Yoichi Takakusagi

Yoichi Takakusagi is a senior scientist in National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) in Japan. He received his Ph.D. with honors from the Tokyo University of Science (TUS) in 2006.

During Dr. Takakusagi’s training and work as a Ph.D. student and an assistant professor in TUS, he conducted a drug screening from natural resources, and target protein exploration for bioactive small molecules of interest using the T7 phage display method. He also dedicated to the development of practical experimental techniques for drug target identification, such as biosensor-based high throughput biopanning.

He then moved to NCI/NIH as a visiting fellow (2011 to 2014) in Murali C. Cherukuri group. He joined their R&D of in vivo Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) oxygen imaging and hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (HP-MRSI) to study physiological and metabolic characteristics in tumors. He also investigated their applicability to evaluate the therapeutic response of tumors upon treatment with a hypoxia-activated prodrug, tumor radiosensitizer, and others.

After coming back to Japan as a research assistant professor at Kyushu University, he joined the JST/CREST research project of Molecular Technology (Dr. Sando’s team) for the development of brand-new hyperpolarized-NMR/MRI molecular probes and their biological application. Since 2017, he has been working at QST. His current research interest lies in the development and application of tumor diagnostics, therapeutics, and their combination (theranostics).