Research First !
Thank you for visiting the website of our department.
The Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University is working to analyze
the molecular pathogenesis of infectious diseases and cancer from a new perspective based on sulfur metabolism,
as well as to develop new treatments for these diseases.
What's New?
- 2023/11/20 [Publications] A paper with Dr. Maeda, Associate Professor in the Virus Research Section, as the corresponding author has been published in Int. J. Mol. Sci. <link>
- 2023/11/20 [Publications] A review article on supersulfide has been published in Br J Pharmacol. It is co-authored with Prof. Akaike et al. of Tohoku University. <link>
- 2023/11/07 [Publications] A paper with Dr. Monde, Assistant Professor in the Virus Research Section, as the corresponding author has been published in Biol Pharm Bull. This is a joint research with Prof. Watanabe of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and others. <link>
- 2023/10/29 [Publications] A paper with graduate student Mr. Toyomoto and Assistant Professor Dr. Ono as co-first authors was published in Front. Microbiol. <link>
- 2023/10/04 [Award] At the 34th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Host Defense Research held in Kyoto on September 28-30, 2023, Dr. Zhang received the Society's Encouragement Award. Congratulations! <link>
- 2023/10/04 [Publications] Publication site has been up-dated.
- 2023/09/08 [Farewell party] We had a farewell party for Dr. Waliul MD Islam. <link>
- 2023/08/20 [Publications] The papers by Prof. Motohashi of Tohoku University (link 1) and Prof. Akaike of Tohoku University (link 2) have been accepted for publication. A member of our laboratory also participated as a co-author.
- 2023/06/12 [Original Article] A paper by Prof. Watanabe of Showa Pharmaceutical University has been accepted for publication. Members of our laboratory participate as co-authors. <link>
- 2023/06/10 [Review] A paper with Dr. Zhang as the first author has been published in Antioxid. Redox. Signal. It is co-authored with Prof. Akaike of Tohoku University. <link>
- 2023/05/28 [Publications] Publication site has been up-dated.
- 2023/05/26 [Award] Prof. Tsutsuki and Mr. Azizur, a graduate student, won the Poster Award at the 76th Annual Meeting of the Society for Free Radical Research JAPAN held in Kobe on May 23 and 24, 2023. <link>
- 2023/04/24 [Workshop] The Microbiology Workshop sponsored by our laboratory was held (2023 April 21, 22). <link>
History
The origin of medical education in Kumamoto is said to be the "Saishunkan Medical Dormitory" established by Shigeken Hosokawa, the lord of the Higo domain, in 1756. Furthermore, Shibasaburo Kitasato, who is known as the father of bacteriology in Japan, studied under a Dutch doctor, Dr. Mansfeldt, as a medical student at the "Kojo Medical School" established by the Kumamoto domain in 1870.
The Department of Microbiology was established in 1907, shortly after the private Kumamoto Medical School, the predecessor of Kumamoto University School of Medicine, was approved as a medical school.
Since the inauguration of the first Professor Hidekazu Nakajima, the following professors have been appointed: the 2nd Professor Toyokichi Ohtahara (Kumamoto Medical College), the 3rd Professor Tokichi Rokutanda (National Kumamoto University School of Medicine), the 4th Professor Yorio Hinuma (National Kumamoto University School of Medicine), the 5th Professor Hiroshi Maeda (moved to National University Corporation), the 6th Professor Takaaki Akaike (Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Microbiology; currently Tohoku University), and the current Professor Tomoaki Sawa (Department of Microbiology, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Life Sciences), have taken over the Department of Microbiology and have a history of more than 100 years.
Our department has produced many researchers and educators who have led the field of infectious diseases not only in Japan but also in the world.
Inheriting this illustrious tradition, since 2014, under the leadership of Professor Tomohiro Sawa, we have been conducting research on the molecular pathogenesis of infectious diseases, immunity, and cancer from the new perspective of sulfur metabolism, while at the same time providing undergraduate and graduate education for the development of outstanding human resources.
Research
In our laboratory, we are conducting basic research to understand the mechanisms of infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses at the molecular level, and to obtain knowledge that can be applied to effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In particular, we are studying the stress response mechanisms of pathogens and host cells in the field of infection using the latest analytical techniques. We are currently working on the following research projects.
I. Elucidation of Sulfur Metabolism and Antioxidant Defense Mechanism in Bacteria
II. Novel Metallo-β-Lactamase Inhibitors
III. Analysis of The Mechanism of Action of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli Toxin (SubAB)
IV. Regulation of Innate Inflammation and Infectious Immunity by Reactive Sulfur Species.
Ⅴ. Elucidation of The Antiviral Effects of Reactive Sulfur Species
VI. Analysis of the intracellular invasion mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)
VII. Elucidation of the mechanism of HIV-1 acquisition of drug resistance.
VIII. Effects of Human Endogenous Viruses (HERVs) and HIV-1 on Infection and Replication
Ⅹ． Research on Polymeric Anticancer Agents
Ⅺ．Research on The Spread of Drug-Resistant Bacteria and Its Prevention
VI~IX are projects in Virus Research Section.
Please also see our research projects site.
Recent Publications
- Toyomoto, T., Ono, K., Shiba, T., Momitani, K., Zhang, T., Tsutsuki, H., Ishikawa, T., Hoso, K., Hamada, K., Rahman A., Wen, L., Maeda, Y., Yamamoto, K., Matsuoka, M., Hanaoka, K., Niidome, T., Akaike, T., Sawa, T., Alkyl gallates inhibit serine O-acetyltransferase in bacteria and enhance susceptibility of drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria to antibiotics. Front. Microbiol., volume 14, 27 October 2023, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1276447.
- Xu, W., Kadoya, Y., Sennari, K., Islam, W., Zhang, T., Sawa, T., Akizuki, F., Hirose, H., Futaki, S., Fujiwara, Y., Komohara, Y., Niidome, T., Disulfiram encapsulated in polymer nanoparticles ameliorates thioacetamide-induced liver injury. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 88 (2023) 104981, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2023.104981.
- Matsunaga, T., Sano, H., Takita, K., Morita, M., Yamanaka, S., Ichikawa, T., Numakura, T., Ida, T., Jung, M., Ogata, S., Yoon, S., Fujino, N., Kyogoku, Y., Sasaki, Y., Koarai, A., Tamada, T., Toyama, A., Nakabayashi, T., Kageyama, L., Kyuwa, S., Inaba, K., Watanabe, S., Nagy, P., Sawa, T., Oshiumi, H., Ichinose, M., Yamada, M., Sugiura, H., Wei, F.Y., Motohashi, H., Akaike, T., Supersulphides provide airway protection in viral and chronic lung diseases. Nat Commun 14, 4476 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40182-4.
Please also see our publication site.
Members
Members in the Virus Research Section are here.
【Professional Staffs】
Tomohiro Sawa, PhD. (Professor)
Hiroyasu Tsutsuki, PhD. (Lecturer)
Katsuhiko Ono, PhD. (Assistant Professor)
Tianli Zhang/Chou Tachikara, PhD. (Research Fellow)
Toshio Kasamatsu, PhD. (Research Associate)
【General Staffs】
Eriko Doi (Technical Assistant)
【Students】
Azizur Rahman (D4)
Toya Toyomoto (D3)
Kei-ichi Yamamoto (D3)
Xiaoyan Li (D3)
Foysal Hossen (D3)
Chunyu Guo (D2)
Heng Zhong (D1)
Rika Fukushima (D1)
Ayaka Uegama (M1)
Kenki Miyao (Under Graduate, Medical School)
Miyu Nakano (Under Graduate, Medical School)
Ryoutarou Nakamata (Under Graduate, Medical School)