NOTE: We do welcome foreigners to our lab as post-doctoral research fellows, grad students and research students. First of all, please let me know via email (ymorita[&]kumamoto-u.ac.jp: replace "[&]" with "@").
Mission Statement
We are enthusiastically working on the development of sophisticated experimental techniques to visualize complicated physics phenomena at the micro- and nanoscale. Then, we are trying revealing the mechanisms, which appeared by visualizing, with the knowledge based on mechanical engineering. Finally, we will utilize the achievements obtained to create newly developed biomaterials and medical instrumentations.
Research
Experimental Mechanics
"Seeing is believing." Visualizing the phenomenon plays a vital role to understand its mechanism. Experimental Mechanics are always challenging to elucidate the physics by developing advanced visualizing techniques. Our lab is trying to clarify the mechanics dwelling in the details by visualizing the stress/strain field at the micro- and nanoscale.
Examples of our research in hand
- Development / application of DIC (digital image correlation) method
- Development / application of DVC (digital volume correlation) method
- Development / application of measurement techniques of micro rheology
- Development / application of measurement techniques of optical interferometry
Biomechanics
Our body is composed of various cells, and they are changing their function in distinctive ways by giving and receiving biomechanical information from their surrounding cells and extracellular matrix. We have attempted to visualize the mechanical interactions among them at the micro- and nanoscales by developing advanced experimental techniques to elucidate the cell mechanics.
Examples of our research in hand
- Elucidation of dynamics of cancer metastasis
- Development of differentiation-inducing techniques of stem cells in regenerative medicine
- Development of preservation techniques of multipotent cells' stemness
- Elucidation of cell-cell mechanical interactions, and cell-extracellular matrix mechanical interaction
Softmechanics
Most of our body consist of soft matters. Our lab is designing and developing new engineering materials by applying the physical and mechanical characteristics of soft matters. We would like to contribute to the various fields such as tissue engineering, medical education, robotics, etc. through this research.
Examples of our research in hand
- Development of eyeball models for ophthalmic surgery simulator
- Development / application of actuators with soft materials
- Development / application of sensors with soft materials
Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials often express a completely new function beyond our knowledge. For example, quantum effect with respect to optical, electrical and magnetic properties is one of the specificities. Our lab is trying to discover unknown function and mechanism, and develop the techniques to control them. We are now working on developing advanced nanocarriers for new smart DDS.
Examples of our research in hand
- Development / application of new nanocarriers using magnetite
- Development / application of new nanocarriers using mesoporous silica
- Development / application of new nanocarriers using stimuli-responsive polymers
- Development / application of new nanocarriers with targeting function
People
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Professor Morita Yasuyuki, Ph.D.
Co-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Assistant Professor Omata Seiji, Ph.D.
Grad Students
- Xiong Yulin (Doctoral course, Terada Torahiko Fellowship Program)
- Takai Kenetaro
- Noshita Sho
- Fukuda Keisuke
- Fukumoto Keishi
- Maeda Keisuke
- Miyahara Keisuke
- Takaki Yusaku
- Takezaki Kaito
- Tanaka Takato
- Tsuji Taiga
- Toyonaga Yudai
- Nishizako Taketo
- Higashi Daichi
- Gao Ang
- Jiang Kun
Undergraduates
- Ohshiro Akito
- Obara Yuta
- Kanamaru Kodai
- Hata Yuki
- Mori Ryunosuke
Research Student
- Shen Xinyu
Lab Alumni
- Imaike Riku
- Oosumi Teppei
- Magata Ryusei
- Minamitake Ryunosuke
- Kawabata Akira
- Fukada Ryuhei
- Kotake Fumikazu
- Sakai Yurie
- Noguchi Keisuke
- Hiejima Takayuki
- Fukuda Ryota
- So Katsunori
- Uchio Hayato
- Egawa Shunsuke
- Fukuzaki Yuya
- Iwakiri Minami
- Nakayama Mamoru
- Ganbold Mandkhai
- Takami Shingo
- Nagata Keisuke
- Mitsui Wataru
Publications
2022
- Y. Morita, K. Kobayashi, Y. Toku, Y. Kimura, Q. Luo, G. Song, Y. Ju, “Nanocarriers for drug-delivery systems using a ureido-derivatized polymer gatekeeper for temperature-controlled spatiotemporal on–off drug release,” Biomaterials Advances, Vol.139, 213026, 2022.
- Y. Morita, “A technique for measuring the 3D deformation of a multiphase structure to elucidate the mechanism of tumor invasion,” Multidisciplinary Computational Anatomy, ed by M. Hashizume (ISBN: 978-981-16-4324-8), pp.139-143, Springer, 2022.
- Y. Taniguchi, H. Sugiura, T. Yamanaka, S. Watanabe, S. Omata, K. Harada, M. Mitsuishi, T. Shiraya, K. Sugimoto, T. Ueta, K. Totsuka, F. Araki, M. Takao, M. Aihara, F. Arai, “A force measurement platform for a vitreoretinal surgical simulator using an artificial eye module integrated with a quartz crystal resonator,” Microsystems & Nanoengineering, Vol.8, Article No.74, 2022.
- T. Yamanaka, T. Niino, S. Omata, K. Harada, M. Mitsuishi, K. Sugimoto, T. Ueta, K. Totsuka, T. Shiraya, F. Araki, M. Takao, M. Aihara, F. Arai, “Bionic eye system mimicking microfluidic structure and intraocular pressure for glaucoma surgery training,” PLoS ONE, in press, 2022.
2021
- B. Tong, T. Hirabayashi, Y. Toku, Y. Morita, Y. Ju, “Non-contact local conductivity measurement of metallic nanowires based on semi-near-field reflection of microwave atomic force microscopy,” Applied Physics Express, Vol.118, 193103, 2021.
- Y. Toku, Y. Togawa, Y. Morita, Y. Ju, “Preferential growth of specific crystal planes based on the dimension control of single crystal SnO2 nanobelts,” Materials Letters, Vol.285, 129121, 2021.
2019
- Y. Morita, T. Sato, K. Higashiura, Y. Hirano, F. Matsubara, K. Oshima, K. Niwa, Y. Toku, G. Song, Q. Luo, Y. Ju, “The optimal mechanical condition in stem cell-to-tenocyte differentiation determined with the homogeneous strain distributions and the cellular orientation control,” Biology Open, Vol.8, Issue5, bio039164, 2019.
- B. Tong, M. Zhao, Y. Toku, Y. Morita, Y. Ju, “Local permittivity measurement of dielectric materials based on the noncontact force curve of microwave atomic force microscopy,” Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol.90, 033706, 2019.
- Y. Morita, R. Sakurai, T. Wakimoto, K. Kobayashi, B. Xu, Y. Toku, G. Song, Q. Luo, Y. Ju, “tLyP-1-conjuagted core-shell nanoparticles, Fe3O4@mSiO2, for tumor-targeted drug delivery,” Applied Surface Science, Vol.474, pp.17-24, 2019.
- Y. Toku, K. Ichioka, Y. Morita, Y. Ju, “A 64-pin nanowire surface fastener like a ball grid array applied for room-temperature electrical bonding,” Scientific Reports, Vol.9, No.1, 1095, 2019.
- M. Gallab, S. Omata, K. Harada, M. Mitsuishi, K. Sugimoto, T. Ueta K. Totsuka, F. Araki, M. Takao, M. Aihara, F. Arai, "Development of a spherical model with a 3D microchannel: an application to glaucoma surgery," Micromachines, Vol.10, No.5, 297, 2019.
2018
- Y. Yin, H. Chen, Y. Morita, Y. Toku, Y. Ju, “Effect of electropulsing treatment on the fatigue crack growth behavior of copper," Materials, Vol.11. No.11, 2168, 2018.
- K. Yan, Y. Toku, Y. Morita, Y. Ju, “Fabrication of multiwall carbon nanotube sheet based hydrogen sensor on a stacking multi-layer structure,” Nanotechnology, Vol.29, No.37, 375503, 2018.
- Y. Morita, F. Matsubara, Y. Toku, Y. Ju, “Use of a tendon/ligament cell sheet with mesenchymal stem cells and cyclic stretch stimulus for tendon/ligament tissue restoration,” Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. SI5, No.3, pp.1-11, 2018.
- Y. Toku, K. Uchida, Y. Morita, Y. Ju, “Nanowire surface fastener fabrication on flexible substrate,” Nanotechnology, Vol.29, No.30, 305702, 2018.
- G. Song, B. Zhang, Q. Luo, B. Deng, Y. Morita, Y. Ju, “Construction of tendon replacement tissue based on collagen sponge and mesenchymal stem cells by coupled mechano-chemical induction and its evaluation in tendon repair abilities,” Acta Biomaterialia, Vol.74, pp.247-259, 2018.
- Y. Xie, Y. Ju, Y. Toku, Y. Morita, “Synthesis of single-crystalline Fe2O3 nanowire array based on stress-induced atomic diffusion used for solar water splitting,” Royal Society Open Science, Vol.5, No.3, 172126, 2018.
- L. Liu, Q. Luo, J. Sun, Y. Ju, Y. Morita, Y. Shi, W. Liu, G. Song, “Chromatin organization regulated by EZH2-mediated H3K27me3 is required for OPN-induced migration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells,” The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Vol. 96, pp.29-39, 2018.
- Y. Morita, T. Yamashita, Y. Toku, Y. Ju, “Optimization of differentiation time of mesenchymal-stem-cell to tenocyte under a cyclic stretching with a microgrooved culture membrane and selected measurement cells,” Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp.3-10, 2018.
- Q. Chen, Q. Liang, W. Zhuang, J. Zhou, B. Zhang, P. Xu, Y. Ju, Y. Morita, Q. Luo, G. Song, “Tenocyte proliferation and migration promoted by rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived conditioned medium,” Biotechnology Letters, Vol.40, No.1, pp.215-224, 2018.
- S. Omata, Y. Someya, S. Adachi, T. Masuda, K. Harada, M. Mitsuishi, K. Totsuka, F. Araki, M. Takao, M. Aihara, F. Arai, "A surgical simulator for peeling the inner limiting membrane during wet conditions," PLoS ONE, Vol.13, No.5, e0196131, 2018.
- S. Sasaki, S. Omata, T. Murakami, N. Nagasawa, M. Taguchi, A. Suzuki, "Effect of gamma ray irradiation on friction property of hybrid PVA gel," Gels, Vol.4, No.2, 30, 2018.
- M. Gallab, K. Tomita, S. Omata, F. Arai, "Fabrication of 3D capillary vessel models having circulatory connection ports," Micromachines, Vol.9, No.3, 101, 2018.