What We Do

At Inomata Challenging Lab, we are proud of our philosophy that embraces new and unorthodox ideas, integrating both basic and clinical research through cross-hierarchical approaches. Through conducting large-scale crowdsourced clinical studies using big data collected via mobile health apps, we are pursuing ongoing research on risk prognostication, association analyses, and new stratification algorithms. Additionally, we are developing novel softwares for diagnostics, treatment recommendations, and digital therapeutics (DTx) using artificial intelligence-driven image analyses. Our lab is also making joint efforts with established biobanks to create new value by adding on our in-house app features to new research that can combine digital informatics and principles of multiomics.

Our Research Interests and What We Do

We have seven areas of interest that are being actively explored in our lab. We present our work to numerous interdisciplinary conferences, university start-up venture committees, and firms with interest to pursue joint-projects with an ultimate goal to achieve societal implementation of our research findings.

Corneal Transplantation, Corneal Wound healing, Corneal Neovascularization

Cornea, the most anterior portion of our eye, must remain clear and void of any vasculature which allows light to pass without alteration. This transparency is crucial in maintaining visual acuity. To mitigate corneal abrasions and neovascularization brought on by trauma, infection, or autoimmune diseases, we are investigating new pharmacologic targets and topical medications. Additionally, we are pursuing research in new immunomodulatory agents to improve corneal transplantation outcomes.

Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease is one of the most prevalent ocular surface disease around the globe, affecting approximately 20 million people in Japan alone and 1 billion worldwide. Borrowing principles of multiomics, mobile health (mHealth), artificial intelligence, and big data, we aim to better elucidate the pathophysiology, variability, and heterogeneity of dry eye disease.

Allergic Conjunctivitis (Hay Fever)

Hay fever is a highly prevalent disease affecting more than 30 million people in Japan and approximately 10-30% of the global population. Allergic conjunctivitis is a very common manifestation of hay fever, causing a wide range of discomfort to patients during high-pollen seasons. To better understand the pathophysiology and variability behind hay fever and allergic conjunctivitis, we are creating novel approaches to our investigation through utilizing multiomics, mobile health (mHealth), and big data.

Ocular Immunology and Immunosenescence

Ocular immunology is an area of study that our lab is venturing in. For various ocular diseases with a high component of immunology involved, such as corneal transplantation, allergic conjunctivitis, and dry eye disease, we seek to help widen our understanding of the immune dynamics in its pathogenesis through multiomics data and machine learning. In addition, our lab is currently undertaking studies on immunosenescence with a focus on interplay of T cells in the ocular environment.

Genomics and Multiomics

Through mouse models and human-derived samples, several multiomics studies are undergoing active investigation to elucidate pathophysiology of ocular diseases. Using smartphone-based mobile health (mHealth) methodologies and the extensive genomic data available in biobanks, we are differentiating ourselves from traditional approaches and are bringing in innovative ideas to the field.

Digital Health

Our labs is actively seeking new innovations using digital health, particularly with artificial intelligence to open new frontiers in advanced image analyses and development of Software as Medical Devices (SaMDs).

Healthcare Management and Administrative Studies

With a background in business administration from Boston University, I have always had passion and fascination in maximizing healthcare quality and efficiency, as well as the recent movement in Japan towards a physician work style reform. InnoJin represents the team's and my collective efforts to implement our learnings and to research how to improve workflow that is tailored to each healthcare business.

Recruitment Details