Research

We have been involved in elucidating basic mechanisms of viral pathogenesis to ultimately contribute to clinical medicine.
Mechanisms of viral infection and replication in specifically differentiated tissues such as nervous system and liver are being analyzed on flaviviruses including hepatitis C virus, and neurotropic viruses such as picornaviruses and neurotropic human poliomavirus JC. The molecular basis of viral pathogenicity on those viruses is also being analyzed from a molecular biological approach.
Our final goal is focused on contributing to the development of prophylactic and curative methods against the viral infections by our research information.

Outline of Projects

1. Analysis of molecular basis of viral pathogenicity of flavivirus such as Japanese encephalitis virus and Dengue virus.
2. Analysis of pathogenicity of picornaviruses.
3. Analysis of molecular mechanisms of viral persistence and carcinogenesis of hepatitis C virus.
4. Analysis of neuropathogenicity of human poliomavirus JC.

Electron micrograph of Japanese encephalitis virus particles synthesized in rough ER lumen of an infected cell.

Staff