Research Outline

It has been known that we live in symbiosis with approximately 100 trillion bacteria constituting the intestinal microbiota, which contributes to various host functions such as nutrient absorption, metabolism, and immunity. On the other hand, disruption of the intestinal microbiota composition is associated with many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes and cancer. However, mechanisms of symbiosis with the intestinal microbiota and leading to maintenance of health from symbiosis remain unknown.

Interested in the intestine, a place of symbiosis and elimination, I am focusing on the innate immunity elicited by small intestinal epithelial cells and investigating how we establish a symbiotic relationship with the intestinal microbiota for host homeostasis. A goal of my study is contributing to the development of treatments and prevention methods for the global health problem, NCDs.