2023

Mission Statement
The tropics, the most ecologically diverse region on Earth, presents an ongoing complexity oftropical diseases and other health problems. Given the remarkable advances in international exchange
in recent years, these problems must be addressed from a global perspective.
Based on this understanding, the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, aims to
overcome tropical diseases, particularly infectious diseases, and their various associated healthproblems. In cooperation with related institutions, we strive for excellence in the following areas:

1. Spear-head research in tropical medicine and international health
2. Global contributions through disease control and health promotionin the tropics by applying the fruits of our research
3. Cultivation of researchers and specialists in the above fields

Organizational Chart

Microbiology and Parasitology
Department of Virology

Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases

Department of Bacteriology

Department of Protozoology

Department of Parasitology

Department of Molecular Epidemiology(Overseas Visiting Professor)

Nagasaki University
Hospital
Steering
Cmte ITM

Dean

Department of
Pathology

Steering Cmte
RCTD

Department of Clinical Medicine

Public and Environmental Health
Department of
Eco-epidemiology

Department of International
Health Development and Policy

Department ofInternational Health andMedical Anthropology

Department of Vector
Ecology and Environment

Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases

Department of Cellular
Architecture Studies

Department of Molecular
Infection Dynamics

Department of
Immune Regulation

Department of Exploratory
Research for Drug Discovery

Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Department of Respiratory Infections

Faculty
Meeting

Management
Meeting

Department of Clinical Product Development
Department of Tropical Viral Vaccine Development
Department of Vaccine Informatics

Associated Facilities

Department of
Host-Defense Biochemistry

Department of Preventive
Medicine and AIDS Research

Department of
Infections Diseases

Clinical Medicine and Research

Host and Vector Biology
Department of
lmmunogenetics

Internal
Medicine

Center for Infectious Disease Research in Asia and Africa
Infectious Disease Research
Support Planning Division
Infectious Disease Research
Support Management DivisionInternationalization
Planning Division

Kenya Research Station

Vietnam Research Station

Tropical Medicine Museum
Central Research LaboratoryOﬃce for Training and Education
NEKKEN BioResource Center
NTD Innovation Center

NEKKENOﬃce of Coordination for Humanitarian Aﬀairs

Steering Committee for the Institute of Tropical Medicine (Committee Member outside the university)
Shigeyuki Kano（National Center for Global Health and Medicine），Yasuhiko Suzuki (Hokkaido University )，Shinichiro Kawazu（Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine）

01

Towards Overcoming
Tropical Infectious Diseases
The Institute of Tropical Medicine （NEKKEN）, Nagasaki University, is the only public
institution in Japan dedicated to research in tropical medicine. The Institute has been
accredited by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology （MEXT）
as a “Joint Usage / Research Center on Tropical Diseases” and has contributed to theadvancement and internationalization of tropical medical research in Japan as an instituteopen to the national as well as international research communities. The organization
comprises five major divisions （24 research departments）, two affiliated facilities, and ahospital department, with 66 faculty members （including fixed-term and concurrent post
employees）, 76 administrative staff members, and approximately 100 graduate students.
Internationally, the Institute has been designated as a World Health Organization （WHO）
Collaborating Center （for collecting and studying samples related to emerging and tropicalviral diseases） since 1993.
In the tropics, many low-income countries have harsh natural and social environments.
As a result, they are exposed to severe health problems ranging from emerging infectious
diseases to lifestyle-related diseases, in addition to classical tropical diseases. With therapid development of international exchange today, the issues of these countries have asevere impact on the high-income countries located in the temperate zone. As indicated in
the Sustainable Development Goals （SDGs） of the United Nations, they are issues thatmust be solved from a global perspective. To overcome these issues, the Institute has set
the following comprehensive goals.
1. Spear-head research in tropical medicine and global health
2. International contribution through disease control and health promotion in the tropics
3. Cultivation of researchers and specialists in the above fields
This pamphlet is intended to introduce the organization and activities of the Institute.
Research in each field （including overseas teaching and research facilities in Kenya andVietnam） covers a wide range of tropical infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrhea,
schistosomiasis, dengue fever, and yellow fever, as well as emerging and re-emerging
infectious diseases such as AIDS, COVID-19, and Ebola virus disease. Research is being
conducted in various areas, including pathogens, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinicaland vector animal studies, and the natural and social environments in which these infectious
diseases spread. We also introduce our social contribution activities at home and abroad,graduate education （doctoral and master's programs）, and various educational andtraining courses.
We hope that you will understand the goals of the Institute and look forward to yourcontinued support.
Osamu Kaneko
Dean and Professor
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University
May, 2023

H istory
1942.3

East Asia Institute of Endemics as
Nagasaki Medical College affiliate

1946.4
1949.5

Institute of Endemics, N.M.C
Institute of Endemics, Nagasaki
University, under postwar scheme

1967.6
1967.6

Institute of Tropical Medicine, N.U.
Added the Ward Tropical Internal
Medicine, to University Hospital

1978.4

Diploma course, Kensyu-katei

1983.4

JICA Researcher Group-Course

1989.5

Certified as Joint Usage ResearchCenter1993.11

WHO Collaboration Center

1995.4

Certified as Center of Excellence, COE

1997.4Tropical Infection Research Center

2003.4

COE program 21st Century Global
Strategy against Tropical & Emerging
Infection

2006.4Tropical Medicine Masterʼs Course

2008.4

Museum and Asia / Africa Facilities

2008.6

COE

programComprehensive

Global Strategy against Tropical &Emerging Infection
2009.6

Certified as Tropical-medicine Joint
Usage / Research Center2011.42012.4

Two clinical-field departments
Global Leader Course for Tropical& Emerging Infection Intervention

2017.112019.475th anniversary ceremony
Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases
Division2022.12

Two vaccine - related departments

02

Joint Usage / Research Center on Tropical Diseases
Our institute is the one and only public sector institutethat are prevalent on a global scale, the Center will organize

supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,

research meetings and provide research support services.

Science and Technology （MEXT） in Japan that aims toThrough the above activities, the Center aims to maintain andresearch tropical diseases and has been identified as theactivate a community of researchers who create knowledge

Joint Usage / Research Center on Tropical Diseases sinceand skills that contribute to controlling infectious diseases.

June 2009.
2. Outline of the Centerʼs Activities

1. The Goal of the Center

The Center supports basic and applied collaborative

Infectious diseases are caused by the collapse of

research projects on tropical diseases and the seeds ofsymbiosis with other living organisms, which is inevitable forsuch research. It also supports research meetings forhumans to survive in the natural world.

exchanging information on related research and promoting

Although theultimate goal of this center is to eliminate infectious

collaborative research, as well as training sessions fordiseases, it is necessary to establish reciprocal relationships

disseminating research techniques. In addition, the Centerwith other organisms rather than eliminate them. Suchserves as a bio-resource center to acquire, store, andestablishment of reciprocal relationships requires collective

deliver pathogens and their genetic information forknowledge, which can be achieved only by combining a

research and education.

broad aspect of disciplines.
Tropical infectious diseases such as malaria have beensignificant health problems in tropical and subtropical

3. Operational Organization of the Center

As for the administration of this research center, theregions, which reflects the environment and socio-economic

dean of the Institute of Tropical Medicine established thesituation. In addition, emerging and re-emerging infectious

Steering Committee for the Center, composed of 11

diseases, such as newly emerging viral diseases, HIV, andmembers, out of whom more than half are from outside

tuberculosis, are also expanding globally, mainly in tropicalthe University. The Steering Committee is responsible forand subtropical regions.

adopting the applications and monitoring and evaluating

The Center plans and carries out collaborative research

the activities of accepted projects.

projects rooted in the endemic areas of infectious diseases
with researchers from both domestic and international fields

A specific administrative office has been allocated tothe institute to support the activities mentioned above.

based on our global activities and research infrastructure,such as our Center for Infectious Diseases Research in Asia
and Africa. Furthermore, as a resource center for informationand samples that contribute to research on infectious diseases

The Institute ofTropical Medicine
Dean
Advice / Report

Steering Committee for the Joint Usage /Research Center on Tropical Disease

Researchers Communities

Discuss important matters on its
management

a member of the committee

Expert advisors

Discuss enquiries on specialized matters

The Joint Usage / Research Center on
Tropical Disease Oﬃce
Support for its management and follow
the intention of the committee

Send a delegate/delegates as
to address opinions from
communities

Research Grants
A collaborative Research Topic
A collaborative Research Topic
A collaborative Research Topic

Steering Committee for the Joint Usage / Research Center on Tropical Disease（Committee Member outside the university）
Manabu Ato（National Institute of Infectious Diseases），
Shinichiro Kawazu（Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine），Satoshi Sasaki（The University of Tokyo），
Akira Nishizono(Oita University)，Yukiko Higa (National Institute of Infectious Diseases), Sohkichi Matsumoto（Niigata University），
Chizuru Misago (Tsuda University), Takayuki Miyazawa（Kyoto University）

03

Accounting (FY2022)
Grant-in-Aid for
OthersScientiﬁc Research 149,299
185,021

Grant-in-Aid for
Scientiﬁc Research
111,777

Administrative
cost subsidy
578,232

Endowment（External Fund）
191,365

Endowment
wment
ernal Fund）（External
73
49,873

Others157,734
Administrative
cost subsidy
subs
578,232

Commissioned
ned Projectnd）（External Fund）
65,656

Commissioned Project（External Fund）
36,995

Revenue（thousand JPY）
Total
2,985,675

Expenditure（thousand JPY）
Total
2,191,806

Non-subsidy income
at Nagasaki University
171,162

Commissione
Commissioneded
Researchd）（External Fund）
796,839

Joint Research（External Fund）
376,083

Commissioned Research（External Fund）
1,297,514

Non-subs
Non-subsidy
incomeat Nagasa
Nagasaki University
171,162※Incl. carryover of 965,601

Joint Research（External Fund）
260,530※Surplus 793,869 was carried over to the next FY 2023

External Fund (FY2022)
Amount（in thousands of yen）

1,309,094

1,500,000

Numberof grants
100

88

1,200,00080

900,000

693,061

600,000

31

340,360

300,000

31

29,074

20

3

Joint Research with Commissioned Commissioned Endowments
Private Sectors
Research
Project

Facilities & Administrative
costs included40

191,200

13

10

0

60

55,397

Others0

Total

Number of Staff （as of May 1 ,2023）
Professor

Associate
Professor

Senior AssistantProfessor

Assistant
Professor

Sub total

Others

Total

15

8

0

28

51

126

177

Grants-in-aid for Scientiﬁc Research （KAKENHI）（MEXT）（FY2022）Amount（in thousands of yen）
150,000

127,065 48

125,000

40

100,000

25,56575,00050,00025,0000

Numberof Grants
50

20,0202
ScientiﬁcResearch(A)（General)

33,12018

ScientiﬁcResearch(B)(General)

15,470
11

4,420

6

Challenging
Research(Exploratory)

Early-Career
Scientists

20

5,720
4

2
ScientiﬁcResearch(C)(General)30

21,580

Fostering Joint
International
Research (B)4Research
Activity
Start-up

1,170

10

1
Grant-in-Aid
for JSPs Fellows

Total

0

04

Microbiology
and Parasitology

Department of
Virology

Nekken-Virology conducts basic and appliedresearch on arthropod-borne（arbo） viruses;
such as Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue virus,
Zika virus, chikungunya virus, severe fever withthrombocytopenia syndrome （SFTS） virus, andhighly pathogenic viruses; filoviruses and novel
coronaviruses.
Intra-cellular dynamics analyses for highly
pathogenic viruses
High-resolution microscopy （e.g. live cell
imaging） is used to visualize the life cycle ofviruses in infected cells and to elucidate themechanisms of virus particle formation.
Molecular epidemiology of arboviruses
We conduct molecular epidemiological analysis
of dengue virus, Japanese encephalitis virus,
chikungunya virus, novel coronaviruses and otherviruses isolated in Asia and Africa to clarify virus
migration and evolution to reveal viral factors related
to the mechanism of disease severity and expansion.
Research on therapeutic drugs/vaccines
development using reverse genetics
By using reverse genetics, recombinantviruses are constructed to identify viral factors
regulating viral proliferation in cells and viralpathogenicity in animals are comparatively
analyzed to establish the basis for thedevelopment of new therapeutic agents andvaccines.
Development of rapid diagnostic assay for
infectious diseases
We also aim to contribute to the improvementof public health in Asia and Africa through theconstruction of novel diagnostic methods for viral
infections,
such
as
PCR,
LAMP,
immunochromatography and ELISA.
Activities as a WHO Collaborating Center
The department is designated as a WHO
Collaborating Center for Reference and Researchon Tropical Viral Diseases since 1993 andcurrently our department has been re-designatedas a center for Tropical and Emerging Virus
Diseases. The center has been collaborating with
WHO in training WHO fellows from many
developing countries and has deployed experts as
WHO short-term consultants. From 2020 March,
the laboratory is working as WHO ReferenceCentre for COVID-19.

Professor

Kouichi Morita
Associate Professor

1. Pandey et al. /DQFHW,QIHFW'LV 2023; 23(1).
2. Takamatsu et al. -9LURO 2022; 96(17).
3. Fujita-Fujiharu et al. 1DW&RPPXQ 2022; 13(1): 1191.
4. Takamatsu et al. -9LURO 2020; 94(9).
5. Takamatsu et al. P%LR 2020; 11(1).

Yuki Takamatsu
Assistant Professor

Sakkour Areej

Microbiology
and Parasitology

Department ofBacteriology

Professor

Toshio Kodama
Associate Professor

Hirotaka Hiyoshi
Assistant Professor

Hiroyuki Terashima
Assistant Professor

Tandhavanant Sarunporn

05

Our research focuses on the pathogenesis of entericbacterial pathogens, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus,
V ibrio cholerae , and Salmonella enterica spp. T heemergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria are
big problems these days. It is predicted that
drug-resistant bacterial infection will bring about 10
million annual deaths by 2050. We believe that
understanding detailed mechanisms of bacterial
pathogenicity gives us a clue to the development ofeffective vaccines and establishment of new treatment
strategies without antibiotics. We will promote our study
with various approaches , such as global epidemic
surveillances, in vivo animal infection models, and in vitro
molecular biological analyses, and make maximum efforts
to produce talented researchers who can play on a global
stage through study and experience.
● V. parahaemolyticus Pathogenesis
We have worked on V. parahaemolyticus for decades,and found that one set of Type III Secretion System（T3SS2）is necessary for induction of diarrhea in thepatients infected with this pathogen. We have also
identified and characterized effector proteins secreted
from T3SS2, and revealed regulatory mechanisms of
T3SS2-related genes. We recently demonstrated that an
exotoxin , thermostable direct hemolysin（T DH）, is
secreted via T3SS2 in tandem with the Sec machinery,
facilitates the distinct virulence traits. However, detailed
mechanisms of how this pathogen colonizes the hostintestine and induces diarrhea have remained unknown.
We t h e refo re t r y to u n d e r s t a n d a c o m p r e h e n s i vemechanism of V. parahaemolyticus infection by generatinga new animal infection model, dissecting the expressionm e c h a n i s m o f T 3 S S2- re l a te d g e n e s , d e t e r m i n i n gbiological activities of T3SS2 effectors, analyzing theinteraction of microbiota, and other multidimensional
approaches.
● Endemic Stains of Vibrio spp.
We are planning to isolate Vibrio spp. including V.
parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae from patients, seafoodand environmental samples in endemic areas to elucidate
the genetic characteristics and dynamics of epidemicstrains. We will also try to determine the factor（s）that
contributes to global dissemination and characterize itsrole in infection.
● Salmonella Pathogenesis
We are interested in Salmonella pathogenesis. A big
goal in this project is to understand how S. enterica spp.
cause systemic infection in human for developing more
effective vaccines and therapies without relying on
antibiotics. Type III Secretion System（T3SS）coded on
Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2（SPI-2）is well known as
an essential virulence factor for establishing systemic
infection and resisting the host innate immune defense
system medicated by macrophage and neutrophil. To
uncover the mechanism how S. enterica spp. cause
systemic infection using T3SS, we have tried to dissect
the functions of the T3SS for systemic infection and its
effector proteins by various approaches, including in vivo
mouse infection models , in vitro biological assays,
epidemic surveillance, and in silico genetic comparisonsamong different S. enterica serovars（i.e., Typhimurium,
Typhi, and Paratyphi A）.
1. Prithvisagar KS et al. 0LFURE3DWKRJ 2023; 178: 106069.
2. Zhang LF et al. P%LR 2022; e0273322.
3. Liou MJ et al. &HOO+RVW0LFUREH 2022; 30(6): 836-847.
4. Hiyoshi et al. &HOO+RVW0LFUREH 2022; 30(2): 163-170.
5. Terashima et al. 6FL5HS 2022; 12(1): 2979.

Microbiology
and Parasitology

Department of Emerging
Infectious Diseases

We are working on the basic and applied research
to develop the countermeasures against emerging
infectious diseases, especially viral hemorrhagic fevers
and COVID-19.
Research subjects:
Analyses of replication mechanisms of highly
pathogenic viruses
In infected cells, the viruses replicate using variousc e l l u l a r m a c h i n e r y a n d re l e a s e a l a rg e n u m b e r o fprogeny virions. Our interests are to clarify the molecularmechanisms 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 viralhemorrhagic fevers and COVID-19, we are identifying thecellular factors which have antiviral activity and analyzing
the molecular mechanisms of their antiviral action. We
are also doing high-throughput screening of organic andchemical 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.

Ebola virus（EBOV）and Epstein - Barr virus（EBV）b ot h cause major infe ctious disease s inhumans , such as Ebola virus disease（EVD）and
EBV-associate d malignancies, respectively. The
long-term goal of our study is to provide insights into
the molecular mechanisms of their pathogenesis,
which shall lead to the development of rational
therapies and diagnosis for them.

Professor and HeadJiro Yasuda
Professor

Asuka Nanbo
Professor

1.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 anenveloped, single-stranded, negative-sense RNA
virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever with ahigh mortality rate, known as EVD, in humans andn o n h u m a n p r i m a t e s . C u r re n t l y, o n l y a few
therapeutics has been approved for treatment andprevention of EVD. Because of the likelihood of
future outbreaks and generation of mutant viruses,
the development of a variety of EBOV therapeutics isurgent . Our goal is to elucidate the mechanism
underlying virus entry and viral particle formation
processes with a focus on host membrane trafficd y n a m i c s a n d v i r a l e nve l o p eʼs co n s t i t u e n t
phospholipids. We are also developing thetherapeutics that specifically target the entry andviral particle formation process in multiple ways,
which should lead to the significant contribution forprevention of EVD in the future.
2.Characterization of molecular mechanism ofdevelopment of EBV-associated epithelium tumors

Research studies on viral diseases in Gabon republic
T h e fo l l owi n g s a re a i m s of t h i s p roj e c t ; 1) toinvestigate prevalence of known and unidentified viraldiseases in Gabon through genetical and serologicalassays, 2) to determine characteristics including genetic
information and pathogenicit y 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 andthose 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
T ha i l a n d . We a re cu r re n t l yidentifying the viruses which
may be transmitted to humanand analyzing theircharacteristics.

1. Abe et al. /DQFHW0LFUREH 2022; 3(7): e476.
2. Zadeh et al. 3/R63DWKRJ 2022; 18(7): e1010689.
3. Tegally et al. 6FLHQFH 2022; 378(6615): eabq5358.
4. Ozeki et al. -*HQ9LURO 2022; 103(10): 001796.
5. Abe et al. 3/R61HJO7URS'LV 2022; 16(12): e0010964.

E B V, a u b i q u i t o u s h u m a n γ- h e r p e s v i r u s ,establishes a persistent latent infection in B
lymphocytes and epithelial cells in more than 90% of
adults worldwide. Although this virus contributes
causally to lymphomas and epithelial malignancies
such as Burkittʼs lymphoma, gastric carcinoma, andnasopharyngeal carcinoma, the molecularm e c h a n i s m by wh i c h E BV c a u s e t h e s e t u m o r s
r e m a i n s f u l l y e l u c i d a t e d . To u p d a t e t h eunderstanding of the mechanisms for developmentof EBV- associa ted epithelial tumors , we are
elucidating the physiological significance of
exo s o m e s , o n e t y p e o f ex t r a c e l l u l a r ve s i c l e s ,released from EBV- infected cells in tumor
development. Moreover, we try to identify host andviral factors including microRNAs that are
specifically and abundantly incorporated in
exosomes , which shalllead to the developmentof potential biomarkers
for EBV-associate dtumors that contributeto the diagnosis of thesetumors.

1. Satoh AO et al. &HOO5HSRUWV 2023; 42(3): 112229.
2. Furuyama et al. )URQW0LFURELRO 2022; 13: 1026644.
3. Dochi et al. &DQFHU6FL 2022; 113(8): 2862.
4. Nanbo et al. )URQW0LFURELRO 2021; 12: 679210.
5. Nanbo, 0LFURRUJDQLVP 2020; 8: 729.

Kentaro Yoshii
Associate Professor

Shuzo Urata

Associate Professor

Yohei Kurosaki
Assistant Professor

Takaaki Kinoshita
Assistant Professor

Yasuteru Sakurai
Assistant Professor

Wakako Furuyama
Assistant Professor

Misako Yajima
Assistant Professor

Rokusuke Yoshikawa

Flavivirus and Or thonairovirus include
important pathogens which cause severe disease in
human and animals, and many of them aretransmitted by ar thropod vectors in nature. We
conduct research on the ecology of these viruses inhosts and environment to control infectious diseasecaused by these viruses.
・Research on mechanisms of virus infection andadaptation in hosts
Arthropod-borne viruses are maintained in thetransmission cycle between arthropod（ticks andmosquitos）and vertebrate（mammals and birds）
crossing species barrier. Although Each host hasvarious anti-viral mechanisms, the viruses evolved toreplicate in their hosts by adaptation to evade themechanisms. We have studied the virus replication
and adaptation mechanisms in terms of virus-hostinteractions.
・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 andCrimean-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 thesed i a g n o s t i c s , we h a v e
constructed frameworks
and have conducteds u r veys to rev e a l t h evirus epidemiology
inside and outside
Japan.

1. Hirano et al. $QWLYLUDO5HV 2022; 200: 105276.
2. Takahashi et al. 7LFNV7LFN%RUQH'LV 2022; 13: 101900.
3. Kodama et al. 1DW&RPPXQ 2022; 12: 5539.
4. Maezono et al. 6FL5HS 2022; 11: 9213.
5. Haviernik et al. $QWLYLUDO5HV 2021; 185: 104968.

06

Malaria is responsible for a considerable

our understanding of the basic biology of theburden of death and disease in large areas ofparasite . We are investigating some

Microbiology
and Parasitology

the tropical and sub -tropical world.

fundamental aspects of the parasiteʼs life

Unfortunately, those countries hardest hit bycycle with a specific focus on two major

Department ofProtozoology

the disease are often amongst the poorest.

virulent- relate d factors; the molecular

Despite continuing efforts, approved vaccine

mechanism behind the red blood cell（RBC）

against the disease is not highly effective. To

invasion and the cytoadherence ofdesign and im p l e m e nt ef fe c t i ve diseaseparasite-infected RBCs. We utilize a variety ofinter vention strategies, one of the criticalmalaria parasites, including human-infecting

priorities in malaria research is strengthening

7SHZTVKP\TMHSJPWHY\T, the rodent malaria
parasite 7SHZTVKP\T`VLSPP, and 7SHZTVKP\T
RUV^SLZP, a causative agent of zoonotic humanmalaria. To expand a platform for basic andclinical malaria research, we are investigating
the molecular epidemiology of malaria
parasites in endemic countries, the biology of
7SHZTVKP\T hypnozoites, and establishing a

Professor

Osamu Kaneko
Assistant Professor

Fig.1 Gliding motility of Plasmodium merozoites. P. falciparum , thedeadliest malaria parasite species（arrow）, was released froman infected RBC（0 s）, then adhered to the RBC in a gliding
motion（5 and 10 s）, deformed the cell（15 s）and invaded thecell（30 s）. A longtime mystery of whether malaria merozoite
glides or not was finally solved by us（Yahata et al., 2021）.

Taeko Narusenovel malaria model using ungulate
7SHZTVKP\T. In addition, we are also
conducting research about the function andexpression mechanism of trans-sialidase andthe stage-specific adaptation mechanisms ofAssistant Professor;Y`WHUVZVTHJY\aP that cause Chagas disease.

Minami Baba
Assistant Professor

Yukiko Miyazaki

Fig.2 C y t o a d h e r e n c e o f P. knowlesi - i n fe c t e d R B C s . P. knowlesi-infected RBCs with increased cytoadhesion activity（arrows）
were selected by repeated panning against human umbilical veine n d o t h e l i a l c e l l s （H U V E C s）, a n d t h e r e s p o n s i b l e l i g a n d ,SICA-HUVEC, was identified（Chuang et al., 2022）.

Microbiology
and Parasitology

Department of
Parasitology

Professor

Shinjiro Hamano
Assistant Professor

Risa Nakamura
Assistant Professor

Wanlop Atcharaphan

Various parasites infect humans for long
periods without killing them, giving rise totremendous af flictions and social andeconomic loss. We will develop deep insight
into parasitic diseases and the surrounding
factors from various points of view throughfield and laboratory studies. Our goal is tocontribute to new knowledge and provide avibrant environment for the training of future
investigators.
We have b e en researching parasiticd i s e a s e s i n M b i t a a n d Kw a l e , K e n y a ,cooperating with Kenya Medical ResearchInstitute（KEMRI）and Maseno University. In
2 0 21, w e s t a r t e d a n e w p r o j e c t o nschistosomiasis with the support of the MEXT
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research（A）. In
2023, we launched a new project, “Integrated
Research and Development for the Control andElimination of Schistosomiasis”, as the Scienceand Technology Research Partnership for

1. Otsuki H et al. %LRPROHFXOHV 2023; 13(3): 458.
2. Nguyen et al. 6FL5HS 2023; 13: 145.
3. Ward et al. -,QIHFW'LV 2022: jiac469.
4. Chuang et al. 6FL5HS 2022; 12(1): 14942.
5. Yahata et al. 3URF1DWO$FDG6FL86$ 2021; 118: e2114442118.

Sustainable Development（SATREPS）project.
We also try to develop ideal monitoring anddiagnostic methods for schistosomiasis andleishmaniasis with the Global Health Innovative
Technology Fund（GHIT）support. In 2022, welaunched "DEJIMA Infectious Disease Research
A l l ia n c e" as a sy n e rg y ce nte r fo r Japa n
Initiative for World-leading Vaccine Researchand Development Centers (SCARDA, AMED).
We have studied host defense mechanisms
against 3LPZOTHUPH spp and ;Y`WHUVZVTHJY\aP
and, in the process, elucidated the function of
the IL-12 cytokine family, such as IL-27/WSX-1,
during the infections. Furthermore, we havedeveloped live at tenuated vaccines forleishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis by editing
genes using the CRISPR- Cas9 system . In
addition, we have developed animal models ofintestinal amoebiasis and devoted ourselves tostudying the molecular basis of thepathogenicity of 3THQVY and ,. OPZ[VS`[PJH andthe defense mechanisms of the host to them. In
the laboratory, we maintain :JOPZ[VZVTHTHUZVUP,
its intermediate host snails, )Y\NPHTHSH`P)
WHOHUNP and (LKLZHLN`W[P.
1. Alshaweesh et al. 0LFURELRO6SHFWU 2022; 10(5): e0112622.
2. Tanaka et al. 3DUDVLWRO,QW 2021; 83: 102346.
3. Talaam et al. $QWLPLFURE$JHQWV&KHPRWKHU 2021; AAC0041821.
4. Zhang et al. 1DW&RPPXQ 2020; 11(1): 3461.
5. Nakamura et al. L6FLHQFH 2020; 23(9): 101544.

07

Host and Vector Biology

Department of
Immunogenetics

Professor

Kenji Hirayama

The Department of Immunogenetics aims to
elucidate the molecular mechanisms that determine
human susceptibility and resistance to tropicalinfectious diseases.
We are analyzing human immunity to tropicalinfectious
diseasessuch
asprotozoa(cruz-trypanosomes and malaria) and viruses(dengue fever and COVID-19) at the genetic andmolecular levels. Furthermore, we aim to develop
drugs, vaccines and diagnostics based on
pathophysiological analysis of each infectious
disease. Clinical research is conducted incollaboration with clinical groups in endemic areas
overseas. Major overseas institutions include: 1)
Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM),
Philippines; 2) Autonomous University of GabrielRene Moreno, Bolivia; 3) Ahmadu Bello University,
Nigeria; and 4) University of Kinshasa, Democratic
Republic of Congo. In addition, joint research is being
conducted with the London School of Public Healthand Tropical Medicine, the Global Health Institute ofBarcelona, the University of Toyama, Tokyo Medical
and Dental University, Tokyo Institute of Technology,
and Osaka Public University, among others. In
addition, we are participating in drug development
projects in industry-academia-government-private

partnerships, with a focus on NTDs.
Ongoing research projects include the following●Immunogenetic analysis of malaria in endemicareas in Kenya (SATREPS, Kenya)●Nanoparticle nucleic acid vaccines (SCARDA)●Development of new antiprotozoan drugs derived
from Chinese herbal medicine or natural products(University of Toyama, Nagasaki University)●Search for biomarkers for early complications ofchronic Chagas disease (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific
Research)●Project for the prevention of mother-to-childtransmission of Chagas disease (GHIT)●Single cell analysis of T-cell fractions from dengue
fever patients (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific
Research)

1. Hung et al. ,QW-,QIHFW'LV 2022; 120: 217-227.
2. Mohammed et al. 3/R61HJO7URS'LV 2022; 16(3): e0010309.
3. Mizoguchi et al. $/7(; 2022; doi: 10.14573/altex.2111181.
4. Thach et al. 3/R61HJO7URS'LV 2022; 16(1): e0010164.
5. Ngwe Tun et al. -1DW0HG 2022; 76(2): 402-409.

Host and Vector Biology

Department of HostDefense Biochemistry

Education and research
Aim of our department is to contributeto global health and welfare from basic
research. Main target of our research isenergy metabolism, which is essential fort he sur v i val , continue d g row t h andreproduction of living organisms. From thestandpoint of biological adaptation, we
h a ve b e e n s t u d y i n g o n t h e m o l e c u l a r
mechanism of energy transducing systems
such as mitochondrial and bacterial
respiratory chain and drug discovery anddevelopment targeting them.
Our research has been focusing on
human mitochondria, parasitic nematodes

such as Ascaris suum, parasitic protozoa（Plasmodium falciparum, Tr y panosoma
brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Cryptosporidiume t c . ）. I n a d d i t i o n , b y u s i n g r e s e a r c hinformation obtained from these studies,
we are trying to develop a new strategy
such as 5-aminolevulinic acid to combat
against other pathogens including
S A R S - C oV - 2 . S t u d i e s o n ' N e g l e c t e dTropical Diseases (NTDs) has also been
carried out and excitator y amino acids
were found as candidates for the cause of
the novel East African disease 'Nodding
Syndrome'. Verification studies in endemicareas are planned for the future.

Professor

Kiyoshi Kita

Bio-synthetic pathway of asucofuranone. (from Araki et al., PNAS, 2019)

1. Enkai et al. $QWLPLFURE$JHQWV&KHPRWKHU 2023; 67, e0142822.
2. Kabongo et al. )URQW0RO%LRVFL 2023; 10, 1095026.
3. Miyauchi et al. 7URS0HG+HDOWK 2023; 51(1):30.
4. Ngwe Tun et al. 7URS0HG+HDOWK 2022; 10.1186.
5. Sakurai et al. %LRFKHP%LRSK\V5HV&RPPXQ 2021; 545: 203-207.

08

Public andEnvironmental Health

Department of
Eco-epidemiology

Professor

Satoshi Kaneko
Assistant Professor

Kentaro Kato

Our department is involved in various branches ofpublic health research. With cutting-edge IT andbiotechnology, we intend to create more accurate
assessment methods in global health, improve
responses to the public health needs on a local level,
and open new directions in health sciences to future
generations. Our activities include the following:1）Research on Population Registration and
Population Dynamics in Developing Countries
To conduct epidemiologic and regional studies indeveloping countries with inadequate population
registration, we operate a system that registers all
residents in the study area and periodically updates
information on births, deaths, and migration. (Healthand Demographic Surveillance System: HDSS) in
Kenya. In addition, a cloud-based maternal and childregistration system and a biometric system fornewborn identification at health facilities is underway.
2）Research for healthy child growth in Africa
Epidemiological studies on stunting (short heightcompared to the norm for age in months) are being
conducted in rural Kenya. In addition, we areestablishing a birth cohort on child development frompregnancy to birth and beyond, obtaining information
on child care and feeding activities and on theenvironment to elucidate the epidemiological basis fordetermining factors related to child growth.

3）Research to elucidate the molecular basis ofparasitic diseases
We are conducting research on the molecularbasis of parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis,
amoebiasis and leishmaniasis.
4）Development of mosquito vector survey tools andresearch on monkey malaria vectors
We are collaborating with a research team fromthe University of Malaysia and the UK to develop amosquito vector survey tool using 3D printing
technology and its application to the survey ofmonkey malaria vectors.
5）Developing new diagnostic techniques for mycetoma
To solve the problem of mycetoma caused byfungal infection, which is a public health problem in
Sudan, we are working with Nagoya University andChiba University to develop new diagnostic
techniques, and with Kobe University to create a risk
map based on environmental DNA measurements.

Assistant Professor

Tomonori Hoshi
Assistant Professor

Mami Hitachi

Public andEnvironmental Health

Department of International
Health and Medical Anthropology

Professor

1. Miura et al. ([S3DUDVLWRO 2022; 239: 108313.
2. Hyuga et al. 7URS0HG,QIHFW'LV 2022; 7: 2.
3. Kato et al. ,QW-0RO0HG 2022; 23: 7700.
4. Yoneoka et al. /DQFHW5HJ+HDOWK:HVW3DF 2022; 18: 100330.
5. Hashizume et al. 3/R61HJO7URS'LV 2022; 16: e0010274.

Department of International Health andimpact on its hosts. Based on that

Medical A nthropology has star ted its

perception, our department aims to get

activities since 2008.

more detailed understanding and insight on

Our research was composed of four

infectious diseases . We would like tounits; 1）research on infectious diseases inpursue the ways of analysis by various

ecosystem, 2）research on the environment

approaches such as molecular-evolutional

health, 3）research on biological evolutiont e c h n i q u e , m o l e c u l a r e p i d e m i o l o g y,of microorganisms from the adaptation or

detection of trace DNA, genomics based

fitness viewpoint and 4）research on theon bioinformatics, mathematical model, andepidemiology from the historical viewpoint.

computer science.

The umbrella concept linking above four

Another pillar of our department is a

research units is to reconstruct infectioussocial responsibility. Now that even profit

diseases “temporally” and “spatially” alike.

oriented organizations are required to have

Infection is the biological phenomenon as

its corporate social responsibility, no needan interaction between host s andto say for academia or university. Out of

microorganisms . In other words , hostthe name of our department, it must be

behavior, social structure as well as culture

nothing but contribution to international

per se affect microorganisms in fitness andhealth or people's health in resource-limited

adaptation whereas microorganism has

settings. What we think of important is to

Taro Yamamoto

make solidarity in order to contribute to

Hiromu Itodepartment's goal.

Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor

sustainable development. It is ourHiroaki Arima
1. Simpson et al. 0DODU- 2023; 22: 102.
2. Ito et al. 6FL5HS 2022 12: 21084.
3. Arima et al. %0&2UDO+HDOWK 2022; 22: 428.
4. Sabin et al. 3DWKRJHQV 2022; 11(7): 729.
5. Nishimura et al. -SK\VLRO$QWKURSRO 2022; 41: 9.

09

Department of International Health Development and Policy (former Department ofSocial Environment) was re-established in 2018 by inviting three concurrent professors

Public andEnvironmental Health

Department of International Health
Development and Policy

from the School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health (TMGH). There are now two
professors that have expertise of health system strengthening (H. Aiga), child health andemergency assistance (Y. Kamiya). The department promotes policy researches in various
global health fields for making critical evaluation and constructive proposal for healthpolicy.

Implementation Science in Healthand Disability
My suppor t and study is focused on
redressing healt h disparit y in low- andmiddle - income countries. Notwithstanding
global evidence-based aid and national policy,
health disparit y has been widening withknow- do gap and mismatch (coexistence ofexcess and deficiency) in health service delivery
due to organizational path dependency, lack ofTraining for Community Health Workers in Honduras

coordination, vertical silo of programs and aid
fragmentation. Just attributing health disparity
to lack of access to, and low supply of healthcare can mislead and delay its fundamental
problems. Through Implementation Sciencea p p l y i n g to i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o o p e r a t i o n fo r
Professor

Yasuhiko Kamiya
Professor

Hirotsugu Aiga

maternal and child health, support for disabledchildren and non-communicable diseases, andemergency humanitarian assistance, myassistance and research facilitate local staff
and people identify bottlenecks and barrier tostrengthen health systems and governancebased on bottom-up problem-solving.

1. Kamiya. 3HGLDWU,QW 2021; 63: 1277-1281.
2. Theingi et al. 7URS0HG,QW+HDOWK 2021; 26: 1117-1126.
3. Mananggit et al. 3/R61HJO7URS'LV 2021; 15(12): e0009891
4. Yamada et al. 0LFURELRODQG,PPXQRO 2021; 65: 438‒448.
5. Mananggit et al. 7URS0HG+HDOWK 2021; 49(1): 49-59.

Health System Strengthening
In the absence of appropriately
functioning systems for health ser vicedelivery, new medical technologies anddrugs that are clinically effective would
end up not reaching the populations in
need. Key elements of health systems (e.g.
health workforce, health information andhealth financing) particularly in the context

An experienced nurse managing a rural health center in Brundi

of LMICs are one of my research topics.
Needless to say, while recognizing theimportance of optimization and adaptationof global standards for health systems tolocal settings, their critical verification andexamination in view of field realities areequally important.

1. Naito-Takahashi, et al. 3/R621( 2023; 18(1): e0265784.
2. Aiga, et al. %XOOHWLQ:RUOG+HDOWK2UJDQ 2022; 100(9): 534-543.
3. Ogawa, et al. 3/R621( 2022; 17(11): e0275855.
4. Kawakatsu, et al. %0-2SHQ 2022; 12(9) 2e061747.
5. Aoki, et al. %0&+HDOWK6HUY5HV 2022; 22: 1071.

10

Public andEnvironmental Health

Department of Vector
Ecology and Environment

Our research interests include( L K L ZH S I V W P J [ \ Z p o p u l a t i o n t h a t w a s

any thing from ecology to molecular

introduced in Republic of Mozambique andbiology of medically important arthropods,

the Democratic Republic of the Congo in

par ticularly mosquitoes that transmit

the recent years. This study will reveal

pathogens such as malaria parasites andtheir origins and introduction pathways.

dengue virus in Africa and Asia. We are

Fo r re d u c i ng ma l a r ia r i s k , we a realso interested in their relationships withe v a l u a t i n g t h e e f fe c t i v e n e s s o f n ew

environmental variables and development

insecticides and tools in Kenya and Malawi.

of environmentally friendly vector control

We are also developing malaria prediction

tools.

models and dengue prediction models

C u r r e n t l y, w e a r e a n a l y z i n g t h eusing deep learning methods.

population genetic structures of (LKLZHLN`W[P in Africa. This study has alreadyrevealed that the genetic structures ofmosquito populations in dengue fever
endemic areas are distinct. We are also
Professor

working on the genetic structure of theNoboru Minakawa
Assistant Professor

Toshihiko Sunahara
Assistant Professor

Kyoko Futami
1. Kasai et al. 6FL$GY 2022; 8(51): eabq7345.
2. Mao et al. 3ODQWV（%DVHO）2022; 11(19): 2589.
3. Martineau et al. )URQW3XEOLF+HDOWK 2022; 10: 962377.
4. Minakawa et al. 3DUDVLWRORJ\ 2022; 149(7): 1-39.
5. Kawada et al. -SQ-,QIHFW'LV 2022; 75(3): 288-295

Clinical Medicine
and Research

Department ofClinical Medicine

This is the only clinical depar tment in
NEKKEN , which do es clinical practices in
Nagasaki University Hospital. We conduct a
wi d e r a n g e o f m u l t i - d i s c i p l i n a r y s t u d i e sbridging our strength of clinical epidemiology
to laborator y-based microbiology andimmunology both in- and outside Japan. Our
m a i n r e s e a r c h i n t e r e s t s a r e r e s p i r a to r yinfectious diseases, acute undifferentiatedfebrile illness, tuberculosis（TB）and HIV/AIDS.
Specific research topics are as described
below:●Respiratory Infections Diseases, including
Tuberculosis
We a p p l y ou r in - hous e m u l t i p l ex- P CR
a s s a y s to i d e n t i f y 19 d i f fe re n t v i r a l a n dbacterial respiratory pathogens and a novel
nano -fluidic real-time PCR-based assay todetermine 50 pneumococcus serotypes forstudies in- and outside Japan. We also conduct
TB research with a special interest in

Professor

Koya Ariyoshi
Professor

Chris Smith

Associate Professor

Yoshinao Kubo
Assistant Professor

Mai Izumida

Assistant Professor

Momoko Yamauchi

11

Bed-side clinical training course in San Lazaro Hospital

TB -specific cellular immune responses
protective to t he disease pro g re s sion. In
response to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we started
to conduct clinical epidemiology research on
COVID-19 in the Philippines in early 2020.
●Fever management in the tropical countriesItʼs challenging to diagnose and manage
non-malarial fever without localizing sign suchas leptospirosis, rickettsiosis, dengue fever,which are common in the tropical countries.
We are investigating acute undifferentiatedfebrile illness in the Department of Infectious
Diseases, Bac Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam andthe National Infectious Disease Hospital（SanLazaro Hospital）, the Philippines, by applying
various new diagnostic tests.
●HIV/AIDS Studies and others
In collaboration with National Institute of
Health, Thailand, we have conducted a natural
history cohort of HIV infection. New researchis still on-going based on the data and clinicalsamples derived from the cohort. Furthermore,
we i nve s t i g a te m o l e c u l ar m e c h a n i s ms ofpathogenesis caused by retroviruses and othermicrobials.
1. Saito et al. &OLQ,QIHFW'LV 2021; 72: 61-68.
2. Mukadi et al. 3/R61HJO7URS'LV 2021; 15: e0009670.
3. Domai et al. /DQFHW5HJ+HDOWK:HVW3DF 2021; 19: 100334.
4. Yanagisawa et al. 3/R621( 2020; 15: e0242438.
5. Katoh et al. 3/R61HJO7URS'LV 2019; 13: e0007928.

Clinical Medicine andResearch

Department of Respiratory
Infections

We conduct epidemiological studies of● With regard to COVID-19, we performed

infectious diseases caused by respiratory

outbreak investigation in nursing carepathogens including novel coronaviruses

fa c i l i t i e s . We a l s o i nve s t i g a te t h e（COVID-19）, mainly in Japan and Nepal.

effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines
on onset of disease, hospitalization, and●We conduct a clinical epidemiologicalstudy of adult pneumococcal pneumonia

sever illness by COVID-19 in Japan.
●

In Nepal, two projects on diagnostic

in Japan. The purpose of this study is tomethod of pediatric pneumonia and on

determine the serotype distribution ofpneumococcal carriage among children

pneumococcal pneumonia andhave been conducted .

epidemiological characteristics of each
serotype. We aim to recommend vaccine
policies of pneumococcal vaccine forolder people using these data. Using thelatest serotype distribution obtained
from the surveillance, we are analyzing
cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal
vaccines in the older people inProfessorc o l l a b o r a t i on wi t h Yo ko h a ma Ci t y

Konosuke Morimoto

University and University of Tokyo.

Associate Professor

Bhim Gopal Dhoubhadel●

A sur veillance study of adult acuterespiratory tract infections at sevenhospitals in Japan is in progress. In thisproject, we aim to identify pathogens
specific disease burden throughcomprehensive pathogen diagnosis
using multiplex PCR and QoL surveys.

Clinical Epidemiological Studies on Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Clinical Medicine andResearch

Department of Pediatric
Infectious Diseases

The Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
conducts research on a wide range of infectious diseases
with special attention on severe pediatric infectious
diseases including pneumonia, diarrhea, and dengue which
are the major causes of under 5 mortality. We also
investigate congenital infections and its impact on childdevelopment. The Severe Acute Respiratory SyndromeCoronavirus 2 （SARS-CoV-2） outbreak occurred in
Wuhan, China in December 2019 which then spread globallyand became pandemic in March 2020. Thus, we expanded
our research activities to COVID-19. We have setup a fieldresearch laboratory and a population cohort study site in
Nha Trang, Vietnam to couduct our research activities.
The current research topics,

Professor

Lay-Myint Yoshida
Associate Professor

Michiko Toizumi
Assistant Professor

Shah Mohammad Monir
Assistant Professor

Hirono Otomaru
Assistant Professor

Koehne Eric Johannes

1. Cohort studies on Pediatric Infectious Diseases in Vietnam:
We receive funding from the Japan Initiative for Global
Research Network on Infectious Diseases （JGRID）, Japan
Agency for Medical Research and Development （AMED） to
conduct a large population-based cohort study on Pediatric
Infectious Diseases in Nha Trang, central Vietnam since 2006.
2. Pediatric ARI surveillance: A population based hospitalized
Pediatric acute respiratory infection （ARI） surveillance at
Khanh Hoa General Hospital, Nha Trang, Vietnam wasestablished to determine incidence, etiology and risk factors
for pediatric ARI/pneumonia since 2007. We also investigate
the emergence of new viruses and its molecular and clinicalimportance. In addition, we also investigate the impact or
potential of various vaccine introduction on pneumonia anddengue in a population level.
3. Birth cohort study: We have conducted a birth cohort study
on 2000 new born babies in Nha Trang, Vietnam since 2009.
This study is to study congenital infection and host genetic
factors on physical-neurological development of the child anddevelopment of severe pediatric infectious diseases. We also
set up a new birth cohort study in 2017-2018 to investigate
congenital infection including rubella, cytomegalo, and zika
virus and the effect on the child development.
4. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine （PCV） reduced dosing
trial: We received a multimillion dollar grant from Bill and

1. Maeda et al. ([SHUW5HY9DFFLQHV 2023; 22(1): 288-298.
2. Maeda H et al. 9DFFLQH 2022; 40(37): 5504-5512.
3. Dhoubhadel BG et al. 7KRUD[ 2022; 77: 1121-30.
4. Maeda H, et al. &OLQ,QIHFW'LV 2022; 75(11): 1971-1979.
5. Dhoubhadel BG et al. /DQFHW*ORE+HDOWK 2022, 10(10): e1375-e1376.

Melinda Gates Foundation to conduct a PCV reduce dosing
trial in Vietnam. We believe that the study outcome will change
global PCV vaccination strategy to improve the availability of
PCV and other vaccines in developing countries.
5. Dengue intra-household transmission in the community: In
collaboration with London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine, we are conducting a dengue intra-familytransmission study in the community in Nha Trang.
6. COVID-19 related research: We are currently conducting
clinical epidemiological characterization and long-term
complication and immunological responses of COVID-19 in
Vietnamese population. We are also investigating the vaccine
response among medical, non-medical and previous
COVID-19 cases in Vietnam and Japan.
7. Environmental epidemiology: We are conducting several
studies on health impact of climate change and air pollution
on the local and global scale.

PCV vaccination field work in Nha Trang

1. Shah et al. 0LFURELRO6SHFWU 2023; 1: e0414022.
2. Kitamura et al. (PHUJ,QIHFW'LV 2023; 29(1): 70-80.
3. Toizumi et al. 9DFFLQH 2022; 40(36): 5366-5375.
4. Qian et al. 3/R60HG 2022; 19(5): e1004016.
5. Li et al. /DQFHW 2022: S0140-6736(22)00478-0.

12

Clinical Medicine andResearch

Department of Clinical
Product Development

Professor

Hitoshi Sasaki
Assistant Professor

This department promotes the processof pharmaceutical products to clinicalcommercialization and researches on thesystems and regulations related to theclinical development process. We have been
engaged in the development of clinicallyusable targeted formulations mainly forgene and nucleic acid mediated medicines.
A n d cu r re n t l y, we a re p ro m o t i n g t h edevelopment of novel formulations andconducting regulator y research. In
par ticular, we have developed a novel
targeted formulation for nucleic acidv a c c i n e “ n a n o b a l l s ,” w h i c h i s h i g h l ybiocompatible, efficiently delivers pDNA andmRNA encoding antigens toantigen-presenting cells（APCs）, and canstrongly induce antigen specific immunity. In
collaboration with Professor Kenji Hirayama
a n d h i s c o l l e a g u e s , we h a v e a l r e a d y
succeeded in applying pDNA encoding

Sayuri Nakamae

antigens of malaria and schistosomiasis on
nanoballs to induce specific humoral andcellular immunity against these parasites
and to obtain strong growth suppression of
the parasites. Now, we are constructing
another nanoball formulation for mRNA
vaccine and developing a inhalational mRNA
vaccine against respiratory tract infections
such as the SARS-CoV-2.
Nucleic acid is water-soluble negatively
charged polymer and gene and nucleic acidmediated medicines, which have been
d eve l o p e d i n re cent years , a re eas il ydegraded and hardly taken by the cell in the
body. Therefore, a novel drug deliver ysystem that can stabilize and deliver those
medicines to target cells is essential. The
novel targeted formulations developed in
our laboratory can be widely applied togene and nucleic acid medicines, showed
extremely high safety, target efficiency, andclinical applicability, and can help many
pharmaceutical companies and researchers
to solve their problems.
1. Muro et al. %LRO3KDUP%XOO 2023; 46(2): 237-244.
2. Kurosaki et al. 3KDUPDFHXWLFV 2021; 13(11): 1983.
3. Kurosaki et al. 'UXJ'HOLY 2021; 28(1): 1585-1593.
4. Hara et al. 0DWHULDOV（%DVHO）2021; 14(22): 7097.
5. Kodama et al. 'UXJ'HOLY 2021; 28(1): 542-549.

Clinical Medicine
and Research

Department of Tropical
Viral Vaccine Development

In 2022, Nagasaki University was selected as one oft he sy n e rg y ce nte rs to p lay a ce n t r al ro l e in vaccine
research and development on the “Project for Establishmentof a World-Leading Research and Development Center for
Vaccine Development” which was initiated by the Japan
Agency for Medical Research and Development（AMED）. To
implement the research and development plans of the
project, the Institute of Tropical Medicine（NEKKEN）of
Nagasaki University established the Department of Tropical
Viral Vaccine Development（TVVD）in April 2023. The main
objective of the newly established department is to further
research on the development of medicines for tropical viral
infectious diseases , wi t h par t icula r emphasis on t hedevelopment of dengue vaccines.
The development of vaccines against dengue virus（DENV）infection is a priority project of AMED. Dengue is anacute febrile infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoesthat infects about 400 million people worldwide each year,with an estimated 100 million people becoming ill. Currently,
no treatment and effective vaccine for dengue fever isavailable. The difficulty in developing a vaccine for dengue isdue to the risk of having severe disease caused by the
antibody-dependent enhancement（ADE）phenomenon, acharacteristic of this virus. There are four serotypes of
DENV, and antibodies induced after infection with one
serotype of the virus can enhance infection due to the otherremaining serotypes, resulting in severe illness. In order todevelop a safe and effective vaccine against DENV, it isnecessar y to evaluate A DE in all serot ypes and t heircorresponding genotypes.
We, the TVVD scientists, are actively involved in（a）
developing new live dengue vaccines,（b）testing denguev a c c i n e e f f i c a c y i n v i v o ,（ c ）d e v e l o p i n g a s s a y s t ocharacterize candidate dengue vaccines, and（d）studying
the immune responses these candidate vaccines induce. We

Figure 2. Model to explain the long-term epidemic of dengue type 2 virus
in the Philippines which seems to be caused by the ADE phenomenon
due to the presence of the two different genotypes of dengue type 2.

Professor

Kouichi Morita
Professor

Corazon Cerilla Buerano
Assistant Professor

Jean Claude Balingit
Assistant Professor

Aung Bhone Myat

13

have previously optimized an in vitro assay system that canquantitatively evaluate the ADE of DENV infection in ahigh-throughput and reproducible manner（Figure 1）. Using
the in vitro ADE model, we recently showed the underlying
role of the ADE phenomenon in the reported long-term
DENV serotype 2 epidemic in the Philippines（Figure 2）. In
line with this, our department is also currently developing an
in vivo ADE model for dengue.
As for our collaborative work with a private pharmaceuticalcompany, we will cooperate with Kyushu-based KM Biologics inthe development of a tetravalent live vaccine for dengue fever. In
addition, we will promote the development of an mRNA vaccine as
par t of the “100 - day vaccine concept,” which is one of theobjectives of the A M ED project . Also, we are conducting
seroepidemiological and molecular epidemiological studies invarious countries in Asia that are important for dengue vaccine
development and for evaluating the impact of future dengue
vaccination programs.

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of a high -throughput method toquantitatively measure A DE of DEN V infection by using
single-round infectious virus particles（SRIPs）.

1. Ngwe Tun MM et al. 0LFUREHV,QIHFW 2023; 6: 105129.
2. Ngwe Tun MM et al. 9LUXVHV 2021; 13(8): 1444.
3. Balingit JC et al. 9DFFLQHV 2020; 8(2): 297.
4. Ngwe Tun MM et al. $P-7URS0HG+\J 2020; 102(6): 1217-1225.

Clinical Medicine andResearch

Department of Vaccine
Informatics

The Strategic Center of Biomedical

and Nagasaki University, and will direct andAd va n c e d Va c c i n e Re s e a rch a n doversee the research and development. In

Development for Preparedness andaddition, an international call for applications

Response (SCARDA), established under thehas been issued for a full-time associate

Japan Agency for Medical Research andprofessor, and a cross-appointment of an

Development (AMED) based on theassistant professor from the NEC European" G ove r n m e n t S t ra te g y to S t re n g t h e n

Institute is also planned, which will promote

Vaccine Development and Production tot h e d eve l o p m e n t of va c c i n e s wi t h a n

Enable Rapid Approval," has launched ainternational flavor and advanced AI. The

project to establish world-leading R&D

goal is to develop this field as a center for

centers for vaccine development in Japan.

research on vaccines for infectious diseases

Nagasaki University applied to be one of theusing AI not only in Japan but also in thecenters with three main topics: "Response toworld, attracting human resources fromtropical infectious diseases," " Vaccine

around the world and enabling it to function

development against advanced BSL- 4

as a center that contributes to the 100-day

pathogens," and "Vaccine development using

mission of vaccine development.

artificial intelligence (AI)," and was selected
Professor

Trevor Clancy

as one of the vaccine R&D centers. The
development of infectious disease vaccines
using AI is a new initiative for the university,and this new area of research has been
established in collaboration with NEC
OncoImmuni t y AS ( N O I ), a No r we g i a ncompany, and NEC headquarters. Professor
Trevor Clancy, co-founder and Chief Science
Officer of NOI, will lead this research area
through a cross-appointment between NOI

Shionogi Global
Infectious Diseases

Alliance Coordinator

Professor

Tsuyoshi Kihara

Nagasaki University has entered into acomprehensive cooperation agreement withShionogi & Co., Ltd. （Head Office: Osaka, Japan）
in the field of infectious diseases focused on
malaria on February 28, 2019. Through thisagreement, Nagasaki University and Shionogi
intended to establish Shionogi Global Infectious
Disease Division （SHINE） as a collaborative
research division at Institute of Tropical Medicine.
The aim of the establishment is to accelerate andfacilitate the drug discovery research for malaria.
This division will concentrate on studies tounderstand the life cycle of malaria parasites andthe host defense mechanism, which are essential
for the diagnosis and treatment of malaria. And
final goals are to create an innovative novel drugand vaccine to meet Target Product Profile basedon the findings from the studies.
Malaria is one of the top 3 infectious diseases
worldwide along with AIDS and tuberculosis, andmainly occurs in epidemics in tropical regions andsubtropical regions. The efficacy of existing
preventive vaccine is insufficient and also a
number of parasites have been developing
resistance to existing medicines. Therefore,
malaria has been a serious threat to humanglobally.
Our division consists an Alliance Management
and 4 departments, Cellular Architecture Studies,
Molecular Infection Dynamics, Immune Regulationand Exploratory Research for Drug Discovery.
Through the collaboration, Nagasaki University andShionogi will become a key part of the new open
innovation based on the industry-academia
collaboration both domestic and overseas, and will
establish a platform aiming at eradication ofmalaria. We will strive to contribute to the health ofpeople around the world through ongoingprovision of the best preventive and therapeutics
ofmalaria.（Nature
618,
S19(2023)ISSN
1476-4687 (online) ISSN 0028-0836 (print)
https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-023-00
092-x ）

S h i o n o g i P re s s Re l e a s e , Fe b28 , 2019, S h i o n o g i e n tet e rrss iinton toComprehensive Cooperation Agreement in the Field of Infectious
Disease Focused on Malaria with Nagasaki University

Nagasaki Universit y press release, March13, 2023, Notice ofCollaboration Agreement for the Discovery and Development ofNovel Malaria Drugs with Shionogi & Co.,Ltd. and MMV, Supportedby the GHIT Fund

14

1. Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Division

Shionogi Global
Infectious Diseases

Department of Cellular
Architecture Studies

discover a new drug target .

We searchmolecular factors that are involved in ʻintelligent

Shionogi Global Infectious Diseases Divisioninterior designʼ by parasites, and aim to find new

was established in April 2019, through theantimalarial drug targets and compounds whichcollaboration agreement between Shionogi &p reve nt s t rans i t i o n to se r ve r m a l a r i a . O u rCo., LTD. and Nagasaki University to tackle

re s e a rc h h a s b e e n m e rg i n g a d va n t a g e s o fmalaria.

Four laboratories, Departments ofclassica l b i o c h e m i s tr y/cellula r b i o l o g y andCellular Architecture Studies, Molecular Infection

biophysical approaches . High - resolution

Dynamics, Immune Regulation, and Exploratory

i m a g i n g , l i p i d o m i c s , p r o t e i n c h e m i s t r y,

Research for Drug Discovery. We share samehigh-throughput screening for inhibitor

laboratory space and team up for our mission tocompounds have been actively used to achievefind new drug and vaccine candidates by taking

our goal. We share our data and collaborate

advantages of expertise from each department.

wit h other three laboratories for advanced

This is the unique but powerful collaboration thatexperiments for for tif ying our scientificexpands our scientific potential and flexibility.

competence.

2. Research Activity
Blood stage of malaria parasite invades
human erythrocytes and proliferates by creatingi t s own c e l l u l a r e nv i ro n m e n t . T h is p ro c e s sProfessor

includes fo r mations of co m p l ex m e m b rane

Assistant Professor

transpor tations of parasite proteins to

Fuyuki Tokumasu
Shinya Miyazaki

structures inside er y throcy te cytoplasm anderythrocyte membrane. Studying this host cell
modifications is essential in Plasmodium
falciparum research, that often induces severforms of malaria. We believe that unveiling themolecular mechanisms of structural andchemical balance of parasitized erythrocytes
a l l ows u s to f i n d i m p o r t a n t i n fo r m a t i o n toComplex membrane structures that appear in parasitized humanerythrocytes soon after the infection with a variety of size and shape.

1. Hayakawa et al. )URQW&HOO,QIHFW0LFURELRO 2022; 12:962495.
2. Iso-o et al. Front &HOO'HY%LRO 2021; 9: 749153.
3. Tokumasu et al. 3DUDVLWRO,QW 2021; 83: 102369.
4. Tanaka et al. %LRO2SHQ 2019; 8: bio042259.
5. Shindou et al. -%LRO&KHP 2017; 292: 12054-12064.

The Department of Molecular Infection

environment （microenvironment）. Certain type ofDynamics, in cooperation with Department ofcancer cells also possess similar machinery to

Shionogi Global
Infectious Diseases

Exploratory Research for Drug Discovery aim tosurvive under tumor microenvironment.

Department of Molecular
Infection Dynamics

compounds with potential use for treatment,

identify drug target molecules and to establish
screeningsystems

in

order

to

find

lead

Our activities are supported by research
grants acquired from KAKENHI （MEXT）, AMED,GHIT and Private Companies.

prophylaxis and transmission blocking against
malaria.
This

Department

conduct

researchon

microaerophilic metabolism conserved in several
pathogens such as parasites （protozoa andhelminth） and bacteria, in order to understand themolecular mechanism of parasitism phenomena.
Weutilizemultidisciplinary

approaches,

consisted by biochemistry, molecular biology,
biophysics,

structural

biologyandchemicalbiology, to conduct our basic and applied research.
Our
Associate Professor

Daniel Ken Inaoka
Assistant Professor

Takaya Sakuratargetinfectious

diseases

includeprotozoan parasites such as Plasmodium spp.,
Theileria spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, T. brucei andLeishmania spp.; helminthes such as Ascaris
suum, Anisakis spp., Haemonchus contortus andFasciola spp., and bacterial pathogens such as
Mycobacterium spp., Campylobacter jejuni andHelicobacter pylori.
We also conduct research on cancer. Intestinal
parasites have evolved sophisticated machinery toadapt and survive in hypoxic and nutrient deprived

15

1. Hidayati et al. ,QW-3DUDVLWRO'UXJV'UXJ5HVLVW 2023; 21:40-50.
2. Enkai et al. $QWLPLFURE$JHQWV&KHPRWKHU 2023; 67(3): e0142822.
3. Kabongo et al. )URQW0RO%LRVFL 2023; 10: 1095026.
4. Komatsuya et al. 3KDUPDFHXWLFDOV（%DVHO）2022; 15(7): 903.
5. Talaam et al. $QWLPLFURE$JHQWV&KHPRWKHU 2021; 65(10): e0041821.

Shionogi Global
Infectious Diseases

Department of
Immune Regulation

Mizukami Group
Our scope is the human immune response
against malaria, and malaria vaccine development.
Malaria parasite life cycle is divided intoliver（pre-erythrocytic）stage and erythrocytic
stage in human. Even with urgent appearance ofdrug resistant strain, many antimalarial drugs
are available for erythrocytic stage. However, inliver stage, only a few drugs with side effectsa r e ava i l a b l e , a n d t h u s , va c c i n e a n d n ove lantimalarial dr ug development are still andurgent issue for liver stage.
Considering the immunity against malaria
pathogen in liver stage, cytotoxic T lymphocytes
i n c e l l u l a r i m m u n i t y i s e s s e n t i a l. H oweve r,
current vaccine development biased in inducing
neutralizing antibody.
To archive the goal, our vaccine development
focuses on cellular immunity during malaria liver
stage. We put effort in examining and optimizing（a）
vaccine antigen,（b）antigen delivery system,（c）vaccine adjuvant, and（d）route of administration.

Associate Professor

Shusaku Mizukami
Professor

Katsuyuki Yui

Yui Group
Individuals living in endemic regions of malaria
acquire resistance to infection and disease after
repeated infection over time through thed evel o p m e nt of hos t immune response s toestablish chronic infection status. Persistentinfection maintains immunological memory, which
effectively control re-infection. However, it remains
unclear how the immunological memory to malaria
is regulated during chronic infection.
Focus of our study is mechanisms underlying
the regulation of immunological memory to malaria
with emphasis on the role of regulatory cytokine,
IL-27. We are also involved in field study in thePhilippines investigating the maintenance ofmalaria memory in individuals living in different
levels of malaria control. We will contribute for thedevelopment of next generation malaria vaccine
and for the control of malaria re -infection insemi-endemic areas.

Our study started with mouse malaria model,
and eventually, we aim to apply our understanding
into vaccine development to against Plasmodium
falciparum, one of the malaria parasites affected
human most.
1. Tayama et al. 7URS0HG+HDOWK 2023; 51(1): 12.
2. Mizuta et al. &KHP0HG&KHP 2023; 18(7): e202200586.
3. Kawaguchi et al. -3KDUP6FL 2023; 112(5): 1401-1410.
4. Kamiya et al. 3KDUPDFHXWLFV. 2022; 14(11): 2357.
5. Ogawa et al. -&RQWURO5HOHDVH 2022; 348: 34-41.

1. Macalinao et al. /DQFHW5HJ+HDOWK:HVW3DF 2023. In Press.
2. Ntita et al. ,QW,PPXQRO 2022; 34: 21-33.
3. Enders et al. &XUU5HV,PPXQRO 2021, 2, 79-92.
4. Jian et al. ,QW,PPXQRO 2021; 33: 409-422.
5. Yui et al. 3DUDVLWH,PPXQRO 2021; 43: e12763.

Malaria is one of the three largest infectious■ Strengthening external collaboration for SAR

diseases in the world, which aligns with HIV andstudy, clinical development and identifying newShionogi Global
Infectious Diseases

tuberculosis. More than 200 million people arepeople died annually. There has been still nophysical parameters of candidate compounds

Department of Exploratory
Research for Drug Discovery

effective vaccine, and resistant malaria to existing

within Shionogi

infected with malaria and more than 600,000

therapeutic drugs have been reported, and thedevelopment of new drugs is urgently necessary.

targets■ Optimization of drug metabolism, safety, and■ C o n d u c t i n g t a rg e t d i s c ove r y a n d b a s i cresearch for antimalarial drugs

In this department, a Shionogiʼs researcher isin charge of principal investigator, and together
with the three departments in SHINE division. We
will take on the role of hubs that connect research
assets such as know-how and global network ofmalaria research, which are the strengths ofNagasaki University, and screening drug discovery
utilizing the small molecule SAR（structure-activity
relationship）engine, which is the strengths ofShionogi, to promote the discovery research of
new therapeutic drugs by taking advantage ofeach strengths. Especially, the purpose is to createa therapeutic or a prophylaxis/chemoprevention

Visiting Associate Professor

drug with strong antimalarial activity and high（Director, Head of Medicinal Chemistry
3 Group, SHIONOGI & CO., LTD.）

Dynamics.

Ken-ichi Matsumura

safety with the department of Molecular Infection

Research activities are as follows:■ P ro m o t i o n of d r u g d isc ove r y re s e a rch o nscreening-based drug discovery■ Implementation of Hit to Lead Structure-Activity
Relationship（SAR）approach, and optimization oflead scaffolds

1. Tamura et al. %LRRUJ0HG&KHP/HWW 2022; 68: 128769.
2. Kato et al. %LRRUJ0HG&KHP/HWW 2022; 59: 128567.

16

Associated Facility
Center for Infectious Disease Research in Asia and Africa

Kenya Research
StationProfessor

Satoshi Kaneko

The Kenya Research Station was establishedin September 2005 at the Kenya Medical ResearchInstitute (KEMRI) in Nairobi, Kenya, with the aim of
conducting research and training in tropical
medicine in the field. In FY2022, the station'slaboratory was significantly upgraded with newly
installed research equipment. Since FY2022, theStation has been supporting the JICA technicalcooperation project aimed at strengthening the
research capacity of KEMRI.
1. Research activities:
Major research projects have been conductedbased on the station, including the SATREPS
project (2012-2017), which aims to develop rapid
diagnostic methods and establish an alert systemfor yellow fever and Rift Valley fever, and the
JST/AMED project (2009-2019), which aims todevelop multiple serological diagnostics forneglected tropical diseases (NTDs). From FY2023,
the new SATREPS project "Integrated Research andDevelopment for the Control and Elimination of
Schistosomiasis" (PI: Prof. Shinjiro Hamano) will belaunched for five years. From 2020 to 2023, as an
Asia-Africa Science Platforms of Core-to-Core
Program supported by JSPS, the station conducted
research activities for the formation of IoT
academic centers that contribute to the(Chief Representative)

Shingo Inoue
Associate Professor

Raita Tamaki

Vietnam Research
Station

2. Education and training activities:
The Station fully cooperates with the JSPS
Inter-University Exchange Program "Planetary
Health Africa-Japan Strategic and Collaborative
Education (PHASE) Program," operated by the
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences adopted in
FY 2020 and supports student exchange between
four educational institutions in Kenya and Nagasaki
University.
3. Social contribution activities:
The station continues to operate the JICA
Grassroots Technical Cooperation Project (Tungiasis
Control Project) within Kenya.

1. Suzuki et al. 0HWKRGV3URWRF. 2023; 6: 12.
2. Mizuta et al. -0HG&KHP 2022; 65: 369-385.
3. Larson PS et al. 7URS0HG+HDOWK 2022; 50: 31.
4. Wandera EA et al. 7URS0HG,QW+HDOWK 2022; 27: 669-677.
5. Koda et al. ,QWHUQDWLRQDO&RQIHUHQFHRIWKH%LRPHWULFV6SHFLDO,QWHUHVW*URXS %,26,* 2022; 1-6.

Professor

Associated Facility
Center for Infectious Disease Research in Asia and Africa

improvement and enhancement of global health. In
addition, joint research with companies (NEC, Eiken
Chemical, etc.) and research funded by
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI)
are also actively carried out.

Since 2015, the Japan Initiative for Global Research
Network on Infectious Disease (J-GRID) project has beentaken over to the newly established organization, Japan
Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), anda new five-year J-GRID project, “Study on Emerging andRe-emerging Infectious Diseases in Vietnam.” has been
started from 2020. The Vietnam Research Station in the
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE)
located in Hanoi is currently manned by 3 staffs from NU,
and the Nha Trang sub-station by 2 permanent staff(Photo-1), in addition to which 32 staffs from NU and further
39 researchers from other research institutions participate
in the activities of the Station and conduct research. The
main research topics are dengue fever, infectious diarrhea,
influenza, and drug-resistant bacteria, severe childhood
pneumonia, zoonotic diseases (bat-derived infectious
diseases), and novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is also
included in the focused study, to contribute to prevention of
infectious diseases collaborating with the National Center
for Global Health and Medicine. In addition, three joint
research projects related to drug-resistant bacteria,
COVID-19 and HIV were conducted utilizing the Vietnam
Research Station, in collaboration with the National Instituteof Infectious Diseases (NIID), Kyoto Universit y andKumamoto University.
In 2022, as part of the general collaborative researchof NEKKEN, we conducted research on dengue virus with
the NIID, and research on diarrhea-causing E. coli with
University of Miyazaki.
The Vietnam Research Station has been conducting
educational support as an early exposure facility in the
Program for Nurturing Global Leaders in Tropical andEmerging Communicable Diseases, and also utilized as anon-the-job-training facility for researchers from NU andother universities/institutes. The ceremony for Foreign
Minister's Commendation (category Groups) awarded by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for FY2021 was held at
the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam on December 2, 2022
(Photo-2).

Chief Representative, Professor

Futoshi Hasebe
Associate Professor

Haruka Abe

Photo-2. Fiscal year 2021 Foreign Minister's Commendation Award
and Group Awards Presentation Ceremony＠Embassy of Japan in
Vietnam (December 2022)

Photo-1. Group photo of staffs of the Vietnam Research Station@NIHE (May 2023)

17

1. Dao TD et al. -*ORE$QWLPLFURE5HVLVW 2022; 140-142.
2. Takemura T et al. 7URS0HG+HDOWK 2022; 50(1): 3.
3. Ngu Duy Nghia et al. 9LHWQDP-RXUQDORI3UHYHQWLYH0HGLFLQH 2021; 31(10): 40-45.
4. Hirabayashi A et al. P6SKHUH 2021; 6(4): e0059221.
5. Soe AM et al. 9LUXVHV 2021; 13(6): 1152.

Associated Facility

Tropical Medicine
Museum

The museum exhibits and preserves a wide range ofmaterials, including panels giving an overview of tropicaldiseases, specimens of parasites, bacteria, viruses, pathogenic
insects, and dangerous animals, visual materials, books, andvaluable documents on the history of medicine. In theaudiovisual section, visitors can watch videos of mosquitoes
sucking blood and a variety of other genres on an 80-inch
large screen. A new section has been set up where visitors canclassify mosquitoes and distinguish between male and femalemosquitoes, with the aim of increasing interest in andunderstanding tropical infectious diseases among many
people.
In FY2022, the number of visitors to the museum
remained considerably reduced (approximately 600, about half
the number before the coronavirus epidemic) due to theimpact of the new coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), as in theprevious year. The main activities of the museum under thesecircumstances were.
●Museum management and operation: approximately 100
overview panels, microscopic images, pathological films,
specimens and models of pathogen vectors, and other exhibits
on diseases that frequently occur in the tropics are displayedand explained to visitors from home and abroad. The
languages spoken are Japanese, English, and Chinese.

Professor

Taro Yamamoto

In addition to the normal museum operations, thefollowing activities were carried out.
1）From the perspective of infection control measures

Technologist

Kazuo Araki

Associated Facility

Central ResearchLaboratory

Head and Professor

Fumika Mi-ichi

Assistant Professor

Miako Sakaguchi

Central Laboratory in NEKKEN maintains
state - of-the - ar t machines and helps all the
researchers in this institute facilitating theirprojects. This Laboratory is also approved by the
Minister of Education in Japan as Joint
Usage/Research Center for Tropical Medicine andis open for the researchers who proceed thecollaborative project with NEKKEN.
○Molecular & Cellular Biology Unit
At the Molecular & Cellular Biology Unit inCentral Laboratory in NEKKEN, thestate-of-the-art research equipment is provided
including 8 and 16 Capillary DNA sequencers,
High-throughput sequencers, Real time PCRsystems , Flow cy tometers , Multiplex as say
systems, Chemiluminescence imaging systems,
and Multimode plate readers. Additionally, as
the commonly used research equipment, MilliQ
system, Ultracentrifuge machines, Vacuum
Concentrators, Freeze dryers, Darkroom, andL aborator y cold room are also provided.
Molecular & Cellular Biology Unit members（asof May 1, 2023, Fumika Mi-ichi, Akemi Ura, andAyumi Fujimatsu）are in charge of maintaining
these research facilities.
○Light Microscope Unit
At L i g ht M i cros c o p e U n i t i n C e n t ral
Laborator y in NEKKEN, the state - of-the -ar t
research equipment is provided including Laser
scanning confocal/super-resolution microscope（Elyra.PS.1 + LSM 780, ZEISS）, Laser scanningc o n f o c a l/ f l u o r e s c e n c e m i c r o s c o p e （ A1R ,N I KO N ）, I m a g i n g F l ow C y t o m e t e r （ I m a g e
S t r e a m M K I I , L u m i n e x ）, a n d V i r t u a l S l i d e
Scanner（Nanozoomer 2 .0 - RS, Hamamatsu
P h o t o n i c s ）. W e a r e a l s o m a n a g i n g N i ko n
Infectious Disease Imaging Core laborator yestablished on April 2015. Light Microscopeagainst COVID-19, an online seminar mainly for junior andsenior high school students was organised as "Nekken
Summer School 2022" instead of the Nekken Summer
School, as in the previous year. The theme was 'Offensive
and Defensive Measures against Various Infectious
Diseases', and four young researchers gave presentations.
The museum was well received by the more than 100
participants and the speakers facilitated a smooth Q&A
session.
2）A request was received for a group visit from a highschool in the Kanto region. The day started with a
30-minute classroom lecture entitled 'Welcome to theMuseum of Tropical Medicine', followed by a visit to theMuseum of Tropical Medicine, a visit to the 150th
anniversary museum in Ryojun Kaikan, and a viewing of avideo introducing the Institute in the large seminar room,with each group rotating through their respective posts.
The students then gathered again in one place for aclosing speech, after which they disbanded. The students
were later thanked for their contribution to broadening
their perspectives.
● The Institute's IT (Information Technology) environment
maintenance and management: For the first time in five years,
the servers and network equipment were updated, and theinformation equipment was renewed. At the same time, theInstitute's website was encrypted and the site continues to be
maintained and managed.
In addition, the Institute is working to improve its
environment, including a system for lending IT equipment tomeet the diverse needs of researchers and others at theInstitute of Tropical Medicine.

Unit members（as of A pril 1, 2023, Fu mika
Mi-ichi, Miako Sakaguchi and Akemi Ura）are in
charge of maintaining these research facilities.
○Electron Microscope Unit
Electron Microscope Unit suppor ts
ultrastructural characterization of microbial
pathogens and the structural chang e of thepathogen-infected cells. This unit offers highq u a l i t y i m a g i n g s e r v i c e s b y s t a t e - o f- a r ttechniques such as conventional andimmuno-electron microscopy, and also provides
sample preparation for EM observation. This
unit is responsible for Transmission Electron
Microscope（JEOL）, Ultra-Microtome（LEICA）,
v a c u u m c o a t e r （ S a n y u E l e c t r o n ）, a n d
Hydrophilic Treatment Device（JEOL）in addition
to general laboratory facilities for a wide range
application of electron microscopy.
○Research Activities
We are interested in biological phenomena
presented by ,U[HTVLIHOPZ[VS`[PJH, the causative
parasite for amoebiasis; for example, parasitic
l i f e c y c l e a d a p t a t i o n . We e m p l o y v a r i o u s
approaches including molecular and cellularbiology, lipid biochemistry, and omics. Currently,
we focus on sulfolipid metabolism, very long
chain acyl ceramide metabolism, and molecularmechanism underlying cyst formation in,U[HTVLIH. As of May 1, 2023, members are
Fumika mi-ichi, principal investigator, Vo Kha
Ta m , p o s t d o c t o r a l r e s e a r c h e r, a n d Ky o ko
Nagatomo, technician.
1. Mi-ichi et al. P6SKHUH 2022; 7(4):e0029922.
2. Mi-ichi et al. 0LFURELRO6SHFWU 2021; 9(1):e0051121.
3. Mi-ichi et al. P6SKHUH 2021; 6(2):e00174-21.
4. Mousa et al. 3DUDVLWRORJ\ 2020; 147(12):1305-1312.
5. Mi-ichi et al. 3/R61HJO7URS'LV 2019; 13(8):e0007633.

18

Associated Facility

NEKKEN Bio-Resource
Center

NEKKEN Bio-Resource Center （NEKKEN

genetically modified organisms for deposit,

BRC） was established in 2015 to take charge（3） preservation of protozoan strains, （4）of National BioResource Project （NBRP）

distribution of a variety of protozoan strains, andmission in Institute of Tropical Medicine（5）distribution of their microscopic specimens（NEKKEN）. NBRP constructs the framework

for education in academic organizations. To

for systematic collection, preservation, andfacilitate

distribution of bio-resources with a focus onprovision of bio-resources, NEKKEN BRC also

thecollection,
thepreservation,

development

of

and

those that required strategic development byimplements

the National Government. To promote life

technologies. Approximately 900 strains ofrelatedsciences, it is important for researchers topathogenic protozoa are preserved in NEKKEN

share the various bio-resources necessary

BRC, and approximately half of them arefor pursuing researches and developments.

available to supply. Last year 36 strains were

NEKKEN has participated to NBRP services

deposited in NEKKEN BRC, and 53 protozoan

since 2002 when it was initiated by thestrains were provided to researchers. Genetically

Ministry

modified protozoan parasites such as Luc2

of

Education,

Culture,Sports,Science and Technology （MEXT）. We haveexpressing strains of ;Y`WHUVZVTHJY\aP and slide

been serving as Division of Protozoa in

specimen of protozoa for education are available“Pathogenic Eukaryotic Microorganisms of aalso. Pathogenic protozoan resources available

Fumika Mi-ichi

Core Facility Upgrading Program” underfrom NEKKEN BRC are listed in the following

Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba

website.

Makoto Kazama

University.

Project Representative, Professor
Service Manager, Assistant Professor

NEKKEN BRC supports the research andeducationonpathogenic

protozoabyhttp://www.tm.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/nbrc/
E-mail: protozoa@tm.nagasaki-u.ac.jp

providing following services; （1） web-based
database of pathogenic protozoa maintainedin Japan, including NEKKEN BRC, with their
owner

and

straininformation,（2）

acceptance of pathogenic protozoa and their

The Neglected Tropical Diseases Innovation

Associated Facility

Neglected Tropical Diseases
Innovation Center（NTDi Center）

Center （NTDi Center） was established within
the Institute of Tropical Medicine in 2016 to
stimulate research and development in tropical
medicine, including neglected tropical diseases（NTDs）, utilize the research resources of theInstitute, promote collaboration between industry,
government, and the private sector, and build
domestic and international networks. So far, theinstitute has supported the acquisition of sizeable
external research funds and managed the Japan
Allianceon

GlobalNTDs（JAGntd）

project（established in 2018）, a domestic network
related to NTDs. The Center has also added thefunctionofthesecretariat

for

the

NTD

Subcommittee （to be launched in 2022） of the
Nikkei-FT Communicable Diseases Conference,
which brings together all stakeholders in theindustry, government, and academia, including
administrative

agencies,organizations,andacademic societies related to infectious disease
control from Japan and abroad.

※

is

a

networkcompanies,that

connects

andindividuals

involved with NTDs in Japan and abroad topromote their participation in Japan's efforts
toProfessor（Director）

JAGntdorganizations,control

Neglected

Tropical

Diseases（NTDs） and to exchange information with

Satoshi Kaneko

each other. The secretariat is located at the

Tsuyoshi Kihara

University.

Professor（Deputy Director）

19

InstituteofTropicalMedicine,

NagasakiAssociated FacilityOﬃce of Coordinationfor Humanitarian Aﬀairs

Section Chief, Professor

Taro Yamamoto(Introduction)
In 2016, the Office of Coordination for
Humanitarian Affairs was set up in our
institute. Prof. Taro Yamamoto, who also
heads the Department of International
Health and Medical Anthropology, wasnominated as the first chief of this section.
One year has passed since its inception
during which time we have dispatchedmissions to natural disaster affected areas
and yellow fever epidemic areas.
（Aims）
The aims of this office are to provide
support to both natural and manmade
disaster areas. In order to undertake thesemissions, this office shall develop morehuman resources, do research, and become
the center of an international humanitarian
network.

Tohoku region in 2011 just after the East
Japan Great Earthquake, West Africa in 2014
and Nepal 2015.
These activities make
NEKKEN one of the leading organizations inJapan in terms of disaster relief activities.
Further, the infectious diseases team forJapanese Disaster Relief was decided in acabinet meeting in October, 2015 based
upon the fact that Ebola broke out in West
Africa in 2014 and there was an internationalcall for cooperation to help deal with it.
NEKKEN is expected to serve as one of themain stakeholders in this field and was asked
to participate on that team.
Because of all these events, setting up
the Office of Coordination for Humanitarian
Affairs was proposed.

（Organization）
１.Office of Coordination for Humanitarian
Affairs was set up in NEKKEN
２.Appoint one section chief (professor)（Past, Present and Future）
NEKKEN has dispatched missions to
disaster afflicted areas such as Haiti in 2010,

The main role of our office is to run a
short-course of tropical medicine, Training Course of

Associated FacilityOﬃce for Training
and Education

members from both inside and outside the Institute ofTropical Medicine（NEKKEN）.

Tropical Medicine（TTM）. This course aims to support

During the thirteen weeks（April to June）, themedical and co-medical personnel who plan to work infull-time staff members of NEKKEN and a substantial

the tropical countries, by providing opportunities tonumber of visiting professors and lecturers provide

learn a broad range of skills and knowledge relevant tolectures, laboratory practical and field work, in thepracticing medicine, implementing disease control

f i e l d s o f v i r o l o g y, b a c t e r i o l o g y, p r o t o z o o l o g y,

programs and conducting medical research in tropical

p a r a s i t o l o g y, m e d i c a l e n t o m o l o g y, p a t h o l o g y,

and developing countries. The course began in 1978

immunogenetics, epidemiology, human ecology, socialand since 2016, it opens to the researchers who pursue

medicine, clinical medicine and also geography andtechnology for global health. Over 15 participants areculture in tropics. Par ticipants who successfully

accepted to attend the course in each year. As of thecompleted the course are awarded the Diploma in44th course in 2021, 621 participants in total from all

Tropical Medicine. Online courses were also started inover Japan have completed the course. The course is2022.

run by the steering committee, which consists ofHead and Professor

Koya Ariyoshi

Assistant Professor

Momoko Yamauchi

Completion ceremony in 2022

20

The University Hospital
Infectious Disease Ward

Professor

Koya Ariyoshi
Professor

Chris Smith
Professor

Konosuke Morimoto
Professor

Akitsugu FurumotoLecturer

Hirotomo Yamanashi

The clinical department of the Instituteof Tropical Medicine（NEKKEN）is the only
department in NEKKEN, which has clinicalduties in the Nagasaki University Hospital.
It was originally established in 1967 ands i n c e , i t has b e e n l o c a l l y k n own as“NEKKEN-NAIKA”.
Currently the depar tment runs an
out-patient clinic and provides in-patientscare in general internal medicine ward（16b e d s）a n d T B wa rd（6 b e d s）, cl o s e l ycollaborating wit h t he depar t ment ofgeneral medicine. We are mainly
responsible for treating patients withcomplicated infectious diseases, such as
sepsis, unknown febrile illness, HIV/AIDS,
tuberculosis, rickettsiosis, SFTS, tropial
infectious diseases. In addition, we receive
over 600 consultation cases per year,

Assistant Professor

Kensuke Takahashi
Assistant Professor

Momoko Yamauchi
Assistant Professor

Masumi Shimizu
Assistant Professor

Takashi Sugimoto
Assistant Professor

Shogo Akabame
Assistant Professor

Mai IzumidaGroup photo of staff members

21

referred by almost all the otherdepartments, suspected with infectious
diseases. We also run a travel clinic forinternational travelers.
We take a major role of training ande d u c a t i o n o n i n fe c t i o u s d i s e a s e s fo r
undergraduate students and bed -side
training programs for resident physicians
and infectious disease fellows. One of our
missions is to support medical doctors
who aim to work abroad as a clinician
volunteer or a clinical researcher. We
regularly organize a clinical caseconference in English. Staff and resident
doctors are often dispatched to hospitals
in the tropics of Asia and Africa that helps
us to accumulat e o u r k n owl e d g e a n dexperience with clinical tropical medicine.

Publications
Our official publications are as follows;

長崎大学熱帯医学研究所

1．Bulletin of Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical

年報
令和3年度
（2021）

Medicine (In Japanese, published yearly since 1964; PDF
files are available at our web page.)

長崎大学熱帯医学研究所

1

Shinchi
Chinatown

2．INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDICINE NAGASAKI UNIVERSITY
Peace Park

AtomicBomb
Museum(This copy, published yearly since 1977; PDF files areavailable at our web page.)2

3．Report of Research activities and achievements as the
Joint Usage / Research Center on Tropical Disease (PDF
files are available at our web page.)3

22

for Hotarujaya

for Mogi

Main bus route
Electric Tramway

Suwa Shrine
Suwa-jinja
ShrineJR Kyushu

SohukujiNagasaki City Hall-o- bashiChuCity Hall

Institute of Tropical
Medicine
University Hospital
School of
Dentistry

School ofMedicine
UrakamiCathedralfor Akasako

Igakubu-mae

Peace Park
Ohashi
Peace Park

Hamaguchimachi
AtomicBomb
MuseumSofukujiTempleShinchi
Chinatown
Ohato

Nagasaki Station

UrakamiStationIshibashi

NagasakiUrakamiHow to get the Institute○From JR Nagasaki Station▶Electric Tramway Nagasaki Station (bound for Akasako ) → Atomic Bomb Museum → about 10-minute walk
▶Nagasaki Bus Nagasaki Station (No.8 bound for Shimoohashi via School of Medicine ) → School of Medicine○From JR Urakami Station▶Electric Tramway Urakami Station (bound for Akasako ) → Atomic Bomb Museum → about 10-minute walk
○From Nagasaki Airport▶Kenei Bus Nagasaki Airport No.4 Bus Stop (For Nagasaki Sta . (via Showa-machi / via Showa-machi・Sumiyoshi ))→ Hamaguchi-machi → about 10-minute walkNagasaki University

Institute of Tropical Medicine
LocationURL

1-12-4 Sakamoto Nagasaki 852-8523
https://www.tm.nagasaki-u.ac.jp/nekken/