Research Units
View by Faculty Member, Research Unit, or Research Specialties
Neuronal Rhythms in Movement Unit
How are temporal sequences of brain activity transformed into physical body movements? Seeking answers within the neuronal rhythms of the olivo-cerebellar circuits using the coolest tools.
Marylka Yoe Uusisaari
Associate Professor
Nonlinear and Non-equilibrium Physics Unit
We work in experimental nonlinear, non-equilibrium and soft matter physics. Our current research focuses on fluids, granular media, fluctuations in renewables and quantitative life sciences.
Mahesh Bandi
Professor
Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit
Nucleic acids DNA and RNA are fundamental building blocks of life. These biomolecules display remarkable chemical functions such as information storage, catalysis, and molecular recognition....
Yohei Yokobayashi
Professor
Optical Neuroimaging Unit
The Optical Neuroimaging Unit uses home-built two-photon microscopes and special fluorescent dyes to image neuronal and astrocytic activity on a cellular level in behaving mice.
Bernd Kuhn
Professor
Organic Optoelectronics Unit
The Organic Optoelectronics Unit explores the optical and electrical properties of organic molecules and their applications for optoelectronic devices.
Ryota Kabe
Assistant Professor
Organic and Carbon Nanomaterials Unit
We explore syntheses of novel functional organic and carbon nanomaterials, using the techniques of organic chemistry, aming at elucidation of their properties and various applications.
Akimitsu Narita
Assistant Professor
Physics and Biology Unit
(Closed since June 2025) The unit studied natural time series data, from NLP to genome sequences to cephalopod camouflage, with dynamical systems and machine learning methods, letting the data lead the way.
Jonathan Miller
Professor
Plant Epigenetics Unit
The major goal of our research is to understand biological significance of epigenetic regulation of genes and transposons for environmental adaptation and genome evolution in plants.
Hidetoshi Saze
Professor
Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit
The Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit applies chemical approaches, evolutionary methods and protein engineering to study and manipulate protein functions.
Paola Laurino
Associate Professor
Quantum Architecture Unit
Quantum information science and technology brings quantum mechanics and information theory together and includes, but is not limited to, quantum computation, quantum communication, and quantum metrology.
Kae Nemoto
Professor and OCQT Director
Quantum Dynamics Unit
In Quantum Dynamics Unit we study a unique system of elementary quantum particles, electrons, floating on the surface of liquid helium. Helium, which is a noble gas at room temperature, becomes liquid when it is cooled down in a refrigerator. Unlike any other substances encountered in nature, helium remains liquid even at the absolute zero temperature, thus contains no impurities and presents the cleanest substrate for electrons. At such low temperatures, electrons behave as quantum objects with charge and spin degrees of freedom, which can be harnessed for interesting applications, such as quantum computing. In Quantum Dynamics Unit we use a variety of experimental techniques such as microwave engineering and microfabrication to study properties of electrons on helium and harness them for quantum technology.
Denis Konstantinov
Professor
Quantum Engineering and Design Unit
The Quantum Engineering and Design Unit explores how we can transfer today ideas in quantum information science into tomorrow’s quantum technologies through system design.
Bill Munro
Professor
Quantum Gravity Unit
Curiosity-driven research on fundamental theoretical physics. Recent focus areas include higher-spin theory, de Sitter holography, black holes and asymptotic symmetries.
Yasha Neiman
Associate Professor
Quantum Information Security Unit
The research unit will conduct theoretical research into all aspects of quantum information processing with focus on the nature of randomness and its applications in secure communication.
Artur Ekert
Professor (Adjunct)
Quantum Machines Unit
We study in theory and experiments the engineering of quantum devices built from different subsystems that can collectively perform beyond the individual capabilities of their parts.
Jason Twamley
Professor
Quantum Materials Science Unit
We explore novel physics, leads to future nano-electronics and nano-spintronics, and design novel charge, spin, orbital, and/or phonon states in a variety of engineered quantum materials.
Yoshinori Okada
Associate Professor
Quantum Systems Unit
We study synthetic few- and many-body systems made from ultra-cold atomic gases and develop methods to quantify, control, and engineer their properties and their dynamics.
Thomas Busch
Dean of Graduate School and Professor, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
Quantum Wave Microscopy Unit
We conduct R&Ds on the precession beam electron microscope for protein crystal, study for infection prevention of influenza and COVID by ethanol and WEC Project to generate electricity from ocean wave.
Tsumoru Shintake
Professor