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Medical Biochemistry Lab
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A lab that explores the basis of inflammation and cancer through redox reactions.
AboutAbout the lab
Redox metabolism that underpins gene expression
The Medical Biochemistry Lab studies how redox (oxidation-reduction) metabolism in the body supports the regulation of gene function.
It aims to understand the mechanisms by which living organisms respond to stress, adapt to their environment, and sustain life.
The lab investigates the roles in the body of supersulfide molecules, recently discovered biomolecules, and seeks to clarify the basis of inflammation and cancer pathology.
Overcoming intractable cancers with abnormally activated NRF2 is also one of the lab's central research aims.
Key terms
- Redox reaction (oxidation-reduction reaction)
- A chemical reaction involving the exchange of electrons. It is considered a fundamental process of life
- NRF2
- A transcription factor involved in the response to oxidative stress. It is a protein that regulates gene function
- Supersulfide molecules
- A general term for metabolites and proteins with a structure in which sulfur atoms are linked together
NewsLab news
A paper first-authored by a master's student was published in Ferroptosis and Oxidative Stress
A researcher and a student won the Outstanding Poster Award at SFRR Korea 2025
A mechanism by which mitochondria determine the fate of blood cells was discovered in mice
A paper first-authored by an Assistant Professor was accepted by the Journal of Biochemistry
A researcher won a poster award at Redox Week in Sendai 2025
ResearchResearch themes
When the balance of redox reactions is disrupted, organisms come under stress, and mechanisms that respond to it are activated. Regarding extending healthy life expectancy as an important issue, the lab aims to understand the mechanisms by which organisms respond to stress, adapt to their environment, and sustain life.
*Illustrative imageA new factor in the oxidative stress response
The lab investigates the KEAP1-NRF2 regulatory system involved in the response to oxidative stress, and the role of MED16, which binds directly to NRF2. Experiments suggest a new function of MED16, and the lab aims to clarify its significance within the mechanisms that protect cells.
*Illustrative imageHow cells sense chronic hypoxia
The PHD-HIF regulatory system is known for the response to hypoxia, but the lab found that when hypoxia persists, a different regulatory system, PNPO-PLP, comes into play. It aims to clarify the importance of this system in cells and tissues.
*Illustrative imageFunctions of supersulfide molecules in the body
Metabolites and proteins with a structure in which sulfur atoms are linked in chains are called supersulfide molecules. Using genetically modified mice, the lab aims to clarify the roles of supersulfide molecules in mitochondria and the cytoplasm.
*Illustrative imageHow NRF2-activated cancers become malignant
In lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and esophageal cancer, NRF2 is constantly activated by mutations in the KEAP1 or NRF2 genes. These cancers have been found to respond poorly to treatment and to be resistant to immunotherapy, so to obtain new treatment strategies, the lab investigates the causes of resistance to immunotherapy.
MembersFaculty
The lab's members consist of faculty, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) research fellows, part-time lecturers, physicians from clinical departments, doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students, technical assistants, and secretaries.As of 2026
- ProfessorHozumi Motohashi
- LecturerShohei Murakami
- Assistant ProfessorKeito Okazaki
- Assistant ProfessorNatsumi Sakata
- Assistant ProfessorEungyu Seong
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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: “Pipette de laboratoire sur fond blanc au Bénin 03” Adoscam / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- A new factor in the oxidative stress response: “Molecular biology problem” Williw2 / CC0 (cropped)
- How cells sense chronic hypoxia: “Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory - LUMC” mararie from Leiden, The Netherlands / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Functions of supersulfide molecules in the body: “Microscopic image of crystals growing from melted sulfur 3” AlexmarPhoto / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- How NRF2-activated cancers become malignant: “Flask of cancer cells on inverted microscope” Mateus Figueiredo / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Molecular Medical Biochemistry Lab): “Biochemistry laboratory MPI-CBG-panorama” Masur / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Environmental Medicine Lab): “Disposable Pipette Tips in Laboratory Tip Boxes 02” Gannu03 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Oxygen Medicine Lab (Affiliated Center for Innovative Applied Medicine)): “In the Biochemistry Laboratory” Tristan Ferne from UK / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Organ Anatomy Lab): “Biology laboratory - Japan - May 2015” Jun Seita from Palo Alto, CA, U.S. / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
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