Chemistry

About us

  The main focus of our study is on the innate immune system. Innate immunity is conserved throughout multicellular organisms and plays important roles as the first line of host defense. “Pattern-recognition” is a key concept of innate immunity. Pattern-recognition molecules recognize characteristic pathogen-associated molecular patterns (such as LPS, PGN and teichoic acids) conserved on the surface of pathogens. The recognized pathogens are efficiently eliminated through various mechanisms. We are examining the functions of surfactant proteins in innate immunity, and the process of phagocytic elimination of bacteria and altered-self cells. Concerning pathogens, they change their gene expression pattern to evade the host immune system. We are also interested in factors that trigger the alteration in the gene expression of pathogens.