DEPARTMENT OF VIRUS RESEARCHLAB. OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
ProfessorTakao Hashiguchi
Assistant Professor
Tateki Suzuki
Assistant Professor
Yuma sato
Assistant Professor
Kanako Kimura
Member
Secretary：Yoko Enjo
Graduate Students：Jie Sasaki
Graduate Students：Hisano Yajima
Technical Assistant：Yukari Nakajima
RESEARCH
Elucidation of viral pathogenesis and development of prevention and therapeutics for viral infections
Infectious diseases still have been a fatal threat to children, worldwide. To solve the problem, we have been studying on pediatric virology. In particular, we focus on the mechanisms of viral entry into cells and the inhibition of entry by compounds, peptides, glycans, and antibodies, using a combination of virological and structural biological approaches. Our major goals are the elucidation of viral pathogenesis and the development of preventive and therapeutic methods for viral diseases.
Structures of viral glycoproteins and a picture of virus-infected cells
Our laboratory focuses on pediatric viral diseases. Combining molecular biology, biochemistry, physical chemistry, virology, and structural biology techniques, we have been studying the mechanisms by which viral infections cause pathogenesis and the mechanisms by which the human immune system counteracts viral infections. As for structural analysis, we mainly utilize X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the interactions between host factors/therapeutic molecules and viral proteins.
Complex Structures of virus glycoproteins bound to inhibitory molecules and a picture of virus-infected brain organoids.
Building on the above results, we also have been studying basic research for vaccine development based on protein structures, and developing therapeutic antibodies, compounds, and peptides. In particular, we have been focusing on designing vaccine antigens and developing novel methods for antibody production.
