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Microbiosystem Lab
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The lab reproduces the functions of human organs inside tiny channels.
AboutAbout the lab
Mimicking organs with microfluidic devices.
The Microbiosystem Lab studies biomimetic systems that reproduce the functions of human organs on a small device.
Using nano- and microfabrication technology, the lab arranges cells in microfluidic devices etched with narrow channels, creating an environment close to that inside the body.
The lab develops models of the kidney, bladder, vascular networks, and organoids, aiming to cover everything from basic research in developmental biology to applications in drug discovery and regenerative medical engineering.
Built on a foundation of mechanical engineering, it is an interdisciplinary lab that also connects with biology and pharmacology.
Key terms
- Biomimetic system
- A device that cultures cells in tiny channels to reproduce the functions of organs outside the body
- Microfluidic device
- A plate etched with channels as thin as a human hair, allowing precise handling of very small amounts of liquid and cells
- Organoid
- A small tissue formed by stem cells assembling themselves, mimicking the structure and function of an organ
NewsLab news
A doctoral student won an award at the Asia-Pacific Summit of the International MPS Society
A doctoral student won the top prize at the Health Tech Device Forum
Program-Specific Assistant Professor Cheng Ma received a Travel Award and a Merit Award at ISSCR 2026
A paper by Program-Specific Assistant Professor Cheng Ma was accepted by Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
A paper by Associate Professor Kazuya Fujimoto and colleagues was accepted by Acta Biomaterialia
ResearchResearch themes
The lab develops microfluidic devices applicable to tissue engineering, disease modeling, stem cell research, pharmacology, and regenerative medicine. To understand how life works at the level of cells and organs, it pursues research that crosses disciplinary boundaries.
*Illustrative imageKidney and Bladder on a Chip
The lab builds the kidney's proximal tubule on a chip and measures how fast it reabsorbs water and amino acids. It also models bladder epithelial tissue, working to reproduce and evaluate its barrier function.
*Illustrative imageViral Infection and Vascular Networks
In viral infections, the immune response of each organ affects other organs through the vascular network. Using biomimetic systems with vascular networks, the lab aims to reproduce how inflammation spreads from the site of infection.
*Illustrative imageReading Vascular Network Shape with Deep Learning
The lab visualizes over time how a vascular network forms inside the device and analyzes the images with deep learning. It aims to clarify the relationship between the shape of the network and the underlying gene expression.
*Illustrative imageGrowing Organoids
Mini-organs made from stem cells grow only to a few millimeters in size. By culturing them in a device with a three-dimensional vascular network, the lab aims to mature cerebral and kidney organoids.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Microbiosystem Lab consist of faculty, secretaries, staff, collaborative researchers, doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students, and research students.As of 2026
- ProfessorRyuji Yokokawa
- Associate ProfessorKazuya Fujimoto
- Assistant ProfessorSatomi Matsumoto
- Program-Specific Assistant ProfessorMa Cheng
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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: “Lab on a Chip ( )” National Institute of Standards and Technology / Public domain (cropped)
- Kidney and Bladder on a Chip: “Human Kidney (NIH BioArt 229)” Courtesy of NIAID Ryan Kissinger / Public domain (cropped)
- Viral Infection and Vascular Networks: “SARS-CoV-2 without background” Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM / Public domain (cropped)
- Reading Vascular Network Shape with Deep Learning: “Vein skeleton of a leaf (de-ghosted)” Brocken Inaglory / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Growing Organoids: “Pomegranates - A” Mauro Cateb / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Structural Materials and Strength Lab): “XCARAT Overview Optimization Methods” FEMopt Studios / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Nano Bioengineering Lab): “Flow Focusing Device” Kimbalm / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Nano and Micro Systems Engineering Lab): “A MicroVision MEMS mirror” S2upidOnReddit / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Micro Fabrication Systems Lab): “Danos Cristalográficos 5” Hebert Folli / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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