Members

Before coming to OIST, I was involved in the structure-function analysis of various proteins. Orthomyxoviruses, including influenza viruses, are known to be highly sensitive to ethanol and their infectivity is greatly reduced even at low ethanol concentrations of around 30 %. My research focuses on exploring this inactivation process at the molecular (viral protein) level. At the same time, I am developing special sample preparation techniques for detailed visualisation of the nanostructure of viral surfaces by SEM and SPM. Building on the strengths of the Shintake Unit, I would like to promote original viral research, incorporating the development of novel experimental techniques and equipment.

I received my Ph.D. in Biophysics from Kyoto University. I have a broad interest in biological objects, focusing on the structure of protins and biomolecules. In Shintake unit at OIST, I study the structure of viruses and the method of protection against viruses using imaging techniques with cryogenic electron microscopy, which has been my speciality for a long time.

Since 2022, I have been part of the Shintake unit, conducting research on the effects of ethanol spraying on the prevention and treatment of influenza virus infection. My primary role involves conducting animal experiments using mice and micro-CT analysis. The use of micro-CT allows us to identify mice with the influenza A virus (IAV) lung condition and observe the effects of ethanol vapor inhalation. The lungs of humans infected with IAV show ground-glass opacity (GGO). If the lungs of an infected mouse show similar symptoms, it confirms the relevance of our findings to human health, highlighting the potential impact of our work on public health.
Before coming to OIST, I studied starfish development at Toyama University. Then, I investigated the mechanisms of coral bleaching while obtaining my Master’s degree at the University of the Ryukyus. I received my Ph.D. from Kyoto University, where I used Medaka as a teleost fish model.

Worked for 22 years as a customer engineer in IT companies in Tokyo and Kanagawa, where was responsible for the overall maintenance of a diverse range of models.

After retirement, joined OIST in 2013.

Responsible for the design, production and maintenance of test equipment. Currently mainly responsible for a wide range of WEC project work.

In my previous job, I worked for many years at an electronic parts manufacturer, where I was in charge of developing and designing production equipment and inspection devices.

I have been at OIST for about five years, and my main job is to design and build experimental equipment.

Currently, I am designing and assembly a demonstration model for lithography.

Born in Okinawa, Japan, I was joined the Quantum Wave Microscopy Unit in 2017. Initially, I was charge of purification work of needle complex proteins of Shigella as cryo-electron microscopy samples, and since 2020, I have been participating in research on the mechanism of inactivation of enveloped viruses by ethanol. Currently, I am mainly involved in culturing viruses for research and biochemical testing of viruses using cultured cells.

After studying protein crystal structure analysis at the Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, I worked at an OIST startup company doing contract research on protein structure analysis using cryo-electron tomography for pharmaceutical companies. 
Since June 2023, I have been responsible for demonstration tests using a new cryo-electron microscope at the Shintake Unit. I handle a variety of samples, including organic-inorganic hybrid crystals in materials, pharmaceuticals, and protein crystals.

I am a budding researcher from India with a passion for studying host pathogen interactions. Infectious disease biology and understanding the approach of pathogens to hijack the host machinery captivates me. The concept of viruses—tiny, nearly invisible entities capable of causing widespread havoc—has always fascinated me. My interest in virology and host- virus interactions intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted both the critical importance and the vast potential for research in this field. I want to delve deep and understand these interactions trying to fill the gaps in this research area. I joined the quantum wave microscopy unit in 2023 under the Virus project. Here, I am involved in the structural analysis of the glycoproteins of the influenza A and the new castle disease virus after their treatment with ethanol vapors.

 He worked as a specialist for analyzing an electric power from the wave energy converter in OIST. He previously worked for developments of magnet power supply and control system for accelerators at the SPring-8 and Riken cyclotron Lab. He loves playing tennis, bicycling, sailing and classical and jazz music.