My interest research issues are investigations of intracellular events after viral infections and interactions between viral proteins and cellular proteins. Recently, we have reported that JC virus agnoprotein forms homo-oligomers as an integral membrane protein and acts as a viroporin, and that expression of agnoprotein results in plasma membrane permeabilization and virion release and that JC virus-infected cells expressing TAg accumulate in the G2 phase of the cell cycle as a result of the activation of ATM- and ATR-mediated G2 checkpoint pathway and inhibition of ATM and ATR by caffeine suppressed JCV production.  We also performed epidemiological research to identify natural host animals carrying potential pathogens and to elucidate the routes by which the pathogens make the transition from those animals to other animals, including humans in Zambia.

1. Promotion of fostering Zoonosis Control Expert
2. Support for career path activity
3. Activities as a member of the steering committee of the leading program

1. Suzuki T, Orba Y, Okada Y, Sunden Y, Kimura T, Tanaka S, Nagashima K, Hall WW, Sawa H*: The Human Polyoma JC Virus Agnoprotein Acts as a Viroporin. PLoS Pathogens 6 (3):e1000801, 2010
2. Orba Y, Suzuki T, Makino Y, Kubota K, Tanaka S, Kimura T, Sawa H*: Large T antigen promotes JC virus replication in G2-arrested cells by inducing ATM- and ATR-mediated G2 checkpoint signaling. J Biol Chem 285 (2):1544-1554, 2010
3. Orba Y, Kobayashi S, Nakamura I, Ishii A, Hang'ombe BM, Mweene AS, Thomas Y, Kimura T, Sawa H*. Detection and characterization of a novel polyomavirus in wild rodents. J Gen Virol 92 (Pt 4) 789-795, 2011
4. Ishii A, Thomas Y, Moonga L, Nakamura I, Ohnuma A, Hang'ombe B, Takada A, Mweene A, Sawa H: Novel Arenavirus, Zambia. Emerg Infect Dis 17(10): 1921-1924, 2011
5. Muleya W, Namangala B, Mweene A, Zulu L, Fandamu P, Banda D, Kimura T, Sawa H *, Ishii A: Molecular epidemiology and a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for diagnosis of infection with rabies virus in Zambia. Virus Res 163(1):160-168, 2012