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The Institute of Tropical Medicine (known as Nekken in abridged Japanese) at Nagasaki University is the only publicly funded Institute in Japan dedicated to carrying out scientific research and training on infectious diseases.Our mission is to contribute to the provision of evidence-based information that is expected to alleviate the global burden of infectious diseases,either caused naturally or socioeconomically, through advanced scientific research, training and education.Our focus areas are primarily on infectious diseases that are commonly found in the tropical areas, such as malaria, schistosomiasis and dengue fever The impact of globalization on infectious diseases in recent years, however, has expanded our scope of research into the area of emerging and reemerging diseases, including SARS, avian flu, HIV and tuberculosis.
The Institute is comprised of 12 academic departments ranging in various subject areas of infectious diseases that are observed worldwide today. Working toward the Institute?fs mission in realizing its goals are 25 Professors and Associate Professors, 21 Assistant Professors, eight Post-doctoral fellows, 40 PhD students and 60 administrative and technical staff.
Infectious diseases, known to humanity since the ancient times, have caused numerous epidemics over the years.Most notably in recent years are the regional epidemics caused by the influenza or norovirus which have prompted further research in order to determine the modes of transmission as well as the toxicity of pathogens of infectious diseases caused by these agents.We seek to further understand various forms of infectious diseases through basic scientific research that may contribute to the identification of new treatment methods of infectious diseases.
Ultimately, we hope that Nekken?fs research may contribute to the formation of innovative treatment methods for the prevention of infectious diseases in order to lessen the global burden of these diseases for the equitable distribution of health and wellbeing of humanity worldwide.
