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Molecular Virology (Infection Biology) Lab
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The lab uncovers the battle between viruses and their hosts at the molecular level.
AboutAbout the lab
Understanding and controlling viral infectious diseases
The Molecular Virology Lab studies how influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 interact with host cells and lead to disease in organs and severe symptoms.
The lab investigates the mechanisms of infection from the molecular level at multiple stages: proteins, cells, and organs and whole organisms.
The lab combines observation of cells by light microscopy, handling of highly pathogenic strains in a BSL-3 facility, animal models of infection created with genetic modification technology, and analysis of patient samples in collaboration with the affiliated hospital.
Students from a variety of backgrounds, not only medicine, take part in the research.
Key terms
- Host factor
- A protein or other component of the infected cell that a virus takes over and uses for its replication.
- Viremia
- A condition in which a virus enters the blood and spreads through the bloodstream.
- Commensal bacteria
- Bacteria that live in symbiosis in the human body without causing harm, and in some cases also benefit the body.
- Secondary bacterial pneumonia
- Pneumonia that occurs after influenza virus infection, when commensal bacteria in the lower respiratory tract grow abnormally.
NewsLab news
Mechanism of myocarditis after mRNA vaccination elucidated (press release)
Graduate school admission guidelines released (Master's and Doctoral Programs)
ResearchResearch themes
The lab aims to understand the molecular basis by which viruses such as influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 cross the species barrier, adapt to humans, and cause disease. It investigates viral replication, the battle with host immunity, disease processes that occur across organs, and the relationship with commensal bacteria, at multiple stages from molecules to whole organisms.
*Illustrative imageViral host adaptation and replication mechanisms
Viruses have a limited number of genes and replicate by taking over host factors. For a new virus to infect humans, it must adapt to human host factors. The lab aims to identify the host proteins required for replication and analyze their functions.
*Illustrative imageHow viral infection causes severe symptoms
Unlike pathogenic bacteria, viruses do not carry toxin genes. Some respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, enter the bloodstream from the alveoli and cause multi-organ infection (viremia), so the lab studies the mechanisms by which they cross the basement membrane and blood vessel walls.
*Illustrative imageChanges in commensal bacteria caused by viral infection
Commensal bacteria live in symbiosis with humans without causing harm, but when a person is infected with influenza virus, they grow abnormally in the lower respiratory tract and cause secondary bacterial pneumonia. The lab studies how viruses and commensal bacteria interact.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Molecular Virology Lab consist of faculty, researchers, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorAtsushi Kawaguchi
- Associate ProfessorYuji Funakoshi
- Associate ProfessorWakako Furuyama
- Assistant ProfessorKohsuke Kato
- Assistant ProfessorYukino Ogura
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: “Aviano 2025 Influenza Vaccine Drive (9379875)” U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Jakel / Public domain (cropped)
- Viral host adaptation and replication mechanisms: “Sin Nombre hanta virus TEM PHIL 1136 lores” Photo Credit: Content Providers(s): CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith / Public domain (cropped)
- How viral infection causes severe symptoms: “Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 - 542” NIAID / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Changes in commensal bacteria caused by viral infection: “Streptococcus pneumoniae-263” Janice Haney Carr / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (微生物学
（感染生物学） ): “Beta-hemolytic colonies of Staphylococcus aureus demonstration” Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped) - Related lab (遺伝子制御学): “Centrifuge tubes ( )” Oak Ridge National Laboratory / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (再生幹細胞生物学): “Laboratory Incubator; from a medical laboratory in Abuja, Nigeria” Frankincense Diala / CC0 (cropped)
- Related lab (分子環境生理学): “PonceauMembrane” Argymeg / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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