Section of Viral Infections

A variety of mosquito-borne viral infections are widespread in Thailand located in the tropics. Mosquito-borne viruses may spread to countries around the world, including Japan, which has strong diplomatic relations with Thailand. Therefore, establishment of countermeasures against infection of mosquito-borne viruses based on basic research is important issue in endemic prevention. Among mosquito-borne viruses distributed in Thailand, we are analyzing the process of infection of chikungunya virus, which is the causative agent of chikungunya fever, using molecular biological and immunological methods. In addition, we will start basic research on anti-dengue virus antibodies with the aim of developing a vaccine against dengue viruses, which is the causative agent of dengue fever. 

Acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus infection, which is observed all over the world every year, is one of the problems in public health. Viral diversification due to mutations and recombination of viral genome is thought to enable evasion from host immunity and persistent prevalence. However, it is not fully understood how viruses diversify and how they are retained in human community. Based on epidemiological surveys, we are conducting research with the aim of understanding changes in epidemic strains associated with genomic mutation and elucidating the life cycle of norovirus.