To develop the therapeutic and prophylactic methods for zoonoses that are caused by bacterial infection, our research interesting is to elucidate host response against zoonotic pathogens and molecular mechanisms underlying infectious disease onset. In particular, we have been focusing on Bacillus anthracis that is the etiological agent of anthrax. Anthrax is a disease of wildlife, livestock and human that remains a public health problem in the world. We have been developing safe and effective anthrax vaccine based on structural information of B. anthracis toxin. Furthermore, to control anthrax in endemic area where are south-eastern Asian and African countries, we are performing surveillance of anthrax and introduction of molecular diagnostic methods for B. anthracis infection.

1. Promotion of fostering Zoonosis Control Expert
2. Support for career path activity

1. Hang'ombe, B. M., Mwansa, J.C.L., Muwowo, S., Mulenga, P., Kapina, M., Musenga, E., Squarre, D., Mataa, L., Thomas, S.Y., Ogawa, H., Sawa, H., Higashi, H. 2012. Human - Animal Anthrax outbreak in the Luangwa valley of Zambia in 2011. Trop. Doct. In press.
2. Murata-Kamiya, N., Kikuchi, K., Hayashi, T., Higashi, H., Hatakeyama, M. 2010. Helicobacter pylori exploits host membrane phosphatidylserine for delivery, localization, and pathophysiological action of the CagA oncoprotein. Cell Host Microbe 7: 399-411.
3. Ohnishi, N., Yuasa, H., Tanaka, S., Sawa, H., Miura, M., Matsui, A., Higashi, H., Musashi, M., Iwabuchi, K., Suzuki, M., Yamada, G., Azuma, T., Hatakeyama, M. 2008. Transgenic expression of Helicobacter pylori CagA induces gastrointestinal and hematopoietic neoplasms in mouse. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 105: 1003-1008.
4. Saadat, I., Higashi, H., Obuse, C., Umeda, M., Murata-Kamiya, N., Saito, Y., Lu, H., Ohnishi, N., Azuma, T., Suzuki, A., Ohno, S., Hatakeyama, M. 2007. Helicobacter pylori CagA targets PAR1/MARK kinase to disrupt epithelial cell polarity. Nature 447: 330-333.
5. Higashi, H., Tsutsumi, R., Muto, S., Sugiyama, T., Azuma, T., Asaka, M., Hatakeyama, M. 2002. SHP-2 tyrosine phosphatase as an intracellular target of Helicobacter pylori CagA protein. Science 295: 683-686.