Research Content

Professor Otsuka's Research

Discovery of MATE Transporters and Contribution to Drug Development

■ Discovery of the "Final Exit" for Drug Excretion
For a long time, the identity of the crucial transporter responsible for the kidney's excretion of drugs into urine, acting as the "final exit," remained a great mystery to researchers worldwide. In 2005, our lab was the first in the world to identify this mysterious molecule, naming it "MATE (Multidrug And Toxin Extrusion)." This discovery marked a significant step forward in understanding how drugs move within the body (pharmacokinetics).

■ A Key Target Involved in Drug Efficacy and Side Effects
MATE has been found to transport a wide range of pharmaceuticals, including the diabetes medication metformin and the antacid cimetidine. Therefore, it is an extremely important molecule that holds the key to drug interactions.

■ Our Research Sets Standards for Global Drug Development
The importance of MATE has become widely recognized. Currently, drug regulatory authorities in Japan, the US, and Europe (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, FDA, EMA) mandate that interactions with MATE must be investigated during new drug development. Our laboratory's discovery has become the catalyst for establishing a new standard for safety evaluation in global pharmaceutical development.

Cultivating Self-Directed Learning through Teamwork — Educational Practice Research to Foster Student Autonomy —

■Background and Purpose of Research
In today's rapidly changing society with the evolution of AI, "autonomy"—the ability to set questions and act independently—is strongly demanded. In my lab, we focus on "team building," where students work in groups to solve problems, and scientifically verify how this collaborative learning draws out students' "self-directed learning ability."

■Research Approach
The core of our research is designing a "psychologically safe space" where students can confidently take on challenges without fear of failure. We emphasize not just the results, but the process of trial and error with peers, and encourage "reflection" after activities. This fosters students' ability to objectively view their own learning and connect it to future growth.

Associate Professor Iwasaki's Research

Awareness Survey for Fostering Future Healthcare Teams — Aiming for the Development of Interprofessional Education (IPE) —

■Background: Why is "Team Healthcare" Education Important?
In modern healthcare, "team healthcare," where various professionals collaborate as a team to support a single patient, is prevalent. To build an effective team, it is essential for students to understand and respect each other's expertise from an early stage, which is achieved through interprofessional education (IPE).

■Research Content: Awareness of "Bioethics" among Students Aiming to Become Registered Dietitians
Our laboratory aims to establish effective IPE between students in the Faculty of Agriculture who aspire to become registered dietitians (who will be members of future medical teams) and students in the Faculty of Pharmacy. The results of our survey enabled us to grasp differences in student perspectives early on, providing important insights that contribute to the development of education for achieving better team healthcare.

The Science of Supplement-Drug Interactions — The Effect of Dietary Fiber on Drug Absorption —

■Background: Are your supplements changing the effect of your medication?
Depending on the "interaction" between drugs and supplements, the effect of medication can be weakened, or conversely, it can become too strong, leading to side effects. For example, there have been reported cases where patients taking anti-epileptic drugs experienced seizures when concurrently using a supplement (chitosan).

■What Our Research Revealed
We conducted research using cultured cells on the concomitant use of antipsychotic drugs, which have reported side effects such as weight gain, and dietary fiber supplements. As a result, we discovered the possibility that "chitosan," a type of dietary fiber, may unintentionally increase drug absorption. This finding indicates that not all "dietary fibers" can be grouped together, and provides important scientific evidence for considering the safe concomitant use of pharmaceuticals and health foods.

Lecturer Yamazawa's Research

Unraveling the Mystery of Bacterial Survival Switch, Protein YabG Self-Maturation

■Elucidation of Bacillus subtilis YabG Processing
Bacillus subtilis survives harsh environments in a dormant state called "spores." We focused on the protein "YabG," which functions during spore formation, and aimed to elucidate its self-maturation (self-cleavage and activation) process. By attaching molecular "markers" to the tip of YabG and tracking its movement, we were the first to determine that a specific single cleavage acts as a trigger, leading to a controlled, sequential process where other parts are cleaved in order, much like a domino effect.

The Science of "Learning Motivation" through Videos — Exploring New Forms of Pharmaceutical Education —

Amidst the challenge of insufficient study time for university students, we explored strategies to leverage "videos," which are familiar to students, in education to draw out intrinsic learning motivation. Based on learning motivation theory (ARCS model), we specifically focused on devising "Attention"-grabbing techniques to arouse interest in learning. Reports indicate that students who received video lessons showed significantly higher "motivation for classes and future careers" than those in traditional classes, and that this correlated with intrinsic motivation, suggesting that videos can be a powerful educational strategy.