The integration of multi-omics approaches offers a powerful, comprehensive view of biology, playing a key role in understanding disease mechanisms, advancing precision medicine, and accelerating drug development. To explore this topic further, we spoke with Dr. Yoshinori Hasegawa, Ph.D., Group Leader and Chief Scientist at the Laboratory of Gene Sequencing Analysis, Department of Applied Genetics, Kazusa DNA Research Institute.
About Dr. Yoshinori Hasegawa
Dr. Hasegawa’s academic journey is unique. While studying at Niigata University, he researched the courtship behaviour of Japanese black salamanders (Hynobius nigrescens) and the fertilization capabilities of egg sacs in water. Later, at Hiroshima University, he studied regional dialectical variations in frog calls made by males to attract females.
He earned his Ph.D. in Science from Hiroshima University in 1999 and joined Kazusa DNA Research Institute in 2009 after holding research positions at Ehime University, RIKEN Genome Science Research Centre, and Fujita Health University. He has served as Group Leader and Chief Scientist at Kazusa since April 2021.
“Whether it’s amphibian research or my current genomics work, both explore unexplored fields through science,” said Dr. Hasegawa. “Because I’ve worked across different disciplines, I can approach problems from multiple angles — and that has become a major strength in my current research.”
About Kazusa DNA Research Institute
Founded in 1994, Kazusa DNA Research Institute aims to contribute to society through DNA research in medicine, agriculture, industry, and education. Supported by Chiba Prefecture rather than the national government, Kazusa has achieved global recognition, including decoding the full genome of Arabidopsis thaliana in 2000 — the first complete genome sequencing of a higher plant.
Research Focus: The Department of Applied Genetics
The Department of Applied Genetics comprises four groups: the Laboratory of Plant DNA Analysis, Biomolecule Analysis, Clinical Omics Research, and Gene Sequencing Analysis (Dr. Hasegawa’s group). Their projects span from plant genome sequencing for agricultural improvement to advanced multi-omics analysis.
“Multi-omics analysis,” explained Dr. Hasegawa, “refers to combining multiple omics data types — genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and proteomics — for a single sample. It allows us to uncover relationships and biological mechanisms that single-omics approaches cannot reveal.”
Kazusa applies these technologies not only in basic science but also in clinical and industrial research. The institute collaborates with university hospitals on rare and intractable diseases and partners with pharmaceutical companies to advance findings into clinical trials.
Innovative Genetic Research
Beyond collaborative projects, Dr. Hasegawa’s team conducts independent studies using human artificial chromosomes, patented recombination systems, and a vast library of high-quality gene clones.
“We have tens of thousands of full-length gene clones,” said Dr. Hasegawa. “By inserting them into cells in different combinations, we can observe how specific genes function and interact. For instance, suppressing one gene may induce disease-like behaviour in a cell, while restoring it can return the cell to normal. This helps us better understand disease mechanisms and contributes directly to personalized medicine.”
Contract-Based Genomic Analysis Services
Around 70–80% of Kazusa’s work involves contract-based genomic and genetic analysis services. These services help universities and research institutes that may lack access to expensive sequencing equipment or reagents, some of which can cost over JPY 100 million.
Turnaround time varies depending on project scale — typically around eight weeks, or as short as two to four weeks for expedited projects.
“Our contract analysis services cover both large-scale projects and difficult samples,” said Dr. Hasegawa. “We can analyse degraded DNA or samples too small for other labs. We take great pride in this capability — what we call ‘Kazusa Pride.’”
Why Kazusa Chose MGI
“The main reason we chose MGI products is their cost-effectiveness,” said Dr. Hasegawa. “We currently use the DNBSEQ-G400 sequencer, and the data quality is as good as — or even better than — other systems. MGI’s equipment greatly enhances the quality of our contract research, which is part of our ‘Kazusa Pride’ (laughs).”
He added that the team is also watching MGI’s development of the smaller DNBSEQ-G99 and hopes for a future mid-sized model to fill the gap. “MGI continues to create new applications that meet our research needs, such as single-cell analysis,” he noted.
Exploring the “Immortal Jellyfish”
In parallel with his genomics work, Dr. Hasegawa studies the immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii), a species known for its ability to revert to a youthful state after maturity.
“This jellyfish is the only known multicellular organism that can repeatedly rejuvenate,” he explained. “By understanding its cellular transformation and regeneration mechanisms, we hope to uncover insights into human cell regeneration, aging, and healthy lifespan extension.”
Looking Ahead
“Although sequencing instruments are becoming more complex and costly, our goal is to maintain a high-quality, trusted contract-based genomic analysis system — the foundation of our ‘Kazusa Pride,’” said Dr. Hasegawa. “We’ll continue to support collaborative research while pursuing original studies such as our work on the immortal jellyfish, contributing to science and society as a public interest foundation.”
