LAB LOGLab reviews by studentsOpen the app
A page on LabLog, a review site (not the lab's official page)
115 labs · 0 student voices
Faculties at University of Tsukuba ›
Shuntaro Izawa, Associate Professor
0 student voices
The Izawa Lab (neuroendocrinology) studies how the endocrine system, through hormones, controls life activities including sleep. Neurons in the hypothalamus of the brain synthesize peptide hormones such as orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), and regulate sleep-wake cycles and energy metabolism. Recently, it has become clear that these neurons are also controlled by blood-borne hormones from peripheral organs, such as insulin and leptin. The lab therefore aims to elucidate these mechanisms in the whole living body, not just in the brain. The research combines modern neuroscience techniques with painstaking observation of animal behavior.
Norihiko Ohbayashi, Associate Professor
0 student voices
Associate Professor Norihiko Ohbayashi's lab studies membrane traffic, the mechanism that transports materials within cells, focusing on small GTPases (low-molecular-weight G proteins). The lab investigates the functions of small GTPases such as Rab and Arf in pigment cells (melanocytes). The entry in the university's researcher directory was last updated in August 2025. Associate Professor Ohbayashi is listed as a researcher in the graduate school's Degree Programs in Medical Sciences (Life Sciences and Medicine Domain).
Atsushi Kawaguchi, Professor
0 student voices
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.
Kazuya Morikawa, Professor
0 student voices
The Microbiology Lab studies how pathogenic bacteria such as staphylococci adapt to hosts and environments, survive, and exert their pathogenicity. The main subject is Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen that lives as a commensal in the human nasal cavity. From perspectives such as "heterogeneity within cell populations" and "dynamics of the nucleoid and cell membrane," the lab approaches the mechanisms of drug resistance and adaptation. Students can join the lab as graduation research students from the School of Medical Sciences or the School of Biological Sciences (Human Biology course), or as master's or doctoral students.
Kiong Ho, Associate Professor
0 student voices
The Molecular Parasitology Lab studies the mechanisms of gene expression in parasites that cause diseases such as malaria and African sleeping sickness. Focusing on the fact that the way the cap structure at the end of mRNA is formed differs between parasites and humans, the lab aims to develop new drugs that target it. As another pillar of its research, the lab studies the mechanisms by which damaged RNA is repaired, in particular the function of RNA ligase, an enzyme that joins RNA. The core of the research is cell culture, molecular biochemistry experiments, genetic experiments, and RNA cloning.
Shinji Fukuda, Visiting Professor
0 student voices
The Metabologenomics field targets the gut environment, which has attracted attention for its links to a wide range of diseases, and studies technologies that can serve as a foundation for disease prevention and treatment. The lab integrates two kinds of information: metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiota using massively parallel sequencers, and metabolomic analysis of gut metabolites using mass spectrometers. Based on this integrated understanding (metabologenomics), the lab aims to create new medical technologies built on controlling the gut microbiota. On the lab's website, it is introduced as the "Metabologenomics" field of the Division of Metabolic Physiology, Transborder Medical Research Center.
Akira Shibuya, Professor
0 student voices
The Immunology Lab studies the mechanisms of immune responses, using the immune receptors on the surface of immune cells as a clue. Immune cells exchange information with each other through receptors, activating and suppressing one another to produce an immune response. The lab was the first in the world to identify new immune receptors such as DNAM-1, and has investigated their involvement in allergy, autoimmune diseases, and carcinogenesis using animal models and other methods. The lab aims to develop new treatments for intractable diseases, and joint research on some of the receptors is under way with venture companies and pharmaceutical companies.
Emiko Noguchi, Professor
0 student voices
The Genetic Medicine Lab uses genetic research methods to clarify the pathology of allergic diseases and other conditions, and conducts research aimed at personalized medicine. Using genome-wide methods that comprehensively examine the whole genome, the lab searches for genes involved in the onset of asthma, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, and food allergy. The lab also independently works on developing treatments using the HLA peptide-binding assay. On the lab's website, it is introduced under the name "Genetic Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba."
Aya Kawasaki, Assistant Professor
0 student voices
The Molecular Genetic Epidemiology Lab, under the keywords "human genome diversity and disease," aims to elucidate the etiology of connective tissue diseases, which are systemic autoimmune diseases. Some of the inherited differences in DNA sequence between individuals (variants) are thought to be involved in disease susceptibility. Focusing on ANCA-associated vasculitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis, the lab is searching for causes, molecular targets, and biomarkers. Responses to drugs and the occurrence of side effects differ from patient to patient, and the lab also aims to contribute to precision medicine.
Masafumi Muratani, Professor
0 student voices
The Genome Biology Lab directly analyzes tissue specimens donated by patients, conducting research aimed at elucidating the mechanisms of human diseases and developing therapeutics. The lab has established techniques that enable genomic analysis even of tissue fragments so small that they can barely be seen under a microscope. It uses mouse models for technology development, and applies the experience gained from analyzing them to interpreting data from clinical specimens. Space life science research with JAXA, which has a base in Tsukuba Science City, is also one of the important research areas the lab works on.
Student voices are for students only. Sign up free with your university email to read student voices for each lab.
Sign up freeLabLog is a lab review app for students only. Student members at each university interview students in labs and publish what they say. Student voices can only be read by students who sign up with a university email address. Operated by bestiee Inc.
Learn more about LabLog ↗Search engines and AI may reference the lab list and basic info on this page and the description of LabLog. Student voices are for student members only. Automated collection by programs (scraping, or input to or training of AI) is prohibited under Article 8 of the Terms of Service. If you need data for research or analysis, please contact us.
LAB LOG