Member
University Professor
Yoshinori FUKUI
Honorary Distinguished Professor, Kyushu University
Specialized Fields
Immune Cell Biology, Immunogenetics, Molecular Immunology, Functional Biochemistry
Pioneering and interdisciplinary studies on biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of DOCK family proteins
By promoting pioneering and interdisciplinary research focusing on the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of DOCK family proteins, we have made outstanding achievements that are beneficial to both basic and clinical medicine. These include various achievements, ranging from “molecular mechanisms of immune cell migration and activation” to “development of small-molecule compound for drug discovery,” some of which are expected to contribute to the generation of future innovations.
By promoting pioneering and interdisciplinary research focusing on the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of DOCK family proteins, we have made outstanding achievements that are beneficial to both basic and clinical medicine. These include various achievements, ranging from “molecular mechanisms of immune cell migration and activation” to “development of small-molecule compound for drug discovery,” some of which are expected to contribute to the generation of future innovations.
Message
I am very pleased and honored to join the Institute for Advanced Study as a Honorary Distinguished Professor.
To pioneer new academic frontiers and translate them into innovation, it is essential that PIs (Principal Investigators) with diverse perspectives and technologies boldly tackle truly important research themes using a variety of approaches. I have been involved in many interdisciplinary research projects. Therefore, I would like to share these experiences with young researchers, promoting their growth here at Kyushu University and supporting their activity on the global stage. I hope that the Institute for Advanced Study will be the best organization to create such an interactive research environment.
Academic Background
- March 1986
- Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University
- March 1992
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyushu University（Ph.D.）
Occupation Background
- June 1986
- Resident, Kyushu University Hospital
- June 1987
- Resident, National Hospital, Fukuoka Central Hospital
- April 1992
- Assistant Professor, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University (– January 1999)
- April 1993
- Research Associate, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, USA (– March 1995)
- February 1999
- Associate Professor, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University
- April 2004
- Professor, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University
- May 2010
- Distinguished Professor, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University (– March 2025)
- December 2010
- Director, Research Center for Advanced Immunology, Kyushu University (– March 2020)
- April 2015
- Vice Director, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University (– March 2016)
- April 2019
- Vice Director, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University (– March 2020)
- April 2020
- Director, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University (– March 2024)
- April 2024
- Director, Center for Integrative Systems Immunology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University (– March 2025)
- July 2024
- Vice Director, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University (– March 2025)
- April 2025
- Research Professor, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University (– Present)
- April 2025
- Professor Emeritus, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University (– Present)
- April 2025
- Honorary Distinguished Professor, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyushu University (– Present)
Academic Awards・Awards
- F.Y. 2003
- Japan Society of Immunology Award
- F.Y 2013
- The Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Award for Science and Technology (Research Category)
- F.Y. 2024
- Medical Award of The Japan Medical Association
Publication List
- Fukui Y, et al. Positive and negative CD4+ thymocyte selection by a single MHC class II/peptide ligand affected by its expression level in the thymus. Immunity 6: 401-410, 1997
- Fukui Y, et al. Haematopoietic cell-specific CDM family protein DOCK2 is essential for lymphocyte migration. Nature 412: 826-831, 2001
- Sanui T, et al. DOCK2 is essential for antigen-induced translocation of TCR and lipid rafts, but not PKC-θ and LFA-1, in T cells. Immunity 19:119-129, 2003
- Kunisaki Y, et al. DOCK2 is a Rac activator that regulates motility and polarity during neutrophil chemotaxis. J. Cell Biol. 174: 647-652, 2006
- Tanaka Y, et al. T helper type 2 differentiation and intracellular trafficking of the interleukin 4 receptor-α subunit controlled by the Rac activator Dock2. Nature Immunol. 8: 1067-1075, 2007
- Nishikimi A, et al. Sequential regulation of DOCK2 dynamics by two phospholipids during neutrophil chemotaxis. Science 324: 384-387, 2009
- Harada Y, et al. DOCK8 is a Cdc42 activator critical for interstitial dendritic cell migration during immune responses. Blood 119: 4451-4461, 2012
- Yamamura K, et al. The transcription factor EPAS1 links DOCK8 deficiency to atopic skin inflammation via IL-31 induction. Nature Commun. 8:13946, 2017
- Sakurai T, et al. Cholesterol sulfate is a DOCK2 inhibitor that mediates tissue-specific immune evasion in the eye. Science Signal. 11 (541): eaao4874, 2018
- Kamikaseda Y, et al. Targeted inhibition of EPAS1-driven IL-31 production by a small-molecule compound. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 148:633-638, 2021