Director: Isamu Sugawara

This Center was created on April 15, 2003 when the Department of Basic Research was reorganized in line with a report by the Evaluation Committee of The Research Institute of Tuberculosis. The Center has 13 regular members and consists of four Divisions: Pathology Division, Immunology Division, Bacteriology Division and Molecular Epidemiology Division. These Divisions carry out cooperative research with each other. The Center accepts under commission various testing work related to Mycobacteria from outside institutions. Several regular members actively participate in projects of the Research Department. The animal facility is also managed by MRC.



I.Bacteriology Division

Satoshi Mitarai (chief), Koji Otomo, and Kazue Mizuno

This Division is engaged to perform reliable and advanced bacteriological examinations such as molecular identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing to Mycobacterium species. It also undertakes external quality assessment (EQA) activities for general clinical laboratories at various levels, and maintains standard Mycobacterium strains. The EQA activities are done in co-operation with other organizations such as the Japanese Society for Tuberculosis and the Japanese Association of Medical Technologists.
It is also designated to do basic research to yield useful information for the treatment and control of tuberculosis at the clinical level.



II.Molecular Epidemiology Division

Shinji Maeda (chief), and Yoshiro Murase

In 2003 our laboratory was reorganized and became the Molecular Epidemiology division in the Mycobacterium Reference Center from Department of Mycobacteriology. Present studies include identification of Mycobacterium species by 16S rRNA and rpoB encoding gene, and distribution of Mycobacterium species in the South Asia region. We are also in charge of molecular epidemiology for M. tuberculosis, and are analyzing sources of transmission, epidemic strains, and differentiation between M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG by IS6110. Furthermore, our laboratory is investigating sources of transmission to M. avium by IS1245 and the VNTR method. Dr. Maeda took over as chief of the Division upon the death of Dr. Mitsuyoshi Takahashi in December 2004.



�V. Immunology Division

Nobuyuki Harada (chief), Kazue Higuchi

Our main research projects are to develop a new anti-tuberculosis vaccine and a new diagnostic method for M. tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. For the last several years we have been characterizing Mtb-derived materials which induce cell-mediated immunity. Through the data obtained, we aim to develop a new anti-tuberculosis vaccine. As for a new diagnosis method for Mtb infection, we have evaluated the QuantiFERON-TB second generation (QFT-2G), in which whole blood is stimulated with antigens missing in BCG and produced interferon-? in plasma is measured by ELISA. We have demonstrated that QFT-2G has higher specificity and sensitivity than the tuberculin skin test. QFT-2G testing under commission is now being carried out in this Division.
The results of our research works have been reported at various scientific meetings such as the Japanese Society for Immunology, the Japanese Society for Tuberculosis, the Japan Experimental Tuberculosis Research Association, and IUATLD. In these research projects, we have collaborated with several outside institutions, including Osaka City University, Fukujuji Hospital, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Hospital, National Hospital Organization Chiba-Higashi Hospital, National Hospital Organization Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center, Osaka Prefectural Medical Center for Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, and Tokyo University of Science. In the training courses conducted by the Department of Program Support and the Department of International Cooperation, we give lectures on Immunology on Tuberculosis and the Disposable System.

�W.Pathology Division

Isamu Sugawara (Acting chief), Hiroyuki Yamada, Yuko Kazumi
Tadashi Udagawa, Satoru Mizuno, and Toshiaki Aoki

This consists of six regular members, three graduate students, one postdoc and one researcher from China. The Division focuses on the ultrastructural characteristics of Mycobacteria and genetic diagnosis of tuberculosis using tissue specimens.

updated 05/10/24