Member Introduction

Associate Professor

Tomonori Matsumoto, M.D., Ph.D.

I was a medical doctor specializing in gastroenterology and hepatology. When I was a post-doc in the United States, I made a life-changing decision to pursue research into "polyploidy" and became a basic medical researcher.

My desk is always chaotic and I’m constantly on the move, which fuels my creativity. My motto is "Where there is a will, there is a way."

We are working hard with the aim of developing "ploidy-based medicine."

Specially Appointed Researcher

Miki Kobayashi

I have been working as a Specially Appointed Researcher in the Matsumoto Lab since January 2025. I feel that I have gradually become accustomed to the research environment here. While maintaining my own pace, I continue to steadily build up results, step by step. I carry out my research each day with the hope that my work will contribute, even in a small way, to advancing treatments for challenging cancers. (Drawing: By my daughter)

Visiting Researcher

Taku Kitano, M.D., Ph.D.

Hello!

My name is Kitano, and I am a graduate student on loan from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Kyoto University. I am working with Professor Matsumoto on a new challenge: researching the effects of bacteria on the pathology of esophagogastric junction cancer and elucidating the pathology of esophagogastric junction cancer from the perspective of polyploidy. Because it is a new laboratory, the lab smells as good as a newly built house. Professor Matsumoto is strict but kind in his guidance, and even when he is busy, he will stop what he is doing and think with us, so you will never be left alone. He is a very excellent professor, so you can learn the basics of research with peace of mind. If you are interested, please come and visit us.

Specially Appointed Researcher

Yang Guang

I am Yang, and I joined the Matsumoto Lab as a specially appointed researcher in April 2026. My previous work has primarily focused on polyploidy using cultured cells. Moving forward, I aim to uncover the fundamental mechanisms underlying various biological phenomena driven by changes in ploidy in living organisms, and I will continue to devote myself to this research with great enthusiasm every day.

Special Research Student Tatsuya Sakane

My name is Tatsuya Sakane, and I have been seconded from the Department of Gastroenterology at Kobe University since May 2026.

I first heard about the research on polyploidy conducted in this laboratory from several doctors who were previously seconded here from Kobe University, and their stories sparked my interest and led to my decision to join the team.

Although I am a complete beginner in research, I am eager to take on new challenges.

My hobby is Doraemon.

I still have much to learn, but I will do my best.

Rion Itou

I joined the lab in April 2026.
I am interested in the proteome of polyploid cancer cells. Through my research activities in the Matsumoto Lab, I hope to acquire solid knowledge and skills and grow into an independent researcher.

Ako Watanabe

I joined the laboratory of Polyploid Pathology in April 2026. I have always been interested in cancer, and I am very much looking forward to conducting research in this new field exploring its connection to polyploidy. I am still inexperienced, but I will do my best to absorb as much new knowledge and skills as possible.

5th year medical student

Yuta Ogawa

Since the spring of 2023, during my second year of undergraduate studies, I have been learning the fundamentals of research under Dr. Matsumoto. I am excited to explore the relationship between polyploidy and cancer, a field that still holds many unknowns. Although I am still inexperienced, I will do my best to advance understanding through research and contribute to this area!

MOYA RILEY YAMBAO

Exchange student

I am a third-year Molecular Biology and Biotechnology student at the University of the Philippines Diliman, visiting Osaka University through the FrontierLab Program. In the Matsumoto lab, I am studying ploidy emergence and physiology during metaplastic transitions in mouse models of pancreatic cancer. While here, I will work hard to contribute to the lab and to improve my Japanese.

Administrative Assistant

Sayuri Ochi

I previously worked in sales at a manufacturing company, and since July 2025, I have been working here as a secretary.

I will do my best to support everyone so that they can achieve excellent results.

My hobbies include playing games, watching anime, and collecting stationery.

I am always on the lookout for new information and interesting things (*'ω'*)

Technical Assistant

Azumi Nakamura

I’m not yet familiar with lab work, but I feel there’s so much to learn. I’ll do my best to learn as much as I can and improve my skills so I can be as helpful as possible to the team.

Past Members

Yoshiyuki Harada (~April 2024, Graduate student, Domestic study abroad from the Department of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine)
Takako Yamashita (~November 2024,Technical Assistant）
Kazuki Hayashi (~March 2025, a graduate student from the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka University Medical School)
Lydia Fisher (From October 2025 to August 2026, an exchange student from the University of Manchester, UK, participating in the FrontierLab program)