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Process Design Area (Nagai Lab)
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A lab that uses rapid PCR and nanostructured sensors to analyze pathogens and biological components.
AboutAbout the lab
Measuring biomolecules with micro- and nanostructures.
The Process Design Area (Nagai Lab) studies technologies that use rapid PCR and LSPR biosensors to analyze pathogens and biological components.
The lab was newly established in fiscal 2025, and Prof. Nagai also serves as a Senior Principal Researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
Assigned students also conduct research at the AIST Kansai Center (Ikeda, Osaka).
In education, the lab emphasizes training entrepreneurial talent, including intellectual property strategy and business strategy based on experience at startups.
Key terms
- Rapid PCR
- A PCR method that speeds up gene detection by changing the temperature of a sample rapidly.
- LSPR
- A sensor method that uses nanostructures to detect, with high sensitivity, the change in refractive index when molecules bind.
- Aptamer
- DNA that binds to a target molecule. The lab's website also calls it a "nucleic acid antibody."
- Next-generation sequencer
- A device that simultaneously reads the base sequences of a large number of short DNA fragments.
NewsLab news
A student won the Grand Prize at the business idea contest of the KOBELCO Future Collaboration Research Institute
A paper in ACS Nanoscience Au was selected for the cover
Research results published in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical
A master's program student won a prize at the English presentation contest for science and engineering graduate students
Research results published in ACS Nanoscience Au
ResearchResearch themes
The lab works on on-site testing of microorganisms using a portable, compact rapid PCR device, and on the research and development of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensors. By designing fine channels and nanostructures, it builds technologies for analyzing pathogens and biological components.
*Illustrative imageOn-Site Detection of Animal and Plant Viruses
Using the portable, compact rapid PCR device it has already developed, the lab aims to realize technology that can quickly test on the spot, at agricultural and livestock sites, for pathogens that cause severe damage.
*Illustrative imageInvestigating Ecosystems from Environmental DNA
Using the compact rapid PCR device and a palm-sized next-generation sequencer, the lab investigates the distribution of ecosystems from environmental DNA contained in, for example, water samples from various locations.
*Illustrative imageChannels for Capturing Airborne Microorganisms
To detect pathogens such as the novel coronavirus early from the air environment or exhaled breath, the lab studies extremely fine microchannels that capture aerosols.
*Illustrative imageLSPR Biosensors Using Aptamers
DNA with an excellent balance of binding and dissociation (aptamers) is immobilized on an LSPR sensor, which detects changes in refractive index caused by molecular binding. The lab develops biosensors that can measure biological components continuously and in real time.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Process Design Area (Nagai Lab) consist of a professor and master's program students.
- ProfessorHidenori Nagai
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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: “APHIS-Moore Air Base in Texas-Plant Protection and Quarantine Science and Technology Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (20230621-CDP-APHIS-0600)” USDAgov / Public domain (cropped)
- On-Site Detection of Animal and Plant Viruses: “Tomato with Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus” Downtowngal / CC0 (cropped)
- Investigating Ecosystems from Environmental DNA: “EDNA Water Sampling ( )” Monica Blaser, photographer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Midwest Region. USFWSmidwest / Public domain (cropped)
- Channels for Capturing Airborne Microorganisms: “Hydrodynamic flow focusing in a microfluidic device” Ihor Panas / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- LSPR Biosensors Using Aptamers: “Gold nanoparticles as indicators” Valeg96 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Technology Creation and Collaboration Lab): “Carbon fiber heating structure by TFP (2)” Xabier.irastorza / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Offshore Wind Turbine System Integration Joint Research Chair Lab): “Blue H Technologies - World's First Floating Wind Turbine” Green Storm 7 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Photonics Center (Photonics Area)): “POLARIS 4th Amplifier” Dr. Marco Hornung / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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