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毒性学分野

Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science

Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University

大阪大学 大学院薬学研究科

毒性学分野

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Welcome to the Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Sciences at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University!

In our field, we promote education and research not only on the safety assessment, prediction, and assurance of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products but also on new chemical substances produced by 21st-century technologies. We aim to "foster human resources who will support human health by exploring and scientifically examining the environment surrounding human health," and to contribute to the development of a healthy society, a safe environment, and industrial support through academia, government, and industry partnerships.

In the course of our education and research, we utilize advanced methodologies, including molecular and cellular biology, genetic engineering, protein engineering, and cutting-edge technologies such as proteomics and genomics. Our work involves investigating the mechanisms behind toxicity expression in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products (such as the onset and progression of diseases like cancer), elucidating the body’s inherent defense mechanisms, and developing detoxification (treatment) methods. Toxicology (safety science) education and research in our field are fundamentally supported by life sciences, including pharmacokinetics, physiology, embryology, pharmacology, and immunology.

Recently, we have focused on comprehensive risk management of human health and the environment. This includes evaluating the health impacts of nanomaterials—whose commercialization has progressed rapidly—and Asian dust, a global environmental concern. We also explore safety biomarkers and pursue research and development of "safe" technologies, such as novel influenza vaccines, antibody-based medicines, cytokine drugs, gene transfer techniques, and pharmacokinetic control technologies. We welcome inquiries at any time from those interested in these initiatives.

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Recently, we are working on the safety of micro and nano plastics.
If you are interested, please click here.

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What's new

  • Momoe Serizawa and Mii Hokaku received the KSOT Travel Award for Young Toxicologists at The 40th Annual Meeting of KSOT/KEMS. (10/2024)

  • Research by Sota Manabe and colleagues was accepted in Scientific Reports. (9/2024)

  • International collaborative research led by Dr. Yuya Haga was published in Cell Reports Medicine. (9/2024)

  • Research by Yuma Saeki and colleagues was published in ACS Nanoscience Au. (8/2024)

  • An experiential learning program (lectures and practical training) was held for students of Mikunigaoka High School. (8/2024)

  • Wakaba Idehara and Yuma Saeki received the Student Poster Presentation Award at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Toxicology. (7/2024)

  • Research by Jundai Kobayashi and colleagues was published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. (7/2024)

  • Research by Yudai Ikuno and colleagues was published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. (5/2024)

  • Yuma Saeki received the Outstanding Presentation Award at the 144th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. (4/2024) the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences HP

  • Research by Hiroto Konishi and colleagues was published in Cell Death Discovery. (3/2024) Publications

  • Research by Go Kitahara and colleagues was published in The Journal of Toxicological Sciences. (1/2024) Publications

  • Dr. Kazuma Higashisaka was selected as a recipient of the Osaka University Award (Young Faculty Category). (11/2023) Osaka University HP

  • Research by Dr. Kazuya Nagano and colleagues was published in Food Chemistry. (10/2023) Publications

  • Jundai Kobayashi, Akihide Nishimura, and Wakako Okuno received the Outstanding Presentation Award at the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Kansai Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. (10/2023) Society HP

  • An experiential learning program (lectures and practical training) was held for students of Mikunigaoka High School. (8/2023) Pictures

  • International collaborative research led by Dr. Yuya Haga was published in Cell Reports Medicine. (7/2023) Publications

  • Sota Manabe received the Student Poster Presentation Award at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Toxicology. (6/2023) Published on the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences HP and the Japanese Society of Toxicology HP

  • Rena Yamamoto received the Outstanding Young Presentation Award at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Food Chemistry. (6/2023) the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences HP and the Japanese Society for Food Chemistry HP

  • Research by Yudai Ikuno and colleagues was accepted in Microplastics. (5/2023) Publications

  • Collaborative research with Prof. Kenji Mizoguchi from the Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, was accepted in ACS Nano. (12/2021) ACS Nano HP, Publications

  • Natsuko Kitamoto and Sota Manabe received the JSOT ASIATOX-X Travel Award. (5/2023) Japanese Society of Toxicology HP

  • Natsuko Kitamoto, Suzuno Tanahashi, and Sota Manabe received the Outstanding Presentation Award at the 143rd Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. (4/2023) the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences HP

  • Research by Lili Yang and colleagues was accepted in Scientific Reports. (3/2023)

  • The award ceremony was held by the Tokyo Microscopy Institute. (2/2023) Ceremony photos

  • Dr. Kazuma Higashisaka was interviewed by Kansai TV and Asahi Shinbun. (3/2023) Articles here

  • Prof. Yasuo Tsutsumi received the "Tsubakikichi Toyama Memorial 8th Science Award in Food and Environment (Tsubakikichi Toyama Award)" from the Tokyo Microscopy Institute. (1/2023) Award recipient page

  • Research by Yuji Sakabashi and colleagues was accepted in Nanotoxicology. (12/2022)

  • Mr. Yuji Sakahashi and Ms. Reina Yamamoto’s research achievements have been accepted in BPB Reports (December 2022).

  • Mr. Hiroto Konishi’s research achievements have been accepted in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (December 2022).

  • Mr. Shintaro Yamaguchi’s research achievements have been accepted in ACS Applied Nano Materials (November 2022).

  • Mr. Go Kitahara and Mr. Hiroto Konishi received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the Kansai Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (October 2022). [Conference Website・Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Website]

  • Professor Yasuo Tsutsumi served as the Chairman at the 12th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Regulatory Science (September 2022). [12th RS Society Website・Conference Scenes]

  • Mr. Yudai Ikuno received the Student Poster Presentation Award at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Toxicology (July 2022). [Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Website]

  • Mr. Yuji Sakahashi and Mr. Yuki Tsujii received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 142nd Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (April 2022). [Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Website]

  • Dr. Kazuma Higashisaka received the 2022 Pharmaceutical Society of Japan Encouragement Award (March 2022).

  • Dr. Yuya Haga received the 2021 Kansai Branch Encouragement Award from the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (December 2021). [Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Website]

  • Mr. Takaki Nakajima’s research achievements have been accepted in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (December 2021).

  • Ms. Sonoko Takeya’s collaborative research achievements have been accepted in Clinical Proteomics (December 2021).

  • Mr. Shunichi Eto and Ms. Aoi Koshida’s research achievements have been accepted in BPB Reports (December 2021).

  • Mr. Lili Yang’s research achievements have been published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (December 2021).

  • Mr. Lili Yang’s research achievements have been accepted in Pharmazie (December 2021).

  • Mr. Ryo Isaka and Ms. Nana Ishida’s research achievements have been accepted in BPB Reports (December 2021).

  • Mr. Ryo Isaka (D3), Mr. Yudai Ikuno (D2), and Mr. Yuji Sakahashi (D2) have been selected for the JST NEXT Program (October 29, 2021).

  • Ms. Sachiyo Hanamuro and Ms. Mei Hayashi’s research achievements have been accepted in Pharmazie (September 21, 2021).

  • Mr. Yudai Ikuno and Ms. Yurie Tada received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 18th Young Pharmacist Forum (September 16, 2021).

  • Dr. Yuya Haga’s international collaborative research achievements have been published in Science Signaling (July 2021).

  • Dr. Yuya Haga’s international collaborative research has been published in Cancer Research (May 3, 2021).

  • Mr. Yuya Haga and Mr. Shintaro Yamaguchi received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 141st Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (April 13, 2021).

  • Mr. Yuya Haga received the Sawai Memorial Encouragement Award (March 24, 2021).

  • Mr. Kazumasa Tasaki received the Sawai Memorial Young Encouragement Award (March 24, 2021).

  • Mr. Yuya Haga’s research achievements have been published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (September 30, 2020).

  • Ms. Ayaka Maki and Ms. Ling Ying’s research achievements have been published in Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin (Highlighted Paper selected by the Editor-in-Chief) (September 29, 2020).

  • Mr. Hongjun Tao and Mr. Ikkei Tasaki’s research achievements have been published in Nanoscale Research Letters (September 21, 2020).

  • Mr. Shunichi Eto and Mr. Yuji Sakahashi received the Student Poster Presentation Award at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Toxicology (July 1, 2020).

  • The research findings of Akira Hayashi et al. were published in Scientific Reports (March 16, 2020).

  • The research by Tianqi Zhang, Hirotaka Kuroda, and their team was published in Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes & Essential Fatty Acids (November 6, 2019).

  • Ryoisaka Isaka received the Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the 13th Young Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Symposium (October 20, 2019).

  • The research findings of Takuya Ishizaka and his team were published in Nanoscale Research Letters (May 16, 2019).

  • Shunichi Eto, Masato Toyota, and Kohei Izusawa received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 139th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (April 22, 2019).

  • Chiaki Matsubara received the 2018 Pharmaceutical Science Award (March 25, 2019).

  • The results of applications for the 2019 JSPS Research Fellowships were announced, and Shunichi Eto was accepted for DC1 (January 10, 2019).

  • Takehiro Kasahara received the Poster Award at the 68th Annual Meeting of the Kinki Branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (October 17, 2018).

  • Shunichi Eto received the Young Researcher Award at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology (September 19, 2018).

  • The research by Yuki Iwahara and his team was published in Frontiers Immunology (July 26, 2018).

  • Shunichi Eto received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 138th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (April 20, 2018).

  • The 2018 JSPS Research Fellowship results were announced, and Yuya Haga was selected for DC1 (October 17, 2017).

  • The research by Michihiko Aoyama and his team was published in the Journal of Controlled Release (June 11, 2017).

  • Mariko Takeda and Yuya Haga received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 137th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (April 21, 2017).

  • Junpei Kasahara received the 2016 Pharmaceutical Science Award (March 22, 2017).

  • Shunichi Eto was accepted into the Leading Graduate Program in Biocontrol and Medical Science (March 17, 2017).

  • The research by Nobuo Nishijima, Toshio Hirai, and their team was published in Frontiers Immunology (March 16, 2017).

  • The department won the championship in the faculty baseball tournament (February 28, 2017).

  • The research by Takashi Nagano and his team was published in Biol. Pharm. Bull. (February 23, 2017).

  • The research by Takayuki Handa, Toshio Hirai, and their team was published in Nanotechnology (January 28, 2017).

  • The research by Shunji Imai, Yuki Morishita, and their team was published in Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (January 21, 2017).

  • Associate Professor Kazuya Nagano received the 2017 Pharmaceutical Society of Japan Encouragement Award (November 18, 2016).

  • The research by Michihiko Aoyama, Katsutomo Hata, and their team was published in Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (October 28, 2016).

  • The research by Toshio Hirai and his team was published in Nanoscale Res. Lett. (October 6, 2016).

  • The research by Yuki Morishita and his team was featured in multiple media outlets (September 9, 2016).

  • The research by Yuki Morishita and his team was published in ACS NANO (August 7, 2016).

  • The research by Eiichiro Uemura and his team was published in J. Nanopart. Res. (June 20, 2016).

  • The research by Toshiro Hirai and his team was featured in multiple media outlets (June 14, 2016).

  • The research by Toshiro Hirai and his team was published online in Nature Nanotechnology (May 31, 2016).

  • Sonoko Takeya received the Outstanding Presentation Award at the 136th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (April 21, 2016).

  • To commemorate the signing of the Japan-China International Collaboration Agreement between the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Osaka University and the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Zhejiang University, the First Exchange Symposium was held at Zhejiang University, with Associate Professor Kazuya Nagano and Assistant Professor Kazuma Higashisaka presenting lectures (October 12, 2015).

  • Dr. Kazuya Nagano was appointed Associate Professor of Toxicology (April 1, 2015).

  • The results of the 2014 JSPS Research Fellowship applications were announced, and Toshio Hirai received an overseas JSPS fellowship while Yuki Morishita received a PD fellowship (October 16, 2014).

  • Toshiro Hirai received the Best Presentation Award, and Yuki Morishita received the Outstanding Presentation Award at the 13th Pharma & Bio Young Scientist Forum 2014 (October 10, 2014).

  • Toshiro Hirai received the Student & Young Researcher Excellence Award at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology (September 12, 2014).

  • Dr. Yasuo Yoshioka received the Third Osaka University President’s Award (Research Division) (August 2, 2014).

  • Dr. Yasuo Tsutsumi received the Third Osaka University President’s Recognition (Research Division) (August 2, 2014).

  • Michihiko Aoyama received the Young Researcher Award at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Japan DDS Society (July 31, 2014).

  • Toshiro Hirai received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 134th Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (April 15, 2014).

  • The results of the 2013 JSPS Research Fellowship applications were announced, and one DC2 and one DC1 position were awarded (December 29, 2013).

  • Dr. Kazuma Higashisaka received the Kinki Branch Encouragement Award from the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Kinki Branch (December 13, 2013).

  • Dr. Yasuo Tsutsumi received the 10th (2013) JSPS Prize.

  • Dr. Yasuo Tsutsumi was selected as a 2013 Top Reviewer for the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (JPharmSci).

  • Dr. Yasuo Yoshioka received the Encouragement Award from the Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology at the 20th Annual Meeting (September 13, 2013).

  • Dr. Kazuma Higashisaka received the Best Poster Award at the 2nd International Conference on Translational and Personalized Medicine (August 7, 2013).

  • Dr. Yasuo Yoshioka received the Second Osaka University President’s Award (Research Division) (August 2, 2013).

  • Dr. Yasuo Tsutsumi received the Second Osaka University President’s Recognition (Research Division) (August 2, 2013).

  • Toshio Hirai received the Outstanding Research Presentation Award at the 40th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Toxicology (June 18, 2013).

  • Toshio Hirai received the Excellent Presentation Award at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Kinki Branch of the Japanese Society of Biochemistry (May 18, 2013).

  • Yuki Morishita, Hideki Takahashi, Koichi Ichihashi, and Takahide Mori received the Outstanding Presentation Award at the 133rd Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (March 29, 2013).

  • Yuka Maeda received the Young Scholar Encouragement Award from the Yakuyukai (March 25, 2013).

  • Kouta Tanaka received the 2012 Pharmaceutical Science Award/Kusumoto Award (March 25, 2013).

  • The results of the 2013 JSPS Research Fellowship applications were announced, with one DC2 and two DC1 positions awarded (January 29, 2013).

  • Dr. Kazuma Higashisaka received the Best Poster Award at the International Congress on Safety of Engineered Nanoparticles and Nanotechnologies (SENN2012) (October 31, 2012).

  • Dr. Kazuma Higashisaka was appointed Assistant Professor of Toxicology (October 1, 2012).

  • Toshio Hirai received the Student & Young Researcher Excellence Award at the 19th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Immunotoxicology (September 16, 2012).

  • Dr. Yasuo Tsutsumi was selected as a 2012 Top Reviewer for the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (JPharmSci).

  • Miyuki Uji and Takemasa Ogura received the Excellent Student Presentation Award at the 132nd Annual Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (April 24, 2012).

  • Dr. Yasuo Tsutsumi was appointed Dean of the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (April 1, 2012).

  • Professor Yasuo Yoshioka has been appointed as an Associate Professor in the field of Toxicology (2012/2/1).

  • The results of the 2011 application for the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship were announced, with two candidates selected for DC2 and one candidate for DC1 (2011/11/1).

  • Research findings on ensuring the safety of nanomaterials have been accepted in Nature Nanotechnology (2011/3/30).

  • Research results on the development of safe and effective cytokine-based drugs have been published in Science Signaling.

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