Fukunaga Lab
Department of Biomedical Science & Engineering
Faculty of Health Sciences
Hokkaido University
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Radiation ― A Double-Edged Sword
Radiation is a well-known carcinogen to humans, yet it remains valuable for diagnosis and treatment. To uncover the molecular mechanisms behind this double-edged effect on human health, we are conducting cutting-edge research using a variety of approaches, including microbeams, animal models, and large-scale cohorts.
At the Fukunaga Lab, we study the reproductive and intergenerational effects of ionizing radiation, focusing on how biological responses depend on the spatial distribution and timing of exposure. Through this work, we aim to improve the safety of medical radiation use and strengthen the scientific basis of radiological protection.
Research Focus
Spatial Dose Distribution and Tissue Reactions
We study how spatial dose distribution influences spermatogenesis, fertility, and tissue recovery.
Mitochondrial Genome Responses Across Generations
We investigate how radiation exposure affects mitochondrial DNA and its regulation in parents and offspring.
Radiological Protection and Health
We connect radiation research with clinical and public health perspectives to improve health protection.
Principal Investigator
Hisanori Fukunaga, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences
Deputy Director, Center for Environmental and Health Sciences
Hokkaido University, Japan
(Hokkaido University Faculty Profile)
Hisanori Fukunaga is a Japanese physician-scientist working at the intersection of radiobiology, health physics, and environmental and occupational health. He is known for his research on the reproductive and intergenerational effects of ionizing radiation.
He received his medical degree from Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Japan. His research direction was shaped by his clinical experience in Fukushima following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. He subsequently earned his PhD from Queen’s University Belfast, UK, in 2019 and was appointed Professor at Hokkaido University in 2026.
He was selected for the FOREST program (創発) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency in 2021. His honors include the 2026 John D. Boice, Jr. Young Investigator Award from the US National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, the 2022 AARR Young Scientist Award from the Asian Association for Radiation Research (AARR), and the 2020 Umegaki Award from the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.
A complete and up-to-date list of publications is available on researchmap.