Updated: 10/Apr/2001
Department of Bacterial Infections
This department focuses on the pathogenic mechanisms of bacterial infections, especially of bacterial enteropathogens.
Current subjects of research are:
  1. Analyses of both colonization factors involved in intestinal bacterial infections and their receptors. These studies should provide important information in developing new drugs and vaccines for prevention of infection.
  2. Molecular analyses of protein toxins produced by various enteropathogens. Studies include experiments on molecular cloning of genes for protein toxins and analyses of their biochemical mechanisms of action.
  3. Development of rapid identification tests for various pathogens by means of immunological and molecular genetic principles.
Research Group
Professor Takeshi HONDA, M. D., D. Med. Sc.
Associate Professor Tetsuya IIDA, D. Med. Sc.
Associate Professor Masuo YUTSUDO, D. Sc.
Research Associate Itaru YANAGIHARA, M. D., D. Med. Sc.
Figure 1. Colonization of bacterial pathogens to host cells
fig1A fig1B
A. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) adhering to microvilli of enteroepithelial cells. B. Immunoelectron microscopic observation of colonization factors (pili) on ETEC.
Figure 2. Bacterial genomes : Discovery of two-chromosome structure in Vibrio species.
Figure 3. Actin accumulation occurred just beneath the bacterial attachment sites in HeLa cells.
fig3A fig3B
Figure 4. Processing, secretion and mode of actions of bacterial toxins
Proteolytic activation of El Tor hemolysin produced by Vibrio cholerae and its actions on target cells.
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RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR MICROBIAL DISEASES
OSAKA UNIVERSITY