Division and Department
Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery
Michihiro Kono, MD, PhD
A Greeting from the Chairman
Dear Friends;
Our department is nationally recognized as a leading center for clinical care and research in dermatology and plastic surgery, and serves as the largest referral center in Akita Prefecture. Our faculty and staff work together to provide compassionate and respectful care for patients with a wide range of skin diseases. In parallel with these clinical activities, I lead several research projects as a principal investigator, with the goal of translating new scientific findings into better diagnosis and treatment for patients.
Our department has three main goals:
1. to provide the highest standard of patient care through up-to-date diagnostic and therapeutic approaches;
2. to educate medical students and dermatology residents in clinical dermatology, dermatopathology, dermatosurgery, and cosmetic dermatology under the guidance of board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons; and
3. to advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of skin diseases through cutting-edge research and contribute to the progress of medicine.
We provide a comprehensive clinical and educational program covering both established and emerging areas of dermatology. Our trainees benefit from broad and well-balanced clinical experience, together with an academic environment in which new knowledge is continuously generated through both laboratory and clinical research.
Thank you for visiting our website and learning about our clinical services, educational activities, and research initiatives. Please feel free to contact us if you would like any additional information.
Warmest regards,
Michihiro Kono, MD, PhD
Professor and Chair
Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery
Akita University Graduate School of Medicine
Staff
Michihiro KONO, MD, PhD.
Clinical Lecturer:
Natsuko NOGUCHI, MD, PhD.
Assistant Professor:
Takafumi TEZUKA, MD, PhD.
Assistant Professor:
Takehiro YAMAKAWA, MD, PhD.
Assistant Professor:
Mai NOTO, MD, PhD.
Assistant Professor:
Aya TOYOSHIMA, MD, PhD.
Assistant Professor:
Takahiko SATO, MD, PhD.
Research Projects
1. Pigmentary Disorders
PI: Michihiro Kono
- ・Elucidation of the pathogenesis of dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria and development of novel therapeutic approaches
- ・Elucidation of the pathogenesis of reticulate acropigmentation of Kitamura and development of novel therapeutic approaches
- ・Elucidation of the pathogenesis of Dowling-Degos disease and development of novel therapeutic approaches
- ・Investigation of the pathogenesis of segmental vitiligo
In addition, we investigate a wide range of pigmentary disorders, including through genetic diagnosis, with the aim of identifying novel disease mechanisms and expanding our understanding of their pathogenesis.
2. Atopic Dermatitis
PI: Natsuko Noguchi
- ・Analysis of stratum corneum ceramides in patients with atopic dermatitis
- ・Development of stratum corneum ceramide measurement as a biomarker of skin barrier function
- ・Elucidation of disease mechanisms and development of novel therapeutic approaches through stratum corneum ceramide analysis and assessment of skin barrier function
- ・Identification of novel genes associated with atopic dermatitis
3. Hereditary Angioedema
PI: Michihiro Kono
- ・Identification of novel disease-associated genes in hereditary angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor (HAE-nC1INH)
4. Genetic Skin Diseases
PI: Michihiro Kono
- ・Elucidation of novel disease mechanisms through genetic diagnosis of various inherited skin disorders
We perform genetic analyses of a broad spectrum of hereditary skin diseases, extending beyond pigmentary disorders, to identify novel genetic causes and disease mechanisms. We also provide genetic diagnosis for extremely rare disorders, such as restrictive dermopathy.
5. Psoriasis and Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris (PPP)
PI: Takehiro Yamakawa
- ・Clinical studies using clinical data from patients attending our psoriasis outpatient clinic
- ・Identification of novel genes associated with psoriasis vulgaris
Contact Information
Fax: 018-836-2618
E-mail: dermatol@med.akita-u.ac.jp
