greetings
Yosuke Kurashima
Message from the Professor
My name is Yosuke Kurashima, and I am honored to serve as Professor in the Department of International Allergy and Mucosal Immunology (concurrently affiliated with the Division of Innovation Medicine) at the Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University.
My journey as a researcher began when, as a student, I happened to come across a page in a scientific journal in the university library. That single encounter inspired me to visit a laboratory, and the feeling I had then—that there is still so much in this world that remains unknown—continues to drive my research to this day.
Our bodies constantly interact with the external environment. At the forefront of this interaction lies the mucosa. Mucosal tissues, such as those in the intestine and respiratory tract, not only defend against invading pathogens but also selectively allow the uptake of nutrients and the coexistence of commensal microorganisms. In this sense, mucosal immunity represents a frontline defense system that balances host protection and homeostasis, forming a fundamental basis of life.
However, when this finely tuned system is disrupted, it can lead not only to infections but also to chronic inflammatory diseases, including allergies and autoimmune disorders. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that these conditions arise not solely from immune dysfunction, but from complex interactions among epithelial cells, mesenchymal (structural) cells, the nervous system, and the microbiota.
Mucosal immunity thus serves as a critical bridge between infection and allergy/autoimmunity, and its understanding holds the key to developing new therapeutic strategies.
Our laboratory is built upon three central pillars:
- Elucidating interactions between immune cells and their microenvironment to drive the development of novel therapies
- Understanding organ crosstalk, particularly centered on the gut, to enable systemic control of disease
- Revealing the mechanisms of the “immune switch” that governs allergic responses through immune cell plasticity
Our ultimate goal is to establish new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious, allergic, and inflammatory diseases through a deeper understanding of mucosal immunity. We are also actively engaged in translational research aimed at real-world applications, including mucosal vaccines, antibody therapeutics, and microbiota-based interventions.
In our laboratory, we emphasize open discussion and independent thinking, fostering an environment where researchers and students from diverse backgrounds can learn from and inspire one another. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and international partnerships, we strive to create a research hub that continuously generates new scientific value.
Our students have been actively recognized through competitive programs such as JSPS fellowships and other prestigious initiatives.
As the name of our department suggests, we are also deeply committed to international research activities.
We warmly welcome inquiries from those interested in our research and educational programs. We are open to collaboration in various forms, including joint research, student training, and industry–academia partnerships.
We sincerely look forward to working with you.
Yosuke Kurashima, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of International Allergy and Mucosal Immunology/ Innovative Medicine
Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University