset in terms of the interaction between pathogen and host.
*Illustrative imageHow HIV-1 Persists in the Body
Once a person is infected with HIV-1, it is extremely difficult to remove the virus from the body, and they need to keep taking medication. The lab works to elucidate the mechanisms of the "reservoir," in which the virus remains in the body.
*Illustrative imageLatent Infection by HTLV-1
HTLV-1 is a retrovirus that causes adult T-cell leukemia, and in Japan many infected people live in Kyushu and Okinawa. The lab investigates the mechanisms of latent infection, which is the reason the virus is hard to eliminate from the body.
*Illustrative imageReading DNA and RNA with High Precision
The lab closely examines the DNA and RNA contained in infected cells and in specimens from infected people, using next-generation sequencing, single-cell analysis, and bioinformatics. These methods are used to elucidate the disease mechanisms of viral infections and to research new diagnostic methods.
MembersFaculty
The members of the lab consist of faculty, researchers, technical assistants, administrative assistants, doctoral and master's students, and students in the Department of Medicine.As of 2026
- ProfessorYorifumi Sato
- LecturerKenji Sugata
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: “HIV-infected H9 T cell2” NIAID/NIH / Public domain (cropped)
- How HIV-1 Persists in the Body: “Scanning electron micrograph of a human H9 T cell infected with HIV virus particles” NIAID / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Latent Infection by HTLV-1: “T Lymphocyte ( )” NIAID / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Reading DNA and RNA with High Precision: “PCR tubes” Madprime / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Gastroenterological Surgery II Lab): “Instruments for laparoscopic Hernia Operation” Anpol42 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Psychiatry Lab): “DTI-sagittal-fibers” Thomas Schultz / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Infectious Diseases Lab): “HIV-budding-Color” Photo Credit: C. Goldsmith Content Providers: CDC/ C. Goldsmith, P. Feorino, E. L. Palmer, W. R. McManus / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Cell Physiology Lab): “FPbeachTsien” Nathan Shaner / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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