{"id":42,"date":"2020-03-06T13:32:22","date_gmt":"2020-03-06T04:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/?page_id=42"},"modified":"2026-04-02T08:52:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T23:52:48","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

English version is available at the bottom of this page.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u751f\u7269\u7269\u7406\u5de5\u5b66
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\uff11\uff0e\u751f\u4f53\u5206\u5b50\u30e2\u30fc\u30bf\u30fc\u306e\u30a8\u30cd\u30eb\u30ae\u30fc\u5909\u63db\u6a5f\u69cb\u306e\u89e3\u660e\u3068\u5fdc\u7528<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u3000\u7c98\u6027\u3068\u71b1\u63fa\u3089\u304e\u304c\u652f\u914d\u3059\u308b\u5fae\u5c0f\u306a\u6d41\u4f53\u74b0\u5883\uff08\u4f4e\u30ec\u30a4\u30ce\u30eb\u30ba\u6570\u9818\u57df\uff09\u306b\u304a\u3044\u3066\uff0c\u30d0\u30af\u30c6\u30ea\u30a2\u7b49\u306e\u5fae\u751f\u7269\u304c\u3069\u306e\u3088\u3046\u306b\u52b9\u7387\u7684\u306a\u904b\u52d5\u3092\u5b9f\u73fe\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u304b\u3001\u305d\u306e\u7269\u7406\u7684\u539f\u7406\u3092\u89e3\u660e\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u4e3b\u306b\u30d0\u30af\u30c6\u30ea\u30a2\u904b\u52d5\u3092\u53f8\u308b\u300c\u3079\u3093\u6bdb\u300d\u3068\u3044\u3046\u76f4\u5f8445\u30ca\u30ce\u30e1\u30fc\u30c8\u30eb\u306e\u56de\u8ee2\u5206\u5b50\u30e2\u30fc\u30bf\u30fc\u3092\u984c\u6750\u306b\uff0c\u9ad8\u7cbe\u5ea6\u306a\u30a4\u30e1\u30fc\u30b8\u30f3\u30b0\u6280\u8853\u3092\u99c6\u4f7f\u3057\u3066\u30df\u30af\u30ed\u30b9\u30b1\u30fc\u30eb\u306e\u30a8\u30cd\u30eb\u30ae\u30fc\u5909\u63db\u6a5f\u69cb\u3092\u89e3\u660e\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002\u5f97\u3089\u308c\u305f\u77e5\u898b\u3092\uff0c\u30de\u30a4\u30af\u30ed\u30de\u30b7\u30f3\u306e\u8a2d\u8a08\u3084\u30c9\u30e9\u30c3\u30b0\u30c7\u30ea\u30d0\u30ea\u30fc\u30b7\u30b9\u30c6\u30e0\u306e\u958b\u767a\u3078\u3068\u5c55\u958b\u3059\u308b\u3053\u3068\u3092\u76ee\u6307\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u95a2\u9023\u3059\u308b\u6210\u679c<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nakamura et al. (2010) PNAS<\/a><\/em> “Evidence for symmetry in the elementary process of bidirectional torque generation by the bacterial flagellar motor”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tahara et al. (2018) Sci. Adv.<\/a><\/em> “The mechanism of two-phase motility in the spirochete Leptospira<\/em>: Swimming and crawling”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suzuki et al. (2019) J. Bacteriol.<\/a><\/em> “Effect of the MotA(M206I) mutation on torque generation and stator assembly in the Salmonella<\/em> H+<\/sup>-driven flagellar motor”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nakamura & Minamino (2024) Biomolecules<\/a><\/em> “Structure and dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor complex” [Review article] [Editor’s Choice]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u95a2\u9023\u3059\u308b\u6210\u679c<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ishihara et al. (2026) bioRxiv<\/a><\/em> “Emergent hydrodynamic synchronization between microbeads labeling bacterial flagellar motors”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u95a2\u9023\u3059\u308b\u6210\u679c<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abe et al. (2020) Sci. Rep.<\/a><\/em> “Implications of back-and-forth motion and powerful propulsion for spirochetal invasion”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abe, Koizumi, Takazaki et al. (2026) bioRxiv<\/a><\/em> “A novel periplasmic layer formed by an outer membrane lipo-protein governs the cell-envelope integrity and stiffness of Leptospira interrogans<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\uff14\uff0eAI\u753b\u50cf\u89e3\u6790\u306b\u3088\u308b\u611f\u67d3\u75c7\u7814\u7a76<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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\u95a2\u9023\u3059\u308b\u6210\u679c<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abe et al. (2023) Nat. Commun.<\/a><\/em> “Machine learning-based motion tracking reveals an inverse correlation between adhesivity and surface motility of the leptospirosis spirochete”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Biophysics and Bioengineering<\/strong>
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1. Elucidation and application of energy conversion mechanisms in biomolecular motors<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We aim to elucidate the physical principles of how microorganisms, such as bacteria, achieve efficient motility in microscopic fluid environments dominated by viscosity and thermal fluctuations (low Reynolds number regime). Focusing on the bacterial flagellum\u2014a rotary molecular motor only 45 nanometers in diameter\u2014we utilize high-precision imaging techniques to uncover the energy conversion mechanisms at the microscale. Our goal is to apply these insights to the design of micromachines and the development of drug delivery systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selected publications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nakamura et al. (2010) PNAS<\/a><\/em> “Evidence for symmetry in the elementary process of bidirectional torque generation by the bacterial flagellar motor”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tahara et al. (2018) Sci. Adv.<\/a><\/em> “The mechanism of two-phase motility in the spirochete Leptospira<\/em>: Swimming and crawling”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suzuki et al. (2019) J. Bacteriol.<\/a><\/em> “Effect of the MotA(M206I) mutation on torque generation and stator assembly in the Salmonella<\/em> H+<\/sup>-driven flagellar motor”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nakamura & Minamino (2024) Biomolecules<\/a><\/em> “Structure and dynamics of the bacterial flagellar motor complex” [Review article] [Editor’s Choice]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Synchronization phenomena in low Reynolds number regimes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Rhythm and synchronization are fundamental elements of biological systems. This research theme focuses on “hydrodynamic synchronization” observed in microbial motility and ciliary motion. By combining nonlinear physics frameworks with high-precision single-molecule imaging, we explore how microscopic fluid interactions generate ordered motion among active oscillators. We have demonstrated that the flagella of adjacent bacteria synchronize in-phase intermittently, a finding that aligns well with hydrodynamic models. We challenge ourselves to uncover the underlying physical laws of bio-specific synchronization through both experimental and theoretical approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selected publications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ishihara et al. (2026) bioRxiv<\/a><\/em> “Emergent hydrodynamic synchronization between microbeads labeling bacterial flagellar motors”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Nano- and microscale measurement and control<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Optical tweezers are a technology that uses focused infrared lasers to “trap” and manipulate microscopic objects just like physical tweezers. This technique is widely used for measurement and control in micro-spaces, allowing us to quantify the response of biological systems to physical perturbations. By manipulating trapped biological samples and applying localized fluid forces, we analyze their responses to reveal the mechanical strength and microscopic physical properties of cells and biomaterials. For instance, this allows for the quantitative evaluation of the swimming force of a single bacterium or cell stiffness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selected publications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abe et al. (2020) Sci. Rep.<\/a><\/em> “Implications of back-and-forth motion and powerful propulsion for spirochetal invasion”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abe, Koizumi, Takazaki et al. (2026) bioRxiv<\/a><\/em> “A novel periplasmic layer formed by an outer membrane lipo-protein governs the cell-envelope integrity and stiffness of Leptospira interrogans<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Infectious disease research via AI-based image analysis<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

AI-driven image analysis (computer vision) is becoming an indispensable technology not only in information science, physics, and engineering but also in fundamental life science research. For example, by using techniques such as “background subtraction”\u2014which distinguishes a “moving” foreground from a “stationary” background based on Bayes’ theorem\u2014we can detect pathogens infecting cultured cells without the need for labeling. We aim to bridge data science and life sciences to build foundational technologies that lead to the elucidation of infection mechanisms, rapid diagnostics, and support for drug discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selected publications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abe et al. (2023) Nat. Commun.<\/a><\/em> “Machine learning-based motion tracking reveals an inverse correlation between adhesivity and surface motility of the leptospirosis spirochete”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

English version is available at the bottom of this page. \u751f\u7269\u7269\u7406\u5de5\u5b66 \uff11\uff0e\u751f\u4f53\u5206\u5b50\u30e2\u30fc\u30bf\u30fc\u306e\u30a8\u30cd\u30eb\u30ae\u30fc\u5909\u63db\u6a5f\u69cb\u306e\u89e3\u660e\u3068\u5fdc\u7528 \u3000\u7c98\u6027\u3068\u71b1\u63fa\u3089\u304e\u304c\u652f\u914d\u3059\u308b\u5fae\u5c0f\u306a\u6d41\u4f53\u74b0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-42","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/42","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42"}],"version-history":[{"count":60,"href":"https:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/42\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9337,"href":"https:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/42\/revisions\/9337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.tohoku.ac.jp\/bp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}