"Epidemiological research for zoonosis control"
The epidemiology research subgroup will investigate the perpetuation mechanisms, distribution, host specificity and transmission routes of pathogens in nature, as well as performing an exhaustive search for novel microorganisms that may potentially cause zoonoses in the future. In addition, strategies for the prediction and prevention of endemic infectious diseases will also be developed using a bioinformatic approach.

"Research into the prevention and control of zoonotic viral diseases"
Understanding the ecology of hemorrhagic fever viruses: identification of natural reservoirs
Global surveillance of influenza
The molecular basis of filovirus pathogenesis: the role played by the function of viral glycopro teins
Experimental studies on novel immunization strategies against viral infection
Understanding the host and viral factors involved in virus infection

Professor, Dept. of Global Epidemiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control

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E-mail address : atakada@czc.hokudai.ac.jp

"Research in wildlife ecology and zoonosis control"
Wildlife often plays a key role in emerging and re-emerging zoonosis. Some creatures act as natural hosts of zoonoses in nature by maintaining pathogens, and new routes of infection are often established as a result of ecosystem imbalance and exploitation. The goal of the present study is therefore to clarify the relationships between wildlife biology (ecology) and infection by diseases in nature. The study will be conducted by 1) establishing methods for capture and immobilization, extracting samples and marking wild mammals and birds, and 2) telemetric tracking of wildlife for epidemiological surveying in zoonosis models.

Professor, Lab. of Wildlife Biology and Medicine, Dept. of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine

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E-mail address : tsubota@vetmed.hokudai.ac.jp

"Research in epidemiology of viral infectious diseases"
We studied serologic and genetic diagnostic methods of hantavirus infection (a typical rodent-borne viral zoonosis), hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), and applied the methods used in the epidemiological study of human and rodent reservoirs in several Asian countries. Through collaborative studies with researchers in countries where these endemics are found, we plan to clarify the epidemiologic status of hantavirus infection and establish such studies on a continued basis.

Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine

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E-mail address : j_arika@med.hokudai.ac.jp

"Research in epidemiology of avian infectious diseases"
Molecular epidemiological surveys of pathogenic viruses will be conducted on both domestic and wild birds including geese and ducks. For this purpose, molecular diagnostic methods will be developed to detect the genes of several kinds of virus from samples such as feathers and feces. Viruses thus detected will be characterized in detail and compared with those previously reported in order to determine their biological properties, including their pathogenicity to avian species.

Professor, Lab. of Infectious Diseases, Dept. of Disease Control, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine

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E-mail address : okazu@vetmed.hokudai.ac.jp

"Bioinformatics for zoonosis control"
The rapid development of molecular biology over the last two decades has accelerated the accumulation of results from genetic and experimental studies on zoonotic pathogens. The massive biological data sets now available enhance the chances of finding important factors that are essential for zoonosis control and have not been addressed so far. Through a fusion of bioscience and informatics, we will conduct comprehensive studies based on large-scale data sets detailing zoonotic pathogens to identify causative factors in infection, and intend to establish strategies to predict and prevent the occurrence and epidemic spread of zoonoses.

Associate Professor, Dept. of Bioinformatics, Research Center for Zoonosis Control(from Jan.1 2011)

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E-mail address : itok@czc.hokudai.ac.jp