We establish in vitro and in vivo models for various viral infections, create a database of host response networks after viral infection using various omics analyses, and extract host response patterns in collaboration with researchers in immunology and mathematical sciences. Then, we aim to identify biomarkers that can predict profound pathological changes at an extremely early stage and target molecules that enable therapeutic intervention. Furthermore, through mutual feedback analysis with human clinical data, the results obtained using animal models will be scientifically verified with human clinical data, and human clinical data will be scientifically verified with animal models.

Respiratory diseases like influenza virus (IFV) and coronavirus are the most likely to cause pandemics. In this project, we focused on the SARS-CoV-2 infection model and worked with researchers from Project 3 to identify key molecules involved in severe cases. We identified several molecules involved in severe cases. We examined the therapeutic effects of the inhibitors against these molecules in mouse models and found that treatment with some inhibitors ameliorates the severity of mice infected with SARS-CoV-2.
We also established mouse infection models for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), rotavirus, hemorrhagic fever viruses, and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Collaborating with Project3 researchers, we analyzed omics to extract host response networks.