Activities

Analyses of replication mechanisms of highly pathogenic viruses

In infected cells, the viruses replicate using various cellular machinery and release a large number of progeny virions. Our interests are to clarify the molecular mechanisms of virus replication in host cells. We are currently analyzing the molecular interactions between viral proteins and cellular factors in infected cells. Especially, we are focusing on highly pathogenic viruses, such as Ebola virus, Marburg virus, Lassa virus and SARS-CoV-2.

Development of novel antiviral strategies

To establish novel antiviral strategies against viral hemorrhagic fevers and COVID-19, we are identifying the cellular factors which have antiviral activity and analyzing the molecular mechanisms of their antiviral action. We are also doing high-throughput screening of organic and chemical compound libraries for antiviral drug discovery against viral hemorrhagic fevers and COVID-19.

Development of detection methods for highly pathogenic viruses

In case of outbreak of emerging infectious diseases, rapid and accurate diagnoses are essential to control infection and to prevent further transmission. We have developed novel diagnostic assays for emerging viral diseases.

Research studies on viral diseases in Gabon republic

The followings are aims of this project; 1) to investigate prevalence of known and unidentified viral diseases in Gabon through genetical and serological assays, 2) to determine characteristics including genetic information and pathogenicity of viruses which are regarded as public health concern and those newly identified in Gabon, and 3) to develop rapid diagnostic methods for viral diseases of public health concern and/or those newly identified.

Field studies on emerging viral diseases and zoonoses

To understand the ecology of the viruses which may cause emerging viral diseases, we are capturing wild animals including bats, primates and rodents and collecting the samples in Gabon and Thailand. We are currently identifying the viruses which may be transmitted to human and analyzing their characteristics.

Activities

• Characterization of molecular mechanisms of EBOV entry and virus particle formation: toward the development of novel therapeutics for EVD
  EBOV, a member of the family Filoviridae, is an enveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate, known as EVD, in humans and nonhuman primates. Currently, only a few therapeutics has been approved for treatment and prevention of EVD.
  Because of the likelihood of future outbreaks and generation of mutant viruses, the development of a variety of EBOV therapeutics is urgent. Our goal is to elucidate the mechanism underlying virus entry and viral particle formation processes with a focus on host membrane traffic dynamics and viral envelope’s constituent phospholipids. We are also developing the therapeutics that specifically target the entry and viral particle formation process in multiple ways, which should lead to the significant contribution for prevention of EVD in the future.
• Characterization of molecular mechanism of development of EBV-associated epithelium tumors
  EBV, a ubiquitous human γ-herpesvirus, establishes a persistent latent infection in Blymphocytes and epithelial cells in more than 90% of adults worldwide. Although this virus contributes causally to lymphomas and epithelial malignancies such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, gastric carcinoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the molecular mechanism by which EBV cause these tumors remains fully elucidated. To update the understanding of the mechanisms for development of EBV-associated epithelial tumors, we are elucidating the physiological significance of exosomes, one type of extracellular vesicles, released from EBV-infected cells in tumor development. Moreover, we try to identify host and viral factors including micro RNAs that are specifically and abundantly incorporated in exosomes, which shall lead to the development of potential biomarkers for EBV-associated tumors that contribute to the diagnosis of these tumors.

Activities

• Research on mechanisms of virus infection and adaptation in hosts
  Arthropod-borne viruses are maintained in the transmission cycle between arthropod（ticks and mosquitos） and vertebrate （mammals and birds） crossing species barrier. Although Each host has various anti-viral mechanisms, the viruses evolved to replicate in their hosts by a daptation to evade the mechanisms. We have studied the virus replication and adaptation mechanisms in terms of virus-host interactions.
• Research on virus epidemiology and development of diagnostics
  High-containment biological laboratories are required to handle highly pathogenic viruses, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus, West Nile virus and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. It causes difficulties for the research institute to conduct research on these viruses. We have developed safe substitute such as virus-like particle system for live viruses by molecular technology and applied them to new and safe diagnostics. By using these diagnostics, we have constructed frameworks and have conducted surveys to reveal the virus epidemiology inside and outside Japan.