Department of Pharmacology, Keio University School of Medicine
History of the Department
The Keio University Department of Pharmacology has always been at the forefront of the field of pharmacology in Japan, with a strong focus on education and research. The tradition of patient-centric pharmacology, initiated by the first head of the department, Professor Katsuma Abe, who dedicated his life's work to studying pain and fever mechanisms and analgesics, continues to be carried forward to this day.
Professor Eikichi Yosikawa made pioneering efforts in the detection of urinary biomarkers, a concept that is now gaining significant attention. His work was groundbreaking for its time.
Professor Ryuichi Kato made a significant discovery by establishing the concept of drug-metabolizing enzyme induction, which laid the foundation for understanding drug interactions and the precursor to personalized medicine.
Professor Masao Nishimoto, anticipating the advent of an aging society, aimed to establish treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. I, too, am committed to carrying on the illustrious tradition of Keio Medical School and operating an even more "open pharmacology department." My focus will be on nurturing talent, contributing research findings to society, and promoting international exchange.
I aspire to propose a new pharmacology based on active engagement with patients and to lead 21st-century pharmacology both domestically and internationally by building a comprehensive research and education framework that fosters extensive collaboration.
Education
In the realm of education, we will focus on the keywords "inspiration" and "encounters and interactions (with people and subjects)." Our lectures and practical training are not only intended to impart the essential knowledge but also to instill in students the fundamental perspectives and ways of thinking so that they can practice drug therapy accurately and swiftly in clinical settings as future physicians.
We are also considering the enhancement of exchange student programs and the sharing of doctoral programs at the graduate level on an international scale.
Contributions to the Society
Through our daily educational and research activities, we aspire to contribute to a better future for humanity and the Earth. On the educational front, our goal is to nurture young physicians and researchers who can become leaders in research and clinical practice on an international scale. Additionally, we are committed to translating the outcomes of our research projects, particularly in the fields of drug discovery and personalized medicine, to benefit society as a whole.
Research
On the research front, our focus will be on the structural and functional analysis of membrane receptors, channels, and transporters, which are essential drug targets. Specifically, we will emphasize the dynamic changes in protein structure and regulatory mechanisms. Our approach will incorporate not only traditional molecular biology techniques but also molecular dynamics simulations and the development of novel experimental methods based on nonlinear optics. We believe that these new techniques are essential for understanding the complexity inherent in biological phenomena, which can be considered a hallmark of life processes.
- Towards new pharmacology based on complex systems -
Professor Masato Yasui
As we enter the 21st century, the landscape of medicine and healthcare is poised for significant changes. The day is not far off when we can achieve personalized, patient-centric healthcare that takes into account individual backgrounds, needs, disease states, and treatment responses.
Our Department of Pharmacology is committed to leading 21st-century pharmacology by collaborating with clinical and basic research, both domestically and internationally, as well as with the industry. We aim to establish systems that enable rapid and precise assessments of "in vivo pharmacokinetics," "drug interactions," "safety," and more, based on individual patient differences and disease states.
In the realm of research, instead of simplifying complex life phenomena by breaking them down, we are exploring how to understand them while maintaining their relationships. We particularly focus on "dynamic self-organization" and aspire to propose a new pharmacology from this perspective.
All of our faculty members are dedicated to contributing to society by aiming for the greater well-being of humanity in the 21st century through pharmacology education and research. We humbly request your guidance and support on this journey.
Professor & Chair
2015-2017
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2011-2014
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2007-2010
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Faculty Members
Department of Pharmacology (as of June 12, 2024)
Professor: Masato Yasui
Associate Professor: Mutsuo Nuriya
Associate Professor: Mariko Chikuma
Instructor: Yoichiro Abe
Instructor(Non-tenured): Mitsuru Yasuda
Instructor(Non-tenured): Takanori Shinotsuka
4th year of graduate student (doctoral course): Hong Hanjia
2nd year of graduate student (doctoral course): Takeshi Mita
2nd year of graduate student (doctoral course): Sun Siqi
1st year of graduate student (doctoral course): Miao Wencan
1st year of graduate student (doctoral course): Rhosuke Okubo
1st year of graduate student (doctoral course): Naruki Hirooka
Yokohama National University, Graduate School of Environment and
Information Sciences, 1st year: Masaki Tomioka
Yokohama National University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, 4th year: Ayano Suzuki
Researcher: Manami Tanaka
Visiting Professor: Hiroki Nakatani
Visiting Assistant Professor: Yasuhiro Kato
Visiting Research Fellow: Rieko Koshio, Sakiko Taniguchi
Resident: Yumi Yoshikawa
Experimental assistant: Maki Takahashi, Yu Shinjo
Professor's Secretary: Shio Nakanao
Temporary staff: Sayaka Kobayashi, Hu Can, Zhao Tianyu
Joint researchers: Takako Niikura, Asako Gondo, Kenji Shinohara, Keiko Mizuma, Nakamura Yumi
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Medicine: Katsuhiko Mikoshiba, Yoshiro Soma
Part-time lecturer: Sae Uchida, Akihiro Hazama, Yoshiro Soma, Kenichi Furuhata, Hirosato Mashima, Yusuke Tanigawara, Yuji Morisawa, Yang Hao-Yung, Sae Tanaka, Tomoe Ishikawa, Masataka Suzuki, Yasutaka Yanase
Professor Emeritus: Ryuichi Kato