membrane dynamics cell physiology molecular and metabolic … · 2015-12-15 · membrane dynamics...

NeurophysiologyMolecular and Metabolic Medicine<Endowed Chairs>

Cell PhysiologyMembrane Dynamics

Research Fields Research FieldsPhysiology and Cell Biology Physiology and Cell Biology

Toshiaki Sakisaka, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Membrane Dynamics, expressed in the terms “Life is ruled by membrane”, aims to reveal the biochemically varying functions of membrane and thereby understand cellular function as expressed by membrane and the maintenance of its homeostasis.

The building blocks of all diverged lives are cells, which are surrounded by membrane. Each of the cells encompasses vari-ous intracellular organelles, nearly all of which are enveloped by membrane. With the harmonized reactions by the groups of membrane proteins localized in each organelle, the organelle membrane is shaped, exerting organelle-specific functions. We hope our investigations can contribute to elucidating a series of membrane mechanisms including the localization of membrane proteins, the functions of membrane proteins, the structures and machineries of organelles, all with the aim of understanding cytopoiesis.

In particular, our labo-ra to ry p r inc ipa l l y targets the endoplas-mic reticulum, consid-e r e d t o b e m o s t important among the organelles. The endo-plasmic reticulum is the organelle forming a reticular network of membrane through-

out the cytoplasm. The endoplasmic reticulum plays a central role in the synthesis, sorting, and trafficking of secretory proteins and membrane proteins, quality control of proteins, synthesis of lipids, and restoration of calcium. It also works as a source of membrane, required in the formation of other organelles such as the nucleus, the Golgi apparatus, peroxisome, and autophago-some. We are currently attempting to elucidate the mechanisms that form the endoplasmic reticulum, applying three research themes as follows:1. Molecular mechanisms underlying the tubular and sheetstructures of the endoplasmic reticulum2. Machinery for the translocon-independent insertion of mem-brane proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum3. Reconstitution of organelles using artificial membrane

Administratively, we are part-holders of the chairs of cell biology and biochemistry for the first and second year students of the Faculty of Medicine.

Masahiro Mori, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor

The Division of Neurophysiology was established in 2010. We aim to elucidate brain functions and their mechanisms. To approach this important theme, various research at different levels such as on molecules, neurons, neural circuits, and the behaviors of animals have been conducted worldwide.

Our study focuses on the properties of neural circuits to clarify brain functions and their underlying mechanisms. The primary action of a neuron is to generate electrical signals, and to pass them to another neuron. By recording and analyzing cellular electrical signals (electrophysiology), the information generated or received by a neuron can be decoded. Performing this decod-ing in all neurons of a neural circuit enables us to clarify its func-tions and underlying mechanisms. We make efforts to contribute to prevention, diagnosis, and therapies for psychiatric diseases.

Our major research themes are as follows:1. Information process-ing mechanisms of theneural circuits in thehippocampus, a brainregion associated withlearning and memory2. The mechanisms ofthe synaptic plasticity,a cel lular model forlearning and memory

3. Functions and mechanisms of neurotransmitter receptors

For these themes, using cultures of dissociated neurons and brain tissue slices, we record the electrical signals of a single neuron using the patch-clamp technique. We also collaborate with domestic and overseas laboratories. Thus, we hope to con-tribute to society by providing a basic knowledge of neurosci-ence, and inform the general public of recent progress through our educational lecture series.

Susumu Seino, M.D., D.M. Sci.Designated Professor

The Division of Molecular and Metabolic Medicine was estab-lished in October, 2012. In our laboratory, we aim to elucidate the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of metabolic diseases including diabetes mellitus to identify novel biomarkers and to develop novel small molecules for treatment by combined approaches of metabolomics, proteomics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and physiology. We also nurture and train young researchers and students who will be responsible for scientific investigation in the next generation.

1. Establishing a research basis for metabolomics:We aim to establish research bases for metabolomics includ-ing analytical methods of mass spectrometry (CE/MS, LC/MS,and GC/MS) and construction of databases for metabolomeanalysis2. Elucidation of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of meta-bolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus:We aim to identify key intracellular metabolic signals in pan-creatic β-cells that regulate insulin secretion and clarify theirroles in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of diabetes atcellular, tissue, and whole-body levels3. Identification of novel biomarkers for diabetes:We aim to identify novel biomarkers that can predict thedevelopment of diabetes as well as evaluate the pathophysi-ological states of the disease and its complications4. Development of novel small molecules for treatment of diabe-tes:We aim to identify novel small molecules targeting insulin se-cretion that will provide a basis for the development of novelanti-diabetic drugs

Yasuhiro Minami, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Cell Physiology conducts investigations aiming to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying morphogenesis and its function, and the relationships between those disrup-tions and pathologies such as cancer or inflammation in mam-mals including humans. As a clue to shedding light on these molecular mechanisms, we focus on the analyses of the signal transduction pathway elicited by Wnt protein/Ror-family recep-tor tyrosine kinases (Ror1, Ror2) which are involved in the devel-opment and the onsets/progression of various diseases.

Our laboratory in particular conducts molecular functional analy-ses and molecular pathological analyses at tissue, organ, and whole-body levels, using genetically modified mice or disease-model mice and molecular functional analyses and molecular

pathological analyses at cellular and molecular levels, using various culture cells. Through these studies, we hope to elucidate the nature of flexibility and/or plasticity observed in living organisms, operating prin-ciples in biological phenomena, and pathologies induced by disrup-tions of biological processes at genetic and molecular levels. On the basis of these analyses, we hope to gain a solid base for appli-cation to unprecedented, novel diagnoses and therapeutics.

Our ongoing research themes are as follows:1. Analysis of signal transduction machineries regulating cellmigration and polarity during morphogenesis / damage repair (regeneration)2. Analyses of the relevance between aberrations in signal trans-duction regulating cell migration and polarity and invasionand/or metastasis of cancer cells 3. Analyses of intracellular signal transduction mechanismswhich regulate the development / damage response / inflam-mation of the central nervous system4. Analyses of the mechanism of epigenetic gene regulation in-volved in invasion and metastasis of cancer cells (pathologicalconditions) and in cell migration and polarity control underphysiological conditions5. Pathological analyses of invasion and metastasis of cancers,using disease-model mice6. Pathological analysis of inflammation using disease-modelmice and pathological analyses of morphogenetic abnormali-ties (congenital anomalies)7. Elucidation of operating principles in biological phenomena,by employing comprehensive analyses (omics) andbiological-mathematical approaches

8 9

Molecular Brain ScienceNeural Differentiation andRegeneration

Anatomy and Developmental Neurobiology

Neuronal Signaling

The Division of Neuronal Signaling investigates the elucidation of cellular functions in various tissues inside the human body at the gene and protein levels, expecting to unravel the relevance between signal transduction mechanisms or protein modifica-tions and human diseases. We dedicate our efforts in research to the eventual discovery of novel therapeutics or drugs.1. Research on the abnormalities of the intracellular signal trans-duction mechanism in the onset of neurodegenerativediseases (e.g. spinocerebellar ataxia, Parkinson’s disease, etc.) 2. Research on the following issues using genetically modifiedmice: 1) development and maintenance of inner ear hair cells, 2) development and lamination of cerebellar cortex, 3) func-tional recovery after brain injury, 4) formation of skin tissues:epidermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue

3. Analysis of physi-o l o g i c a l a n dpathophysiologicalfunctions of superox-ide and deve lop-m e n t o f n o v e lt h e r a p y a g a i n s tsuperoxide-relateddiseases4. The elucidation ofphysiological andpathophysiological

roles of protein post-translational modifications, especially phosphorylation, s-nitrosylation, and s-palmitoylation5. Research on the streamlining and universalization of massspectrometry-based identification methods of proteins taking part in intracellular signal transduction or causing disease, and research on the standardization of terminology in mass spec-trometry

Our laboratory consists of four main staff members, graduate students of the Graduate School of Medicine (PhD and master’s courses), and residents. Also, a number of trans-frontier researchers from outside of Kobe University work here with us on our investigations into intraneuronal signal transduction con-tributing their own unique perspectives.

The Division of Molecular Brain Science focuses its studies on neuromuscular diseases and brain functions in the joint frame of basic and clinical medicines with the Division of Neurology of the Department of Internal Medicine. Our research aim is to understand molecular mechanisms of diseases and brain func-tion, and ultimately to develop therapeutic and diagnosis strate-gies. We take various research approaches including genome analyses, proteomics, cellular biology, glycobiology, and genetic engineering.

Muscular dystrophy is a single gene disorder, categorized into over 30 disease types according to the type of responsible gene and its hereditary form. Cur-rently, there is no effective treat-ment for muscular dystrophies. We are trying to identify the responsible genes, elucidate

pathology and pathogenesis, and establish therapeutic ways, by applying state-of-the-art technologies in the various fields such as molecular genetics, biochemistry, cellular biology, and glyco-biology. Our laboratory has recently elucidated the pathogenesis of Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy, and successfully offered quite a new avenue to its effective therapy. We have alsoengaged in the establishment of novel disease concept, “glycosylation-defective muscular dystrophy”.

Most cases of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are multifactorial disorders caused by combinations of genetic and environmental factors. The identification of a disease susceptibil-ity gene is an important subject for such complex disorders. We are targeting the identification of disease susceptibility genes in neurodegenerative diseases for the establishment of personal-ized medicine. We also conduct drug discovery studies using disease model iPS cells and functional genomics.

Humans and chimpanzees h a v e v e r y s im i l a r DNA sequences. An intr iguing question of interest focus is why only humans ut i l i ze h igher in te l l i gence and language. Our laboratory investigates this subject by means of gene expression, epigenetic, and genetic poly-morphism analyses. We also seek to identify of causative genes for human mental retardation, as well as genes involved in gen-eral cognitive ability (g factor, intelligence). We are hoping to shed light on the interrelationship of environmental/life-style factors and genetic factors, which affect human intelligence.

We are interested in molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the nervous system. By using mice as a model organism and by functionally combining genetic, biochemical and molecular biological approaches, we investigate the behav-ior of molecules and cells that regulate neural development. We also investigate pathogenetic mechanisms underlying develop-mental disorders of the nervous system by generating and examining mouse models of such diseases. Our goal is to obtain molecular insights into the development and pathology of the nervous system and to apply that knowledge to the develop-ment of novel strategies for the treatment of disorders of the nervous system. Our three major ongoing research themes are as follows:

1. To elucidate the physiological functionof the GDNF Family Ligands and theirreceptorsThe GDNF Family Ligands and theirreceptors play essential roles in develop-ment of various neuronal populations inthe central and peripheral nervoussystems. We investigate how signalingmediated by these ligands influencesneurons and their progenitors and regu-lates neural development.

2. To understand the mechanisms underlying the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS)The ENS regulates the motility, secretion and blood flow of the gut, and is thus vital to the maintenance of animal life. One ofthe amazing features of the ENS is that it can exert its basicfunction without inputs from the brain, for which reason theENS is often called ‘the second brain.’ We investigate thebehavior of cells that governs a given step of the ENS develop-ment and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

3. To unravel the molecular mechanism underlying neurocris-topathyNeural crest cells are multipotent cells that can differentiateinto various cell types including cells in the peripheral nervous system, pigment cells, cartilage and bone. Failure in develop-ment and differentiation of neural crest cells leads to a widevariety of diseases known in humans as neurocristopathies.Through our research, we seek to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesisof neuroblastomaand Hirschsprungdisease, two majord e v e l o pm e n t a ldisorders in pediatric a n d p e d i a t r i csurgery practices.

We are studying the abnormal structures of the cent ra l ne rvous system of the Reelin-deficient mouse, reeler, and Dab1 -defic i en t mouse, yotari, to eluci-da t e t he mo l e cu l a r mechan i sms o f t h e Reelin signaling path-way. Reeler and yotari m ice a re autosomal

recessive mutant mice, characterized by cerebellar ataxia. In these mutant mice, the structures of the cerebral and cerebellar cortices and hippocampus are disrupted. We have demonstrated abnormal cytoarchitecture of the superior colliculus, olfactory bulb, dorsal cochlear nucleus and branchiogenic motor nuclei of the cranial nerves on the basis of the neural tracing methods and other neuroanatomical techniques. We are now studying the development of the brain of the zebra fish by use of molecular genetics to demonstrate the role of the Reelin protein in the lower vertebrates.

In addition to these neurobiologi-cal studies, we are also studying the gross anatomy of primates including humans, especially the morphological aspects of the lower limbs and their innervation pattern, to elucidate the evolu-tion of erect bipedalism. We teach human anatomy including gross anatomy, neuroanatomy and embryology for medical students and contribute to undergraduate education.

Physiology and Cell Biology Physiology and Cell BiologyResearch Fields Research Fields

Naoaki Saito, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Tatsushi Toda, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Hideki Enomoto, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Toshio Terashima, M.D.Professor

10 11

Molecular Brain ScienceNeural Differentiation andRegeneration

Anatomy and Developmental Neurobiology

Neuronal Signaling

The Division of Neuronal Signaling investigates the elucidation of cellular functions in various tissues inside the human body at the gene and protein levels, expecting to unravel the relevance between signal transduction mechanisms or protein modifica-tions and human diseases. We dedicate our efforts in research to the eventual discovery of novel therapeutics or drugs.1. Research on the abnormalities of the intracellular signal trans-duction mechanism in the onset of neurodegenerativediseases (e.g. spinocerebellar ataxia, Parkinson’s disease, etc.) 2. Research on the following issues using genetically modifiedmice: 1) development and maintenance of inner ear hair cells, 2) development and lamination of cerebellar cortex, 3) func-tional recovery after brain injury, 4) formation of skin tissues:epidermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue

3. Analysis of physi-o l o g i c a l a n dpathophysiologicalfunctions of superox-ide and deve lop-m e n t o f n o v e lt h e r a p y a g a i n s tsuperoxide-relateddiseases4. The elucidation ofphysiological andpathophysiological

roles of protein post-translational modifications, especially phosphorylation, s-nitrosylation, and s-palmitoylation5. Research on the streamlining and universalization of massspectrometry-based identification methods of proteins taking part in intracellular signal transduction or causing disease, and research on the standardization of terminology in mass spec-trometry

Our laboratory consists of four main staff members, graduate students of the Graduate School of Medicine (PhD and master’s courses), and residents. Also, a number of trans-frontier researchers from outside of Kobe University work here with us on our investigations into intraneuronal signal transduction con-tributing their own unique perspectives.

The Division of Molecular Brain Science focuses its studies on neuromuscular diseases and brain functions in the joint frame of basic and clinical medicines with the Division of Neurology of the Department of Internal Medicine. Our research aim is to understand molecular mechanisms of diseases and brain func-tion, and ultimately to develop therapeutic and diagnosis strate-gies. We take various research approaches including genome analyses, proteomics, cellular biology, glycobiology, and genetic engineering.

Muscular dystrophy is a single gene disorder, categorized into over 30 disease types according to the type of responsible gene and its hereditary form. Cur-rently, there is no effective treat-ment for muscular dystrophies. We are trying to identify the responsible genes, elucidate

pathology and pathogenesis, and establish therapeutic ways, by applying state-of-the-art technologies in the various fields such as molecular genetics, biochemistry, cellular biology, and glyco-biology. Our laboratory has recently elucidated the pathogenesis of Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy, and successfully offered quite a new avenue to its effective therapy. We have also engaged in the establishment of novel disease concept, “glycosylation-defective muscular dystrophy”.

Most cases of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are multifactorial disorders caused by combinations of genetic and environmental factors. The identification of a disease susceptibil-ity gene is an important subject for such complex disorders. We are targeting the identification of disease susceptibility genes in neurodegenerative diseases for the establishment of personal-ized medicine. We also conduct drug discovery studies using disease model iPS cells and functional genomics.

Humans and chimpanzees h a v e v e r y s im i l a r DNA sequences. An intr iguing question of interest focus is why only humans ut i l i ze h igher in te l l i gence and language. Our laboratory investigates this subject by means of gene expression, epigenetic, and genetic poly-morphism analyses. We also seek to identify of causative genes for human mental retardation, as well as genes involved in gen-eral cognitive ability (g factor, intelligence). We are hoping to shed light on the interrelationship of environmental/life-style factors and genetic factors, which affect human intelligence.

We are interested in molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the nervous system. By using mice as a model organism and by functionally combining genetic, biochemical and molecular biological approaches, we investigate the behav-ior of molecules and cells that regulate neural development. We also investigate pathogenetic mechanisms underlying develop-mental disorders of the nervous system by generating and examining mouse models of such diseases. Our goal is to obtain molecular insights into the development and pathology of the nervous system and to apply that knowledge to the develop-ment of novel strategies for the treatment of disorders of the nervous system. Our three major ongoing research themes are as follows:

1. To elucidate the physiological functionof the GDNF Family Ligands and theirreceptorsThe GDNF Family Ligands and theirreceptors play essential roles in develop-ment of various neuronal populations inthe central and peripheral nervoussystems. We investigate how signalingmediated by these ligands influencesneurons and their progenitors and regu-lates neural development.

2. To understand the mechanisms underlying the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS)The ENS regulates the motility, secretion and blood flow of the gut, and is thus vital to the maintenance of animal life. One ofthe amazing features of the ENS is that it can exert its basicfunction without inputs from the brain, for which reason theENS is often called ‘the second brain.’ We investigate thebehavior of cells that governs a given step of the ENS develop-ment and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

3. To unravel the molecular mechanism underlying neurocris-topathyNeural crest cells are multipotent cells that can differentiateinto various cell types including cells in the peripheral nervous system, pigment cells, cartilage and bone. Failure in develop-ment and differentiation of neural crest cells leads to a widevariety of diseases known in humans as neurocristopathies.Through our research, we seek to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesisof neuroblastomaand Hirschsprungdisease, two majord e v e l o pm e n t a ldisorders in pediatric a n d p e d i a t r i csurgery practices.

We are studying the abnormal structures of the cent ra l ne rvous system of the Reelin-deficient mouse, reeler, and Dab1 -defic i en t mouse, yotari, to eluci-da t e t he mo l e cu l a r mechan i sms o f t h e Reelin signaling path-way. Reeler and yotari m ice a re autosomal

recessive mutant mice, characterized by cerebellar ataxia. In these mutant mice, the structures of the cerebral and cerebellar cortices and hippocampus are disrupted. We have demonstrated abnormal cytoarchitecture of the superior colliculus, olfactory bulb, dorsal cochlear nucleus and branchiogenic motor nuclei of the cranial nerves on the basis of the neural tracing methods and other neuroanatomical techniques. We are now studying the development of the brain of the zebra fish by use of molecular genetics to demonstrate the role of the Reelin protein in the lower vertebrates.

In addition to these neurobiologi-cal studies, we are also studying the gross anatomy of primates including humans, especially the morphological aspects of the lower limbs and their innervation pattern, to elucidate the evolu-tion of erect bipedalism. We teach human anatomy including gross anatomy, neuroanatomy and embryology for medical students and contribute to undergraduate education.

Physiology and Cell Biology Physiology and Cell BiologyResearch Fields Research Fields

Naoaki Saito, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


Hideki Enomoto, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Toshio Terashima, M.D.Professor

10 11

Molecular BiologyBiochemistryComparative Pathophys-iology

Vascular Biology

The Division of Vascular Biology is devoted to investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels in mammals, using genetically modified mice or in vitro differentiation culture of ES cells.

Blood vessels and lymphatic vessels play pivotal roles in fluid homeostasis, being distr ibuted among a lmos t a l l t i s sues ac ross the human body. Both vessels are formed as a minimal tubular structure of s i n g l e - l a y e r e d endothelial cells. The blood vascular system includes the closed circulatory system, composed of arteries, veins, and capillaries. The lymphatic vascular system initiates as blind ends in periph-eral tissues and connects to veins near the venous angle. We are particularly interested in anatomical distribution and the mor-phological diversity of these vascular systems.

Our specific research themes are as follows:1. Mechanisms maintaining the separation between bloodvessels and lymphatic vessels2. Roles of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) receptorsin vascular development and fluid homeostasis3. Regulatory mechanisms of lymphatic endothelial cells byAspp1 and its related molecules We feel that elucidating the developmental vascular processes from endothelial cell differentiation/diversification to morpho-genesis will contribute to future developments in evaluationand regulation of pathological vessels in diseases.

In recent years, ultrasonography is routinely applied during human pregnancy, and various intrauter-ine cases have been observed. As one case among these, nuchal edema (increased Nuchal Translu-cency) still remains unexplained, and it is now becoming an object of public concern. We hope our studies in mice lead to the devel-opment of future therapeutics for human fetuses, through identify-ing causes in developmental genetic studies using mice and elucidating the pathologies and prognoses of individual cases.

The aim of our research in the Division of Molecular Biology is to elucidate the mechanisms of cancer formation and, based on that, develop innovative anti-cancer drugs.

In particular, we focus on the Ras family small G proteins (e.g. Ras, the ras oncogene products, and their homologues such as Rap1, etc.), which constitute intracellular signaling pathways regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as their downstream target proteins (effectors) and upstream regulatory proteins (guanine nucleotide exchange factors).

The characteristic of our research is to use a wide variety of methodologies ranging from those at the atomic level, exempli-fied by three-dimensional structure analyses of proteins by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or X-ray crys-tallography, and in silico drug discovery based on the structural

information, through those at the molecular and cellular level, exemplified by drug d i s c o v e r y u s i n g h i g h throughput screening, to those at the whole-body level, exemplified by analy-ses of higher order functions using genetically modified mice.

Our ongoing research themes are as follows:1. Structural analysis of the molecular mechanism for the confor-mational dynamics of the GTP-bound form of Ras proteins2. Discovery of anti-cancer drugs molecularly targeting Ras pro-teins by applying in silico docking simulation based on thestructural information on a novel three-dimensional structureof the GTP-bound form of Ras proteins3. Analyses of the function and the action mechanism of phos-pholipase Cε (PLCε), an effector of Ras and Rap1, in carcino-genesis and inflammation4. Discovery of new cancer-preventive drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs molecularly targeting PLCε by highthroughput screening5. Analyses of the function and the action mechanism of RA-GEF-1 (Rapgef2) and RA-GEF-2 (Rapgef6), guanine nucleotideexchange factorsfor Rap1, in cere-bral cortex forma-t ion (migrat ionand localization of neural progenitorcells), blood vessel f o rma t i on andspermatogenesis

In the Division of Biochemistry, we are currently investigatingthe mechanism of cellular signaling through lipid mediators. We focus on phosphatidic acid as a glycerophospholipid and sphin-gosine 1-phosphate (S1P) as a sphingolipid for the understand-ing of physiological mechanisms underlying cell proliferation and differentiation as well as pathogenesis of cancers and neu-rodegenerative disorders. However, we place greater weight on sphingolipid research these days.

It is well known that S1P plays impor tant ro les as a l ip id mediator in the regulation of cell proliferation, angiogenesis and immunity. In addition, we have recently reported that S1P causes glutamate release from hippocampal neurons and that S1P regulates maturation of exosomal multivesicular endo-somes. We will contribute to

the understanding of molecular mechanisms of memory and learning and pathogenesis of incurable diseases such as malig-nant transformation of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease by making further advances in our sphingolipid research.

As for student education, we give lectures on biochemistry to 2nd year medical students. We emphasize understanding biological phenomena on a molecular basis. We expect the students to understand how chemical energy is obtained from foods through digestion and adsorption, and how energy is utilized for biological activities. In addition, we discuss nutrition, vitamins and responses to environmental stress for the mainte-nance of human health.

Development of prevention or treatment strategies deeply depend on studies using suitable animal models corresponding to the pathophysiology of human disease. One of the primary causes of cardiovascular diseases, which is the leading cause of death in the world, is lipid metabolism disorder. In the metabo-lism of lipoproteins which transport lipids in blood flow, rabbits have similar metabolic pathways to humans, while mice or rats

including genetically modified models are far different from humans. Recently, statins, potent hypocholesterolemic agents, are administered to more than 40 million patients in the world. WHHL rabbits (an animal model of hyperlipi-demia and atherosclerosis) developed in Kobe University, not mice nor rats, contributed to the development of statins.

T h e D i v i s i o n o f C omp a r a t i v e Pathophysiology was established in 2012. We investigate into atherosclero-sis, acute coronary syndromes (general term of acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, and sudden cardiac death), lipid-lowering agents, and anti-atherosclerotic compounds, using WHHLMI rabbits in collaboration with the Institute for Experimental Animals. The WHHLMI rabbit is an improved strain of the WHHL rabbit, and shows spontaneous hypercholes-terolemia, coronary atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction.

1. Studies on atherosclerosis: We perform research on the serum markers related to destabi-lization of coronary atheromatous plaques, which affects theonset of acute coronary syndromes, and research intocommon sites of vulnerable lesions in the coronary arteries.

2. Studies on acute coronary syndromes: Detailed pathogenesis in acute coronary syndromes has notbeen elucidated. We attempt to clarify the mechanism of theonset of acute coronary syndromes by reproducing thedisease experimentally.

3. Studies on hypolipidemic agents and anti-atheroscleroticagents: Since statins were launched, other lipid-lowering agents oranti-atherosclerotic agents which outperform statins have not yetbeen developed. We investigatethe hypolipidemic effects and/oranti-atherosclerotic effects ofseed compounds using WHHLMIrabbits.

Physiology and Cell Biology Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyResearch Fields Research Fields

Masanori Hirashima, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor

Tohru Kataoka, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Shun-ichi Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Masashi Shiomi, Ph.D.Associate Professor

12 13

Molecular BiologyBiochemistryComparative Pathophys-iology

Vascular Biology

The Division of Vascular Biology is devoted to investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels in mammals, using genetically modified mice or in vitro differentiation culture of ES cells.

Blood vessels and lymphatic vessels play pivotal roles in fluid homeostasis, being distr ibuted among a lmos t a l l t i s sues ac ross the human body. Both vessels are formed as a minimal tubular structure of s i n g l e - l a y e r e d endothelial cells. The blood vascular system includes the closed circulatory system, composed of arteries, veins, and capillaries. The lymphatic vascular system initiates as blind ends in periph-eral tissues and connects to veins near the venous angle. We are particularly interested in anatomical distribution and the mor-phological diversity of these vascular systems.

Our specific research themes are as follows:1. Mechanisms maintaining the separation between bloodvessels and lymphatic vessels2. Roles of vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) receptorsin vascular development and fluid homeostasis3. Regulatory mechanisms of lymphatic endothelial cells byAspp1 and its related molecules We feel that elucidating the developmental vascular processes from endothelial cell differentiation/diversification to morpho-genesis will contribute to future developments in evaluationand regulation of pathological vessels in diseases.

In recent years, ultrasonography is routinely applied during human pregnancy, and various intrauter-ine cases have been observed. As one case among these, nuchal edema (increased Nuchal Translu-cency) still remains unexplained, and it is now becoming an object of public concern. We hope our studies in mice lead to the devel-opment of future therapeutics for human fetuses, through identify-ing causes in developmental genetic studies using mice and elucidating the pathologies and prognoses of individual cases.

The aim of our research in the Division of Molecular Biology is to elucidate the mechanisms of cancer formation and, based on that, develop innovative anti-cancer drugs.

In particular, we focus on the Ras family small G proteins (e.g. Ras, the ras oncogene products, and their homologues such as Rap1, etc.), which constitute intracellular signaling pathways regulating cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as their downstream target proteins (effectors) and upstream regulatory proteins (guanine nucleotide exchange factors).

The characteristic of our research is to use a wide variety of methodologies ranging from those at the atomic level, exempli-fied by three-dimensional structure analyses of proteins by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or X-ray crys-tallography, and in silico drug discovery based on the structural

information, through those at the molecular and cellular level, exemplified by drug d i s c o v e r y u s i n g h i g h throughput screening, to those at the whole-body level, exemplified by analy-ses of higher order functions using genetically modified mice.

Our ongoing research themes are as follows:1. Structural analysis of the molecular mechanism for the confor-mational dynamics of the GTP-bound form of Ras proteins2. Discovery of anti-cancer drugs molecularly targeting Ras pro-teins by applying in silico docking simulation based on thestructural information on a novel three-dimensional structureof the GTP-bound form of Ras proteins3. Analyses of the function and the action mechanism of phos-pholipase Cε (PLCε), an effector of Ras and Rap1, in carcino-genesis and inflammation4. Discovery of new cancer-preventive drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs molecularly targeting PLCε by highthroughput screening5. Analyses of the function and the action mechanism of RA-GEF-1 (Rapgef2) and RA-GEF-2 (Rapgef6), guanine nucleotideexchange factorsfor Rap1, in cere-bral cortex forma-t ion (migrat ionand localization of neural progenitorcells), blood vessel f o rma t i on andspermatogenesis

In the Division of Biochemistry, we are currently investigating the mechanism of cellular signaling through lipid mediators. We focus on phosphatidic acid as a glycerophospholipid and sphin-gosine 1-phosphate (S1P) as a sphingolipid for the understand-ing of physiological mechanisms underlying cell proliferation and differentiation as well as pathogenesis of cancers and neu-rodegenerative disorders. However, we place greater weight on sphingolipid research these days.

It is well known that S1P plays impor tant ro les as a l ip id mediator in the regulation of cell proliferation, angiogenesis and immunity. In addition, we have recently reported that S1P causes glutamate release from hippocampal neurons and that S1P regulates maturation of exosomal multivesicular endo-somes. We will contribute to

the understanding of molecular mechanisms of memory and learning and pathogenesis of incurable diseases such as malig-nant transformation of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease by making further advances in our sphingolipid research.

As for student education, we give lectures on biochemistry to 2nd year medical students. We emphasize understanding biological phenomena on a molecular basis. We expect the students to understand how chemical energy is obtained from foods through digestion and adsorption, and how energy is utilized for biological activities. In addition, we discuss nutrition, vitamins and responses to environmental stress for the mainte-nance of human health.

Development of prevention or treatment strategies deeply depend on studies using suitable animal models corresponding to the pathophysiology of human disease. One of the primary causes of cardiovascular diseases, which is the leading cause of death in the world, is lipid metabolism disorder. In the metabo-lism of lipoproteins which transport lipids in blood flow, rabbits have similar metabolic pathways to humans, while mice or rats

including genetically modified models are far different from humans. Recently, statins, potent hypocholesterolemic agents, are administered to more than 40 million patients in the world. WHHL rabbits (an animal model of hyperlipi-demia and atherosclerosis) developed in Kobe University, not mice nor rats, contributed to the development of statins.

T h e D i v i s i o n o f C omp a r a t i v e Pathophysiology was established in 2012. We investigate into atherosclero-sis, acute coronary syndromes (general term of acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, and sudden cardiac death), lipid-lowering agents, and anti-atherosclerotic compounds, using WHHLMI rabbits in collaboration with the Institute for Experimental Animals. The WHHLMI rabbit is an improved strain of the WHHL rabbit, and shows spontaneous hypercholes-terolemia, coronary atherosclerosis, and myocardial infarction.

1. Studies on atherosclerosis: We perform research on the serum markers related to destabi-lization of coronary atheromatous plaques, which affects theonset of acute coronary syndromes, and research intocommon sites of vulnerable lesions in the coronary arteries.

2. Studies on acute coronary syndromes: Detailed pathogenesis in acute coronary syndromes has notbeen elucidated. We attempt to clarify the mechanism of theonset of acute coronary syndromes by reproducing thedisease experimentally.

3. Studies on hypolipidemic agents and anti-atheroscleroticagents: Since statins were launched, other lipid-lowering agents oranti-atherosclerotic agents which outperform statins have not yetbeen developed. We investigatethe hypolipidemic effects and/oranti-atherosclerotic effects ofseed compounds using WHHLMIrabbits.

Physiology and Cell Biology Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyResearch Fields Research Fields

Masanori Hirashima, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor

Tohru Kataoka, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Shun-ichi Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Masashi Shiomi, Ph.D.Associate Professor

12 13

PharmacokineticsPharmacologySignal Transduction Molecular and Cellular Signaling

The Division of Molecular and Cellular Signaling aims to eluci-date the novel signal transduction mechanisms within or between cells, expected to be essential in many areas of life science. We identify these novel signaling molecules, and con-duct analyses on their functions applying a wide variety of research methods in biochemical, molecular biological, cell biological, or cell technological ways.

In particular, we are interested in intracellular signaling path-ways through protein tyrosine-phosphorylation. This signaling pathway plays a vital role in regulating cell functions which are the bases of biological phenomena such as cell proliferation, adhesion, movement, and metabolism, and higher biological functions including nervous and immune systems. We have recently found the CD47-SIRPα system, a novel cell-cell commu-nication system, which is related to the signaling pathways through protein tyrosine-phosphorylation. Further research on its physiological functions and pathological significance is currently being explored.

Furthermore, we are now involved in studies on the regulation system of cellular lifespan. It is well known that the cells compos-ing each individual tissue have their own lifespans. We are inves-tigating how the lifespans of these differentiated cells are regu-lated by internal and external factors, how the homeostasis of each tissue is maintained, and how the disruption of such regu-lation will affect the pathogenesis.

Our laboratory eventually aims to conduct investigations whose results would effectively contribute to the diagnosis and treat-ment of various diseases such as carcinoma, neuro-logical disorders, metabo l i c and endocrine disor-ders, arterioscle-r o s i s , a u t o im -mune diseases, and others.

The Division of Pharmacokinetics and the Division of Pharma-ceutics are research fields closely linked to the Department of Pharmacy at our University Hospital. Our mission is to provide education and to conduct research for the appropriate use of drugs. We provide our programs not only to the medical students, but also to the students of the Faculty of Health Science or outside pharmacy school students. Highlighting the significance and risks in pharmacotherapeutics as well as the appropriate use of medical drugs for medical professional students is imperative, because they will soon be involved in clinical practice of highly advanced and innovative services.

Pharmacokinetics is a science which elucidates drug behaviors starting from the drug’s entry into the body, and on through its effects. We are mainly engaged in the appropriate use of anti-cancer agents, and coordinate the basic research for reducing adverse effects. Molecular targeting drugs have achieved numer-ous successful clinical results as a novel therapeutic strategy in

cancer chemo-therapy. In con-trast, however, adverse effects are still induced, a n d i m p e d e effect iveness . T h e a d v e r s e effects manage-ment is crucially impo r t a n t i n pat ients ’ con-tinuous therapy

so as to not compromise their Quality of Life. Basic studies on the mechanisms of adverse effects are considered to be highly linked to novel therapeutic strategies.

Our laboratory covers studies on nutrient and natural products as well as medical drugs. We focus on the pharmacological actions and therapeutic applications, of the essence of mush-rooms, various vitamins, and fatty acids, etc, and clinical studies, from a pharmacological view point, on skin care agents which contain herbal medicine. We drive forward collaborative studies with other universities and companies, with the cooperation of the departments of our Hospital.

Furthermore, we have established the Japanese Society of Phar-macogenomics for exploring genetic aspects which affect the individual differences of effectiveness and side effects of drugs, and we reflect their outcome information back on to pharma-cists’ activities. We now integrate numerous studies over the world as well as our own unique study results, aiming to contrib-ute to sophisticated pharmaceutical services through our presentations in conferences and lectures.

Pharmacology is a discipline which elucidates the interactions between drugs and our bodies as well as molecular mechanisms underlying pathophysiology of diseases, contributing towards the development of novel drugs and therapeutic strategies. Using multidisciplinary approaches, our laboratory aims to iden-tify molecular, cellular and neural-circuit mechanisms which regulate cognitive and emotional functions as well as their defi-cits related to psychiatric disorders.

Based on clinical stud-ies, it is established that physical and psycho-logical stress in addition to genetic susceptibility plays a critical role in the onsets and progres-s ions o f psych ia t r i c disorders. However, a

pharmaceutical strategy targeting stress has not been estab-lished, since the mechanism of action remains unclear. Using a rodent model of stress, we discovered that social stress induces structural and functional changes in the prefrontal cortex through dopaminergic projection and neuron-glia crosstalk, leading to emotional changes. We are currently pursuing molecular and cellular correlates of stress in the brain as well as functional alteration of a broader neural network underlying stress-related pathophysiology.

To be hypothesis-driven, our research employs multidisciplinary techniques from molecular, cellular, systems and behavioral neu-roscience. Besides conventional techniques, we have introduced and developed cutting-edge technologies, such as fluorescent visualization of specific neuronal circuits, optogenetic and phar-macogenomic manipulation of neuronal activity, and molecular manipulation and transcriptome analysis with high spatiotem-poral precision. In parallel, we attempt to establish cell-based assays with primary cultures exploitable for efficient drug discov-ery for psychiatric disorders.

In addition to the research activities, our division devotes every effort in our graduate programs to fostering advanced pharma-cologists who wish to pursue basic and translational research; and in our undergraduate programs to fostering physicians and clinician scientists who can com-prehend and think logi-cally about pathophysiol-ogy and drug behaviors at the molecular, cellular and systems levels.

The Division of Signal Transduction was founded in 2009. We are engaged in basic research on abnormalities in signal transduc-tion in human diseases, such as cancer, lifestyle-related diseases including atherosclerosis, and dementia.

It is notable that the human body is composed of around 37 trillion cells. Differentiated cells sense respective environmental changes in surroundings and external stimuli. The cells respond to these stimuli to exert their specific functions. Through the receptors receiving the signals from outside of the cells, the signals are transmitted to intracellular molecules. Signal trans-duction pathways in cells are thus activated.

What sort of signaling regulates normal cellular functions? What sort of abnormalities in signaling arise in cells when humans get sick? By what mechanisms do such signaling aberrations trigger the onsets and developments of human diseases? And, why do such signaling aberrations occur? The Division of Signal Trans-duction conducts a wide range of analyses on the above issues at the cellular level up through the whole-body level. Miscom-munications in signal transduction are categorized in two types: disease-oriented specific aberrations and common aberrations observed in various types of diseases. We perform pathological analyses from the view point of signal transduction, aiming at the practical basic research whose results can lead to the devel-opments in drug discovery and for novel diagnostic/therapeutic methods.

Our laboratory staff, consisting of basic medical scientists and clinicians, cooperate with other departments and divisions from areas of both basic and clinical medicine of our Graduate Schoo l o f Medicine to implement t h e au then t i c a l l y -synthesized research of basic and clinical medi-cines.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Takashi Matozaki, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Midori Hirai, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Tomoyuki Furuyashiki, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Yoshiyuki Rikitake, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor

Research Fields Research Fields

14 15

Molecular Medicine and MedicalGenetics

Diagnostic PathologyPathology Pathology Network

A disease causes a given morphological alteration to human organs, tissues and cells through various molecular changes. Pathologists detect the change of shape with the naked eye as well as under the microscope and provide the final diagnosis of the disease during clinical practice. We are conducting our research to elucidate the mechanisms of the change of shape and to apply the results to diagnosis and treatment of alimen-tary tract cancers at the Division of Pathology. We have reported the significance of cancer-stromal interactions between gastric or colorectal cancer and fibroblast or mesenchymal stem cells on the characteristic morphogenesis and acquisition or mainte-nance of cancer stem cells. We are now accumulating new scien-tific findings on the interaction of cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages on carcinogenesis and the progression of human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.

We are in charge of the educat ion of Pathology for 3rd grade (through the yea r ) , d i agnos i s practice in Bed Side L e a r n i ng o f 5 t h grade (through the y e a r ) , a n d c a s e p r e s en t a t i on o f autopsy cases at Union Lecture of 6 th g rade (upon

request) of Medical Students. In addition, we are committed to early research education throughout the course of Medical School with the students wishing to work with us.

We are responsible for conducting Pathological Autopsies at Kobe University Hospital on about 50 cases per year. We arrange a Clinico-Pathological Conference (CPC) for every case and report the final diagnosis six months after autopsy at the earliest. We are also in charge of the instruction and evaluation of CPC Reports for the Early Phase Residents of the Hospital. We hold an additional post at the Division of Diagnostic Pathology at the University Hospital conducting the histopathological diagnosis o f endoscop i -ca l l y resectedalimentary tractcancers with theins t ruc t ion o fR e s i d e n t s a tD i a g n o s t i cPathology.

The Division of Molecular Medicine and Medical Genetics of the Department of Pathology in the Graduate School of Medicine at Kobe University conducts studies based on human pathology, emphasizing basic medicine of pathomorphology on infectious diseases and carcinoma.

Pathology is the science which studies the basis and ascertains the nature of disease. It is deep, a diversified field, where clinical and basic medicines are marvelously integrated. Although it is a field of basic medicine, we can deal with pathological diagnosis every day in hospitals, and can observe at any time how clinical practice works. We can directly receive the joy of contribution in our clinical practice through pathological diagnosis. Pathology is an elegant, rewarding science.

Regarding clinical pathol-ogy, our laboratory is mainly involved in hepatic diseases (analysis of pathomorpho-logic presentation and clini-cal manifestation of hepatic diseases, epidemiology on prognost i c fac tors and therapeutics) and hemato-logic diseases (analyses of

pathomorphologic presentation and clinical manifestation of lymphatic and reticuloendothelial system diseases, epidemiol-ogy on prognostic factors and therapeutics).

As for basic medicine, many achievements have been obtained pertaining to the function and pathology of the liver. Liver cells function as an operation center for the metabolism and play the main role of regulating eating behaviors and energy metabo-lism, in cooperation with the central nervous system. Most cases in adult diseases such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, or circula-tory disorders induced by arteriosclerosis are considered to be due to the imbalance in these regulations.

Our Molecular Medicine and Medical Genetics Division takes advantage of proven techniques and knowledge of pathology, with also applying cutting-edge advanced procedures. We are currently elucidating the above pathologies from the view of aberrations in hepatic cells, skeletal muscle, fat cells, and the central nervous system. In addition, we continue to make prog-ress in gaining concrete results which actively contribute to the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of diseases.

The Division of Diagnostic Pathology specializes in surgical pathology, providing diagnostic pathology at Kobe University Hospital. Our division consists of many expert pathologists from various areas, such as malignant lymphoma, liver, renal glomeru-lar diseases, respiratory system, and gynecology. All staff perform highly advanced diagnoses and research in each exper-tise area. We are one of the most competitive laboratories in Japan, with a large number of pathologists and state-of-the-art armamentaria, offering pathological training programs in this conducive environment. Conferences are routinely held in collaboration with other clinical departments.

We aggressively conduct research into medical technology such as immunostaining, and have gained a reputation as a central core of this area in Japan. In particular, our research on the development of practical therapy with multiplex immunohis-tochemistry has recently come to receive attention. Currently, we also focus on implementing digital pathology. By connecting the network to rural pathologists using this technology, we are going to deliver telediagnoses and foster human resources in distant places. For a domestic audience, we actively hold semi-nars. We have also introduced molecular techniques for diag-nostic purposes, such as mass spectrometer as well as FISH and PCR.

Pathology Pathology

Hiroshi Yokozaki, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Section of Pathology Network was newly established in 2014. In addition to pathological diagnosis at the clinical site of Kobe University Hospital, we are also engaged in research activi-ties and provide education to faculty students and residents. We devote every effort toward three of our principal destinations as

follows:1. Establishment of Pathology Network: We strive to connectKobe University Hospital and the surrounding local hospitalswith an IT network to establish a diagnosis support system. We are dedicated to the development of network technologies for high-quality pathological diagnosis, the education for younger clinician pathologists using IT networks, and the offering oftechnical assistance in advanced pathological diagnosis.2. Pathological Research: Research from the perspective of clini-cal pathology and of molecular biology using tissue samplesare our areas of expertise. In particular, the investigations ofhepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders and IgG4-relateddisease have delivered many excellent results. We furtherdevelop our research with a translational perspective, aimingat the acquisition of perceptions applicable to clinical practice.3. Fostering Younger Pathologists: The number of pathologists is critically short. Therefore, fostering younger pathologists has come to be a major issue. Fortunately, our chair has worked as a diagnostic pathologist in England. With the benefit of hisexperience, we now organize programs not only for fosteringordinary pathologists but also for highly-specialized diagnos-tic pathologists who are highly competent at global standards.

Yoh Zen, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPathProfessor

Yoshitake Hayashi, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Tomoo Itoh, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


16 17

Molecular Medicine and MedicalGenetics

Diagnostic PathologyPathology Pathology Network

A disease causes a given morphological alteration to human organs, tissues and cells through various molecular changes. Pathologists detect the change of shape with the naked eye as well as under the microscope and provide the final diagnosis of the disease during clinical practice. We are conducting our research to elucidate the mechanisms of the change of shape and to apply the results to diagnosis and treatment of alimen-tary tract cancers at the Division of Pathology. We have reported the significance of cancer-stromal interactions between gastric or colorectal cancer and fibroblast or mesenchymal stem cells on the characteristic morphogenesis and acquisition or mainte-nance of cancer stem cells. We are now accumulating new scien-tific findings on the interaction of cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages on carcinogenesis and the progression of human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.

We are in charge of the educat ion of Pathology for 3rd grade (through the yea r ) , d i agnos i s practice in Bed Side L e a r n i ng o f 5 t h grade (through the y e a r ) , a n d c a s e p r e s en t a t i on o f autopsy cases at Union Lecture of 6 th g rade (upon

request) of Medical Students. In addition, we are committed to early research education throughout the course of Medical School with the students wishing to work with us.

We are responsible for conducting Pathological Autopsies at Kobe University Hospital on about 50 cases per year. We arrangea Clinico-Pathological Conference (CPC) for every case and report the final diagnosis six months after autopsy at the earliest. We are also in charge of the instruction and evaluation of CPC Reports for the Early Phase Residents of the Hospital. We hold an additional post at the Division of Diagnostic Pathology at the University Hospital conducting the histopathological diagnosis o f endoscop i -ca l l y resectedalimentary tractcancers with theins t ruc t ion o fR e s i d e n t s a tD i a g n o s t i cPathology.

The Division of Molecular Medicine and Medical Genetics of the Department of Pathology in the Graduate School of Medicine at Kobe University conducts studies based on human pathology, emphasizing basic medicine of pathomorphology on infectious diseases and carcinoma.

Pathology is the science which studies the basis and ascertains the nature of disease. It is deep, a diversified field, where clinical and basic medicines are marvelously integrated. Although it is a field of basic medicine, we can deal with pathological diagnosis every day in hospitals, and can observe at any time how clinical practice works. We can directly receive the joy of contribution in our clinical practice through pathological diagnosis. Pathology is an elegant, rewarding science.

Regarding clinical pathol-ogy, our laboratory is mainly involved in hepatic diseases (analysis of pathomorpho-logic presentation and clini-cal manifestation of hepatic diseases, epidemiology on prognost i c fac tors and therapeutics) and hemato-logic diseases (analyses of

pathomorphologic presentation and clinical manifestation of lymphatic and reticuloendothelial system diseases, epidemiol-ogy on prognostic factors and therapeutics).

As for basic medicine, many achievements have been obtained pertaining to the function and pathology of the liver. Liver cells function as an operation center for the metabolism and play the main role of regulating eating behaviors and energy metabo-lism, in cooperation with the central nervous system. Most cases in adult diseases such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, or circula-tory disorders induced by arteriosclerosis are considered to be due to the imbalance in these regulations.

Our Molecular Medicine and Medical Genetics Division takes advantage of proven techniques and knowledge of pathology, with also applying cutting-edge advanced procedures. We are currently elucidating the above pathologies from the view of aberrations in hepatic cells, skeletal muscle, fat cells, and the central nervous system. In addition, we continue to make prog-ress in gaining concrete results which actively contribute to the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of diseases.

The Division of Diagnostic Pathology specializes in surgical pathology, providing diagnostic pathology at Kobe University Hospital. Our division consists of many expert pathologists from various areas, such as malignant lymphoma, liver, renal glomeru-lar diseases, respiratory system, and gynecology. All staff perform highly advanced diagnoses and research in each exper-tise area. We are one of the most competitive laboratories in Japan, with a large number of pathologists and state-of-the-art armamentaria, offering pathological training programs in this conducive environment. Conferences are routinely held in collaboration with other clinical departments.

We aggressively conduct research into medical technology such as immunostaining, and have gained a reputation as a central core of this area in Japan. In particular, our research on the development of practical therapy with multiplex immunohis-tochemistry has recently come to receive attention. Currently, we also focus on implementing digital pathology. By connecting the network to rural pathologists using this technology, we aregoing to deliver telediagnoses and foster human resources in distant places. For a domestic audience, we actively hold semi-nars. We have also introduced molecular techniques for diag-nostic purposes, such as mass spectrometer as well as FISH and PCR.

Pathology Pathology

Hiroshi Yokozaki, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Section of Pathology Network was newly established in 2014. In addition to pathological diagnosis at the clinical site of Kobe University Hospital, we are also engaged in research activi-ties and provide education to faculty students and residents. We devote every effort toward three of our principal destinations as

follows:1. Establishment of Pathology Network: We strive to connectKobe University Hospital and the surrounding local hospitalswith an IT network to establish a diagnosis support system. We are dedicated to the development of network technologies for high-quality pathological diagnosis, the education for younger clinician pathologists using IT networks, and the offering oftechnical assistance in advanced pathological diagnosis.2. Pathological Research: Research from the perspective of clini-cal pathology and of molecular biology using tissue samplesare our areas of expertise. In particular, the investigations ofhepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders and IgG4-relateddisease have delivered many excellent results. We furtherdevelop our research with a translational perspective, aimingat the acquisition of perceptions applicable to clinical practice.3. Fostering Younger Pathologists: The number of pathologists is critically short. Therefore, fostering younger pathologists has come to be a major issue. Fortunately, our chair has worked as a diagnostic pathologist in England. With the benefit of hisexperience, we now organize programs not only for fosteringordinary pathologists but also for highly-specialized diagnos-tic pathologists who are highly competent at global standards.

Yoh Zen, M.D., Ph.D., FRCPathProfessor




16 17

Microbiology Clinical Virology Infectious Disease Control

Infectious Disease Pathology

The Division of Microbiology is engaged in research on virus infection. Viruses cannot proliferate by themselves. They arbitrarily utilize the membranes, proteins, nucleic acids and other replication mechanisms of the host cells to proliferate. The host tries to eliminate viruses by means of its immune system. However, viruses sometimes develop persistent infections by ingeniously evading the host immune system to cause various diseases.

Our laboratory currently investigates Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Measles virus and Human papillomavirus (HPV). HCV and HBV induce serious diseases such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The measles virus is a virus that usually causes acute infection, called measles, but sometimes triggers fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. HPV is a causal virus of uterine cervical carcinoma. We execute analyses on the mechanisms of virus replication and pathogenicity, including oncogenic mechanism, by applying various approaches from virology, molecular and cellular biology, immunology, genomics and oncology. In this way, we expect to elucidate mechanisms of viral diseases and new dimensions of biological phenomena. Furthermore, we are engaged in basic research toward developing novel antiviral drugs and vaccines. We have an advantage in epidemiology since virus diseases are issues not only in Japan but also across the world, and need to be explored from a global perspective.

As a distinctive advantage of our graduate school, students from a wide variety of backgrounds, not only from medicine but also from pharmacy, agriculture, natural science and engineering, gather to study here. International students from different countries such as Indonesia, China, Egypt, and Singapore work together with Japanese students. Virus research is a fascinating science with which to study life science and medicine at the molecular through global levels. We welcome all students who are interested in the elucidation of “the secret of life”.

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Microbiology and Infectious DiseasesResearch Fields Research Fields

Hak Hotta, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Clinical Virology is devoted to studies related to viral infectious diseases, especially in those caused by human herpes viruses. We have been focusing on the analysis of viral gene functions, the viral life cycle and viral-host interaction. The final goal of these studies is to elucidate the mechanism of viral diseases and finally, contribute to developing methods for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. We are also devel-oping vaccines based on the Varicella vaccine, the only licensed live vaccine for the prevention of human herpes virus diseases. We have inserted alien antigen gene(s) into the viral genome to construct a polyvalent varicella vaccine, as a result, the vaccine can protect people from pathogens, in addition to the varicella zoster virus.

Besides viral research, we also focus on education. Both medical students and graduate students are studying in our division. Those students are not only trained in experimental skills, but also in how to design those experiments. We hope they will become skilled and knowledgeable young researchers or medi-cal doctors enthusiastic about medical research.

We have been collaborating with laboratories from the around the world and foreign students and researchers are studying in our laboratory. We hope these activities will contribute not only to the progress of research, but also to cross-cultural communi-cation.

Yasuko Mori, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

For the control of current infectious diseases, research on a global scale is required for enacting countermeasures. World-wide, the cause of death (COD) due to infectious diseases accounts for one fourth of all CODs, and one third of the burden of diseases. Infectious diseases are spreading through the mechanism of transfiguration of the global ecosystem, including global warming, haphazard urbanization and population con-centration, increasing interactions of people and goods along with globalization, and degradation of the hygienic environment due to natural/artificial disasters. Most of the CODs, particularly regarding children in developing countries, are infectious diseases. Pneumonia and diarrhea both rank high in child COD. We are striving to initiate global epidemiological studies linking to strategies for controlling infectious diseases and the develop-ment of tools for infection control.

Overseas epidemiological studies are mainly conducted in Indo-nesia, based in the collaborative research core for infectious diseases of Kobe University in Indonesia. We have recently executed a molecular epidemiological survey targeting intestinal infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, and diarrhe-agenic Escherichia coli. Also, we are currently focusing on multidrug-resistant bacteria, which have come to be a world-wide problem lately, in cooperation with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

In recent years, associated with advances in molecular biology, the application of biotechnology to tools for infection control has been rapidly improving. We are investigating the develop-ment of an oral vaccine with Bifidobacteria as a platform, a novel vaccine using biological formulation (biologics). To date, various oral vaccines for typhoid fever, chronic hepatitis C, and influenza have been generated experimentally, resulting in excellent datain basic studies.

All through the research themes as above, we are aiming to perform translational medicine in the area of infectious diseases, applying the results obtained in our laboratory to the clinical field, and in return, analyzing the questions emerging from the field research in our laboratory.

Toshiro Shirakawa, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Infectious Disease Pathology of the Graduate School of Medicine at Kobe University has executed significant collaboration and cooperation with many overseas countries, through studies and education programs on infectious diseases, especially viral hepatitis. This has yielded superior contributions to science and technology, and we will continue our quiet dedi-cation through research on infectious diseases from a global perspective.

Currently, we are furthering r e s e a r c h o n e l u c i d a t i n g m o l e c u l a r b i o l o g i c a l mechanisms in i n f e c t i o u s disease trans-mission and in

carcinogenesis associated with infectious diseases, constructing a defense system against the spread of infectious diseases, applying state-of-the-art, advanced medical technologies, and analyses on the diverse virus genome including hepatitis virus and their pathologies.

It is notable that our laboratory has been designated as a research core in the Japan Initiative for Global Research Network on Infectious Diseases (J-GRID, former name: the Program of Founding Research Centers for Emerging and Reemerging Infec-tious Diseases) conducted by the MEXT, Japan, since 2007, and plays a pivotal role in Japanese research activities, assuming great social responsibility.

We aim to treat and exterminate human diseases. Looking to the future, we expect to develop more efficient diagnostic and therapeutic drugs and preventive vaccines, based on epidemio-logical and basic medical research results.

Our primary mission is to achieve significant results which con-tribute to society, to foster people who will bring benefits to society, and to put them safely out into society. Many overseas students take our courses. We thus deliver good opportunities for Japanese students to cultivate more cosmopolitan ways of thinking. We welcome young people who desire to work in the global community, using their skills and knowledge in basic research of leading-edge fields in life science, such as microbiology, immunology, infectious disease medi-cine, or pathology.


18 19

Microbiology Clinical Virology Infectious Disease Control

Infectious Disease Pathology

The Division of Microbiology is engaged in research on virus infection. Viruses cannot proliferate by themselves. They arbitrarily utilize the membranes, proteins, nucleic acids and other replication mechanisms of the host cells to proliferate. The host tries to eliminate viruses by means of its immune system. However, viruses sometimes develop persistent infections by ingeniously evading the host immune system to cause various diseases.

Our laboratory currently investigates Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Measles virus and Human papillomavirus (HPV). HCV and HBV induce serious diseases such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The measles virus is a virus that usually causes acute infection, called measles, but sometimes triggers fatal subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. HPV is a causal virus of uterine cervical carcinoma. We execute analyses on the mechanisms of virus replication and pathogenicity, including oncogenic mechanism, by applying various approaches from virology, molecular and cellular biology, immunology, genomics and oncology. In this way, we expect to elucidate mechanisms of viral diseases and new dimensions of biological phenomena. Furthermore, we are engaged in basic research toward developing novel antiviral drugs and vaccines. We have an advantage in epidemiology since virus diseases are issues not only in Japan but also across the world, and need to be explored from a global perspective.

As a distinctive advantage of our graduate school, students from a wide variety of backgrounds, not only from medicine but also from pharmacy, agriculture, natural science and engineering, gather to study here. International students from different countries such as Indonesia, China, Egypt, and Singapore work together with Japanese students. Virus research is a fascinating science with which to study life science and medicine at the molecular through global levels. We welcome all students who are interested in the elucidation of “the secret of life”.

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Microbiology and Infectious DiseasesResearch Fields Research Fields

Hak Hotta, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Clinical Virology is devoted to studies related to viral infectious diseases, especially in those caused by human herpes viruses. We have been focusing on the analysis of viral gene functions, the viral life cycle and viral-host interaction. The final goal of these studies is to elucidate the mechanism of viral diseases and finally, contribute to developing methods for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. We are also devel-oping vaccines based on the Varicella vaccine, the only licensed live vaccine for the prevention of human herpes virus diseases. We have inserted alien antigen gene(s) into the viral genome to construct a polyvalent varicella vaccine, as a result, the vaccine can protect people from pathogens, in addition to the varicella zoster virus.

Besides viral research, we also focus on education. Both medical students and graduate students are studying in our division. Those students are not only trained in experimental skills, but also in how to design those experiments. We hope they will become skilled and knowledgeable young researchers or medi-cal doctors enthusiastic about medical research.

We have been collaborating with laboratories from the around the world and foreign students and researchers are studying in our laboratory. We hope these activities will contribute not only to the progress of research, but also to cross-cultural communi-cation.

Yasuko Mori, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

For the control of current infectious diseases, research on a global scale is required for enacting countermeasures. World-wide, the cause of death (COD) due to infectious diseases accounts for one fourth of all CODs, and one third of the burden of diseases. Infectious diseases are spreading through the mechanism of transfiguration of the global ecosystem, including global warming, haphazard urbanization and population con-centration, increasing interactions of people and goods along with globalization, and degradation of the hygienic environment due to natural/artificial disasters. Most of the CODs, particularly regarding children in developing countries, are infectious diseases. Pneumonia and diarrhea both rank high in child COD. We are striving to initiate global epidemiological studies linking to strategies for controlling infectious diseases and the develop-ment of tools for infection control.

Overseas epidemiological studies are mainly conducted in Indo-nesia, based in the collaborative research core for infectious diseases of Kobe University in Indonesia. We have recently executed a molecular epidemiological survey targeting intestinal infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, and diarrhe-agenic Escherichia coli. Also, we are currently focusing on multidrug-resistant bacteria, which have come to be a world-wide problem lately, in cooperation with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

In recent years, associated with advances in molecular biology, the application of biotechnology to tools for infection control has been rapidly improving. We are investigating the develop-ment of an oral vaccine with Bifidobacteria as a platform, a novel vaccine using biological formulation (biologics). To date, various oral vaccines for typhoid fever, chronic hepatitis C, and influenza have been generated experimentally, resulting in excellent data in basic studies.

All through the research themes as above, we are aiming to perform translational medicine in the area of infectious diseases, applying the results obtained in our laboratory to the clinical field, and in return, analyzing the questions emerging from the field research in our laboratory.


The Division of Infectious Disease Pathology of the Graduate School of Medicine at Kobe University has executed significant collaboration and cooperation with many overseas countries, through studies and education programs on infectious diseases, especially viral hepatitis. This has yielded superior contributions to science and technology, and we will continue our quiet dedi-cation through research on infectious diseases from a global perspective.

Currently, we are furthering r e s e a r c h o n e l u c i d a t i n g m o l e c u l a r b i o l o g i c a l mechanisms in i n f e c t i o u s disease trans-mission and in

carcinogenesis associated with infectious diseases, constructing a defense system against the spread of infectious diseases, applying state-of-the-art, advanced medical technologies, and analyses on the diverse virus genome including hepatitis virus and their pathologies.

It is notable that our laboratory has been designated as a research core in the Japan Initiative for Global Research Network on Infectious Diseases (J-GRID, former name: the Program of Founding Research Centers for Emerging and Reemerging Infec-tious Diseases) conducted by the MEXT, Japan, since 2007, and plays a pivotal role in Japanese research activities, assuming great social responsibility.

We aim to treat and exterminate human diseases. Looking to the future, we expect to develop more efficient diagnostic and therapeutic drugs and preventive vaccines, based on epidemio-logical and basic medical research results.

Our primary mission is to achieve significant results which con-tribute to society, to foster people who will bring benefits to society, and to put them safely out into society. Many overseas students take our courses. We thus deliver good opportunities for Japanese students to cultivate more cosmopolitan ways of thinking. We welcome young people who desire to work in the global community, using their skills and knowledge in basic research of leading-edge fields in life science, such as microbiology, immunology, infectious disease medi-cine, or pathology.


18 19

Infectious Diseases Therapeutics

Medical Education Community Medicine and MedicalEducation

Food and Drug EvaluationScience

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases/Social/Community Medicine and Health ScienceResearch Fields Research Fields Social/Community Medicine and Health Science

Kentaro Iwata, MD, MSc, FACP, FIDSAProfessor

The Section of Community Medicine and Medical Education was founded in 2014. In the expectation of improved and qualified community medicine, we now devote our effort to developing effective education on community medicine, researching how to manage common health problems, recommending efficient delivery system of community medicine based on the analyses of medical resources, and validating the efficacy of genetic test-ing for preventing lifestyle-related diseases.

As for education on community medicine, we have shown that clinical training is a key to strengthening students’ motivation for providing community medicine or general practice. We further proved that healthcare training, especially experiencing home medical care plays an efficient role in accelerating students’ sense of responsibility to community medicine.

Regarding the man-a g e m e n t o f c ommon hea l t h p r o b l e m s , w e assessed the ques-tion of the need to bathe while having a cold, and verified that patients with a c o l d a r e o n l y

slightly affected by bathing. And, as for the primary care delivery system, we mapped the distribution of clinics across Japan, using a geographical information system. Furthermore, we clari-fied some problems in utilizing genetic testing results, by indi-cating that providing test results of genetic assays to people is not always effective for improving their lifestyles or preventing diseases.

Concerning education, we provide novel and challenging approaches, aiming at promoting students’ motivation, reward-ing experience and cultivating their sense of responsibility in community medicine. We developed our method by performing local activities and involving people. We also planned our new program, the lectures on healthcare in collaboration with diverse professionals.

Furthermore, our laboratory cooperates with the leading section in the public health service of Hyogo Prefecture, participating in the government’s policy-making on community medicine. By this means, as a think-tank, we reflect the beneficial o u t c om e s f r o m o u rresearch/education activi-ties back on to communitymedic ine and into themedical policies of ourcommunity.

Masanobu Okayama, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

In the field of medical research, investigations have been executed traditionally and mostly targeting certain diseases, their mechanisms, or treatment methods. In recent years, people are facing a super-aging society, and heightened attention to health span is increasing. Novel health management methods, functional food, and dietary supplements for preventing diseases or promoting good health, are all strongly recom-mended in addition to prior and existing therapeutics. However, these health management methods, functional foods, and dietary supplements are rather mild in their effects in compari-son with existing therapies or medical drugs. Due to this fact, long-term data collection from large-scaled groups is often needed, though satisfactory evaluation methods have not yet been developed. The Division of Food and Drug Evaluation Science explores the issues regarding such frameworks for implementing scientific evaluation and assessment strategies.

Our ongoing main research themes are as follows:1. Evaluation of the effects and elucidation of the action mecha-

nism of functional food and dietary supplements, using animal models such as mice

2. Design and implementation of clinical studies for evaluatinghealth management methods, functional foods, and dietarysupplements.

3. System developments in data collection, analyses, and visual-ization for clinical studies

4. Research and development of the systems for collecting, ana-lyzing, and visualizing big data concerning the issues onhealth care

Norihiro Sakamoto,M.D., Ph.D. (Medical Science),Ph.D. (Information Science)

ProfessorThe primary mission of the Division of Medical Education, founded in April 2014, is to function as a base for shaping the future medical education programs of the School of Medicine at Kobe University, and to expand plans into practical activities. We are to conduct the curriculum reform of the medical courses, focusing firstly on ECFMG certification and accreditation issues, effective in 2023.

Secondly, as a fascinating dimension of our work, we act together with the Integrated Clinical Education Center of the University Hospital and the Clinical Training and Simulation Center, which was organized for executing seamless and syn-thetic training programs on clinical medicine for students before and after graduation. One of our aims is, therefore, to create versatile simulated education programs for the improvement of

students’ comprehension, skills, and patients’ safety. We initiated “clinical care”, where we can carefully take up students’ research q u e s t i o n s o b t a i n e d through their actual expe-riences in clinical sites. What is the best way of

fostering students’ ability to be competitive professionals in today’s fast-evolving society of medicine? For this highly impor-tant, ubiquitous, and elusive question, we try to make our research activity itself capable of finding the answer, by weaving the steps - plan, do, and analysis - of our medical education research into the down-to-earth practices in clinical medicine.

Thirdly, as another attractive point, we act in concert with another Section of our Division of Medical Education, which was founded together with us. That Section of Community Medicine takes charge of the research and educational activities to foster human resources who will serve as leading roles in future com-munity medicine. The Division of Medical Education aims to function as an intersection of these two axes, and concurrently, to visualize and theorize of this crossing itself as our research target.

Fourthly, as for our laboratory’s educational responsibility, we are engaged in coordinating education programs for fostering inquisitive medical students and supporting programs for those pursuing basic medicine. By promoting the students-organized periodical workshops and thei r interact ions with younger researchers, we multi-directionally encour-age the students aspiring to be basic scientists or clinician scientists.

Seiji Kawano, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

Division of Infectious Diseases Therapeutics was founded in 2008 and it has devoted to clinical studies related to various infectious diseases. These studies include but not limited to randomized controlled trials, retrospective case-control studies, case reports/series, descriptive qualitative studies, and theory build-ing related to diagnosis/management of infectious diseases. Our area of interest in infectious diseases are very broad, which include avian/swine novel influenza, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, dengue fever, malaria and others.

Medical education is another area we are very interested in and we developed various educational tools and textbooks. We invented an educational program called HeatApp, which is a hybrid program of both problem based learning (PBL) and team based learning (TBL).

Our act iv i t ies go beyond domestic and we work in vari-o u s a r e a i n t h e world, including but not limited to Cam-bod ia , Tha i l and , Kenya, the United States , and Peru, having cooperation with many institu-

tions regarding clinical management, medical education, and research activities.

Division of Infectious Diseases deals with any kind of infections and we do take care of at both inpatient and outpatient settings. We set up an American style Infectious Diseases consultation services and do see various infections related to both medicine and surgery. We ourselves do have inpatient service and take care of various patients such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, FUO (fever of unknown origin), or various imported infections such as malaria, dengue, or typhoid fever. We work with other divisions such as Division of General Medicine, or Critical Care closely, and take care of patients in holistic, and team based approach so that patients receive ideal care. We also work closely with Department of Infection Control, Department of Pharmacy, and Department of Labora-tory Medicine, and take part in Infection Control, management of multi-resistant organisms, and our original Antimicro-bial Stewardship named Big Gun.

20 21

Infectious Diseases Therapeutics

Medical Education Community Medicine and MedicalEducation

Food and Drug EvaluationScience

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases/Social/Community Medicine and Health ScienceResearch Fields Research Fields Social/Community Medicine and Health Science

Kentaro Iwata, MD, MSc, FACP, FIDSAProfessor

The Section of Community Medicine and Medical Education was founded in 2014. In the expectation of improved and qualified community medicine, we now devote our effort to developing effective education on community medicine, researching how to manage common health problems, recommending efficient delivery system of community medicine based on the analyses of medical resources, and validating the efficacy of genetic test-ing for preventing lifestyle-related diseases.

As for education on community medicine, we have shown that clinical training is a key to strengthening students’ motivation for providing community medicine or general practice. We further proved that healthcare training, especially experiencing home medical care plays an efficient role in accelerating students’ sense of responsibility to community medicine.

Regarding the man-a g e m e n t o f c ommon hea l t h p r o b l e m s , w e assessed the ques-tion of the need to bathe while having a cold, and verified that patients with a c o l d a r e o n l y

slightly affected by bathing. And, as for the primary care delivery system, we mapped the distribution of clinics across Japan, using a geographical information system. Furthermore, we clari-fied some problems in utilizing genetic testing results, by indi-cating that providing test results of genetic assays to people is not always effective for improving their lifestyles or preventing diseases.

Concerning education, we provide novel and challenging approaches, aiming at promoting students’ motivation, reward-ing experience and cultivating their sense of responsibility in community medicine. We developed our method by performing local activities and involving people. We also planned our new program, the lectures on healthcare in collaboration with diverse professionals.

Furthermore, our laboratory cooperates with the leading section in the public health service of Hyogo Prefecture, participating in the government’s policy-making on community medicine. By this means, as a think-tank, we reflect the beneficial o u t c om e s f r o m o u rresearch/education activi-ties back on to communitymedic ine and into themedical policies of ourcommunity.

Masanobu Okayama, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

In the field of medical research, investigations have been executed traditionally and mostly targeting certain diseases, their mechanisms, or treatment methods. In recent years, people are facing a super-aging society, and heightened attention to health span is increasing. Novel health management methods, functional food, and dietary supplements for preventing diseases or promoting good health, are all strongly recom-mended in addition to prior and existing therapeutics. However, these health management methods, functional foods, and dietary supplements are rather mild in their effects in compari-son with existing therapies or medical drugs. Due to this fact, long-term data collection from large-scaled groups is often needed, though satisfactory evaluation methods have not yet been developed. The Division of Food and Drug Evaluation Science explores the issues regarding such frameworks for implementing scientific evaluation and assessment strategies.

Our ongoing main research themes are as follows:1. Evaluation of the effects and elucidation of the action mecha-

nism of functional food and dietary supplements, using animal models such as mice

2. Design and implementation of clinical studies for evaluatinghealth management methods, functional foods, and dietarysupplements.

3. System developments in data collection, analyses, and visual-ization for clinical studies

4. Research and development of the systems for collecting, ana-lyzing, and visualizing big data concerning the issues onhealth care

Norihiro Sakamoto,M.D., Ph.D. (Medical Science),Ph.D. (Information Science)

ProfessorThe primary mission of the Division of Medical Education, founded in April 2014, is to function as a base for shaping the future medical education programs of the School of Medicine at Kobe University, and to expand plans into practical activities. We are to conduct the curriculum reform of the medical courses, focusing firstly on ECFMG certification and accreditation issues, effective in 2023.

Secondly, as a fascinating dimension of our work, we act together with the Integrated Clinical Education Center of the University Hospital and the Clinical Training and Simulation Center, which was organized for executing seamless and syn-thetic training programs on clinical medicine for students before and after graduation. One of our aims is, therefore, to create versatile simulated education programs for the improvement of

students’ comprehension, skills, and patients’ safety. We initiated “clinical care”, where we can carefully take up students’ research q u e s t i o n s o b t a i n e d through their actual expe-riences in clinical sites. What is the best way of

fostering students’ ability to be competitive professionals in today’s fast-evolving society of medicine? For this highly impor-tant, ubiquitous, and elusive question, we try to make our research activity itself capable of finding the answer, by weaving the steps - plan, do, and analysis - of our medical education research into the down-to-earth practices in clinical medicine.

Thirdly, as another attractive point, we act in concert with another Section of our Division of Medical Education, which was founded together with us. That Section of Community Medicine takes charge of the research and educational activities to foster human resources who will serve as leading roles in future com-munity medicine. The Division of Medical Education aims to function as an intersection of these two axes, and concurrently, to visualize and theorize of this crossing itself as our research target.

Fourthly, as for our laboratory’s educational responsibility, we are engaged in coordinating education programs for fostering inquisitive medical students and supporting programs for those pursuing basic medicine. By promoting the students-organized periodical workshops and thei r interact ions with younger researchers, we multi-directionally encour-age the students aspiring to be basic scientists or clinician scientists.

Seiji Kawano, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

Division of Infectious Diseases Therapeutics was founded in 2008 and it has devoted to clinical studies related to various infectious diseases. These studies include but not limited to randomized controlled trials, retrospective case-control studies, case reports/series, descriptive qualitative studies, and theory build-ing related to diagnosis/management of infectious diseases. Our area of interest in infectious diseases are very broad, which include avian/swine novel influenza, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, dengue fever, malaria and others.

Medical education is another area we are very interested in and we developed various educational tools and textbooks. We invented an educational program called HeatApp, which is a hybrid program of both problem based learning (PBL) and team based learning (TBL).

Our act iv i t ies go beyond domestic and we work in vari-o u s a r e a i n t h e world, including but not limited to Cam-bod ia , Tha i l and , Kenya, the United States , and Peru, having cooperation with many institu-

tions regarding clinical management, medical education, and research activities.

Division of Infectious Diseases deals with any kind of infections and we do take care of at both inpatient and outpatient settings. We set up an American style Infectious Diseases consultation services and do see various infections related to both medicine and surgery. We ourselves do have inpatient service and take care of various patients such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, FUO (fever of unknown origin), or various imported infections such as malaria, dengue, or typhoid fever. We work with other divisionssuch as Division of General Medicine, or Critical Care closely, and take care of patients in holistic, and team based approach so that patients receive ideal care. We also work closely with Department of Infection Control, Department of Pharmacy, and Department of Labora-tory Medicine, and take part in Infection Control, management of multi-resistant organisms, and our original Antimicro-bial Stewardship named Big Gun.

20 21

Epidemiology Legal Medicine Pathology for Regional Communication

Cardiovascular Medicine

Our laboratory, the Division of Epidemiology of the Department of Social/Community Medicine and Health Science, is engaged in research on neuronal disorders and child malignant diseases in children. Among many child neuronal disorders, spinal mus-cular atrophy (SMA) is our main research target, and among many child malignant diseases, we mainly investigate neuroblas-toma.

SMA is a common autosomal recessive d i so rder . SMA i s caused by loss of anterior horn cells in the spinal cord, leading to progres-sive muscle atrophy and weakness. The SMN1 g en e i s a well-known SMA-causing gene. Since

1996, we have continued research on the SMN1 gene. We have already conducted genetic diagnosis of more than 100 SMA patients to date, and identified gene mutations in each patient. According to our molecular epidemiological study, the complete (or homozygous) deletion of the SMN1 gene is found in 90% of the SMA patients. We are now developing new therapeutic approach for patients with SMA, as well as offering genetic diag-nosis.

Neuroblastoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in infants aged less than one year. It accounts for approx. 15% of child death due to malignant tumor. Some cases reveal critically unfa-vorable prognoses, while others show natural disappearance. Despite numerous past studies, a definitive etiology affecting the prognosis of neuroblastoma has not been unraveled yet. Why does neuroblastoma naturally vanish? We are aiming to identify this molecular event and developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods for neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is believed to be expressed in the process of differentiation of neural crest cells into the sympathetic nervous system, after neural crest cells have been guided to the border region between surface ectoderm and neural plate. Therefore, the analysis of molecular mechan i sms wh i ch regulate the onset and development of neuro-blastoma has recently been started, applying cell strains and clinical specimens of neuro-blastoma.

Social/Community Medicine and Health Science Social/Community Medicine and Health Science/Internal Medicine

Hisahide Nishio, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Legal Medicine executes research and education on human death. We mainly investigate the pathology of foren-sic intoxication and other various causes of death. Specifically, we are involved in the instrumental analyses on a variety of toxic agents or alcohols, the application of those methods to the COD diagnoses, and the pathological research into cardiac sudden death and death in abnormal environments, using immune staining and laboratory markers. Previously, we had successful results in the discovery of pathological indicators of freezing death and the establishment of the rapid analysis (multi residue) method for mushroom toxins and agro chemicals sampled from biological bodies. We also actively submit case reports of death with varied causes, collecting knowledge on human death.

Forensic autopsy cannot be considered separated from educa-tion and research in legal medicine. Physicians and technicians are specially trained for accumulating knowledge and experi-ences in forensic autopsy, and improve their autopsy skills and evaluation abilities. Those benefits will be incorporated into edu-cation and research in legal medicine. Furthermore, we are entrusted with executing forensic autopsy in suspicious death cases by order of Hyogo Prefecture. Developing own evaluation ability in forensic autopsy, we contribute to society by clarifying COD, exemplifying the spirit of the Chinese “Quest for truth, based on facts substantiated”.

As for education, our division holds the chair of Legal Medicine in the programs of basic medicine. According to the rules on inquests into COD under the Laws of Japan, and due to an insuf-ficiency in the number of expert clinicians in legal medicine, postmortem certification is to be issued by general clinicians at death which is not of a suspicious nature. The validation of suspi-ciousness, however, should be executed beforehand. Therefore, clinicians should possess a minimum necessary knowledge of legal medicine. Our laboratory thus provides education in legal medicine to students, aimed at their acquisition of essential knowledge needed for postmortem certificates.

Yasuhiro Ueno, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Pathology for Regional Communication was established in the Department of Social/Community Medicine and Health Sciences of the Graduate School of Medicine at Kobe University on April 1st, 2013 as an endowed chair by Hyogo Prefecture. The purpose of installation is to promote research on regional communication in pathology, to familiarize society with those research results, and to contribute our services to the improvement in pathological diagnoses of Hyogo prefectural hospitals.

1．Pathological diagnoses in Hyogo Prefecture(1) Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Hyogo Cancer Center:

Inside the Hyogo Cancer Center, the research institute ofpathology for regional communication was established. Itperforms part of the responsibilities of the Department ofDiagnostic Pathology of the Center, and drives businessimprovements.

(2) Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kobe University Hos-pital:Our laboratory members review the pathology of braintumors and bone and soft tissue tumors together withpathologists of the Hospital to improve diagnostic accuracy.

2．Fostering of surgical pathologists in Hyogo PrefectureThe number of surgical pathologists is remarkably insufficient in this country, including in Hyogo Prefecture. The Depart-ment of Diagnostic Pathology of the Hyogo Cancer Center, where our research team operates, widely accepts faculty students and residents on their practical training. We further provide educational opportunities for pathological diagnoses to younger pathologists, mainly in both departments of the Hyogo Cancer Center and the University Hospital.

3．Consultation service on pathological diagnoses in Hyogo PrefectureIn the Institute of Pathology for Regional Communication, we deliver a consultation service on pathological diagnoses, mainly regarding bone and soft tissue tumors and brain tumors, to the pathological divisions of many hospitals in Hyogo Prefecture. We devote every effort to the accurate and appropriate care for these rare cancers.


The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine is devoted to develop-ing and introducing leading-edge diagnoses and therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Concurrently, we engage in research, education, and clinical practice, aiming to unravel the causes of diseases and develop novel diagnoses/therapies.

In basic research, we carry out deep investigations into the causes of atherosclerosis, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and dysl ipidemia, and into the developments of novel diagnoses/therapies. In clinical research, we explore the research on diagnostic imaging for coronary artery diseases; cardiomyo-pathy, valvular heart diseases, and cardiac functions, using echocardiography; the onset/offset machineries in atrial fibrilla-tion; severe ventricular arrhythmia; cardiovascular diagnostic imaging (cardiac CT/MRI/radio isotope); the discovery of biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. We also widely target all

cardiovascular diseases including pulmonary h y p e r t e n s i o n a n d cardiac rehabilitation. W e p r e s e n t o u r r e sea r ch r e su l t s a t domestic/international conferences and pub-lish our data in interna-tional journals.

In clinical service, we implement leading-edge therapies with catheterization for ischemic heart disease or cardiovascular interventions/devices for severe cardiac failure, valvular heart disease, structural heart disease, adult congenital heart disease, and pulmonary hypertension, etc. We try never to refuse any emergency outpatients with cardiac diseases, and offer them our best medical care.

In education, we emphasize fostering qualified clinician scien-tists through research, and encourage them to study abroad, which brings opportunities to practice and do research in the most challenging environments. Many physicians take the time to pursue their most profound questions there. We bring deep passion to educating youth, including both faculty/graduate students and residents. Especially for younger physicians, we instill a sense of humanity as thoroughly as possible in order to understand patients’ suffering. We thus deliver not only advanced therapies, but also preventive medicine and general medicine. All staff members of our lab including younger cl inicians have their own dreams, can achieve their respective goals, and continu-ously develop themselves toward their ambitions.

Ken-ichi Hirata, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


22 23

Epidemiology Legal Medicine Pathology for Regional Communication

Cardiovascular Medicine

Our laboratory, the Division of Epidemiology of the Department of Social/Community Medicine and Health Science, is engaged in research on neuronal disorders and child malignant diseases in children. Among many child neuronal disorders, spinal mus-cular atrophy (SMA) is our main research target, and among many child malignant diseases, we mainly investigate neuroblas-toma.

SMA is a common autosomal recessive d i so rder . SMA i s caused by loss of anterior horn cells in the spinal cord, leading to progres-sive muscle atrophy and weakness. The SMN1 g en e i s a well-known SMA-causing gene. Since

1996, we have continued research on the SMN1 gene. We have already conducted genetic diagnosis of more than 100 SMA patients to date, and identified gene mutations in each patient. According to our molecular epidemiological study, the complete (or homozygous) deletion of the SMN1 gene is found in 90% of the SMA patients. We are now developing new therapeutic approach for patients with SMA, as well as offering genetic diag-nosis.

Neuroblastoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in infants aged less than one year. It accounts for approx. 15% of child death due to malignant tumor. Some cases reveal critically unfa-vorable prognoses, while others show natural disappearance. Despite numerous past studies, a definitive etiology affecting the prognosis of neuroblastoma has not been unraveled yet. Why does neuroblastoma naturally vanish? We are aiming to identify this molecular event and developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods for neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is believed to be expressed in the process of differentiation of neural crest cells into the sympathetic nervous system, after neural crest cells have been guided to the border region between surface ectoderm and neural plate. Therefore, the analysis of molecular mechan i sms wh i ch regulate the onset and development of neuro-blastoma has recently been started, applying cell strains and clinical specimens of neuro-blastoma.

Social/Community Medicine and Health Science Social/Community Medicine and Health Science/Internal Medicine

Hisahide Nishio, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Legal Medicine executes research and education on human death. We mainly investigate the pathology of foren-sic intoxication and other various causes of death. Specifically, we are involved in the instrumental analyses on a variety of toxic agents or alcohols, the application of those methods to the COD diagnoses, and the pathological research into cardiac sudden death and death in abnormal environments, using immune staining and laboratory markers. Previously, we had successful results in the discovery of pathological indicators of freezing death and the establishment of the rapid analysis (multi residue) method for mushroom toxins and agro chemicals sampled from biological bodies. We also actively submit case reports of death with varied causes, collecting knowledge on human death.

Forensic autopsy cannot be considered separated from educa-tion and research in legal medicine. Physicians and technicians are specially trained for accumulating knowledge and experi-ences in forensic autopsy, and improve their autopsy skills andevaluation abilities. Those benefits will be incorporated into edu-cation and research in legal medicine. Furthermore, we are entrusted with executing forensic autopsy in suspicious death cases by order of Hyogo Prefecture. Developing own evaluation ability in forensic autopsy, we contribute to society by clarifying COD, exemplifying the spirit of the Chinese “Quest for truth, based on facts substantiated”.

As for education, our division holds the chair of Legal Medicine in the programs of basic medicine. According to the rules on inquests into COD under the Laws of Japan, and due to an insuf-ficiency in the number of expert clinicians in legal medicine, postmortem certification is to be issued by general clinicians at death which is not of a suspicious nature. The validation of suspi-ciousness, however, should be executed beforehand. Therefore, clinicians should possess a minimum necessary knowledge of legal medicine. Our laboratory thus provides education in legal medicine to students, aimed at their acquisition of essential knowledge needed for postmortem certificates.

Yasuhiro Ueno, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Pathology for Regional Communication was established in the Department of Social/Community Medicine and Health Sciences of the Graduate School of Medicine at Kobe University on April 1st, 2013 as an endowed chair by Hyogo Prefecture. The purpose of installation is to promote research on regional communication in pathology, to familiarize society with those research results, and to contribute our services to the improvement in pathological diagnoses of Hyogo prefectural hospitals.

1．Pathological diagnoses in Hyogo Prefecture(1) Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Hyogo Cancer Center:

Inside the Hyogo Cancer Center, the research institute ofpathology for regional communication was established. Itperforms part of the responsibilities of the Department ofDiagnostic Pathology of the Center, and drives businessimprovements.

(2) Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kobe University Hos-pital:Our laboratory members review the pathology of braintumors and bone and soft tissue tumors together withpathologists of the Hospital to improve diagnostic accuracy.

2．Fostering of surgical pathologists in Hyogo PrefectureThe number of surgical pathologists is remarkably insufficient in this country, including in Hyogo Prefecture. The Depart-ment of Diagnostic Pathology of the Hyogo Cancer Center, where our research team operates, widely accepts faculty students and residents on their practical training. We further provide educational opportunities for pathological diagnoses to younger pathologists, mainly in both departments of the Hyogo Cancer Center and the University Hospital.

3．Consultation service on pathological diagnoses in Hyogo PrefectureIn the Institute of Pathology for Regional Communication, we deliver a consultation service on pathological diagnoses, mainly regarding bone and soft tissue tumors and brain tumors, to the pathological divisions of many hospitals in Hyogo Prefecture. We devote every effort to the accurate and appropriate care for these rare cancers.


The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine is devoted to develop-ing and introducing leading-edge diagnoses and therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Concurrently, we engage in research, education, and clinical practice, aiming to unravel the causes of diseases and develop novel diagnoses/therapies.

In basic research, we carry out deep investigations into the causes of atherosclerosis, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and dysl ipidemia, and into the developments of novel diagnoses/therapies. In clinical research, we explore the research on diagnostic imaging for coronary artery diseases; cardiomyo-pathy, valvular heart diseases, and cardiac functions, using echocardiography; the onset/offset machineries in atrial fibrilla-tion; severe ventricular arrhythmia; cardiovascular diagnostic imaging (cardiac CT/MRI/radio isotope); the discovery of biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. We also widely target all

cardiovascular diseases including pulmonary h y p e r t e n s i o n a n d cardiac rehabilitation. W e p r e s e n t o u r r e sea r ch r e su l t s a t domestic/international conferences and pub-lish our data in interna-tional journals.

In clinical service, we implement leading-edge therapies with catheterization for ischemic heart disease or cardiovascular interventions/devices for severe cardiac failure, valvular heart disease, structural heart disease, adult congenital heart disease, and pulmonary hypertension, etc. We try never to refuse any emergency outpatients with cardiac diseases, and offer them our best medical care.

In education, we emphasize fostering qualified clinician scien-tists through research, and encourage them to study abroad, which brings opportunities to practice and do research in the most challenging environments. Many physicians take the time to pursue their most profound questions there. We bring deep passion to educating youth, including both faculty/graduate students and residents. Especially for younger physicians, we instill a sense of humanity as thoroughly as possible in order to understand patients’ suffering. We thus deliver not only advanced therapies, but also preventive medicine and general medicine. All staff members of our lab including younger cl inicians have their own dreams, can achieve their respective goals, and continu-ously develop themselves toward their ambitions.



22 23

Arrhythmia Gastroenterology Advanced Medical Technology for Gastroenterol-ogy

Respiratory Medicine

The Section of Arrhythmia was founded in the Division of Cardio-vascular Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at Kobe University, for the purpose of establishing a base site for fostering arrhythmia-specified clinicians and other healthcare professionals, and for providing medical care for arrhythmia. This chair functions as a development center to introduce highly advanced arrhythmia therapies into clinical sites rapidly and widely. We foster arrhythmia-specified expert clinicians in cath-eter ablation and implantations of cardioverter-defibrillators or pacemakers, and their supporting healthcare professionals. Our work is growing steadily. The numbers of conducting catheter ablations and cardiovascular device implantations have been dramatically increasing since the chair was established. Our labo-ratory has grown to be one of the leading facilities for arrhyth-mia treatment not only in Hyogo Prefecture, but across the nation.

T h e c h a i r p u t s emphasis on foster-i n g g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s a s i t b e l o n g s t o t h e Graduate School of Medicine, in coop-era t ion wi th the Section of Cardio-vascular Medicine.

To spread highly advanced arrhythmia treatment, fostering fresh human resources is requisite. We instruct in the following areas to clinicians to cultivate their wider knowledge and advanced skills:1. Improvement of diagnostic ability for arrhythmia2. Acquisition of device-implanting skills and their management ability

3. Deep comprehension in electro physiologic assay and acquisi-tion of catheter ablation skills

We conduct clinical studies on cutting-edge arrhythmia treat-ments as needed with our graduate students. For elucidating the mechanism of arrhythmia, we first unravel the onset mechanism in atrial fibrillation. We try to improve our ability in applying catheter ablation, and also make advances in clinical research on the defibri l lating mecha-nism of ventricular fibril-lation, contributing to the deve lopment o f arrhythmia therapy.

Internal Medicine Internal Medicine


The application of our research results to society requires work-flow with these steps: Basic research → Clinical application → Productization → industrialization. Constructing the flow system: Translational Research through Regulatory Science (RS) is a keysubject.

Our section is developing gastroenterological medical devices, considering the pharmaceutical regulation from the early stage of development. We also carry out clinical trial promotion of novel medical devices. To fulfill these tasks, not merely inside the Graduate School of Medicine, but in cooperation with other Graduate Schools such as Engineering, we make all efforts in implementing Regulatory Science including improved medical devices and newly labelled items for which we expect broad-ened application, as well as innovative medical devices and treatment techniques, through the following subjects:

1. Fostering of human resources in Regulatory Science2. Constructing a validation system for effectiveness and safetyin non-clinical and clinical trials3. Constructing a reliability-assured registry

Ongoing research projects:1. Research and development of the MR (Magnetic Resonance)endoscope2. Research and development of laser therapy3. Research and development of a biodegradable stent forbenign stenosis of the gastrointestinal tract, bile duct, andpancreatic duct4. Establishment of a treatment method of Oddi dysfunction forthe sphincter5. Robotic endoscope

Hiromu Kutsumi, M.D., Ph.D.Visiting Professor

The Division of Respiratory Medicine is devoted to a wide variety of clinical practices and investigations into various respiratory diseases. For 15 years, we have been exploring respiratory tract inflammation and airway remodeling. We mainly target bron-chial asthma, and are recently focusing on Phospholipase cε and sphingosine-1-phosphate. And, based on these study results, we have started to develop a novel treatment method for respiratory tract inflammation. As for clinical studies, we con-duct epidemiological research on bronchial asthma and COPD.

In recent years, the number of people with lung cancer has been increasing, and it has become one of the major causes of death in Japan. To this end, we have launched basic research on lung cancer, research from a molecular and biological approach, and gene therapy. We have also presented our study results on the resistant mechanism of anticancer agents where further improvements are expected. In clinical research, we participate in multicenter collaborative studies with regard to the develop-ments of bronchoscopy and treatment procedure in the area of clinical oncology for lung carcinoma.

The Department of Respiratory Medicine (of the University Hos-pital) is contributing medical care for numerous diseases in the field of respiratory medicine. In particular, we coordinate the conferences on lung cancer therapy in collaboration with the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Department of Radiology, the Department of Radiation Oncology, and the Department of Diagnostic Pathology. We thus make efforts to construct the optimal system for providing medical services. Further, we dedi-cate ourselves to widely offer advanced clinical services for patients with bronchial asthma (other than malignant tumors), respiratory tract diseases such as COPD, diffuse pulmonary diseases such as interstitial pneumonia, sleep apnea syndrome, and respiratory infections, etc.

Yoshihiro Nishimura, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

The Division of Gastroenterology, as a Department of the Univer-sity Hospital, is devoted to offering diagnoses and treatments for various gastrointestinal diseases in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, bile duct, pancreas, and liver. Cancer is our primary target. We perform exams on esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, biliary tract cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer, etc. in various ways such as endoscopy, ultrasonography, or endoscopic therapy, and strive for multimodal inspections/treatments, in cooperation with the Department of Radiology or surgical departments. Our second target is intractable diseases. We deliver leading-edge diagnoses/treatments for ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, fulminant hepatitis, and severe acute pancreatitis, etc. We further work on functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome, diseases recently increasing in a stressful society.

Performances in 2013:Number of Outpatients: 32,831, Inpatients (per admission): 1,269Number of Inspections: Esophagogast roduo-d e n o s c o p y : 6 , 1 0 0 , Co lonoscopy : 2 , 200 , Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogra-phy : 800, Endoscopic ultrasonography includ-

ing Endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration: 600, Abdomi-nal ultrasonography: 4,000.Number of major treatments: Endoscopic submucosal dissection：400, Endoscopic biliary drainage: 500, Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization:138, Radiofrequency ablation: 31, Chemotherapy (esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer): 163

As for research activities, the aim of our division is to promote frontier medical sciences and bring up excellent physician-scientists who can lead worldwide activities in the field of gas-troenterology. Our focus is to investigate the pathophysiology of intractable diseases in gastroenterology, such as cancers, inflam-matory bowel diseases, and functional gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, we are developing new medical devices for gastroin-testinal endoscopical diagnosis and treatment.We are actively engaged in the following research subjects in the basic, clinical, and translational sciences.1. Tailor-made medicine in gastrointestinal cancers2. Inflammation and cancer3. Metabolome analyses of gastrointestinal diseases 4. Mucosal immunology5. Functional gastrointestinal diseases

Takeshi Azuma, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


24 25

<Endowed Chairs>

Arrythmia Gastroenterology Advanced Medical Technology for Gastroenterol-ogy

Respiratory Medicine

The Section of Arrythmia was founded in the Division of Cardio-vascular Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine at Kobe University, for the purpose of establishing a base site for fostering arrhythmia-specified clinicians and other healthcare professionals, and for providing medical care for arrhythmia. This chair functions as a development center to introduce highly advanced arrhythmia therapies into clinical sites rapidly and widely. We foster arrhythmia-specified expert clinicians in cath-eter ablation and implantations of cardioverter-defibrillators or pacemakers, and their supporting healthcare professionals. Our work is growing steadily. The numbers of conducting catheter ablations and cardiovascular device implantations have been dramatically increasing since the chair was established. Our labo-ratory has grown to be one of the leading facilities for arrhyth-mia treatment not only in Hyogo Prefecture, but across the nation.

T h e c h a i r p u t s emphasis on foster-i n g g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t s a s i t b e l o n g s t o t h e Graduate School of Medicine, in coop-era t ion wi th the Section of Cardio-vascular Medicine.

To spread highly advanced arrhythmia treatment, fostering freshhuman resources is requisite. We instruct in the following areas to clinicians to cultivate their wider knowledge and advanced skills:1. Improvement of diagnostic ability for arrythmia2. Acquisition of device-implanting skills and their managementability3. Deep comprehension in electro physiologic assay and acquisi-tion of catheter ablation skills

We conduct clinical studies on cutting-edge arrhythmia treat-ments as needed with our graduate students. For elucidating the mechanism of arrhythmia, we first unravel the onset mechanism in atrial fibrillation. We try to improve our ability in applying catheter ablation, and also make advances in clinical research on the defibri l lating mecha-nism of ventricular fibril-lation, contributing to the deve lopment o f arrhythmia therapy.



The application of our research results to society requires work-flow with these steps: Basic research → Clinical application → Productization → industrialization. Constructing the flow system: Translational Research through Regulatory Science (RS) is a key subject.

Our section is developing gastroenterological medical devices, considering the pharmaceutical regulation from the early stage of development. We also carry out clinical trial promotion of novel medical devices. To fulfill these tasks, not merely inside the Graduate School of Medicine, but in cooperation with other Graduate Schools such as Engineering, we make all efforts in implementing Regulatory Science including improved medical devices and newly labelled items for which we expect broad-ened application, as well as innovative medical devices and treatment techniques, through the following subjects:

1. Fostering of human resources in Regulatory Science2. Constructing a validation system for effectiveness and safetyin non-clinical and clinical trials3. Constructing a reliability-assured registry

Ongoing research projects:1. Research and development of the MR (Magnetic Resonance)endoscope2. Research and development of laser therapy3. Research and development of a biodegradable stent forbenign stenosis of the gastrointestinal tract, bile duct, andpancreatic duct4. Establishment of a treatment method of Oddi dysfunction forthe sphincter5. Robotic endoscope

Hiromu Kutsumi, M.D., Ph.D.Visiting Professor

The Division of Respiratory Medicine is devoted to a wide variety of clinical practices and investigations into various respiratory diseases. For 15 years, we have been exploring respiratory tract inflammation and airway remodeling. We mainly target bron-chial asthma, and are recently focusing on Phospholipase cε and sphingosine-1-phosphate. And, based on these study results, we have started to develop a novel treatment method for respiratory tract inflammation. As for clinical studies, we con-duct epidemiological research on bronchial asthma and COPD.

In recent years, the number of people with lung cancer has been increasing, and it has become one of the major causes of death in Japan. To this end, we have launched basic research on lung cancer, research from a molecular and biological approach, and gene therapy. We have also presented our study results on the resistant mechanism of anticancer agents where further improvements are expected. In clinical research, we participate in multicenter collaborative studies with regard to the develop-ments of bronchoscopy and treatment procedure in the area of clinical oncology for lung carcinoma.

The Department of Respiratory Medicine (of the University Hos-pital) is contributing medical care for numerous diseases in the field of respiratory medicine. In particular, we coordinate the conferences on lung cancer therapy in collaboration with the Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Department of Radiology, the Department of Radiation Oncology, and the Department of Diagnostic Pathology. We thus make efforts to construct the optimal system for providing medical services. Further, we dedi-cate ourselves to widely offer advanced clinical services for patients with bronchial asthma (other than malignant tumors), respiratory tract diseases such as COPD, diffuse pulmonary diseases such as interstitial pneumonia, sleep apnea syndrome, and respiratory infections, etc.


The Division of Gastroenterology, as a Department of the Univer-sity Hospital, is devoted to offering diagnoses and treatments for various gastrointestinal diseases in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, bile duct, pancreas, and liver. Cancer is our primary target. We perform exams on esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, biliary tract cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer, etc. in various ways such as endoscopy, ultrasonography, or endoscopic therapy, and strive for multimodal inspections/treatments, in cooperation with the Department of Radiology or surgical departments. Our second target is intractable diseases. We deliver leading-edge diagnoses/treatments for ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, fulminant hepatitis, and severe acute pancreatitis, etc. We further work on functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome, diseases recently increasing in a stressful society.

Performances in 2013:Number of Outpatients: 32,831, Inpatients (per admission): 1,269Number of Inspections: Esophagogast roduo-d e n o s c o p y : 6 , 1 0 0 , Co lonoscopy : 2 , 200 , Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogra-phy : 800, Endoscopic ultrasonography includ-

ing Endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration: 600, Abdomi-nal ultrasonography: 4,000.Number of major treatments: Endoscopic submucosal dissection：400, Endoscopic biliary drainage: 500, Transcatheterarterial chemoembolization:138, Radiofrequency ablation: 31, Chemotherapy (esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer): 163

As for research activities, the aim of our division is to promote frontier medical sciences and bring up excellent physician-scientists who can lead worldwide activities in the field of gas-troenterology. Our focus is to investigate the pathophysiology of intractable diseases in gastroenterology, such as cancers, inflam-matory bowel diseases, and functional gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, we are developing new medical devices for gastroin-testinal endoscopical diagnosis and treatment.We are actively engaged in the following research subjects in the basic, clinical, and translational sciences.1. Tailor-made medicine in gastrointestinal cancers2. Inflammation and cancer3. Metabolome analyses of gastrointestinal diseases 4. Mucosal immunology5. Functional gastrointestinal diseases

Takeshi Azuma, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


24 25

Diabetes and Endocrinology

General Internal Medicine

Nephrology Rheumatology and ClinicalImmunology

The Section of Diabetes and Endocrinology is engaged in research and education on diabetes mellitus and endocrine diseases. In the area of diabetes mellitus, aiming to develop the improved therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus, we have devoted our efforts to studies into the molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. We also expect to develop some approaches to novel treatment procedures for obesity or obesity-related diseases through research on functions of adipo-cytes and research on energy metabolic regulation. As for our clinical research, we devote our efforts to the in-depth under-standing of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus with the use of a variety of techniques including glucose clamp or MR spectroscopy, and to research on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and continuous glucose monitoring, based on the wealth of experience of our country’s top-level clinicians.

In the field of endocrinology, pathoetiology, pathological analy-sis, and drug discovery for hypothalamic and pituitary diseases are investigated as our major research targets, applying case-oriented and disease-oriented approaches. We are aiming to give our research benefits back to patients. We are currently involved in these themes: elucidation of the cause and pathol-ogy of pituitary tumor and its drug discovery, elucidation of the pathology in pituitary autoimmunity and proposal for a novel clinical entity, elucidations of pathogenesis and pathology in hypopituitarism, and the identification and functional analyses of novel hormones.

Concerning medical education, we offer a wide variety of instructions on common endocrine diseases such as thyroid diseases, osteoporosis, secondary hypertension, or adrenal tumor, and also, on comparatively rare conditions such as pitu-itary diseases or gonadal disorders. All are useful instruction for daily clinical practice as well as the comprehension of the signifi-cance and concept of the endocrine system, which are necessary for maintaining systemic homeostasis.


Wataru Ogawa, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Section of General Internal Medicine provides “whole person care” throughout the outpatient and inpatient services, in sup-port of every organ-specific clinical department.

Under our discipline, “To provide good medical care is the best way to educate people about medicine”, we dedicate our efforts to educating younger physicians, including medical students and residents at bedside. In such a favorable environment, we conduct both clinical research and medical educational research. Our themes are as follows: Epidemiological research on fever of unknown origin; the association of the risk factors of arterioscle-rosis, obesity and estrogen with vascular endothelial dysfunc-tion; the beneficial effects of antioxidants such as red wine or isoflavone on vascular endothelium functions; educationally informative case reports; and new methodology of medical edu-cation targeting medical students and younger physicians.

In basic research, we are engaged in the elucidation of patho-genic mechanisms of type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is an organ-specific autoimmune disease, to develop the immuno-therapy for preventing onset or as a treatment. Our laboratory also participates in the nationwide research survey on Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is coordinated by the Japan Diabetes Society and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine. Furthermore, revealing the relationship between dementia and lifestyle-related diseases, we research the age-related transition in body composition and chronic inflammation.


The Section of Nephrology investigates glomerulonephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis, complications of chronic kidney disease, and complications of dialysis as our major education and research targets.

As for our education for residents, we train them as members of our clinical service team. And, for the faculty students, we coor-dinate and execute programs of skill practice in the manner of “bed side teaching” through seminars and conferences.

Our laboratory conducts clinical research and basic research in parallel. We have recently discovered abnormal generation of glycosaminoglycan, which occurs in the background of collag-enofibrotic glomerulopathy, an infrequent hereditary nephritis, and explore the elucidation of its enhancing mechanism in gen-eration and research to clarify pathologies such as analyses on genetic abnormality in collagen or glycosaminoglycan. With regard to tubulointerstitial nephritis, basic studies on the pro-gressing mechanisms of renal interstitial ischemia and fibrosis are conducted, applying a unilateral urinary tract obstruction (UUO) model.

Concerning our investigation into complications of chronic kidney diseases, we are engaged in the elucidation of blood vessel calcification, heart valve calcification, and myocardinal damage, targeting the suppression of onsets in the cardiovascu-lar system disorders which appear in association with chronic kidney disease-bone mineral disease disorder.

In clinical research, we examine the protective effectiveness of cardiovascular disturbance induced by uremic toxin absorbent or phosphorus absorbent. In basic research, we carry out research on elucidating the mechanisms in the protective effec-tiveness of blood vessels by vitamin D or the renin-angiotensin system inhibitor. We further enhance our research on bone metabolic disorder accompanied by chronic kidney diseases, and unravel the pathology of bone remodeling abnormalities along with the diabetes mellitus models.

Shinichi Nishi, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

The Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology is engaged in both basic and clinical research on rheumatic diseases.

In our basic research, we mainly investigate the pathological analyses of rheumatic diseases, aiming to develop new treat-ment methods and discover novel markers. We analyze patho-logical findings in animal models or patients’ specimens from the immunological perspective. We currently carry forward the following projects:1. Research on immune cell dynamics in arthritis-model mice2. Research on novel treatment methods with arthritis-modelmice or fibrosis-model mice3. Research on metabolism in immune cells in patients withrheumatic diseases through metabolome analyses4. Research on cytokines and alarmins in inflammatory condi-tions

At the University Hospi-t a l , w e d e v o t e o u r services as experts in the Department of Rheuma-to l ogy and C l i n i c a l Immunology. In clinical research, we perform retrospective studies of our patients, and pres-ent the results to the p u b l i c . W e h a v e reported on issues on lupus nephritis, giant c e l l a r t h r i t i s , glucocorticoid-induced

osteoporosis, myositis, Behcet’s disease, and IgG4-related diseases in academic journals and conferences. Based on these retrospective studies, we are now planning to execute further prospective studies. We have just launched our cohort study of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis in 2014. We will accumu-late the cases and cooperate with other medical institutions to promote clinical research.

Akio Morinobu, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor


26 27

Diabetes and Endocrinology

General Internal Medicine

Nephrology Rheumatology and ClinicalImmunology

The Section of Diabetes and Endocrinology is engaged in research and education on diabetes mellitus and endocrine diseases. In the area of diabetes mellitus, aiming to develop the improved therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus, we have devoted our efforts to studies into the molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. We also expect to develop some approaches to novel treatment procedures for obesity or obesity-related diseases through research on functions of adipo-cytes and research on energy metabolic regulation. As for our clinical research, we devote our efforts to the in-depth under-standing of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus with the use of a variety of techniques including glucose clamp or MR spectroscopy, and to research on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and continuous glucose monitoring, based on the wealth of experience of our country’s top-level clinicians.

In the field of endocrinology, pathoetiology, pathological analy-sis, and drug discovery for hypothalamic and pituitary diseases are investigated as our major research targets, applying case-oriented and disease-oriented approaches. We are aiming to give our research benefits back to patients. We are currently involved in these themes: elucidation of the cause and pathol-ogy of pituitary tumor and its drug discovery, elucidation of the pathology in pituitary autoimmunity and proposal for a novel clinical entity, elucidations of pathogenesis and pathology in hypopituitarism, and the identification and functional analyses of novel hormones.

Concerning medical education, we offer a wide variety of instructions on common endocrine diseases such as thyroid diseases, osteoporosis, secondary hypertension, or adrenal tumor, and also, on comparatively rare conditions such as pitu-itary diseases or gonadal disorders. All are useful instruction for daily clinical practice as well as the comprehension of the signifi-cance and concept of the endocrine system, which are necessary for maintaining systemic homeostasis.



The Section of General Internal Medicine provides “whole person care” throughout the outpatient and inpatient services, in sup-port of every organ-specific clinical department.

Under our discipline, “To provide good medical care is the bestway to educate people about medicine”, we dedicate our efforts to educating younger physicians, including medical students and residents at bedside. In such a favorable environment, we conduct both clinical research and medical educational research. Our themes are as follows: Epidemiological research on fever of unknown origin; the association of the risk factors of arterioscle-rosis, obesity and estrogen with vascular endothelial dysfunc-tion; the beneficial effects of antioxidants such as red wine or isoflavone on vascular endothelium functions; educationally informative case reports; and new methodology of medical edu-cation targeting medical students and younger physicians.

In basic research, we are engaged in the elucidation of patho-genic mechanisms of type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is an organ-specific autoimmune disease, to develop the immuno-therapy for preventing onset or as a treatment. Our laboratory also participates in the nationwide research survey on Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is coordinated by the Japan Diabetes Society and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine. Furthermore, revealing the relationship between dementia and lifestyle-related diseases, we research the age-related transition in body composition and chronic inflammation.


The Section of Nephrology investigates glomerulonephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis, complications of chronic kidney disease, and complications of dialysis as our major education and research targets.

As for our education for residents, we train them as members of our clinical service team. And, for the faculty students, we coor-dinate and execute programs of skill practice in the manner of “bed side teaching” through seminars and conferences.

Our laboratory conducts clinical research and basic research in parallel. We have recently discovered abnormal generation of glycosaminoglycan, which occurs in the background of collag-enofibrotic glomerulopathy, an infrequent hereditary nephritis, and explore the elucidation of its enhancing mechanism in gen-eration and research to clarify pathologies such as analyses on genetic abnormality in collagen or glycosaminoglycan. With regard to tubulointerstitial nephritis, basic studies on the pro-gressing mechanisms of renal interstitial ischemia and fibrosis are conducted, applying a unilateral urinary tract obstruction (UUO) model.

Concerning our investigation into complications of chronic kidney diseases, we are engaged in the elucidation of blood vessel calcification, heart valve calcification, and myocardial damage, targeting the suppression of onsets in the cardiovascu-lar system disorders which appear in association with chronic kidney disease-bone mineral disease disorder.

In clinical research, we examine the protective effectiveness of cardiovascular disturbance induced by uremic toxin absorbent or phosphorus absorbent. In basic research, we carry out research on elucidating the mechanisms in the protective effec-tiveness of blood vessels by vitamin D or the renin-angiotensin system inhibitor. We further enhance our research on bone metabolic disorder accompanied by chronic kidney diseases, and unravel the pathology of bone remodeling abnormalities along with the diabetes mellitus models.

Shinichi Nishi, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

The Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology is engaged in both basic and clinical research on rheumatic diseases.

In our basic research, we mainly investigate the pathological analyses of rheumatic diseases, aiming to develop new treat-ment methods and discover novel markers. We analyze patho-logical findings in animal models or patients’ specimens from the immunological perspective. We currently carry forward the following projects:1. Research on immune cell dynamics in arthritis-model mice2. Research on novel treatment methods with arthritis-modelmice or fibrosis-model mice3. Research on metabolism in immune cells in patients withrheumatic diseases through metabolome analyses4. Research on cytokines and alarmins in inflammatory condi-tions

At the University Hospi-t a l , w e d e v o t e o u r services as experts in the Department of Rheuma-to l ogy and C l i n i c a l Immunology. In clinical research, we perform retrospective studies of our patients, and pres-ent the results to the p u b l i c . W e h a v e reported on issues on lupus nephritis, giant c e l l a r t h r i t i s , glucocorticoid-induced

osteoporosis, myositis, Behcet’s disease, and IgG4-related diseases in academic journals and conferences. Based on these retrospective studies, we are now planning to execute further prospective studies. We have just launched our cohort study of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis in 2014. We will accumu-late the cases and cooperate with other medical institutions to promote clinical research.

Akio Morinobu, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor


26 27

Neurology Radiology Radiation OncologyOncology / Hematology

The Division of Neurology investigates pathomecha-nisms to establish treat-ment methods regarding all diseases in the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscles, and provides medical care at our clinical site. Method-ologically, we make full

use of the sciences of molecular genetics, molecular cellular biol-ogy, biochemistry, neuropathology, and neurophysiology. We are currently developing the following research projects in a joint frame of basic and clinical medicines with the Section of Molecular Brain Science:

1. Dementia-related diseasesWe are the principal member of the Center for Memory andBehavioral Disorders, and are engaged in the diagnosis andtreatment of dementia. We expect to construct a database ofpatients to realize personalized medicine which links to indi-vidual and suitable medical care for patients. Clinical trials con-cerning disease-modifying therapy and the elucidation ofpathomechanism in cerebrovascular dementia, usingischemia-modeled mice, have previously been conducted.

2．NeurophysiologyAs for the numerous cases of immune interstitial neuropathy, including Guillian-Barre syndrome (GBS), electro diagnoses for neuromuscular diseases mainly as a neural conduction test are thoroughly performed to elucidate individual pathological conditions. We are developing novel electromyography in the aim of establishing non-invasive early detection for motor neuron diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

3．Neurodegenerative diseases (Neuroimaging study, Genome scanning)With the full use of imagery inspections such as MRI, SPECT, and PET, we evaluate intracerebral degeneration and atrophy such as spinocerebellar degeneration or Parkinson’s disease, in qualitative and quantitative ways. We also conduct identifica-tion of pathogenic genome factors of sporadic Parkinson’s disease and the responsible gene of familial neurologic disease of unknown origin, applying advanced genomics (i.e. next-generation sequencing or genome-wide association study).

4. NeuroimmunologyAiming to elucidate the pathology of multiple sclerosis or neu-romyelitis optica, we carry out analyses of lymphocytes usingflow cytometry and analyses of the relevance between thera-pies and clinical conditions.

Internal Medicine Internal Related


The Division of Radiology is mainly engaged in research on diag-nostic imaging (diagnosis) and Interventional Radiology (IVR) which is an image-guided surgery.

The research on diagnostic imaging is subdivided by organ into the discrete subgroups of the central nervous system, circulatory system, respiratory system, abdominal and pelvic regions, osteo-chondro region, and nuclear medicine & PET. We perform research on these issues effectively in close cooperation with related divisions. We consider our primary theme to be the most advanced research with its main grounding in clinical practice. Therefore, our cutting-edge investigations are often conducted with state-of-the-art radiological instruments already introduced in the University Hospital.

Kobe Un i ve r s i t y Hosp i ta l supp le -men t s t h i s w i t h s t a t e - o f - a r t C T s y s tems such a s dual source CT and area detector CT, three 3.0-Tesla MRI systems, two 1.5-Tesla MRI systems,

which are fully running, and the high-tech image processing room where advanced image processing and three-dimensional imaging are available. With a full use of these CT or MRI systems, we investigate advanced diagnostic imaging also with functional and metabolic information as well as morphological therapies and therapy-assisted imaging. In the Nuclear & PET Unit, the myocardinal SPECT system equipped with semiconductor radia-tion detector, SPECT-CT system, and PET-CT system have been introduced. Many studies on investigational new drugs are ongoing, in addition to research on diagnostic imaging. Andy, acyclotron has been installed. Our Hospital, therefore, plans to conduct many more clinical trials and reviews on diagnostic agents as one of the facilities meeting Good Manufacturing Prac-tice (GMP) hereafter.

Regarding our investigations applying the IVR, we principally carry out basic and clinical research, mainly developing novel therapies for various malignant tumors and exploring novel endo-vascular repair methods for aortae and periph-eral vessels, in collabora-tion with the Division of Endovascular Therapy.

Kazuro Sugimura, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Section of Radiation Oncology proactively implements fusion research with clinical, medical physical, and basic biologi-cal research. We investigate high-precision radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and particle beam therapy in cooperation with neighboring cutting-edge treatment facilities, and then deliver these clinical services.

In recent years, technologies in radiotherapy have become more sophisticated in their accuracy, and the therapeutic methods have developed to be less-invasive and more robust. Two treat-ment technologies, Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) and Inten-sity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) are known. At our site, advanced radiotherapy with positional accuracy is provided using linear accelerators featuring an image guidance system. We further exercise our ability in minimizing set-up errors

caused by slight movements of the organs inside the body, with a respiratory synchronization system or implantable fiducial markers. For proper operation of SRT or IMRT, these techniques in adjusting and keeping positional accuracy are prerequisite.

SRT is a radiotherapy requiring high-dose radiation for a brief time with converging beams from multi-angles. It is employed mainly for isolation of a few lesions in lungs, liver, or brain. With IMRT, dose intensity can be adapted with precision according tothe shape of the focal area. It is thus possible to decrease the dose level for the neighboring organs of the focal area, suppress-ing adverse effects, and to increase the dose level for the focal area. We have achieved good results with this method especially on prostate carcinoma and head and neck carcinoma. Concern-ing uterine cervix carcinoma treatment, we are investigating developing image guided brachytherapy using magnetic reso-nance imaging. We also develop therapies with corpuscular rays for intractable carcinoma.

We believe cancer therapy must be conducted in a multimodal approach with three main pillars: surgical therapy, chemo-therapy, and radiotherapy. We address clinical practice and research by giving high priority to fostering cl inician-radiologists, who will practice team medicine across borders of departments and develop expertise in oncology.

Ryohei Sasaki, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Elucidating the mechanisms of action and resis-tance in molecular target drugs

Medical research delivers its significance only by application to the clinic. The Division of Medical Oncology / Hematology con-sciously conducts clinical application-oriented investigations at all times. In clinical practice, we provide drug therapies for all types of cancers, whether hematological or solid. We extract the clinical questions out of our clinical sites and perform both clini-cal research and basic research to solve those questions.

Molecular target drugs developed recently can bring remarkably large effects on some patients. However, such effects do not appear in all patients. Thus, personalized treat-ment with molecular target drugs

which are selected to suit to the type of the individual patients’ cancer is required. Our division is engaged in basic research on the discovery of biomarkers requisite for personalized medicine, through elucidating the mechanisms of drug sensitivity and resistance. In addition, regarding hematologic malignancy, we are devoted to elucidating the molecular bases in the interaction between hematopoietic stem cells and their niche, and execut-ing basic studies to develop novel treatment methods targeting those bases.

The fruit obtained from basic research must be evaluated appro-priately in clinical trials before being launched in clinical sites. We develop translational research for linking to clinical trials, and furthermore, execute early-stage clinical studies including first-in-human studies for patients with solid cancers or hematologi-cal malignancies. We also perform, in our basic studies, “back translational research”, through which the questions found in these developmental therapeutic research can be solved. As for the drug therapies already launched in clinical applications, we actively strive to advance pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, clinical pharmacology research, and clinical trials on the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells for patients with hemato-logic mal ignanc ies , to fur ther develop novel scientific treatment methods, where effectiveness is increased and adverse effects are alleviated.

We are a very unique laboratory which contributes to both basic and clinical research on various solid cancers and hematologic malignancies, in close conjunction with the Department of Medical Oncology / Hematology at Kobe University Hospital, where many expert professionals in the methodologies of clini-cal trials are assembled.

Hironobu Minami, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


28 29

Neurology Radiology Radiation OncologyOncology / Hematology

The Division of Neurology investigates pathomecha-nisms to establish treat-ment methods regarding all diseases in the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscles, and provides medical care at our clinical site. Method-ologically, we make full

use of the sciences of molecular genetics, molecular cellular biol-ogy, biochemistry, neuropathology, and neurophysiology. We are currently developing the following research projects in a joint frame of basic and clinical medicines with the Section of Molecular Brain Science:

1. Dementia-related diseasesWe are the principal member of the Center for Memory andBehavioral Disorders, and are engaged in the diagnosis andtreatment of dementia. We expect to construct a database ofpatients to realize personalized medicine which links to indi-vidual and suitable medical care for patients. Clinical trials con-cerning disease-modifying therapy and the elucidation ofpathomechanism in cerebrovascular dementia, usingischemia-modeled mice, have previously been conducted.

2．NeurophysiologyAs for the numerous cases of immune interstitial neuropathy, including Guillian-Barre syndrome (GBS), electro diagnoses for neuromuscular diseases mainly as a neural conduction test are thoroughly performed to elucidate individual pathological conditions. We are developing novel electromyography in the aim of establishing non-invasive early detection for motor neuron diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Scleosis (ALS).

3．Neurodegenerative diseases (Neuroimaging study, Genome scanning)With the full use of imagery inspections such as MRI, SPECT, and PET, we evaluate intracerebral degeneration and atrophy such as spinocerebellar degeneration or Parkinson’s disease, in qualitative and quantitative ways. We also conduct identifica-tion of pathogenic genome factors of sporadic Parkinson’s disease and the responsible gene of familial neurologic disease of unknown origin, applying advanced genomics (i.e. next-generation sequencing or genome-wide association study).

4. NeuroimmunologyAiming to elucidate the pathology of multiple sclerosis or neu-romyelitis optica, we carry out analyses of lymphocytes usingflow cytometry and analyses of the relevance between thera-pies and clinical conditions.

Internal Medicine Internal Related


The Division of Radiology is mainly engaged in research on diag-nostic imaging (diagnosis) and Interventional Radiology (IVR) which is an image-guided surgery.

The research on diagnostic imaging is subdivided by organ into the discrete subgroups of the central nervous system, circulatory system, respiratory system, abdominal and pelvic regions, osteo-chondro region, and nuclear medicine & PET. We perform research on these issues effectively in close cooperation with related divisions. We consider our primary theme to be the most advanced research with its main grounding in clinical practice. Therefore, our cutting-edge investigations are often conducted with state-of-the-art radiological instruments already introduced in the University Hospital.

Kobe Un i ve r s i t y Hosp i ta l supp le -men t s t h i s w i t h s t a t e - o f - a r t C T s y s tems such a s dual source CT and area detector CT, three 3.0-Tesla MRI systems, two 1.5-Tesla MRI systems,

which are fully running, and the high-tech image processing room where advanced image processing and three-dimensional imaging are available. With a full use of these CT or MRI systems, we investigate advanced diagnostic imaging also with functional and metabolic information as well as morphological therapies and therapy-assisted imaging. In the Nuclear & PET Unit, the myocardial SPECT system equipped with semiconductor radia-tion detector, SPECT-CT system, and PET-CT system have been introduced. Many studies on investigational new drugs are ongoing, in addition to research on diagnostic imaging. Andy, a cyclotron has been installed. Our Hospital, therefore, plans to conduct many more clinical trials and reviews on diagnostic agents as one of the facilities meeting Good Manufacturing Prac-tice (GMP) hereafter.

Regarding our investigations applying the IVR, we principally carry out basic and clinical research, mainly developing novel therapies for various malignant tumors and exploring novel endo-vascular repair methods for aortae and periph-eral vessels, in collabora-tion with the Division of Endovascular Therapy.


The Section of Radiation Oncology proactively implements fusion research with clinical, medical physical, and basic biologi-cal research. We investigate high-precision radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and particle beam therapy in cooperation with neighboring cutting-edge treatment facilities, and then deliver these clinical services.

In recent years, technologies in radiotherapy have become more sophisticated in their accuracy, and the therapeutic methods have developed to be less-invasive and more robust. Two treat-ment technologies, Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) and Inten-sity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) are known. At our site, advanced radiotherapy with positional accuracy is provided using linear accelerators featuring an image guidance system. We further exercise our ability in minimizing set-up errors

caused by slight movements of the organs inside the body, with a respiratory synchronization system or implantable fiducial markers. For proper operation of SRT or IMRT, these techniques in adjusting and keeping positional accuracy are prerequisite.

SRT is a radiotherapy requiring high-dose radiation for a brief time with converging beams from multi-angles. It is employed mainly for isolation of a few lesions in lungs, liver, or brain. With IMRT, dose intensity can be adapted with precision according to the shape of the focal area. It is thus possible to decrease the dose level for the neighboring organs of the focal area, suppress-ing adverse effects, and to increase the dose level for the focal area. We have achieved good results with this method especially on prostate carcinoma and head and neck carcinoma. Concern-ing uterine cervix carcinoma treatment, we are investigating developing image guided brachytherapy using magnetic reso-nance imaging. We also develop therapies with corpuscular rays for intractable carcinoma.

We believe cancer therapy must be conducted in a multimodal approach with three main pillars: surgical therapy, chemo-therapy, and radiotherapy. We address clinical practice and research by giving high priority to fostering cl inician-radiologists, who will practice team medicine across borders of departments and develop expertise in oncology.

Ryohei Sasaki, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Elucidating the mechanisms of action and resis-tance in molecular target drugs

Medical research delivers its significance only by application to the clinic. The Division of Medical Oncology / Hematology con-sciously conducts clinical application-oriented investigations at all times. In clinical practice, we provide drug therapies for all types of cancers, whether hematological or solid. We extract the clinical questions out of our clinical sites and perform both clini-cal research and basic research to solve those questions.

Molecular target drugs developed recently can bring remarkably large effects on some patients. However, such effects do not appear in all patients. Thus, personalized treat-ment with molecular target drugs

which are selected to suit to the type of the individual patients’ cancer is required. Our division is engaged in basic research on the discovery of biomarkers requisite for personalized medicine, through elucidating the mechanisms of drug sensitivity and resistance. In addition, regarding hematologic malignancy, we are devoted to elucidating the molecular bases in the interaction between hematopoietic stem cells and their niche, and execut-ing basic studies to develop novel treatment methods targeting those bases.

The fruit obtained from basic research must be evaluated appro-priately in clinical trials before being launched in clinical sites. We develop translational research for linking to clinical trials, and furthermore, execute early-stage clinical studies including first-in-human studies for patients with solid cancers or hematologi-cal malignancies. We also perform, in our basic studies, “back translational research”, through which the questions found in these developmental therapeutic research can be solved. As for the drug therapies already launched in clinical applications, we actively strive to advance pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, clinical pharmacology research, and clinical trials on the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells for patients with hemato-logic mal ignanc ies , to fur ther develop novel scientific treatment methods, where effectiveness is increased and adverse effects are alleviated.

We are a very unique laboratory which contributes to both basic and clinical research on various solid cancers and hematologic malignancies, in close conjunction with the Department of Medical Oncology / Hematology at Kobe University Hospital, where many expert professionals in the methodologies of clini-cal trials are assembled.

Hironobu Minami, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


28 29

Functional and Diagnos-tic ImagingResearch

Endovascular Therapy Pediatrics General Pediatrics<EndowedChairs>

The Division of Func-tional and Diagnostic Imaging Research was founded in the Depart-ment of Radiology in 2008, for the purpose of executing various collaborative research on radiological medi-c i ne i n a cademic -industrial alliance.

The main research topics in this Division are as follows: 1. Basic and clinical applications of medical imaging engineering and related fields such as Computer-Aided Diagnosis andDetection (CAD) and its related software development withmedical imaging industries2. Basic and clinical applications of quantitative methods usingComputed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imag-ing (MRI) for diagnosis and functional evaluation in patientswith chest and abdominal diseases3. Development of novel diagnostic imaging methods by means of CT and MRI, which can assess a variety of biogenic unvalued information in traditional diagnostic methods4. Translational research, multi-center study with domestic andinternational institutes

Education is one of the most important and highly interesting fields. To the graduate students as well as faculty students, we offer educational programs on basal issues in radiology, medi-cine, medical imaging engineering, chest and abdominal diag-nostic imaging, and fundamental principles of CT and MRI. We also educate domestic and overseas physicians for the under-standing of newly developed functional and diagnostic methods using CAD, CT, and MRI. Delivering education and research train-ing in our division, we expect the physicians to proactively pro-mote and execute medical imaging technology and novel radio-logical methods, which truly contribute not only to radiology, but also patients’ care and other medical fields in both academic and clinical sites.

Furthermore, our Division is promoting many collaborative works in educational and research activities with not only other domestic universities, centers for pulmonology, or cancer cen-ters, but also those in the USA (Harvard Medical School, the Uni-versity of Pennsylvania, the University of Texas, etc.), Germany (Heidelberg University, German Cancer Research Center, etc.), UK (the University of Edinburgh, etc.), and South Korea (Seoul National University, Samsung Medical Center, and Asan Medical Center, etc.).

Internal Related Internal Related

Yoshiharu Ohno, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

The Division of Endovascular Therapy was founded in the Gradu-ate School of Medicine at Kobe University in April, 2009. It aims to establish a new development of endovascular therapy by organizing a modern clinical system under the cross-sectional co-operation of associated departments including cardiotho-racic surgery, interventional radiology, cardiology, and neurosur-gery. The Center for Endovascular Therapy, which was founded at Kobe University Hospital as a clinical division of the depart-ment at the same time, deals with endovascular and other image-guided minimally invasive treatments for various diseases, including endovascular stentgrafting for aortic aneu-rysm, transcatheter percutaneous angioplasty for peripheral arterial disease, and oncologic intervention.

Various clinical research based on substantial experience of endovascular treatment have been achieved in our Division. Multiple scientific papers including long term outcomes of endovascular treatment for iliac aneurysm, long term outcomes of endovascular treatment for utero-arterial fistula, and differen-tiation of clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment for peripheral arterial disease based on the TASC-II classification have been published by authoritative medical journals. Cur-rently, clinical research regarding endovascular treatment for aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and critical limb ischemia are in progress.

Simultaneously, our Division conducts basic research for endo-vascular treatment including the development of new endovas-cular devices and the efficacy and safety of various new embolic materials. Several papers including endovascular creation of aortic dissection in a swine model with technical considerations and inhibition of growth in a rabbit VX2 thigh tumor model with intra-arterial infusion of carbon dioxide-saturated solution have been published by authoritative medical journals. One of our missions is to develop a new, less invasive and safer treatment using basic technology efficiently transferred to the clinical field.


The Division of Pediatrics at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine is engaged in a variety of investigations into diseases of children and newborn infants. Major targets of our laboratory are kidney diseases, newborn infant diseases, nervous and muscular diseases, metabolic and endocrine diseases, hematological tumors, malformation syndromes, and infectious diseases. A wide range of research activities are performed, prin-cipally as an investigation into the development of new thera-pies for refractory diseases, or molecular genetic research unrav-eling etiology and pathology. Our laboratory actively transmitsthose results not only in Japan, but also throughout the world.

As one of our recent topics, an investigator-initiated clinical trial of Rituximab treatment for childhood-onset refractory nephrotic syndrome has achieved significant results. The full study report has been published in The Lancet, and our study has yielded big rewards, in that the application of Rituximab has increased and spread as a therapy for refractory nephrotic syndrome. Beyond that, much other research and development in novel therapies including another investigator-initiated clinical trial of molecular target therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy are in progress. These studies are originally patient-oriented, developed from clinical questions which arose during our medical care for patients. Therefore, those results possess unique characteristics which can directly lead to the clarification of pathogenesis and pathological conditions or to the development of novel thera-pies for refractory diseases.

The Division of Pediatrics at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine is associated with many related facilities notable for their abundance of case reports, such as Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital and other regional core hospitals. In close cooperation with these facilities, a very high-quality education and training programs can be offered for medical students and residents. In FY2013, we concluded an agreement with Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital as our cooperative graduate school. Many quality pediatricians have been accepted into our graduate programs. In such ways, we strive to foster the medical researchers who will be our country’s future in pediatric science.

Kazumoto Iijima, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Medical care in pediatrics mostly focuses on children with acute fever, vomiting, rashes or coughs. In clinical sites though such children present common symptoms, they need to be accurately evaluated even as their medical conditions are changing moment to moment, and appropriate diagnoses and treatments are required. In this field of medicine, therapies based upon rules of thumb have been widely offered, and scientific methods have been poorly employed in previous investigations.

The mission of our laboratory is to disseminate leading-edge knowledge and research technologies into everyday clinical sites of pediatrics, to perform advanced education, research, and therapy on children’s acute diseases, and to return successful results back to community medicine. Spreading these new insights nationwide, we can contribute to the improvement of emergency pediatrics across the country.

In December 2010, the Kobe Children’s Primary Emergency Medical Center was established in the HAT area of Kobe. The research laboratory of our Sec-tion of General Pediatrics under the Graduate School of Medi-cine opened inside the center in conjunction with its opening. We develop clinical and basic research on newborn infant and ch i ld w i th acute common diseases in various areas, such as infectious diseases, allergic diseases, metabolic disorders, nervous diseases, hematologic diseases, kidney diseases, and

respiratory/circulatory diseases, etc., integrating the clinical prac-tice which has been cultivated in the clinical sites of acute diseases treatments and the advanced techniques of research inside the University. Furthermore, we promote the training pro-grams on emergency pediatrics for medical students and younger clinicians, aiming to foster the human resources expected to bear emergency pediatrics in the future.

We expect to further scientifically examine t h e d i a gno s e s a nd therapies for child acute diseases, and construct evidence-based systems of clinical practice and therapies.

Ichiro Morioka, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor


30 31

Functional and Diagnos-tic ImagingResearch

Endovascular Therapy Pediatrics General Pediatrics<EndowedChairs>

The Division of Func-tional and Diagnostic Imaging Research was founded in the Depart-ment of Radiology in 2008, for the purpose of executing various collaborative research on radiological medi-c i ne i n a cademic -industrial alliance.

The main research topics in this Division are as follows: 1. Basic and clinical applications of medical imaging engineering and related fields such as Computer-Aided Diagnosis andDetection (CAD) and its related software development withmedical imaging industries2. Basic and clinical applications of quantitative methods usingComputed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imag-ing (MRI) for diagnosis and functional evaluation in patientswith chest and abdominal diseases3. Development of novel diagnostic imaging methods by means of CT and MRI, which can assess a variety of biogenic unvalued information in traditional diagnostic methods4. Translational research, multi-center study with domestic andinternational institutes

Education is one of the most important and highly interesting fields. To the graduate students as well as faculty students, weoffer educational programs on basal issues in radiology, medi-cine, medical imaging engineering, chest and abdominal diag-nostic imaging, and fundamental principles of CT and MRI. We also educate domestic and overseas physicians for the under-standing of newly developed functional and diagnostic methods using CAD, CT, and MRI. Delivering education and research train-ing in our division, we expect the physicians to proactively pro-mote and execute medical imaging technology and novel radio-logical methods, which truly contribute not only to radiology, but also patients’ care and other medical fields in both academic and clinical sites.

Furthermore, our Division is promoting many collaborative works in educational and research activities with not only other domestic universities, centers for pulmonology, or cancer cen-ters, but also those in the USA (Harvard Medical School, the Uni-versity of Pennsylvania, the University of Texas, etc.), Germany (Heidelberg University, German Cancer Research Center, etc.), UK (the University of Edinburgh, etc.), and South Korea (Seoul National University, Samsung Medical Center, and Asan Medical Center, etc.).


Yoshiharu Ohno, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

The Division of Endovascular Therapy was founded in the Gradu-ate School of Medicine at Kobe University in April, 2009. It aims to establish a new development of endovascular therapy by organizing a modern clinical system under the cross-sectional co-operation of associated departments including cardiotho-racic surgery, interventional radiology, cardiology, and neurosur-gery. The Center for Endovascular Therapy, which was founded at Kobe University Hospital as a clinical division of the depart-ment at the same time, deals with endovascular and other image-guided minimally invasive treatments for various diseases, including endovascular stentgrafting for aortic aneu-rysm, transcatheter percutaneous angioplasty for peripheral arterial disease, and oncologic intervention.

Various clinical research based on substantial experience of endovascular treatment have been achieved in our Division. Multiple scientific papers including long term outcomes of endovascular treatment for iliac aneurysm, long term outcomes of endovascular treatment for utero-arterial fistula, and differen-tiation of clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment for peripheral arterial disease based on the TASC-II classification have been published by authoritative medical journals. Cur-rently, clinical research regarding endovascular treatment for aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and critical limb ischemia are in progress.

Simultaneously, our Division conducts basic research for endo-vascular treatment including the development of new endovas-cular devices and the efficacy and safety of various new embolic materials. Several papers including endovascular creation of aortic dissection in a swine model with technical considerations and inhibition of growth in a rabbit VX2 thigh tumor model with intra-arterial infusion of carbon dioxide-saturated solution have been published by authoritative medical journals. One of our missions is to develop a new, less invasive and safer treatmentusing basic technology efficiently transferred to the clinical field.


The Division of Pediatrics at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine is engaged in a variety of investigations into diseases of children and newborn infants. Major targets of our laboratory are kidney diseases, newborn infant diseases, nervous and muscular diseases, metabolic and endocrine diseases, hematological tumors, malformation syndromes, and infectious diseases. A wide range of research activities are performed, prin-cipally as an investigation into the development of new thera-pies for refractory diseases, or molecular genetic research unrav-eling etiology and pathology. Our laboratory actively transmits those results not only in Japan, but also throughout the world.

As one of our recent topics, an investigator-initiated clinical trial of Rituximab treatment for childhood-onset refractory nephrotic syndrome has achieved significant results. The full study report has been published in The Lancet, and our study has yielded big rewards, in that the application of Rituximab has increased and spread as a therapy for refractory nephrotic syndrome. Beyond that, much other research and development in novel therapies including another investigator-initiated clinical trial of molecular target therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy are in progress. These studies are originally patient-oriented, developed from clinical questions which arose during our medical care for patients. Therefore, those results possess unique characteristics which can directly lead to the clarification of pathogenesis and pathological conditions or to the development of novel thera-pies for refractory diseases.

The Division of Pediatrics at the Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine is associated with many related facilities notable for their abundance of case reports, such as Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital and other regional core hospitals. In close cooperation with these facilities, a very high-quality education and training programs can be offered for medical students and residents. In FY2013, we concluded an agreement with Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital as our cooperative graduate school. Many quality pediatricians have been accepted into our graduate programs. In such ways, we strive to foster the medical researchers who will be our country’s future in pediatric science.

Kazumoto Iijima, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Medical care in pediatrics mostly focuses on children with acute fever, vomiting, rashes or coughs. In clinical sites though such children present common symptoms, they need to be accurately evaluated even as their medical conditions are changing moment to moment, and appropriate diagnoses and treatments are required. In this field of medicine, therapies based upon rules of thumb have been widely offered, and scientific methods have been poorly employed in previous investigations.

The mission of our laboratory is to disseminate leading-edge knowledge and research technologies into everyday clinical sites of pediatrics, to perform advanced education, research, and therapy on children’s acute diseases, and to return successful results back to community medicine. Spreading these new insights nationwide, we can contribute to the improvement of emergency pediatrics across the country.

In December 2010, the Kobe Children’s Primary Emergency Medical Center was established in the HAT area of Kobe. The research laboratory of our Sec-tion of General Pediatrics under the Graduate School of Medi-cine opened inside the center in conjunction with its opening. We develop clinical and basic research on newborn infant and ch i ld w i th acute common diseases in various areas, such as infectious diseases, allergic diseases, metabolic disorders, nervous diseases, hematologic diseases, kidney diseases, and

respiratory/circulatory diseases, etc., integrating the clinical prac-tice which has been cultivated in the clinical sites of acute diseases treatments and the advanced techniques of research inside the University. Furthermore, we promote the training pro-grams on emergency pediatrics for medical students and younger clinicians, aiming to foster the human resources expected to bear emergency pediatrics in the future.

We expect to further scientifically examine t h e d i a gno s e s a nd therapies for child acute diseases, and construct evidence-based systems of clinical practice and therapies.

Ichiro Morioka, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor


30 31

Dermatology Psychiatry Laboratory Medicine Evidence-based LaboratoryMedicine （Sysmex）<EndowedChairs>

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. The mission of our Division is to explore a variety of life phenomena around the skin and their disruptions resulting in skin diseases. Dermatology has grown to be a mature interdisciplinary system covering molecular biology and genetics. Skin diseases are expressed over a fairly expanded range, and in varied ways as induced or modi-fied forms: inflammatory diseases such as allergy, skin neoplasm, and skin diseases caused by environmental factors including the sunlight.

Capturing a correlat ion between clinical findings in front of our eyes and histo-pathological diagnosis, we can carefully pursue which molecules of the skin cells a re t a rge ted , and why

particular symptoms have been induced. It is an attractive feature of our science that we can make a diagnosis and select an appropriate therapy through understanding these molecular pathogeneses based on skin manifestations and histological findings perceived with our own naked eyes. We provide services for 120 clinical outpatients and care for 28 inpatients per day. Therefore, for students, we can prepare a favorable environ-ment for raising their ability to gain full-spectrum clinical skills through a wide variety of case analyses.

Since research activities are absolutely pivotal in comprehending pathogenesis, we currently investigate skin malignant tumors, skin allergy diseases and photobiology. In particular, in order to view all life phenomena from the molecular level, we proactively push forward collaborative studies with other divisions in basic medicine of our University, which has already delivered numer-ous excellent results. This has been well-known as our traditional strong point for many years, especially regarding signal trans-duction. Thus, we enhance our approach at the molecular biological level, and focus on developing therapies based on pathogenesis.

In the field of therapeutic research, we focus on translational research through the cross talk of basic research and clinical science: translational research on skin malignant tumors, includ-ing malignant melanoma, which is under investigation. As a “mecca of photo-medicine”, we strive for basic and clinical research on photobiol-ogy, expecting our activities to bring ben-efits to patients.

To all energetic young doctors who aspire to be “Physician Scientists”, we welcome you! Why don’t you experience the secrets of “the Skin” with us?


Chikako Nishigori, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Psychiatry consists of four specialized groups: Molecular Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, and General Clinical Research.

The Molecular Psychiatry Group studies the molecular pathophysiology of mental disorders. Methodologies of molecu-lar genetics are used for our research on schizophrenia or suicidal behavior. Recently, stem cell technologies have also come to be applied to our biological models of mental disorders.

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Group studies diagnoses and therapies for developmental disorders such as autism spec-trum disorder through the neuropsychological field. Another significant research area includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children. Many children developed the disorder after they were exposed to the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake disas-ter that devastated our community.

The Geriatric Psychia-t r y G roup ma in l y studies dementia , such as Alzheimer’s disease. Many clinical trials for the develop-ment of new thera-peutics of dementia have been conducted in our department. R e c e n t l y w e a r e studying dementia

using the latest equipment such as Positron emission tomogra-phy (PET).

The Clinical Research Group conducts research on the effective-ness of rehabilitation in the acute phase of schizophrenia in accordance with clinical cases.

Clinical training of residents and medical students is emphasized in our Division. Special training programs of psychiatry are arranged to teach biological and psychological aspects of mental disorders in the aim of offering suitable medical care to patients.

Ichiro Sora, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Laboratory Medicine is applied to a variety of purposes including multiphasic screening and epidemiological studies, as well as clinical services from routine practice through advanced medical treatment. The employed laboratory tests corresponding to changing times and progress in medicine has been rapidly trans-formed. The role of our science is to analyze and integrate examinations scientifically to follow their respective objectives, and to further develop novel screening tests. Our research activi-ties are carried forward with these two perspectives in mind.

Our Division contributes to surveys conducted with the data obtained in our field, the Depart-ment of Clinical Labora-tory at Kobe University Hospital, as well as to basic research for devel-oping novel screening

tests. In our Hospital, a diverse range of disease cases have accu-mulated, and patients come here seeking consultations, and high-quality medical aid. The staff of our Division pursue intense studies in close collaboration with the professionals of each clini-cal department for updated and optimal screenings, provided in the Department of Clinical Laboratory at our Hospital. Thus far, we have delivered significant achievements through many collaborative studies with the Departments of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Gastroenter-ology, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Nephrology, Pediatrics, Obs te t r i c s and Gyneco logy , De rmato logy , Med i ca l Oncology/Hematology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, and Breast Surgery.

Recently, we are focusing on gene-related testing, and consider-able achievements have been obtained in genetic diagnosis for congenital thrombosis and in molecular diagnosis for hematopoietic tumors. On another front, the development of novel screenings, we strive for pathological diagnosis with microRNA for rheumatoid arthritis, a rapid test with mass spec-trograph for drug-resistant bacteria, metabolome pathological analysis for collagen diseases (in collaboration with the Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology), genetic diagnosis for myeloid muscular atrophy (in collaboration with the Division of Epidemiology), and the discovery of molecular markers for malignant melanoma. Our Division further advances the devel-opment of tests, contribut-ing to active investigations into drug discovery with microRNA for rheumatoid arthritis or pathological analysis on autoantigen SSA/Ro52.


The Division of Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine was estab-lished in 2004, under the mission to collaboratively develop novel assessment methods which are of practical use, and to elucidate scientifically the effectiveness of assessment.

For the development of medicine, improvements in clinical assessment are requisite. And today, in our society where high-precision, personalized medicine is also required, the establish-ment of assessment methods and the identification of biomark-ers, through which the risks of diseases can be detected rapidly and easily stratified, are the highlighted issues, much needed not only for disease control but also from the viewpoint of medi-cal economy.

Our laboratory strives for the discovery of novel biomarkers and the development of clinical assessments, targeting cancers and lifestyle-related diseases which account for the majority of causes of death in Japan. Recently, we have discovered a novel candidate marker for cardiac failure through the analysis of blood metabolite profiles using gas chromatography-mass spec-troscopy. To seek its diagnostic meaning, we are validating which pathological conditions are reflected there, turning back from bedside to bench.

In clinical practice regarding high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the measurement of contained cholesterol is the only existing effec-tive method to evaluate HDL. We are trying to develop novel functional assessments from a perspective of lipoprotein particles. Furthermore, we verify the clinical significance of the existing assessment methods through collecting data from pro-spective clinical trials and in clinical epidemiology. We explore the suitable methods for use, concerning the medical economic effects, and novel indexes which further clarify risks by combin-ing the existing methods with other emerging ones.


Ryuji Toh, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor


32 33

Dermatology Psychiatry Laboratory Medicine Evidence-based LaboratoryMedicine （Sysmex）<EndowedChairs>

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. The mission ofour Division is to explore a variety of life phenomena around the skin and their disruptions resulting in skin diseases. Dermatology has grown to be a mature interdisciplinary system covering molecular biology and genetics. Skin diseases are expressed over a fairly expanded range, and in varied ways as induced or modi-fied forms: inflammatory diseases such as allergy, skin neoplasm,and skin diseases caused by environmental factors including the sunlight.

Capturing a correlat ion between clinical findings in front of our eyes and histo-pathological diagnosis, we can carefully pursue which molecules of the skin cells a re t a rge ted , and why

particular symptoms have been induced. It is an attractive feature of our science that we can make a diagnosis and select an appropriate therapy through understanding these molecular pathogeneses based on skin manifestations and histological findings perceived with our own naked eyes. We provide services for 120 clinical outpatients and care for 28 inpatients per day. Therefore, for students, we can prepare a favorable environ-ment for raising their ability to gain full-spectrum clinical skills through a wide variety of case analyses.

Since research activities are absolutely pivotal in comprehending pathogenesis, we currently investigate skin malignant tumors, skin allergy diseases and photobiology. In particular, in order to view all life phenomena from the molecular level, we proactively push forward collaborative studies with other divisions in basic medicine of our University, which has already delivered numer-ous excellent results. This has been well-known as our traditional strong point for many years, especially regarding signal trans-duction. Thus, we enhance our approach at the molecular biological level, and focus on developing therapies based on pathologenesis.

In the field of therapeutic research, we focus on translational research through the cross talk of basic research and clinical science: translational research on skin malignant tumors, includ-ing malignant melanoma, which is under investigation. As a “mecca of photo-medicine”, we strive for basic and clinical research on photobiol-ogy, expecting our activities to bring ben-efits to patients.

To all energetic young doctors who aspire to be “Physician Scientists”, we welcome you! Why don’t you experience the secrets of “the Skin” with us?


Chikako Nishigori, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Psychiatry consists of four specialized groups: Molecular Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, and General Clinical Research.

The Molecular Psychiatry Group studies the molecular pathophysiology of mental disorders. Methodologies of molecu-lar genetics are used for our research on schizophrenia or suicidal behavior. Recently, stem cell technologies have also come to be applied to our biological models of mental disorders.

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Group studies diagnoses and therapies for developmental disorders such as autism spec-trum disorder through the neuropsychological field. Another significant research area includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children. Many children developed the disorder after they were exposed to the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake disas-ter that devastated our community.

The Geriatric Psychia-t r y G roup ma in l y studies dementia , such as Alzheimer’s disease. Many clinical trials for the develop-ment of new thera-peutics of dementia have been conducted in our department. R e c e n t l y w e a r e studying dementia

using the latest equipment such as Positron emission tomogra-phy (PET).

The Clinical Research Group conducts research on the effective-ness of rehabilitation in the acute phase of schizophrenia in accordance with clinical cases.

Clinical training of residents and medical students is emphasized in our Division. Special training programs of psychiatry are arranged to teach biological and psychological aspects of mental disorders in the aim of offering suitable medical care to patients.

Ichiro Sora, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Laboratory Medicine is applied to a variety of purposes including multiphasic screening and epidemiological studies, as well as clinical services from routine practice through advanced medical treatment. The employed laboratory tests corresponding to changing times and progress in medicine has been rapidly trans-formed. The role of our science is to analyze and integrate examinations scientifically to follow their respective objectives, and to further develop novel screening tests. Our research activi-ties are carried forward with these two perspectives in mind.

Our Division contributes to surveys conducted with the data obtained in our field, the Depart-ment of Clinical Labora-tory at Kobe University Hospital, as well as to basic research for devel-oping novel screening

tests. In our Hospital, a diverse range of disease cases have accu-mulated, and patients come here seeking consultations, and high-quality medical aid. The staff of our Division pursue intense studies in close collaboration with the professionals of each clini-cal department for updated and optimal screenings, provided in the Department of Clinical Laboratory at our Hospital. Thus far, we have delivered significant achievements through many collaborative studies with the Departments of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Gastroenter-ology, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Nephrology, Pediatrics, Obs te t r i c s and Gyneco logy , De rmato logy , Med i ca l Oncology/Hematology, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, and Breast Surgery.

Recently, we are focusing on gene-related testing, and consider-able achievements have been obtained in genetic diagnosis for congenital thrombosis and in molecular diagnosis for hematopoietic tumors. On another front, the development of novel screenings, we strive for pathological diagnosis with microRNA for rheumatoid arthritis, a rapid test with mass spec-trograph for drug-resistant bacteria, metabolome pathological analysis for collagen diseases (in collaboration with the Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology), genetic diagnosis for myeloid muscular atrophy (in collaboration with the Division of Epidemiology), and the discovery of molecular markers for malignant melanoma. Our Division further advances the devel-opment of tests, contribut-ing to active investigations into drug discovery with microRNA for rheumatoid arthritis or pathological analysis on autoantigen SSA/Ro52.


The Division of Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine was estab-lished in 2004, under the mission to collaboratively develop novel assessment methods which are of practical use, and to elucidate scientifically the effectiveness of assessment.

For the development of medicine, improvements in clinical assessment are requisite. And today, in our society where high-precision, personalized medicine is also required, the establish-ment of assessment methods and the identification of biomark-ers, through which the risks of diseases can be detected rapidly and easily stratified, are the highlighted issues, much needed not only for disease control but also from the viewpoint of medi-cal economy.

Our laboratory strives for the discovery of novel biomarkers and the development of clinical assessments, targeting cancers and lifestyle-related diseases which account for the majority of causes of death in Japan. Recently, we have discovered a novel candidate marker for cardiac failure through the analysis of blood metabolite profiles using gas chromatography-mass spec-troscopy. To seek its diagnostic meaning, we are validating which pathological conditions are reflected there, turning back from bedside to bench.

In clinical practice regarding high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the measurement of contained cholesterol is the only existing effec-tive method to evaluate HDL. We are trying to develop novel functional assessments from a perspective of lipoprotein particles. Furthermore, we verify the clinical significance of the existing assessment methods through collecting data from pro-spective clinical trials and in clinical epidemiology. We explore the suitable methods for use, concerning the medical economic effects, and novel indexes which further clarify risks by combin-ing the existing methods with other emerging ones.


Ryuji Toh, M.D., Ph.D.Associate Professor


32 33

Translational Research for Biologics

iPS Cell Applications Gastrointestinal SurgeryPharmaceutics

Internal Related Internal Related/Surgery

In the healthcare and medical field, one of the growth areas in the next generation, the development of innovative pharmaceu-ticals and medical devices, is a pressing and pivotal subject which is requisite for our nation’s vitalization. And, in recent advanced medicine, the significance of biopharmaceuticals (biologics) applied with bio-technology and the necessity of translational research serving as a bridge between various biologics and clinical care has been increasing. Currently, aca-demia still precedes industry in the field of molecular biology, where novel biologics are created. In society, it is also necessary that research institutes, including university laboratories, actively work to execute translational studies bridging their original biological formulation to their medical products. Based upon these background situations, our Division was established, aiming to promote the development of translational research from bench to bedside, and to developing novel biologics.

Our Division advances developing drug discovery with a variety of biologics including viruses, probiotics, and human cells. We are now applying the adenoviral gene therapy drug in collabora-tion with the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation. We also execute collaborative research and development on com-bined cancer therapy of gene therapy drugs with immune cells, together with some overseas research institutes in the United States, China, and the Philippines. We are currently investigating the development of an oral vaccine using Bifidobacteria, which is a representative probiotic as a platform, in collaboration with Morishita Jiintan Co., Ltd. In these ways, we are proactively devoted to academia-industry cooperation and overseas opera-tions through research and development in novel biologics.


The Division of iPS Cell Applications was established in April 2013. induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) signifies a cell line obtained through incubation after introduction of a small number of factors into somatic cells under a specified environment. It is felt that iPS cells can become a powerful tool in many medical fields, such as drug discovery, pathogenesis research, and regenerativemedicine among others, due to their capability of infinite prolif-eration inside the laboratory and differentiation into all the vari-ous kinds of cells needed for constructing a human body. There-fore, Kobe University initiated our Division of iPS Cell Applica-tions as a base site for promoting research and development into iPS cell-applied medicine in April 2013.

Our laboratory aims to truly utilize iPS cells for clinical medicine. To accomplish this mission, we promote an approach for integral

development of two main pillars: Improv-ing infrastructure in research and devel-opment and foster-i n g h u m a n resources. The basic arrangement of the study environment and the measures

for regulations, with which the iPS cell establishment or induc-tion to various cell differentiation can be conducted, have already reached completion, and further improvements are con-tinuously executed.

Our laboratory has started collaborative research with other clinical divisions, aiming at further comprehension of novel disease mechanisms and drug discovery based on this under-standing. They are executed and controlled under two teaching expert staff members with wide experience in iPS cells research. Graduate students from various division fields and younger researchers pursue this research, acquiring the methodology themselves in parallel.

We currently target the diseases in digestive organs, respiratory organs, nerves, and skin. And, we plan to construct a wide range of technological infrastructure, corresponding to the research needs obtained from various clinical fields. Furthermore, we enhance investigations linked to innovative devel-opment in cancer therapy, b y c ap tu r i ng i P S c e l l -inducing technologies in an expanded application and preparing cancer stem cells in artificial ways.

Takashi Aoi, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

The Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery conducts clinical and basic research on all gastrointestinal tracts, mainly in the esophagus, stomach, and the large intestine.

Since 2005, we have treated approx. 300 cases of esophageal carcinoma, approx. 500 of gastric carcinoma, and approx. 500 of colorectal carcinoma. From the vast amounts of data accumu-lated thereby, we extract new clinical questions and work to solve them.

We actively employ laparoscopic least-invasive surgery and robot-assisted surgery, and are working on verifying their utility. To extend the possibilities of our leading-edge therapies, we are developing new image analyzing technology and a surgery sup-

porting system using C ompu t e r A s s i s t e d Surgery (CAS).

A s f o r m u l t i m o d a l t he r apy , we c l o s e l y co l laborate wi th the Department of Radiology and the Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, and proac-

tively use chemoradiotherapy for rectal carcinoma and preop-erative chemotherapy for gastric carcinoma. We are now verify-ing the results and developing a more effective treatment. We also participate in many nationwide research groups and multi-center collaborations.

In basic research, we deal with gastrointestinal surgery and related areas: research on iPS cells, development of tumor immunotherapy, and induction of cancer stem cells, with varied approaches, on our own or with other basic research divisions.

As for education of students and residents, we offer an environ-ment where they can study with interest, designing integrated programs from systematic lectures, and bedside observation through actual practice. We aim to encourage them to be indi-viduals who autonomously learn and mature.

We work with other departments of surgery, coordinating hands-on seminars and workshops to train in basic surgical skills. Through seminars, participants’ questions and levels of profi-ciency are clarified and linked to create more sophisticated pro-grams. We also welcome over-seas s tudents , which g ives significant chances to laboratory members and residents to culti-vate their global awareness.

Yoshihiro Kakeji, M.D., Ph.D.Professor









34 35

Translational Research for Biologics

iPS Cell Applications Gastrointestinal SurgeryPharmaceutics

Internal Related Internal Related/Surgery

In the healthcare and medical field, one of the growth areas in the next generation, the development of innovative pharmaceu-ticals and medical devices, is a pressing and pivotal subject which is requisite for our nation’s vitalization. And, in recent advanced medicine, the significance of biopharmaceuticals (biologics) applied with bio-technology and the necessity of translational research serving as a bridge between various biologics and clinical care has been increasing. Currently, aca-demia still precedes industry in the field of molecular biology, where novel biologics are created. In society, it is also necessary that research institutes, including university laboratories, actively work to execute translational studies bridging their original biological formulation to their medical products. Based upon these background situations, our Division was established, aiming to promote the development of translational research from bench to bedside, and to developing novel biologics.

Our Division advances developing drug discovery with a variety of biologics including viruses, probiotics, and human cells. We are now applying the adenoviral gene therapy drug in collabora-tion with the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation. We also execute collaborative research and development on com-bined cancer therapy of gene therapy drugs with immune cells, together with some overseas research institutes in the United States, China, and the Philippines. We are currently investigating the development of an oral vaccine using Bifidobacteria, which is a representative probiotic as a platform, in collaboration with Morishita Jiintan Co., Ltd. In these ways, we are proactively devoted to academia-industry cooperation and overseas opera-tions through research and development in novel biologics.


The Division of iPS Cell Applications was established in April 2013. induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) signifies a cell line obtained through incubation after introduction of a small number of factors into somatic cells under a specified environment. It is felt that iPS cells can become a powerful tool in many medical fields, such as drug discovery, pathogenesis research, and regenerative medicine among others, due to their capability of infinite prolif-eration inside the laboratory and differentiation into all the vari-ous kinds of cells needed for constructing a human body. There-fore, Kobe University initiated our Division of iPS Cell Applica-tions as a base site for promoting research and development into iPS cell-applied medicine in April 2013.

Our laboratory aims to truly utilize iPS cells for clinical medicine. To accomplish this mission, we promote an approach for integral

development of two main pillars: Improv-ing infrastructure in research and devel-opment and foster-i n g h u m a n resources. The basic arrangement of the study environment and the measures

for regulations, with which the iPS cell establishment or induc-tion to various cell differentiation can be conducted, have already reached completion, and further improvements are con-tinuously executed.

Our laboratory has started collaborative research with other clinical divisions, aiming at further comprehension of novel disease mechanisms and drug discovery based on this under-standing. They are executed and controlled under two teaching expert staff members with wide experience in iPS cells research. Graduate students from various division fields and younger researchers pursue this research, acquiring the methodology themselves in parallel.

We currently target the diseases in digestive organs, respiratory organs, nerves, and skin. And, we plan to construct a wide range of technological infrastructure, corresponding to the research needs obtained from various clinical fields. Furthermore, we enhance investigations linked to innovative devel-opment in cancer therapy, b y c ap tu r i ng i P S c e l l -inducing technologies in an expanded application and preparing cancer stem cells in artificial ways.

Takashi Aoi, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

The Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery conducts clinical and basic research on all gastrointestinal tracts, mainly in the esophagus, stomach, and the large intestine.

Since 2005, we have treated approx. 300 cases of esophageal carcinoma, approx. 500 of gastric carcinoma, and approx. 500 of colorectal carcinoma. From the vast amounts of data accumu-lated thereby, we extract new clinical questions and work to solve them.

We actively employ laparoscopic least-invasive surgery and robot-assisted surgery, and are working on verifying their utility. To extend the possibilities of our leading-edge therapies, we are developing new image analyzing technology and a surgery sup-

porting system using C ompu t e r A s s i s t e d Surgery (CAS).

A s f o r m u l t i m o d a l t he r apy , we c l o s e l y co l laborate wi th the Department of Radiology and the Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, and proac-

tively use chemoradiotherapy for rectal carcinoma and preop-erative chemotherapy for gastric carcinoma. We are now verify-ing the results and developing a more effective treatment. We also participate in many nationwide research groups and multi-center collaborations.

In basic research, we deal with gastrointestinal surgery and related areas: research on iPS cells, development of tumor immunotherapy, and induction of cancer stem cells, with varied approaches, on our own or with other basic research divisions.

As for education of students and residents, we offer an environ-ment where they can study with interest, designing integrated programs from systematic lectures, and bedside observation through actual practice. We aim to encourage them to be indi-viduals who autonomously learn and mature.

We work with other departments of surgery, coordinating hands-on seminars and workshops to train in basic surgical skills. Through seminars, participants’ questions and levels of profi-ciency are clarified and linked to create more sophisticated pro-grams. We also welcome over-seas s tudents , which g ives significant chances to laboratory members and residents to culti-vate their global awareness.

Yoshihiro Kakeji, M.D., Ph.D.Professor









34 35

Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery

Cardiovascular Surgery Thoracic Surgery Orthopaedics

The Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery was estab-lished in April 2007. Our laboratory provides leading-edge medi-cine relevant to surgical treatments in the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas.

1. Innovative strategy for liver disease We select the most suitable therapy from existing methods,such as hepatectomy, living donor liver transplantation, radiof-requency wave congelation, and Kobe University’s originaladvanced medicine, percutaneous liver perfusion chemo-therapy. Though multiple advanced liver carcinoma associates with portal vein tumor thrombosis, we aggressively imple-ment two-step therapy of tumor thrombosis/reduced liverresection and percutaneous liver perfusion. The results fromtwo-step therapy for far advanced liver carcinoma have comeout with response rate of 69% and a complete remission rateof 26%. As of December 2014, we have conducted living donor liver transplantation in 72 cases and deceased donor livertransplantation in 8 cases. The ratio of discharge after trans-plantation is excellent, at 87%.

2. Multimodal therapy and laparoscopic surgery for biliarydiseaseLimited surgery is performed for early stage cases, and multi-modal therapy including chemotherapy is performed foradvanced stage cases with excellent results. For benigndiseases such as gallstone and choledocholithiasis, we actively promote laparoscopic surgery including end-style.

3. Surgical therapy for pancreatic diseaseAlthough pancreatic carcinoma is intractable, we aggressively conduct radical operations including vascular excision. Wealso select multimodal therapy in combination with chemo-therapy, chemo-radiotherapy, and chemo-particle ray therapy to improve overall survival. In 2010, laparoscopic pancreassurgery was introduced as an advanced medicine with excel-lent results from 47 cases. We also execute limited operationssuch as partial excision of the pancreas or enucleation basedon malignancy.For patients with severe type-1 diabetes mellitus, simultane-ous pancreas-kidney transplantations from deceased donorshave been conducted in 7 cases with excellent results.

4. Two-step therapy of spacer surgery and particle radiotherapy for abdominal and pelvic malignant tumorSince September 2006, we have performed spacer surgery incombination with particle radiotherapy for the patients withintractable diseases, such as hepatic portal bile duct and pan-creatic carcinoma, retroperitoneal sarcoma, and sacral regionchordoma in more than 100 cases with excellent results.

Surgery Surgery/Surgery Related

Yonson Ku, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Yutaka Okita, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Thoracic Surgery was established on December 1st, 2012. The chair was assigned, and started with the aim of progressing both in basic/clinical research and in clinical prac-tice.

Concerning clinical practice, the number of surgeries under gen-eral anesthesia is constantly increasing. The degree of increase in cases with primary lung cancer is especially remarkable. Reflect-ing the acceleration of aging in society, such an increase willsurely escalate in the future. Our Division also is engaged in tho-racoscopic surgery for various respiratory diseases. For instance, the proportion of patients with primary lung cancer suitable for thoracoscopic surgery for complete resection among all patients who have surgery has been increasing toward 90 %. It shows a rise of therapeutic use. In this way, we take advantage of the development and introduction of minimally invasive operations, which will decrease the burden on patients. This is one of the pillars of our clinical practice and research activities. As well as improving minimally invasive operations, establishing multi-modal therapy for malignant diseases is also an important mis-sion. We are seeking the best medicine for patients, based on accurate pathological observations, by combining anticancer agents, radiotherapy, and surgery, and through initiating confer-ences on pulmonary medicine over the years.

Our Division develops research based on clinical insights. Particularly, with the aim of solving the problems of lung cancer therapy, we carry out studies using clinical data and samples. In patients with early lung cancer, a number of relapses have beenobserved after complete resection. We expect to discover a molecular biological index which will sort the groups at high risk of relapse, and link it to the discovery of a molecular target for postoperative adjunctive therapy to prevent relapse. Currently, we are focusing on several oncogenic genes and proteins from the viewpoint of the formation of wetting and/or metastasis in early cancer. Although immediate feedback to the clinical sitescannot be expected, we are willingly contributing our efforts to the future of lung cancer therapy.

The history of cardiovascular surgery goes back only about 50 years. The passion and effort of our predecessors’ earnest hopes to cure the sick patients have continued over half a century, and they have brought us stable surgical outcomes in the present day. Their aspirations at that time must be the same level of pas-sion as that of the pioneers who had dreamt of landing rockets on the moon.

Cardiac surgery, which entailed many risks in the past, has improved greatly through support from a vari-ety of developments in the field of technology. The establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass, the devel-opment of cardioplegia which can stop the heart safely, improvements of organ safety including cerebral protection, the establishment of heart transplantation, the development of cardiopulmonary bypass, and the establish-ment of the method of cardiac surgery for premature infants… these technical advances are all remarkable.

Our Division of Cardiovascular Surgery is devoted to investiga-tions which can be rapidly reflected in practical clinical results, thereby contributing to society. We aim to elucidate unclear pathologies in clinical sites and to develop cutting-edge medical technologies such as medical engineering, tissue-engineering, and organ/tissue transplantation. We hope to improve our surgi-cal outcomes, and that this will lead to higher QOL for patients in the long-term.

In our Division, it is necessary to keep our clinical results stable, to perform highly qualified surgeries considering the patient’s prognosis over the long-term, and to develop perioperative management. To this end, the passion of young people is a vital and necessary addition to a team of seasoned experts. We wel-come the young, who have the faith to pursue a career in the field of cardiovascular surgery.

Our ongoing research themes:1. Research on aortic aneurysm:Brain ischemia at aortic dissec-tion, Spinal cord ischemiaduring surgery of thoracoab-dominal aortic aneurysm, Research on aortic base dynamics2. Basic research using sustained-release gel:Sclerosis at reinforcing walls, Anti-infectivity, Arterialization of vein3. Development of small-caliber vascular graftLong-term patency of the vascular graft with a diameter of 2mm has been confirmed.4. Basic research on cardiopulmonary bypassDevelopment of minimally invasive cardiopulmonary bypass5. Research on acute rejection

Yoshimasa Maniwa, M.D., Ph.D., FCCPProfessor

The Division of Orthopaedics of Kobe University was founded in 1954. Hence, we provide medical care from various viewpoints. Our Division consists of many physicians, each expert in diseases such as of those of the spine, knee, lower extremities, upper extremities, as well as sports injuries, tumors, trauma, and rheu-matism. All are proactively engaged in clinical practice, educa-tion, and research in their respective areas.

Concerning research, we are involved in bas ic and c l in ica l research in each area o f e xpe r t i s e . Wepresent our resultsand new perceptions through academiccon fe r ence s and

journals not only within Japan but also throughout the world. We put our strength into establishing novel therapies using stem cells and studying the molecules activating stem cells. As part of our translat ional research, we conduct cl inical studies/trials upon our basic research results and with the fore-going cells to establish novel effective therapies.

Recently, the effectiveness of therapy with pseud-arthrosis for bone fracture with peripheral vascular cells and of cartilage regenerative medicine applying autologous transplantation of cartilage cells has been validated through multicenter studies with the Institute of Biomedical Research Innovation (IBRI). Further, we are devoted to basic research towards novel drug discovery for each disease, we elucidate their characteristic pathologies, and develop diagnostic science and novel surgical techniques.

In education, we make efforts to foster physicians who provide care for patients suffering from intractable diseases. For faculty students, we have programs targeting students’ comprehension of each pathology of disease through to therapy at actual clinical sites, instructed by expert physicians in each area. For graduate students, we train them to become experts who will broaden their activities in international communities. We implement a study-abroad program through which graduates receive excel-lent opportunities to develop their research abroad, in places such as in the United States.

In clinical practice, expert physicians offer medical care in their areas . We expect to imp rove ou r t r e a t -ments, applying state-of-the-art diagnostic devices and therapeu-tic instruments.

Masahiro Kurosaka, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


36 37

Pediatric SurgeryBreast and Endocrine Surgery

Research Fields Surgery

Kosaku Maeda, M.D., Ph. D.Visiting Professor

Eiji Nishijima, M.D., Ph.D.Visiting Professor

The Division of Breast Surgery was newly established in the Department of surgery in April 2008. We are devoted to provid-ing diagnoses and therapies for patients with mammary diseases, mainly breast cancer, and implementing translational research in those diseases.

As for clinical practice, we are engaged in the evaluation of mammary minimal lesions using the Tomosynthesis system in cooperation with radiologic technologists. Our Division has obtained the accreditation as a facility conducting breast recon-struction expanders and a facility conducting implants, and is actively involved in breast construction in cooperation with the Division of Plastic Surgery. Concerning basic research, we deal with investigations applying subcultures of human breast cancer tissues using Xenograft mice and the research/development of microwave mammography in collaboration with the Graduate School of Science at Kobe University.

Breast cancer is not considered to be homogeneous, and is categorized into various subgroups according to gene expression pattern. Therapies based on molecular markers indicating respec-tive tumor expres-

sions have come to be aggressively performed. In recent years, technologies of polygene assay have greatly developed. The recurrence risk of breast cancer in patients with endocrine-sensitive breast cancer and the effect of chemotherapy addition have become more predictable by applying assays such as OncotypeDx, Cure Best 95GC breast. We are aspiring to offer Precision Medicine by actively utilizing this provided informa-tion.

The Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery is currently prepar-ing for the construction of a new system, through which patients with hereditary breast cancer, including hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome can be identified and investigated during genetic counseling through BRCA1/2 gene mutation screening, and through which gene mutation holders can be treated with prophylactic mastectomy or prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. Furthermore, we are striving to foster and edu-cate younger physicians through participating in investigator-initiated clinical trials and multicenter-collaborative clinical trials organized by the NPO, called KBCOG: Kobe Breast Cancer Oncol-ogy Group which promotes clinical trials in Kobe.

Shintaro Takao, M.D., Ph.D.Visiting Professor

The Division of Pediatric Surgery was established in April 2007. Since then, we contribute to providing pediatric surgical care, adopting widely varying viewpoints. Our Division aims to make progress in both basic/clinical research and clinical practice.

As for clinical practice, the number of pediatric surger ies per formed under general anesthesia h a s b e en g r adua l l y increasing. Our Division is engaged in neonatal surgery and pediatric thoracic surgery, espe-cially that of the airway and esophagus. We also

develop novel operative procedures in these areas, presenting our successful results at many international conferences.

Our Division of Pediatric Surgery is investing in what can soon be reflected in practical clinical results, signifying our contribution to society. We aim to elucidate uncertain pathogenesis at clinical sites and to develop cutting-edge medical technologies such as tissue engineering and organ/tissue transplantation.

In our Division, it is necessary to maintain stable performance in clinical results, providing highly-qualified surgical techniques, and considering child patients’ growth and development over the long-term. To this end, the passion of young surgeons plays a vital and indispensable role in our team, consist-ing of experienced specialists. We wel-come young people with the faith to pursue a career in our field of Pediatric Surgery.

Concerning research activities, we are involved in basic and clinical research, in our respective areas of expertise in Pediatrics.

Our ongoing studies are focused on the following subjects:1. Pathophysiology of surgical diseases in infants and neonates2. Novel surgical treatment of congenital airway anomalies3. Development of novel surgical treatment for neonates and infants4. Basic research on tracheal transplantation and small intestine transplantation

E-mail: [email protected] (Correspondence to Prof. K. Maeda)

207×297mm

Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery

Cardiovascular Surgery Thoracic Surgery Orthopaedics

The Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery was estab-lished in April 2007. Our laboratory provides leading-edge medi-cine relevant to surgical treatments in the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas.

1. Innovative strategy for liver disease We select the most suitable therapy from existing methods,such as hepatectomy, living donor liver transplantation, radiof-requency wave congelation, and Kobe University’s originaladvanced medicine, percutaneous liver perfusion chemo-therapy. Though multiple advanced liver carcinoma associates with portal vein tumor thrombosis, we aggressively imple-ment two-step therapy of tumor thrombosis/reduced liverresection and percutaneous liver perfusion. The results fromtwo-step therapy for far advanced liver carcinoma have comeout with response rate of 69% and a complete remission rateof 26%. As of December 2014, we have conducted living donor liver transplantation in 72 cases and deceased donor livertransplantation in 8 cases. The ratio of discharge after trans-plantation is excellent, at 87%.

2. Multimodal therapy and laparoscopic surgery for biliarydiseaseLimited surgery is performed for early stage cases, and multi-modal therapy including chemotherapy is performed foradvanced stage cases with excellent results. For benigndiseases such as gallstone and choledocholithiasis, we actively promote laparoscopic surgery including end-style.

3. Surgical therapy for pancreatic diseaseAlthough pancreatic carcinoma is intractable, we aggressively conduct radical operations including vascular excision. Wealso select multimodal therapy in combination with chemo-therapy, chemo-radiotherapy, and chemo-particle ray therapy to improve overall survival. In 2010, laparoscopic pancreassurgery was introduced as an advanced medicine with excel-lent results from 47 cases. We also execute limited operationssuch as partial excision of the pancreas or enucleation basedon malignancy.For patients with severe type-1 diabetes mellitus, simultane-ous pancreas-kidney transplantations from deceased donorshave been conducted in 7 cases with excellent results.

4. Two-step therapy of spacer surgery and particle radiotherapyfor abdominal and pelvic malignant tumorSince September 2006, we have performed spacer surgery incombination with particle radiotherapy for the patients withintractable diseases, such as hepatic portal bile duct and pan-creatic carcinoma, retroperitoneal sarcoma, and sacral regionchordoma in more than 100 cases with excellent results.

Surgery Surgery/Surgery Related

Yonson Ku, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Yutaka Okita, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Thoracic Surgery was established on December 1st, 2012. The chair was assigned, and started with the aim of progressing both in basic/clinical research and in clinical prac-tice.

Concerning clinical practice, the number of surgeries under gen-eral anesthesia is constantly increasing. The degree of increase in cases with primary lung cancer is especially remarkable. Reflect-ing the acceleration of aging in society, such an increase will surely escalate in the future. Our Division also is engaged in tho-racoscopic surgery for various respiratory diseases. For instance, the proportion of patients with primary lung cancer suitable for thoracoscopic surgery for complete resection among all patients who have surgery has been increasing toward 90 %. It shows a rise of therapeutic use. In this way, we take advantage of the development and introduction of minimally invasive operations, which will decrease the burden on patients. This is one of the pillars of our clinical practice and research activities. As well as improving minimally invasive operations, establishing multi-modal therapy for malignant diseases is also an important mis-sion. We are seeking the best medicine for patients, based on accurate pathological observations, by combining anticancer agents, radiotherapy, and surgery, and through initiating confer-ences on pulmonary medicine over the years.

Our Division develops research based on clinical insights. Particularly, with the aim of solving the problems of lung cancer therapy, we carry out studies using clinical data and samples. In patients with early lung cancer, a number of relapses have been observed after complete resection. We expect to discover a molecular biological index which will sort the groups at high risk of relapse, and link it to the discovery of a molecular target for postoperative adjunctive therapy to prevent relapse. Currently, we are focusing on several oncogenic genes and proteins from the viewpoint of the formation of wetting and/or metastasis in early cancer. Although immediate feedback to the clinical sites cannot be expected, we are willingly contributing our efforts to the future of lung cancer therapy.

The history of cardiovascular surgery goes back only about 50 years. The passion and effort of our predecessors’ earnest hopes to cure the sick patients have continued over half a century, and they have brought us stable surgical outcomes in the present day. Their aspirations at that time must be the same level of pas-sion as that of the pioneers who had dreamt of landing rockets on the moon.

Cardiac surgery, which entailed many risks in the past, has improved greatly through support from a vari-ety of developments in the field of technology. The establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass, the devel-opment of cardioplegia which can stop the heart safely, improvements of organ safety including cerebral protection, the establishment of heart transplantation, the development of cardiopulmonary bypass, and the establish-ment of the method of cardiac surgery for premature infants… these technical advances are all remarkable.

Our Division of Cardiovascular Surgery is devoted to investiga-tions which can be rapidly reflected in practical clinical results, thereby contributing to society. We aim to elucidate unclear pathologies in clinical sites and to develop cutting-edge medical technologies such as medical engineering, tissue-engineering, and organ/tissue transplantation. We hope to improve our surgi-cal outcomes, and that this will lead to higher QOL for patients in the long-term.

In our Division, it is necessary to keep our clinical results stable, to perform highly qualified surgeries considering the patient’s prognosis over the long-term, and to develop perioperative management. To this end, the passion of young people is a vitaland necessary addition to a team of seasoned experts. We wel-come the young, who have the faith to pursue a career in the field of cardiovascular surgery.

Our ongoing research themes:1. Research on aortic aneurysm:Brain ischemia at aortic dissec-tion, Spinal cord ischemiaduring surgery of thoracoab-dominal aortic aneurysm, Research on aortic base dynamics2. Basic research using sustained-release gel:Sclerosis at reinforcing walls, Anti-infectivity, Arterialization of vein3. Development of small-caliber vascular graftLong-term patency of the vascular graft with a diameter of 2mm has been confirmed.4. Basic research on cardiopulmonary bypassDevelopment of minimally invasive cardiopulmonary bypass5. Research on acute rejection

Yoshimasa Maniwa, M.D., Ph.D., FCCPProfessor

The Division of Orthopaedics of Kobe University was founded in 1954. Hence, we provide medical care from various viewpoints. Our Division consists of many physicians, each expert in diseases such as of those of the spine, knee, lower extremities, upper extremities, as well as sports injuries, tumors, trauma, and rheu-matism. All are proactively engaged in clinical practice, educa-tion, and research in their respective areas.

Concerning research, we are involved in bas ic and c l in ica l research in each area o f e xpe r t i s e . Wepresent our resultsand new perceptions through academiccon fe r ence s and

journals not only within Japan but also throughout the world. We put our strength into establishing novel therapies using stem cells and studying the molecules activating stem cells. As part of our translat ional research, we conduct cl inical studies/trials upon our basic research results and with the fore-going cells to establish novel effective therapies.

Recently, the effectiveness of therapy with pseud-arthrosis for bone fracture with peripheral vascular cells and of cartilage regenerative medicine applying autologous transplantation of cartilage cells has been validated through multicenter studies with the Institute of Biomedical Research Innovation (IBRI). Further, we are devoted to basic research towards novel drug discovery for each disease, we elucidate their characteristic pathologies, and develop diagnostic science and novel surgical techniques.

In education, we make efforts to foster physicians who provide care for patients suffering from intractable diseases. For faculty students, we have programs targeting students’ comprehension of each pathology of disease through to therapy at actual clinical sites, instructed by expert physicians in each area. For graduate students, we train them to become experts who will broaden their activities in international communities. We implement a study-abroad program through which graduates receive excel-lent opportunities to develop their research abroad, in places such as in the United States.

In clinical practice, expert physicians offer medical care in their areas . We expect to imp rove ou r t r e a t -ments, applying state-of-the-art diagnostic devices and therapeu-tic instruments.



36 37

Rehabilitation Medicine<EndowedChairs>

Neurosurgery Ophthalmology Otolaryngology-Head andNeck Surgery

The Division of Rehabilitation Medicine was founded in 2012. The rehabilitation medicine we specialize in is wide-ranging. We devote our efforts to clinical research on rehabilitation for motor disorders, cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), neuro muscular disease, cardiac macroangiopathy, and carcinoma. We actively work for the rehabilitation for cancer patients, which has recently become an area of focus along with the remarkable increase in those affected, and we publish our results in numer-ous reports.

In basic research, we investigate the influences of the transcuta-neous application of carbon dioxide, a type of physical medicine, and its effects on muscle, flesh, nerve, and bone. We have started to collaborate with the Section of Orthopaedics in clinical trials for post poliomyelitis syndrome and lower limb fracture. We further collaborate with the Faculty of Engineering of our University and the School of Engineering, the University of Hyogo for research on rehabilitation evaluation and therapeutic instruments. We also collaborate with pediatric medical and wel-fare institutions and recovery-phase rehabilitation hospitals.

The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the University Hospital mainly provides rehabilitation services for in-patients. As for motor disorders, we actively conduct our pro-gram of equipping patients with artificial joints, for example, after sports injuries, in collaboration with the Section of Ortho-paedics. Furthermore, we opened a cardiac rehabilitation room in 2014, to contribute to cardiac rehabilitation services together with the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery. We offer guidance on prostheses and the daily lives of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare disease, or nervous diseases, all from a rehabilitation expert’s viewpoint. Concerning rehabilitation for patients with carcinoma, we are currently developing leading-edge therapies based on our large number of cases of various disease types. We strive to work to further improve cancer patients’ ADL (activities of daily living) and QOL (quality of life), and frequently attend cancer boards on bone metastasis or con-ferences on palliative care.

Surgery Related Surgery Related

The Division of Neurosurgery is engaged widely from surgical therapy through to basic research in central nervous system diseases such as cerebrovascular disease, brain tumor, head injury, functional disorder, and spine/spinal cord diseases.

In order to improve patients’ QOL, we try in the clinical field to establish diagnostic imaging techniques, multimodal therapy for malignant brain tumors, and to improve treatment techniques of neurovascular intervention, and deep brain stimulation. Algo-rithms of the optimum treatment procedure of patients with carotid stenosis are now being developed in our laboratory through clinical studies combining carotid echo, MRI, and cere-bral blood flow measurement. Expecting applications to surgical education, we are also developing a method of constructing 3-dimentional real head models with brain and vasculature from precise MRI data.

At the University Hospital, the 3.0T (super-high-magnetic-field) surgical MRI system is to be introduced in 2015, and pioneering clinical research on minimally invasive surgery will start, to preserve brain funct ion whi le removing

tumors completely. Further developments are expected in the continuing study with this intraoperative MRI on the drawing of neural pathways with tractography and research on tumor-specific tracers. We also strengthen basic research towards the discovery of novel biomarkers and developments of new thera-pies, through mass spectroscopy and molecular analyses of clini-cal samples from patients with malignant brain tumors, ischemic cardiovascular disease, or animal models. Our laboratory has achieved many results from the research of molecular targeting therapy for malignant brain tumors, analysis on microRNA, and analysis on interleukin of malignant lymphoma.

Grounded in our fundamental policy “Bedside to bench, bench to bedside”, we dedicate our efforts to connecting the integra-tion of research based on clinical information, samples obtained from our clinical sites, and studies using cultured cells or animal mode l s t o t he improvement in d iagnoses and t h e r a p i e s f o r nervous system diseases, and to the resolution of various problems found in our clini-cal sites.

Eiji Kohmura, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Ophthalmology provides a leading-edge medical service. As one example, we have utilized optical coherence tomography for glaucoma staging. We have also developed an objective perimetry using multifocal visual evoked potential, which is of great help in the objective evaluation of optic nerve diseases. In addition, we have actively performed trabeculec-tomy combined with amniotic membrane transplantation for intractable glaucoma, and achieved satisfactory treatment results. Concerning age-related macular degeneration (AMD), we have used the genetic approach and investigated the rela-tionship between genetic information and the risk of AMD development or response to treatment in order to put personal-ized medicine into practice.

Fostering quality doctors is one of the missions we are respon-sible for. To achieve this, we first introduced a 3CCD camera for all slit-lamp biomicroscopes both in outpatients’ and in-patients’ wards. This enables us to share the observed images on monitor screens, which greatly contributes to our education. Second, we give essential lectures and conferences on various clinical spe-cialties every week for students/residents to acquire systematic knowledge. Finally, for surgical education, we coordinate a train-ing schedule. We use mock eyes or pig eyes and real surgical instruments in each training session to master authentic surgical skills.

Basic research is a field we especially focus on. Investigating the role of ABC transporters in retinal vascular lesions usually observed in diabetic retinopathy is one example. We are now greatly interested in the relation between optic nerve diseases and aquaporin, a water channel protein. We have successfully developed an experimental animal model of aquaporin 4-positive optic neuritis. We have also completed basic studieson the relationship between aquaporin 9 and glaucoma which is aimed at future clinical application. Furthermore, a study investi-gating the pathology of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathyusing iPS cells is in progress as a collaborative work with RIKEN,Kobe, Japan.

Makoto Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery covers various areas and diseases such as neuro-otology diseases including sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular disorder, and facial paralysis, as well as inflammatory or functional disorders of the middle ear, nose/paranasal sinus, oral cavity, pharynx, or larynx, and head and neck tumors.

Our laboratory is involved in a fairly extensive range of areas from primary care for the common cold, otitis media, epistaxis, allergic rhinitis, or dizziness and vertigo, all of which most ordi-nary people often experience, through highly-specific care such as hearing improvement surgery, endoscopic surgery for nose/paranasal sinus disease, voice improvement surgery, and treatment of head and neck carcinoma.

Another attractive feature of our divi-sion is that we treat the diseases which directly influence the patient’s quality of life. Concerning existing and future aging of society on a global scale, the func t ions o f the

sensory organs and locomotorium, mastication/swallowing, and voice/language functions are indispensable for quality lives. We deal with three of the five senses which link to each sensory function, that is, hearing (audition), smell (olfaction), and taste (gustation), and the sense of balance (equilibrium) which is essential for walking. We provide medical care for disorders in the swallowing function, which is necessary to appreciate fine food, and care for disorders in voice/language functions, which enable us to enjoy conversation with family and friends. There-fore, the Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery can be said to be a clinical department which plays a pivotal role in assuring patients’ quality of life.

As for our research activities, we are devoted to research consid-ering clinical practices, such as the development of head and neck carcinoma therapy with a patient’s quality of life fully con-sidered, and the development of diagnosis and therapy for dysphagia, Further, we make efforts in studies on the genes of head and neck carcinoma, regeneration of olfactory epithelium, mechanism of olfactory perception, and sen-sorineural hearing loss among others.

Ken-ichi Nibu, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


Yoshitada Sakai, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


38 39

Urology Advanced Medical Technology and Developmentfor Urology<EndowedChairs>

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Plastic Surgery

The Division of Urology is devoted to medical care for diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system, mainly applying surgical techniques. Our Division was established in 1962, spinning off from the Division of Dermatology and Urol-ogy, and has satisfactorily developed to the present under Prof. Johgetsu, Prof. Ishigami, Prof. Kamidono, and the present chair, Prof. Fujisawa.

In clinical practice, we have achieved man y e x c e l l e n t resu l ts in a wide va r ie ty o f a reas , including neoblad-der creation after radical cystectomy, various approaches o f l a p a r o s cop i c

surgeries, and kidney transplantation, through our great efforts in developing and popularizing highly-sophisticated advanced surgeries. Our latest venture assembles our entire team to develop robot-assisted surgery, and we were promoted to a position as a top-leading educational institution of this field in Japan. Beyond surgeries, we offer advanced medical care such as drug therapy for malignant tumors, and male infertility and urinary tract infection, based on a background of one of the larg-est numbers of clinical cases in Japan. Our efforts and results are now held in the highest regard.

In research activities, our laboratory mainly targets malignant tumors, andrology, renal transplantation, and infectious diseases, but also focuses on most areas of urology, including voiding function, sexual function and clinical anatomy. Recently, we achieved an effective design of an anti-sense oligonucleotide treatment for malignant tumors, the elucidation of acquiring machineries of resistance against various molecular-targeted drugs, and the clarification of molecular chaperone activities in testicular dysfunction. We have actively presented the findings on our research in many interna-tional conferences and published these findings in top scientific jour-nals.

Concerning our educational pro-grams, we carefully coordinate pro-grams in a made-to-order manner to suit faculty students, residents, graduate students, and younger physicians, aiming to find and fos te r fu l l y qua l i fied human resources as urologists and people.


Masato Fujisawa, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The mission of the Section of Advanced Medical Technology and Development for Urology is firstly, to function as a research core focusing on research, developments, applications of various state-of-the-art medical devices, such as surgery-assisting robots, laparoscopes, urinary tract endoscopes, lower urinary tract laser therapy and other leading-edge medical techniques. Secondly, we seek to improve the techniques of minimally inva-sive surgical therapy, such as robot-assisted surgery for urologic diseases, and finally, to cultivate and educate human resources.

The principal theme we energetically address is robot-assisted surgery. Kobe University introduced the surgical robot “da Vinci” in August 2010. Japan was not a leader in the field of robot-assisted surgery until being approved by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act in November 2009. But after that approval, the number of surgical robots in Japan has overtaken that of Euro-pean countries and South Korea, and is second only to the United States in the world.

We have been actively striving for the clinical practice/research on this issue from early stage, experienced many cases of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, and published our clinical studies in academic journals in English. This has brought us to the lead-ing position in Japan. Furthermore, Kobe University plays a pivotal role in controlling universities across the country in implementing the Study B in Advanced Medical Technology on robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Our aim is for this surgery to be part of the framework of National Health Insurance in the future, a driving force of the Japanese Society of Endourology. Our Section assumes an important role in this movement.

Educating on the role of minimally invasive surgery is also our key theme. In April 2014, the Center for Advancement of Com-munity Medicine at our University was founded by Kobe Univer-sity and Hyogo Prefecture. The Training Center for Advanced Surgery and Endoscopy was opened here, where training in laparoscopy operations is possible using pigs. We are now plan-ning educational programs on skill practice of minimally invasive surgery utilizing this institution.

Kazushi Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Professor Hideto Yamada has marked 6 years since his assign-ment as chair in May 2009. Under his motto “Brightly, joyfully, consistently, and definitely toward the goal”, we flexibly execute both clinical practice and basic research in every area of obstet-rics and perinatology, reproductive immunology, neurology, endocrinology, gynecologic oncology, and women’s health care. As a goal of our division, we aim to connect our achievements to the development, establishment, and evolution of novel distinct clinical techniques.

Our major research themes are as follows:- Establishment of preventive/therapeutic methods for fetoma-ternal infection caused by Cytomegalovirus or Toxoplasma- Elucidation of immunological/neurological/endocrine-relatedabnormalities of recurrent miscarriage/habitual abortion and the establishment of those therapies- Development of therapy for treatment-resistant antiphospho-lipid syndrome- Investigation into the usability of uterine artery embolizationfor obstetric hemorrhage in placenta plevia- Analyses on relaxin in connection with the invasion and thepromoted angiogenesis in extravillous trophoblast- Investigation into the usability of preoperative/relapse diagno-ses for gynecologic cancers with FDG-PET/CT

On a nationwide basis, we are still confronted with a severe shortage of younger obstetricians and gynecologists. In our divi-sion, however, 5 to 7 resident physicians join us every year. We provide clinical care in two patients’ wards: the Center for Peri-natal Care and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Despite the current hectic situation of huge tasks in these wards, our entire staff manages to promote research in collaboration, following our laboratory’s system of coordination. Overseas edu-cation and domestic research cooperation are frequent in our division, and we currently host two foreign students from abroad.

Hideto Yamada, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Plastic Surgery was established in 1997. Subse-quently, the section handling cosmetic surgery was established in 2007, as the first clinical department in a Japanese national university. Our Division is engaged in clinical/basic research in the areas of reconstructive surgery, wound healing, and regen-erative medicine. In the field of reconstructive surgery, we inves-tigate the physiology of blood vessels and blood circulation in the flap, and consider how to prevent complications from micro-surgery. In wound healing, we investigate widely from the basicmechanism of wound healing at the molecular level through to the development of biomaterials for regenerative medicine.

As for clinical prac-tice: We surgically reconstruct many cases of tissue defi-c i ency a f t e r t he resection of malig-n a n t t umo r s o r trauma. This sup-port of reconstruc-tive surgery enables the oncologist to

resect the cancer completely, which is very much related to improving patients’ vital prognosis and Quality of Life. Therefore, in our research studies, we are devoted to developing cellular blood vessel and nerve tissue as biomaterials for reconstructive surgery.

In the surgical wound care field, we treat not only the acute trau-matic wound, but also the chronic wound which shows slow and poor healing. For example, in the treatment of chronic wounds associated with lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes foot ulcer, how to prevent amputation of the lower limb or how to minimize the part to be amputated is not only an issue of patients’ whole-body image, but also directly related to the pres-ervation of their walking function and their subsequent exercise therapy and therefore linked to the patients’ vital prognosis.

For future cases such as this, we expand our education programs across the barriers of divisions or professions for the formation of proper team medical care. We educate not only related physi-cians, but also healthcare professionals, through our research and clinical practice. We aim to contr ibute to regional medicine and human society by foster-ing human resources.

Hiroto Terashi, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


40 41

Urology Advanced Medical Technology and Developmentfor Urology<EndowedChairs>

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Plastic Surgery

The Division of Urology is devoted to medical care for diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system, mainly applying surgical techniques. Our Division was established in 1962, spinning off from the Division of Dermatology and Urol-ogy, and has satisfactorily developed to the present under Prof. Johgetsu, Prof. Ishigami, Prof. Kamidono, and the present chair, Prof. Fujisawa.

In clinical practice, we have achieved man y e x c e l l e n t resu l ts in a wide va r ie ty o f a reas , including neoblad-der creation after radical cystectomy, various approaches o f l a p a r o s cop i c

surgeries, and kidney transplantation, through our great efforts in developing and popularizing highly-sophisticated advanced surgeries. Our latest venture assembles our entire team to develop robot-assisted surgery, and we were promoted to a position as a top-leading educational institution of this field in Japan. Beyond surgeries, we offer advanced medical care such as drug therapy for malignant tumors, and male infertility and urinary tract infection, based on a background of one of the larg-est numbers of clinical cases in Japan. Our efforts and results are now held in the highest regard.

In research activities, our laboratory mainly targets malignant tumors, andrology, renal transplantation, and infectious diseases, but also focuses on most areas of urology, including voiding function, sexual function and clinical anatomy. Recently, we achieved an effective design of an anti-sense oligonucleotide treatment for malignant tumors, the elucidation of acquiring machineries of resistance against various molecular-targeted drugs, and the clarification of molecular chaperone activities in testicular dysfunction. We have actively presented the findings on our research in many interna-tional conferences and published these findings in top scientific jour-nals.

Concerning our educational pro-grams, we carefully coordinate pro-grams in a made-to-order manner to suit faculty students, residents, graduate students, and younger physicians, aiming to find and fos te r fu l l y qua l i fied human resources as urologists and people.


Masato Fujisawa, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The mission of the Section of Advanced Medical Technology and Development for Urology is firstly, to function as a research core focusing on research, developments, applications of various state-of-the-art medical devices, such as surgery-assisting robots, laparoscopes, urinary tract endoscopes, lower urinary tract laser therapy and other leading-edge medical techniques. Secondly, we seek to improve the techniques of minimally inva-sive surgical therapy, such as robot-assisted surgery for urologic diseases, and finally, to cultivate and educate human resources.

The principal theme we energetically address is robot-assisted surgery. Kobe University introduced the surgical robot “da Vinci” in August 2010. Japan was not a leader in the field of robot-assisted surgery until being approved by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act in November 2009. But after that approval, the number of surgical robots in Japan has overtaken that of Euro-pean countries and South Korea, and is second only to the United States in the world.

We have been actively striving for the clinical practice/research on this issue from early stage, experienced many cases of robot-assisted partial nephrectomy, and published our clinical studies in academic journals in English. This has brought us to the lead-ing position in Japan. Furthermore, Kobe University plays a pivotal role in controlling universities across the country in implementing the Study B in Advanced Medical Technology on robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. Our aim is for this surgery to be part of the framework of National Health Insurance in the future, a driving force of the Japanese Society of Endourology. Our Section assumes an important role in this movement.

Educating on the role of minimally invasive surgery is also our key theme. In April 2014, the Center for Advancement of Com-munity Medicine at our University was founded by Kobe Univer-sity and Hyogo Prefecture. The Training Center for Advanced Surgery and Endoscopy was opened here, where training in laparoscopy operations is possible using pigs. We are now plan-ning educational programs on skill practice of minimally invasive surgery utilizing this institution.

Kazushi Tanaka, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

Professor Hideto Yamada has marked 6 years since his assign-ment as chair in May 2009. Under his motto “Brightly, joyfully, consistently, and definitely toward the goal”, we flexibly execute both clinical practice and basic research in every area of obstet-rics and perinatology, reproductive immunology, neurology, endocrinology, gynecologic oncology, and women’s health care. As a goal of our division, we aim to connect our achievements to the development, establishment, and evolution of novel distinct clinical techniques.

Our major research themes are as follows:- Establishment of preventive/therapeutic methods for fetoma-ternal infection caused by Cytomegalovirus or Toxoplasma- Elucidation of immunological/neurological/endocrine-related abnormalities of recurrent miscarriage/habitual abortion and the establishment of those therapies- Development of therapy for treatment-resistant antiphospho-lipid syndrome- Investigation into the usability of uterine artery embolization for obstetric hemorrhage in placenta previa- Analyses on relaxin in connection with the invasion and the promoted angiogenesis in extravillous trophoblast- Investigation into the usability of preoperative/relapse diagno-ses for gynecologic cancers with FDG-PET/CT On a nationwide basis, we are still confronted with a severe shortage of younger obstetricians and gynecologists. In our divi-sion, however, 5 to 7 resident physicians join us every year. We provide clinical care in two patients’ wards: the Center for Peri-natal Care and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Despite the current hectic situation of huge tasks in these wards, our entire staff manages to promote research in collaboration, following our laboratory’s system of coordination. Overseas edu-cation and domestic research cooperation are frequent in our division, and we currently host two foreign students from abroad.

Hideto Yamada, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Plastic Surgery was established in 1997. Subse-quently, the section handling cosmetic surgery was established in 2007, as the first clinical department in a Japanese national university. Our Division is engaged in clinical/basic research in the areas of reconstructive surgery, wound healing, and regen-erative medicine. In the field of reconstructive surgery, we inves-tigate the physiology of blood vessels and blood circulation in the flap, and consider how to prevent complications from micro-surgery. In wound healing, we investigate widely from the basic mechanism of wound healing at the molecular level through to the development of biomaterials for regenerative medicine.

As for clinical prac-tice: We surgically reconstruct many cases of tissue defi-c i ency a f t e r t he resection of malig-n a n t t umo r s o r trauma. This sup-port of reconstruc-tive surgery enables the oncologist to

resect the cancer completely, which is very much related to improving patients’ vital prognosis and Quality of Life. Therefore, in our research studies, we are devoted to developing cellular blood vessel and nerve tissue as biomaterials for reconstructive surgery.

In the surgical wound care field, we treat not only the acute trau-matic wound, but also the chronic wound which shows slow and poor healing. For example, in the treatment of chronic wounds associated with lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes foot ulcer, how to prevent amputation of the lower limb or how to minimize the part to be amputated is not only an issue of patients’ whole-body image, but also directly related to the pres-ervation of their walking function and their subsequent exercise therapy and therefore linked to the patients’ vital prognosis.

For future cases such as this, we expand our education programs across the barriers of divisions or professions for the formation of proper team medical care. We educate not only related physi-cians, but also healthcare professionals, through our research and clinical practice. We aim to contr ibute to regional medicine and human society by foster-ing human resources.

Hiroto Terashi, M.D., Ph.D.Professor


40 41

Anesthesiology Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Disaster and Emergency Medicine

Advanced Pediatric Surgery (Neurosurgery)

The aim of anesthesia is to protect organisms from surgical stress. Since such stress induces physiological changes in various organs of the patient, our research targets all organs and their bio transfor-mations.

While an anesthetized body loses homeostasis, there is limited stimulus except for surgical stress. While providing anesthesia, we can find the dynamic influence of surgical stress on the human body in real time, so we can observe patients’ physiological changes and the consequences of treatment in a very short period. One of our objectives is to elucidate the mechanisms of such bio transformations through basic research and clinical research.

Our intention is to elucidate the impact of surgical stress on the living organism from the view-points both of clinical and basic research, in the expectation of improving perioperative man-agement. We further investigate intensive care medicine, and pain medicine. We expect to assess the pathology of these patients in both cellular and clinical aspects.

In particular, we are engaged in research on the influence of intra-operative fluid administration on postoperative organ failure, peri-operative glycemic control in diabetes mellitus patients, and research to assess the factors associated with the risk of postopera-tive delirium and acute kidney injury. Regarding intensive care medicine, we are involved in research on per-nasal high-volume oxygenation and research on anticoagulants during continuous hemofiltration. Furthermore, in pain medicine, we are progressing in research on gene therapy for refractory pain and epidemiologi-cal research on the cognitive function of patients with refractory pain.

Research Fields Research FieldsSurgery Related Surgery Related/Cooperative Graduate Programs

Satoshi Mizobuchi, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is located in a boundary domain between medical science and dentistry. Our division investigates diagnoses and therapies for diseases devel-oped in the jaw and oral regions, such as tumors, cysts, inflam-mation, congenital defects, growth abnormality, and dysplasia. We specifically target oral carcinoma, jaw deformity, jaw fracture, dental infection, and other diseases developed in the temporo-mandibular joint or salivary gland.

Concurrently, we are taking into account research on new opera-tive procedures, therapies using implants/lasers, studies on the mechanism of postoperative mastication/swallowing functions, and research for developing advanced medical treatment. We emphasize basic research, maintaining our primary position in conducting research as the foundation, to constantly feed these results back into clinical practice.

At the University Hospital, under the name Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we mainly provide medical care for oral and maxillofacial surgery, such as treatment for tumors of the jaw/oral cavity region including reconstructive surgery, orthognathic surgery for jaw deformity, treatment for infectious diseases in the jaw/oral region, treatment with implants, and laser therapy. We additionally offer dental general practice including orthodontic treatment and dental treatment for medi-cally compromised patients. Furthermore, we recently started and actively work forward perioperative oral management as a supporting care for cancer patients or patients due to have cardiovascular surgery or organ transplantation, in collaboration with the Oral Management Center established in May 2014.

Takahide Komori, D.D.S., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Disaster and Emergency Medicine was founded as Japan’s first research base of disaster medicine in the wake of the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake which struck on January 17, 1995. Concerning medical care after a large-scale accident with numerous injured/sick people needing care simultaneously or in a natural disaster like the predicted Nankai Trough earthquake,our responsibility is vital for emergency medicine. We are desig-nated DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team) by the Ministry of Welfare and Labor of Japan.

Recently, c l inical ca re tends to be specialized and seg-mentalized, parallel-i n g d i v e r s i fi e d diseases and sophis-ticated therapies. D ivers ified sk i l l s have come to be

increasingly required in physicians. The University Hospital is particularly required to offer advanced medicine, where such a tendency is accelerated. Emergency physicians play a pivotal role in diagnosing the injured/sick as quickly as possible, and giving them suitable care or referrals to further specialists, according to their severity. Knowledge and skills required in the initial consultation are an essential qualification for any physician to carry, regardless of their specialty. To give satisfactory educa-tion and training (to foster generalists) to medical students and residents who will bear the future of medicine, and acquire their qualifications as physicians will be our greatest task. Equally, fostering expert physicians both clinically and academically is absolutely critical. They must be able to take a leading role at both generalists and specialists in emergency medicine.

As for research and development, we aim to conduct studies relating to shock, craniocerebral trauma, post cardiac arrest syn-drome (PCAS), and a newly planned animal model study on reanimation. We expect these issues to be our lab’s main themeswhich can be subject for discussion with younger physicians.

Promoting research on emergency/disaster medicine at the Hos-pital, we are dedicated to fostering superior human resources, such as emergency physicians, nurses, and life-saving techni-cians, who can practically deliver advanced and leading-edge emergency/disaster medi-cine with regard to Kobe, across Hyogo Prefecture, and throughout the world.

Takashi Nishiyama, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

The Division of Advanced Pediatric Surgery established in 2014 is devoted to investigations into advanced surgical treatment in neurosurgery and cardiac surgery.

Our (sub)Division of Neurosurgery (The Department of Neuro-surgery at Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital) is engaged in a wide variety of clinical investigations, mainly into multimodal therapy for childhood brain tumors, and also into congenital disorders such as spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and syringomyelia, or abusive head trauma. We are focusing on novel risk classification based upon molecular diagnosis for childhood malignant brain tumors and the reduction of compli-cations and improved survival rate by associated optimization in the intensity of treatment. Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital was designated as a base site for child cancer therapy in 2013, and provides clinical services for child patients with vari-ous cancers as a leading therapeutic facility in Japan. We plan to relocate to a new facility in spring 2016 and evolve our own unique Japanese therapy for childhood brain tumor, associated with the opening of our neighboring Proton Beam Treatment Center in 2017.

Tatsuya Nagashima, M.D., Ph.D.Visiting ProfessorHospital Director,

Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital,Pediatric Neurosurgery

New Kobe Children's Hospital that will open in 2016

42 43

Anesthesiology Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Disaster and Emergency Medicine

Advanced Pediatric Surgery (Neurosurgery)

The aim of anesthesia is to protect organisms from surgical stress. Since such stress induces physiological changes in various organs of the patient, our research targets all organs and their bio transfor-mations.

While an anesthetized body loses homeostasis, there is limited stimulus except for surgical stress. While providing anesthesia, we can find the dynamic influence of surgical stress on the human body in real time, so we can observe patients’ physiological changes and the consequences of treatment in a very short period. One of our objectives is to elucidate the mechanisms of such bio transformations through basic research and clinical research.

Our intention is to elucidate the impact of surgical stress on the living organism from the view-points both of clinical and basic research, in the expectation of improving perioperative man-agement. We further investigate intensive care medicine, and pain medicine. We expect to assess the pathology of these patients in both cellular and clinical aspects.

In particular, we are engaged in research on the influence of intra-operative fluid administration on postoperative organ failure, peri-operative glycemic control in diabetes mellitus patients, and research to assess the factors associated with the risk of postopera-tive delirium and acute kidney injury. Regarding intensive caremedicine, we are involved in research on per-nasal high-volume oxygenation and research on anticoagulants during continuous hemofiltration. Furthermore, in pain medicine, we are progressing in research on gene therapy for refractory pain and epidemiologi-cal research on the cognitive function of patients with refractory pain.

Research Fields Research FieldsSurgery Related Surgery Related/Cooperative Graduate Programs

Satoshi Mizobuchi, M.D., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is located in a boundary domain between medical science and dentistry. Our division investigates diagnoses and therapies for diseases devel-oped in the jaw and oral regions, such as tumors, cysts, inflam-mation, congenital defects, growth abnormality, and dysplasia. We specifically target oral carcinoma, jaw deformity, jaw fracture, dental infection, and other diseases developed in the temporo-mandibular joint or salivary gland.

Concurrently, we are taking into account research on new opera-tive procedures, therapies using implants/lasers, studies on the mechanism of postoperative mastication/swallowing functions, and research for developing advanced medical treatment. We emphasize basic research, maintaining our primary position in conducting research as the foundation, to constantly feed these results back into clinical practice.

At the University Hospital, under the name Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we mainly provide medical care for oral and maxillofacial surgery, such as treatment for tumors ofthe jaw/oral cavity region including reconstructive surgery, orthognathic surgery for jaw deformity, treatment for infectious diseases in the jaw/oral region, treatment with implants, and laser therapy. We additionally offer dental general practice including orthodontic treatment and dental treatment for medi-cally compromised patients. Furthermore, we recently started and actively work forward perioperative oral management as a supporting care for cancer patients or patients due to have cardiovascular surgery or organ transplantation, in collaboration with the Oral Management Center established in May 2014.

Takahide Komori, D.D.S., Ph.D.Professor

The Division of Disaster and Emergency Medicine was founded as Japan’s first research base of disaster medicine in the wake of the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake which struck on January 17, 1995. Concerning medical care after a large-scale accident with numerous injured/sick people needing care simultaneously or in a natural disaster like the predicted Nankai Trough earthquake, our responsibility is vital for emergency medicine. We are desig-nated DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team) by the Ministry of Welfare and Labor of Japan.

Recently, c l inical ca re tends to be specialized and seg-mentalized, parallel-i n g d i v e r s i fi e d diseases and sophis-ticated therapies. D ivers ified sk i l l s have come to be

increasingly required in physicians. The University Hospital is particularly required to offer advanced medicine, where such a tendency is accelerated. Emergency physicians play a pivotal role in diagnosing the injured/sick as quickly as possible, and giving them suitable care or referrals to further specialists, according to their severity. Knowledge and skills required in the initial consultation are an essential qualification for any physician to carry, regardless of their specialty. To give satisfactory educa-tion and training (to foster generalists) to medical students and residents who will bear the future of medicine, and acquire their qualifications as physicians will be our greatest task. Equally, fostering expert physicians both clinically and academically is absolutely critical. They must be able to take a leading role at both generalists and specialists in emergency medicine.

As for research and development, we aim to conduct studies relating to shock, craniocerebral trauma, post cardiac arrest syn-drome (PCAS), and a newly planned animal model study on reanimation. We expect these issues to be our lab’s main themes which can be subject for discussion with younger physicians.

Promoting research on emergency/disaster medicine at the Hos-pital, we are dedicated to fostering superior human resources, such as emergency physicians, nurses, and life-saving techni-cians, who can practically deliver advanced and leading-edge emergency/disaster medi-cine with regard to Kobe, across Hyogo Prefecture, and throughout the world.

Takashi Nishiyama, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

The Division of Advanced Pediatric Surgery established in 2014 is devoted to investigations into advanced surgical treatment in neurosurgery and cardiac surgery.

Our (sub)Division of Neurosurgery (The Department of Neuro-surgery at Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital) is engaged in a wide variety of clinical investigations, mainly into multimodal therapy for childhood brain tumors, and also into congenital disorders such as spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and syringomyelia, or abusive head trauma. We are focusing on novel risk classification based upon molecular diagnosis for childhood malignant brain tumors and the reduction of compli-cations and improved survival rate by associated optimization in the intensity of treatment. Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital was designated as a base site for child cancer therapy in 2013, and provides clinical services for child patients with vari-ous cancers as a leading therapeutic facility in Japan. We plan to relocate to a new facility in spring 2016 and evolve our own unique Japanese therapy for childhood brain tumor, associated with the opening of our neighboring Proton Beam Treatment Center in 2017.

Tatsuya Nagashima, M.D., Ph.D.Visiting ProfessorHospital Director,

Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital,Pediatric Neurosurgery

New Kobe Children's Hospital that will open in 2016

42 43

Advanced Pediatric Surgery (Cardiac Surgery)

Virus Infection Center for Education and Researchin Membrane Biology and Medicine

Medical Innovation Center

Aortic coarctation:3D image of the tissue of extirpated

arterial duct

Absence of aortic valve:Recreating repair of two ventricles

As a part of the Division of Advanced Pediatric Surgery established in 2014, our (sub)Division of Cardiac Surgery is devoted to investiga-tions into advanced surgical treatment, as an expert surgical unit of the Center for Pedi-atric Cardiology provid-i ng d i agnose s and therapies for congeni-

tal heart diseases. Among severe heart diseases of neonatals, we especially strive to develop novel surgical treatment strategies and operative procedures for high risk cases such as hypoplastic l e f t hear t syndrome or aspleria syndrome. Further-more, our col laborat ive research on cardiovascular and great vessel anomalies associating with tracheal stenosis with the team of P ed i a t r i c S u r g e r y h a s received praise in Japan and globally.

In clinical research, we focus on disease group-based treatment strategies and their evaluation, as well as artificial hearts/lungs and their biogenic reaction as our major research themes. In basic research, we conduct three-dimensional analyses on the

operation of the stimulus trans-mission system and the intra-mural distribu-tion of arterial duct t issue in the aorta, apply-i n g h i g h -s t a n d a r d C T (Spring-8).

Cooperative Graduate Programs

The Section of Virus Infection under the Division of Infection and Immunology is one of the Cooperative Graduate Programs, and is coordinated by the Laboratory of Vaccine Materials belonging to the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, located in Saito in the north Osaka area. The main aim of our laboratory is to investigate mucosal immunology and develop novel mucosal vaccines for infectious diseases including viral infection. Mucosal vaccination through swallowing or drink-ing of an antigen is intended to induce incipient immunosurveil-lance at the surface of respiratory, digestive, or genital organs which might be initial infection sites for various pathogens.

For the development of prospective mucosal vaccines, we have studied both basic and infectious immunity which provide defense against infectious pathogens. Furthermore, due to the reorganization of the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation into the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition in April 2015, we are now focusing on intestinal flora and nutritional composition, which draw attention as pivotal factors involved in immune regulation and consequent responses against vaccines and pathogens. In another study, we are interested in the immune responses related to allergic and inflammatory diseases such as asthma and diarrhea (sometimes caused by viral infection).

Our team is composed of a variety of researchers from various unique backgrounds, such as pharmaceutics, microbiology, agri-culture, physical science, and informatics as well as medical science. In addition, within the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, we have a collaborative research team consisting of vaccine-related experts, targeting the development of a new generation of vaccines. A cooperative research system has been constructed as joint programs with external research institutes, universities, and hospitals.

Jun Kunisawa, Ph.D.Visiting Professor

Head,Laboratory of Vaccine Materials,

National Institute of Biomedical Innovation,Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN)

The Center for Education and Research in Membrane Biology and Medicine was established in 2013, aiming to extend basic and clinical research on biomembranes and intracellular signal transduction, which had been a trademark of our graduate school and actively pursued by the two Global Center of Excellence (COE) Programs in the fields of Biological Sciences and Medi-cal Sciences. Another aim of this Center is to establish a cross-departmental and interdisciplin-ary system for education and research based on the solid alliance between basic and clinical medicine.

In cooperation with other schools of Kobe University and outside institutions, whether domes-tic or overseas, academia or industry, this Center devotes its activities to establishing a new interdisciplinary scientific field on Membranes by integrating research activities in diverse fields, promoting translational research, and creating innovations in the fields of membrane biology and membrane medicine. Moreover, this Center intends to nurture young talents in the fields of medical and life sciences, who will be equipped with the ability to take an active role in the global community in industry, academia or government.

The Medical Innovation Center was established in 2014, aiming to provide strategic support for the properties of our graduate school: seeds, technologies and methodologies, and to promote interactive collaborative research with companies in the medical and healthcare industries, in accordance with the specialty and strategy of each individual companies, thereby returning the fruits of the research to soci-ety through the development of new drugs and diagnostic methods. To realize this, the Center will cooperate not only with various centers in our school such as the Center for Education and Research in Membrane Biology and Medicine, but also with the Center for Collaborative Research and Technology Development and the Office of Academic Research Management in the headquarters of Kobe University.

This Center devotes its activities to supplementing conventional problems accompanying the practice of “open innovation” in collaboration with compa-nies and to promote continuous and pro-gressive research collaboration with companies, thereby leading to the devel-opment of new methods for the diagno-sis and treatment of diseases. In addition, this Center intends to strengthen the technological basis of our school for real-izing medical innovation.

Education and Research Centers, and Library

Yoshihiro Ohshima, M.D., Ph.D.Visiting Professor

Head,The Center for Pediatric Cardiology,

Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s HospitalCardiac Surgery

Director:Tohru Kataoka, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor

Research Fields

44 45

Advanced Pediatric Surgery (Cardiac Surgery)

Virus Infection Center for Education and Researchin Membrane Biology and Medicine

Medical Innovation Center

Aortic coarctation:3D image of the tissue of extirpated

arterial duct

Absence of aortic valve:Recreating repair of two ventricles

As a part of the Division of Advanced Pediatric Surgery established in 2014, our (sub)Division of Cardiac Surgery is devoted to investiga-tions into advanced surgical treatment, as an expert surgical unit of the Center for Pedi-atric Cardiology provid-i ng d i agnose s and therapies for congeni-

tal heart diseases. Among severe heart diseases of neonatals, we especially strive to develop novel surgical treatment strategies and operative procedures for high risk cases such as hypoplastic l e f t hear t syndrome or aspleria syndrome. Further-more, our col laborat ive research on cardiovascular and great vessel anomalies associating with tracheal stenosis with the team of P ed i a t r i c S u r g e r y h a s received praise in Japan and globally.

In clinical research, we focus on disease group-based treatment strategies and their evaluation, as well as artificial hearts/lungs and their biogenic reaction as our major research themes. In basic research, we conduct three-dimensional analyses on the

operation of the stimulus trans-mission system and the intra-mural distribu-tion of arterial duct t issue in the aorta, apply-i n g h i g h -s t a n d a r d C T (Spring-8).

Cooperative Graduate Programs

The Section of Virus Infection under the Division of Infection and Immunology is one of the Cooperative Graduate Programs, and is coordinated by the Laboratory of Vaccine Materials belongingto the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, located in Saito in the north Osaka area. The main aim of our laboratory is to investigate mucosal immunology and develop novel mucosal vaccines for infectious diseases including viral infection. Mucosal vaccination through swallowing or drink-ing of an antigen is intended to induce incipient immunosurveil-lance at the surface of respiratory, digestive, or genital organs which might be initial infection sites for various pathogens.

For the development of prospective mucosal vaccines, we have studied both basic and infectious immunity which provide defense against infectious pathogens. Furthermore, due to the reorganization of the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation into the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition in April 2015, we are now focusing on intestinal flora and nutritional composition, which draw attention as pivotal factors involved in immune regulation and consequent responses against vaccines and pathogens. In another study, we are interested in the immune responses related to allergic and inflammatory diseases such as asthma and diarrhea (sometimes caused by viral infection).

Our team is composed of a variety of researchers from various unique backgrounds, such as pharmaceutics, microbiology, agri-culture, physical science, and informatics as well as medical science. In addition, within the National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, we have a collaborative research team consisting of vaccine-related experts, targeting the development of a new generation of vaccines. A cooperative research system has been constructed as joint programs with external research institutes, universities, and hospitals.

Jun Kunisawa, Ph.D.Visiting Professor

Head,Laboratory of Vaccine Materials,

National Institute of Biomedical Innovation,Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN)

The Center for Education and Research in Membrane Biology and Medicine was established in 2013, aiming to extend basic and clinical research on biomembranes and intracellular signal transduction, which had been a trademark of our graduate school and actively pursued by the two Global Center of Excellence (COE) Programs in the fields of Biological Sciences and Medi-cal Sciences. Another aim of this Center is to establish a cross-departmental and interdisciplin-ary system for education and research based on the solid alliance between basic and clinical medicine.

In cooperation with other schools of Kobe University and outside institutions, whether domes-tic or overseas, academia or industry, this Center devotes its activities to establishing a new interdisciplinary scientific field on Membranes by integrating research activities in diverse fields, promoting translational research, and creating innovations in the fields of membrane biology and membrane medicine. Moreover, this Center intends to nurture young talents in the fields of medical and life sciences, who will be equipped with the ability to take an active role in the global community in industry, academia or government.

The Medical Innovation Center was established in 2014, aiming to provide strategic support for the properties of our graduate school: seeds, technologies and methodologies, and to promote interactive collaborative research with companies in the medical and healthcare industries, in accordance with the specialty and strategy of each individual companies, thereby returning the fruits of the research to soci-ety through the development of new drugs and diagnostic methods. To realize this, the Center will cooperate not only with various centers in our school such as the Center for Education and Research in Membrane Biology and Medicine, but also with the Center for Collaborative Research and Technology Development and the Office of Academic Research Management in the headquarters of Kobe University.

This Center devotes its activities to supplementing conventional problems accompanying the practice of “open innovation” in collaboration with compa-nies and to promote continuous and pro-gressive research collaboration with companies, thereby leading to the devel-opment of new methods for the diagno-sis and treatment of diseases. In addition, this Center intends to strengthen the technological basis of our school for real-izing medical innovation.

Education and Research Centers, and Library

Yoshihiro Ohshima, M.D., Ph.D.Visiting Professor

Head,The Center for Pediatric Cardiology,

Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s HospitalCardiac Surgery

Director:Tohru Kataoka, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor

Research Fields

44 45

CID: Center for Infectious Diseases Institute for Experimental AnimalsOverviewThe International Center for Medical Research (ICMR), the precursor of the Center for Infectious Diseases, an affiliated institute of the Graduate School of Medicine at Kobe University was estab-lished based upon the background achievements in medical research international exchange between our School/Graduate School of Medicine and the research institutes in Asian Countries, corresponding to the proposition by the Council of Science of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture in 1999. It has succeeded in its mission to act in the following roles: as a “Center of Research and Learning in Asia” (proposed in the 1999 policy report by the Council of Science of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture); an example of “New Develop-ments in Science and Technology Policy: Responding to National and Societal Needs”; and as the “Education and Research Core for Various Fields of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Diseases” (proposed in the “Council for Medicine and Medical Services in the 21st Century: the 4th Report”).

Since its establishment, the Center has been devoted to leading-edge advanced medicine, and to contributing to meeting global needs. We aim to execute domestic and international, multi-disciplinary research on infectious diseases, to study for the development of diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of infectious diseases, and to carry out further international deployment of infec-tious disease investigations, having been reorganized and renamed the International Center for Medical Research and Treatment (ICMRT), and the Center for Infectious Diseases for the further improvements.

Meanwhile, through our activities including the Core Universities Academic Exchange Programs in ASIA: A big collaborative project (1993 to 2002）which was conducted by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), we widely operate international collab-orative research with ASEAN countries including Indonesia. Based upon these achieve-ments, we performed the Construction Project of International Collaborative Research Core in Indonesia (2007 to 2009), and the Research Project on Helicobacter pylori Infection in Asian Countries (2006 to 2009), part of a larger project, Founding Research Centers for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, under the auspices of the Ministry of Edu-cation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan, as well as the Project for Strength-ening of Malaria Control in Solomon Islands under the auspices of JICA, (2006 to 2009).

Furthermore, we were engaged in national policy projects such as the Japan Initiative for Global Research Network on Infectious Diseases (J-GRID), Kobe-Indonesia Collaborative Research Center, and the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS). Regarding the project“Collaborative Research on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Indonesia”, our cooperative activities with Airlangga University in Indonesia will be carried out from April 2015, sup-ported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).

Research Fields and Areas1. Core research fields (Basic)Microbiology, Clinical Virology, Infectious Disease Control, Infectious Disease Pathology2. Dual research fields (Basic)Vaccine Development3. Dual research fields (Clinical)Infectious Disease Therapeutics, Infectious Disease Field Research (Cooperative Graduate Programs), Infection and Immunology(Cooperative Graduate Programs)

Concepts for the Future1. In the Kobe area, we aim to carry on the tradition ofresearch activities of our Center, which has promotedinternational collaborative studies with Asian coun-tries. To develop it further, we will strengthen ourresearch and education system in Asia.2. We expect to further develop the Kobe-IndonesiaCollaborative Research Center for Emerging andReemerging Infectious Diseases (in the Institute ofTropical Disease, Airlangga University), already estab-lished in Indonesia.3. We aim to expand the prominence of the power ofsynthesis and quality assurance, and to be recognizedas a destination for the world, so saying, “Visit KobeUniversity, if any inquiry in infectious diseases arises”.We also seek to become a center of infectious diseaseresearch domestically and internationally in the future.4. We expect to strongly develop a system of cross-sectional collaborative research.

Education and Research Centers, and Library Education and Research Centers, and Library

Institute of Tropical Disease, Airlangga University, Indonesia

Presentation at conference

Researchers and studentsGet-together

Laboratory work

OverviewThe Institute for Experimental Animals is a center for supporting research of biomedical science and life science using laboratory animals. This institute was established in 1963, and after twice relocations, moved to Research Building D. The mission of our institute is set forth in ”Regulations of Institute for Experimental Animals, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Article 2” as “The mission of this institute is providing care for laboratory animals intensively based on animal welfare and relevant legal regulations; providing education about appropriate use of animals in research and about characteristics of laboratory animals; conducting original research of the said institute about laboratory animals.” Our institute plays a pivotal role in supporting the research of biomedical science and life science through appro-priate care of laboratory animals, development of the system for appropriate use of animals in research, and training and education of those concerned with care and use of animals in research. The institute also works as an international research center regarding WHHLMI rabbits which have been developed at our University (see article 5 below). Our staff now consists of a director (also Chair of Cell Physiology), a full-time associate professor, an assistant professor, four technical personnel (including a veterinarian and two animal health technicians), five adjuncts, and other technical experts for care of laboratory animals.

Ongoing Activities1. Appropriate care of laboratory animals: We are devoted to the appropriate care of animals following the basic policy of the ‘3Rs’ of animal welfare: Reduction of the number of animals for use, Replacement to alternative experimental methods from animal studies, and Refine-ment for reduction of pain and distress of animals, and to maintaining hygienic conditions to avoid infectious diseases in animals2. In vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation: We support the establishment of genetically modified animals and other strains of animal models for the study of human disease through in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation3. Cryopreservation of the sperm and fertilized eggs: We promote the cryopreservation of the sperm and fertilized egg of animal strainsincluding genetically modified animals, in order to prevent valuable animal strains from being lost due to natural disasters or widespread infections4. Development of systems for appropriate use of animals in research and training/education of those concerned: We support activities ofthe institutional animals care and use committee with the latest information on legal issues and animal welfare, and on domestic andinternational developments in animal experimentation norms corresponding to the appropriate care and use of animals in research. Wealso deliver information on appropriate care and use of animals in research through lectures and workshops 5. International research center of the WHHLMI rabbits: We developed the WHHL rabbits (spontaneous hypercholesterolemia and athero-sclerosis) in 1979, which contributed to Nobel prize-winning research in 1985 and to the development of Statins (inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis) which has recently come to be focused on as the first-choice drug for hypercholesterolemia. Subsequently, we developedWHHLMI rabbits with spontaneous severe atherosclerosis in coronary arteries and spontaneous myocardial infarction. We are providingmore than one hundred WHHLMI rabbits annually to domestic and international research institutes. We introduce research papers using WHHL or WHHLMI rabbits on our official website (http://www.med.kobe-u.ac.jp/iea/WHHL-home.html). Currently, we investigate athero-sclerosis and acute coronary syndromes using WHHLMI rabbits, and promote the development of novel hypolipidemic agents in collabo-ration with the Division of Comparative Pathophysiology

Director:Yasuhiro Minami, M.D., Ph.D.

ProfessorComputed tomograph equipmentfor small animals

In Vivo imaging system for small animals

Irradiation apparatus Environmental enrichment devices/Individual ventilation cage system for mice

Micromanipulator Autoclave to sterilize cages

Director:Yasuko Mori, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor

46 47

Library for Medical Sciences, Kobe University LibraryCenter for Education of Global Leaders

Front entrance of the library

Circulation desk Reading room

Computer area

OutlineThe Library for Medical Sciences, Kobe University Library is located in the Administration Building which is on the south side of Kobe University Hospital. The library occupies three floors from the first basement to the second level of the building. Kobe University Library consists of a General Library and 9 subject-specific branches. Among them, our Library func-tions as a specific library for medical sciences, holding 148,177 volumes and 3,095 journals. The annual number of visitors exceeded 111,225 as of March 31, 2014.

HistoryThe development of a library is one of the pivotal factors in enhancing a university. What makes the Library for Medical Sciences first-rate in both quantity and quality is explained by going back to the period of construction of the Library of Kobe Medical College more than 50 years ago. In 1961, with a purpose and pledge of establishing an “Ideal Library for Medical Science”, 100 thousand dollars was donated by the China Medical Board of New York, and the construction started. On July 7, 1962, the Library of Kobe Medical College was completed. The size of the library was rather small to begin with, but advanced features, which were not common at that time, such as the centralization of books and journals previously stocked in the scattered respective laboratories and the open shelf system, were introduced. The library stood out as a building with state-of-the-art functions and a characteristic façade. Later, the library collection came to be enriched by receiv-ing a large quantity of donated books from the China Medical Board of New York and the Japanisch-Deutsche Gesellschaft. On March 31, 1965, following the upgrading of Kobe Medical College to national status, the library was reorganized into the branch library of Kobe Univer-sity Library. The existing building was newly constructed as a communal facility (Administration Building) with the School of Medicine in October 1996. On April 1, 2004, associated with the national universities’ conversion into independent corporate entities, the library was transformed and renamed in the Library for Medical Sciences, Kobe University Library, and relaunched for further innovation.

Library CollectionOur library collects mainly academic journals on medical sciences, and recently, correspond-ing to the trend of digitization of academic information, the service of digital documents has become a major focus. Uniquely, the Library for Medical Sciences has subscriptions to approx. 100 titles of major e-journals in the medical sciences. Furthermore, we provide links to approx. 20,000 titles of e-journals included in packages (e.g. Elsevier, Wiley-Blackwell, Springer, Oxford, Cambridge, Nature, etc.) that Kobe University Library subscribes to. All Uni-versity constituent members can get exclusive free access from their laboratories and homes. The library is enriched by databases such as the ”Web of Science” to get article infor-mation and ”UpToDate” to support clinical practices based upon Evidence Based Medicine. The rising price of e-journals and the financial management of the university pose an ongo-ing challenge. With the kind consideration and supports of the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Medicine, and the University Hospital, we will support research and clini-cal services long into the future.

User ServiceConcerning access, our library has implemented a special 24-hour service since 1997, which greatly contributes to research and learning support for library members. Our library is devoted to maintaining a positive security environment, introducing the Library ID Card system for access in 1999, earlier than other branch libraries of Kobe University. The library is equipped with 14 Information Science and Technology Center terminals for students and 5 computers for searching stored books and journals. We provide bright and relaxed reading rooms for learning, and many students use the rooms until midnight, especially prior to peri-odic or national exams for medical practitioners.

Conclusion”The library open to all visitors” - Keeping this opening concept of our facility in the future, and not only for our University’s constituent members such as medical students, resi-dents, and physicians working in the Univer-sity Hospital, but also more widely for the people in the medical field and medical experts, we expect to continue improving as a community-based l ibrary of medical science resources. We welcome you to visit our library.

ObjectiveAlong with the rapid globalization of society, many issues in medical sciences and services have been globalized as well. There is a pressing need to develop personnel who can demonstrate global leadership in solving these issues and develop links smoothly in multilateral partnerships and cooperation. In 2012, the Graduate School of Medicine established the present Center for Education of Global Leaders, aiming to develop internationally competitive personnel. Expected global leaders in medical sciences and services are required to possess a wide variety of abilities such as communicative proficiency with people overseas, leadership, and country-specific knowledge of medical service systems and cultures, as well as specific knowledge and skills in medical sciences and services. Therefore, our Center executes the activities listed below, aiming to create qualified global leaders who can play an active role in medical science and the medical front on the world stage.

OverviewKobe University supports student preparation for studying abroad at overseas universities by providing necessary information on local medical service systems and the destination country’s culture, and by offering education programs to develop students’ communicative proficiency. We believe that these activities facilitate students planning for studying abroad, getting them accustomed earlier to their study and daily lives in each destination country. In turn, in welcoming overseas students to Kobe University’s laboratories or University Hospital, we offer special programs for overseas students to become familiar with and feel comfortable in not only their labs in the University or the Hospital, but also with Japanese daily customs and culture, by holding collaborative lectures on the Japanese language or Japanese culture, in cooperation with the International Student Center.

For students to play an active role as global leaders today, it is important to establish networks connecting overseas medical scientists or physicians. Thus, we promote the system of employing Japanese tutors, who support the studies and daily lives of overseas students enrolled in short-term medical training programs and during practical works at the University Hospital. Furthermore, in the students’ seminars and symposiums, the students of our University and overseas students cooperate in preparing, coordinating, hosting, and managing the entire event, which establishes networks among students, and creates good opportunities for developing communicative proficiency. Through these ac t iv i t ies , mutua l and suppor t ive re lat ionships between Japanese students a l ready experienced studying abroad, the overseas students studying at Kobe University, and their Japanese tutors are developed. We also devote our efforts to increase students’ choices of destination for studying and to promote communication between universities.

Activities1. Coordination and information services on studying abroad for Japanese students2. Coordination and information services on studying at Kobe University foroverseas students3. Students’ collaborative seminars and symposiums with overseas universities4. Lectures on Japanese language and Japanese culture5. Preparatory courses for students planning overseas education (The School ofMedicine, the Graduate School of Medicine, and the Faculty of Health Science,Kobe University)6. Elective Programs for students belonging to overseas partner universities andeducational inst itutes (http://www.med.kobe- u.ac.jp/asean/elective%20program/Elective%20Program.html )7. Counseling and supporting services for overseas students on their academicprogress and in their daily lives8. Recruiting Japanese tutors for overseas students9. Conferences and information gathering, considering on faculty-level academicexchange agreements or student exchange administrative instructions withoverseas universities


Director:Toshio Terashima, M.D.

Professor


Professor

Takayoshi Kuno, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

48 49

Library for Medical Sciences, Kobe University LibraryCenter for Education of Global Leaders

Front entrance of the library

Circulation desk Reading room

Computer area

OutlineThe Library for Medical Sciences, Kobe University Library is located in the Administration Building which is on the south side of Kobe University Hospital. The library occupies three floors from the first basement to the second level of the building. Kobe University Library consists of a General Library and 9 subject-specific branches. Among them, our Library func-tions as a specific library for medical sciences, holding 148,177 volumes and 3,095 journals. The annual number of visitors exceeded 111,225 as of March 31, 2014.

HistoryThe development of a library is one of the pivotal factors in enhancing a university. What makes the Library for Medical Sciences first-rate in both quantity and quality is explained by going back to the period of construction of the Library of Kobe Medical College more than 50 years ago. In 1961, with a purpose and pledge of establishing an “Ideal Library for Medical Science”, 100 thousand dollars was donated by the China Medical Board of New York, and the construction started. On July 7, 1962, the Library of Kobe Medical College was completed. The size of the library was rather small to begin with, but advanced features, which were not common at that time, such as the centralization of books and journals previously stocked in the scattered respective laboratories and the open shelf system, were introduced. The library stood out as a building with state-of-the-art functions and a characteristic façade. Later, the library collection came to be enriched by receiv-ing a large quantity of donated books from the China Medical Board of New York and the Japanisch-Deutsche Gesellschaft. On March 31, 1965, following the upgrading of Kobe Medical College to national status, the library was reorganized into the branch library of Kobe Univer-sity Library. The existing building was newly constructed as a communal facility (Administration Building) with the School of Medicine in October 1996. On April 1, 2004, associated with the national universities’ conversion into independent corporate entities, the library was transformed and renamed in the Library for Medical Sciences, Kobe University Library, and relaunched for further innovation.

Library CollectionOur library collects mainly academic journals on medical sciences, and recently, correspond-ing to the trend of digitization of academic information, the service of digital documents has become a major focus. Uniquely, the Library for Medical Sciences has subscriptions to approx. 100 titles of major e-journals in the medical sciences. Furthermore, we provide links to approx. 20,000 titles of e-journals included in packages (e.g. Elsevier, Wiley-Blackwell, Springer, Oxford, Cambridge, Nature, etc.) that Kobe University Library subscribes to. All Uni-versity constituent members can get exclusive free access from their laboratories and homes. The library is enriched by databases such as the ”Web of Science” to get article infor-mation and ”UpToDate” to support clinical practices based upon Evidence Based Medicine. The rising price of e-journals and the financial management of the university pose an ongo-ing challenge. With the kind consideration and supports of the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Medicine, and the University Hospital, we will support research and clini-cal services long into the future.

User ServiceConcerning access, our library has implemented a special 24-hour service since 1997, which greatly contributes to research and learning support for library members. Our library is devoted to maintaining a positive security environment, introducing the Library ID Card system for access in 1999, earlier than other branch libraries of Kobe University. The library is equipped with 14 Information Science and Technology Center terminals for students and 5 computers for searching stored books and journals. We provide bright and relaxed reading rooms for learning, and many students use the rooms until midnight, especially prior to peri-odic or national exams for medical practitioners.

Conclusion”The library open to all visitors” - Keeping this opening concept of our facility in the future, and not only for our University’s constituent members such as medical students, resi-dents, and physicians working in the Univer-sity Hospital, but also more widely for the people in the medical field and medical experts, we expect to continue improving as a community-based l ibrary of medical science resources. We welcome you to visit our library.

ObjectiveAlong with the rapid globalization of society, many issues in medical sciences and services have been globalized as well. There is a pressing need to develop personnel who can demonstrate global leadership in solving these issues and develop links smoothly in multilateral partnerships and cooperation. In 2012, the Graduate School of Medicine established the present Center for Education of Global Leaders, aiming to develop internationally competitive personnel. Expected global leaders in medical sciences and services are required to possess a wide variety of abilities such as communicative proficiency with people overseas, leadership, and country-specific knowledge of medical service systems and cultures, as well as specific knowledge and skills in medical sciences and services. Therefore, our Center executes the activities listed below, aiming to create qualified global leaders who can play an active role in medical science and the medical front on the world stage.

OverviewKobe University supports student preparation for studying abroad at overseas universities by providing necessary information on local medical service systems and the destination country’s culture, and by offering education programs to develop students’ communicative proficiency. We believe that these activities facilitate students planning for studying abroad, getting them accustomed earlier to their study and daily lives in each destination country. In turn, in welcoming overseas students to Kobe University’s laboratories or University Hospital, we offer special programs for overseas students to become familiar with and feel comfortable in not only their labs in the University or the Hospital, but also with Japanese daily customs and culture, by holding collaborative lectures on the Japanese language or Japanese culture, in cooperation with the International Student Center.

For students to play an active role as global leaders today, itis important to establish networks connecting overseas medical scientists or physicians. Thus, we promote the system of employing Japanese tutors, who support the studies and daily lives of overseas students enrolled in short-term medical training programs and during practical works at the University Hospital. Furthermore, in the students’ seminars and symposiums, the students of our University and overseas students cooperate in preparing, coordinating, hosting, and managing the entire event, which establishes networks among students, and creates good opportunities for developing communicative proficiency. Through these ac t iv i t ies , mutua l and suppor t ive re lat ionships between Japanese students a l ready experienced studying abroad, the overseas students studying at Kobe University, and their Japanese tutors are developed. We also devote our efforts to increase students’ choices of destination for studying and to promote communication between universities.

Activities1. Coordination and information services on studying abroad for Japanese students2. Coordination and information services on studying at Kobe University foroverseas students3. Students’ collaborative seminars and symposiums with overseas universities4. Lectures on Japanese language and Japanese culture5. Preparatory courses for students planning overseas education (The School ofMedicine, the Graduate School of Medicine, and the Faculty of Health Science,Kobe University)6. Elective Programs for students belonging to overseas partner universities andeducational inst itutes (http://www.med.kobe- u.ac.jp/asean/elective%20program/Elective%20Program.html )7. Counseling and supporting services for overseas students on their academicprogress and in their daily lives8. Recruiting Japanese tutors for overseas students9. Conferences and information gathering, considering on faculty-level academicexchange agreements or student exchange administrative instructions withoverseas universities


Director:Toshio Terashima, M.D.

Professor


Professor

Takayoshi Kuno, M.D., Ph.D.Designated Professor

48 49

membrane dynamics cell physiology molecular and metabolic … · 2015-12-15 · membrane dynamics...

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