Otolaryngology-Head and Neck SurgeryMedicine and Medical Science

M.D., Ph.D. Professor Koichi Omori

Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery treats various disorders. Our research focuses on sensory organs (auditory, vestibular, olfactory, gustatory) and aero digestive organs (respiration, swallowing, speech), which are essential for communication and life functions. We research sensorineural hearing loss treatments, including regenerating sensory cells and the eardrum, as well as inner ear drug delivery systems (DDS). For laryngotracheal regeneration, we developed artificial trachea and conducted an investigator initiated clinical trial for practical application of artificial trachea. We also conduct airway regeneration using iPS cell-derived ciliary cells and chondrocytes.

Lab Website

Research and Education


■ Research Group for Inner Ear

Most of sensorineural hearing loss and equilibrium disorders are caused by damage to the inner ear, which never regenerates after birth. Our group aims to achieve functional regeneration of the inner ear by elucidating developmental and regenerative mechanisms, and to develop a novel therapy for the inner ear dysfunction. Hearing loss is known to affect brain functions related to communication. We are conducting various clinical studies, aiming to clarify the changes in brain function caused by hearing loss and to use these findings for trearment.

The schematic (A) and ISH (B) of Ebf1 in the inner ear of E13.5 mice. Ebf1 is expressed in the sensory epithelium in both the cochlea (Co) and vestibule (Ve) (white arrowheads) , the spiral ganglion (Sg, black arrowhead) and surrounding mesenchymal tissues of the inner ear (Me, asterisk).


■ Research Group for Head and Neck

When the larynx or trachea sustains significant injury, it can cause functional impairments, leading to symptoms like hoarseness or difficulty breathing. We are developing treatments using tissue engineering, such as artificial tracheas, and researching the regeneration of epithelial and cartilage tissues in the trachea using human iPS cells. Our work also includes studies on SARS-CoV-2 airway infection and the development of AI-based voice analysis tools. We actively collaborate with other laboratories to generate new insights across different research areas.

　Rat Tracheal Cartilage Regeneration using Human iPSC-derived MSCs
Human iPS cells (hiPSCs) were differentiated into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and formed into sheet-like structures, which were then transplanted along with an artificial trachea into tracheal defects in nude rats. Safranin-O-positive regenerated tissue was observed in the tracheal defect. The regenerated tissue exhibited co-positivity for human nuclear antigen (HNA) and SOX9, as well as an extracellular matrix positive for type II collagen (COL2). These findings indicate the engraftment of hiPSC-derived MSCs (iMSCs) and cartilage regeneration by iMSCs.

Recent Publications

  1. Kagoshima H, Ohnishi H, Yamamoto R, Yasumoto A, Tona Y, Nakagawa T, Omori K,Yamamoto N. EBF1 Limits the Numbers of Cochlear Hair and Supporting Cells and Forms the Scala Tympani and Spiral Limbus during Inner Ear Development. J Neurosci. 2024 Feb 14;44(7):e1060232023.
  2. Matsunaga M, Yamamoto R, Kita T, Ohnishi H, Yamamoto N, Okano T, Omori K, Nakagawa T. Stepwise fate conversion of supporting cells to sensory hair cells in the chick auditory epithelium. iScience. 2023 Jan 25;26(2):106046.
  3. Yamazaki H, Suehiro A, Ueda Y, Kondo K, Ishida A, Yamamoto N, Takagi A, Omori K. Early Cochlear Implantation Allows Deaf Children to Control Voice Pitch and Loudness independently. Otol Neurotol. 2022 Jan 1;43(1):e56-e63.
  4. Oyagi S, R Nakamura R, Katsuno T, Sogami T, Kawai Y, Kishimoto Y, Omori K. Local Coordination of Epithelial Planar Polarity in the Maintenance and Regeneration of the Adult Rat Airway. Cell Tissue Res. 2023 Oct;394(1):163-175. doi: 10.1007/s00441-023-03809-y. Epub 2023 Jul 18.
  5. Mizuno K, Ohnishi H, Kishimoto Y, Kojima T, Fujimura S, Kawai Y, Kitano M, Ikeya M, Omori K. Rat Tracheal Cartilage Regeneration Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived From Human iPS Cells. Tissue Eng Part A. 2024 Jul 29. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2024.0151.

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Professor: Koichi Omori
Associate Professor: Yo Kishimoto
Program-Specific Associate Professor: Atsushi Suehiro, Keigo Honda
Junior Associate Professor: Tsuyoshi Kojima, Koji Nishimura, Hiroshi Yamazaki
Program-Specific Junior Associate Professor: Kiyomi Hamaguchi
Assistant Professor: Yosuke Tona, Yoshitaka Kawai, Shintaro Fujimura, Mami Matsunaga, Ken Iwanaga, Yuji Kitada
Program-Specific Assistant Professor: Shinji Kaba, Hiroe Ohnishi

TEL： +81-75-751-3346
FAX： +81-75-751-7225
e-mail ：inq@ent.kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
URL ：https://ent.kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/

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