Zoonoses are the disease caused by the pathogens transmitted between humans and animals. Echinococcosis, which is a worldwide epidemic, is one such disease caused by parasites of the genus Echinococcus. Our laboratory, in collaboration with researchers in Japan and abroad, is conducting research to elucidate the mechanisms of infection in animals and to reduce the infection risk for human.

Animals can be infected by a variety of parasites. Parasites consist of organisms belonging to a wide range of animal taxonomic groups, including protozoa, which are unicellular animals, flatworms and nematodes, which are multicellular animals and parasitize the inside of the animal's body, and arthropods, which parasitize the surface of the body. As a result, parasites have a wide range of lifestyles.

In our laboratory, we are conducting research to combat parasitic diseases in animals in cooperation with the people involved in veterinary servicies and animal husbandry.

Ticks are known to harbor a variety of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, and parasites). Our research group is conducting a comprehensive analysis of the tick microbiome using high-throughput sequencing technologies.

Our research has revealed that there are a variety of microorganisms in ticks, some of which were not previously known to exist. We are also focusing on symbiotic bacteria among the various microorganisms to investigate their effect on tick physiology and pathogen transmission.