[This course is for the students entering before April 2024]　Our laboratory is focusing on the human intractable viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus, the human T-cell leukemia virus, and hepatitis virus. These viruses share common similarities; disease development after long-term persistent infection, presence of unique mechanism for immune evasion, and a narrow and selective range of hosts. This last point makes it impossible to employ small laboratory animals as immune competent models for viral infection. In light of this, we faced the challenge and established novel non-human primate models for the study of intractable viruses. With the use of the model animals, we aim to unravel the molecular and immunological mechanisms by which viral persistency and disease onset are induced, and to conduct applied research regarding the development of vaccines and new therapeutics against these viruses.

See the CICASP website for information regarding entrance examination procedures for international students.