Dr. Yukio NagasakiJapan
Center for Applied Nanomedicine, National Cheng Kung University
| 2025/04 to present | | Yushan Fellow & Contract Researcher, Center for Applied Nanomedicine (CAN), National Cheng Kung University, |
| 2025/04 to present | | rofessor Emeritus with an active research appointment at the University of Tsukuba |
| 2004 - 2025 | | Professor, Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan |
| 1997 - 2004 | | Assistant Professor→Associate Professor→Professor, Department of Materials Science, Tokyo University of Science, Japan |
| 2007 - 2017 | | w Principal Investigator, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics Satellite (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) |
| 2024 - 2025 | | Visiting Chair Professor, High-value Biomaterials Research and Commercialization Center, National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan |
| 2022 - 2025 | | Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo |
| 2013 - 2025 | | Principal Investigator, Center for Research in Radiation, Isotopes and Earth System Science (CRiES), University of Tsukuba, Japan |
| 2007 - 2025 | | Adjunct Professor, Master's School of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba |
| 1992 - 1993 | | Visiting Researcher, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, USA |
| 2025 | | The Award for Distinguished Contribution in Advancement of Biomaterials Science, Japanese Society for Biomaterials (2025) |
| 2025 | | The SPSJ Award for Outstanding Achievement in Polymer Science and Technology (2025) |
| 2025 | | The SFRR Japan Prize, Society for Free Radical Research, Japan (2025) |
Polymer chemistry, Nanomedicine, Drug delivery systems, Antioxidant nanoparticles, Redox nanotechnology, Polymeric micelles, Biomaterials, ROS regulation, Oral drug delivery, Translational nanomedicine
Professor Nagasaki has led pioneering research in redox nanomedicine and polymer-based drug delivery for over three decades. His work bridges fundamental polymer chemistry with clinical translation, resulting in numerous patents, licensed technologies, and international collaborations. He has supervised more than 180 students and actively promotes Japan–Taiwan–US research networks to advance next-generation nanotherapeutics.
Oral Delivery of BCAA-releasing Nanoparticles fo Sarcopenia Therapy
TBA TBA
Biomedical Materials and Precision Medicine/TBA
The rapid aging of populations worldwide has made the preservation of muscle strength and physical function a critical global health challenge. Age-related declines in motor function, including frailty and sarcopenia, substantially impair quality of life and increase the risk of disability, yet effective therapeutic strategies remain limited. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are known to promote muscle protein synthesis and suppress muscle catabolism; however, their clinical benefits are often limited by rapid metabolism and clearance following oral administration. To overcome these limitations, we developed BCAA-releasing nanoparticles (NanoBCAA) based on amphiphilic block copolymers composed of poly(ethylene glycol) and polyBCAA segments (PEG-b-PBCAA). These nanoparticles are designed to remain in the gastrointestinal mucosa after oral administration and to gradually release BCAAs through enzymatic biodegradation, thereby sustaining effective local and systemic availability. The effects of NanoBCAA on muscle strength and physical performance were evaluated in C57BL/6J male mice. Dynamic light scattering analysis confirmed the formation of monodisperse nanoparticles. Oral administration of NanoBCAA for four weeks significantly enhanced muscle strength and endurance compared with equivalent doses of low-molecular-weight BCAA. Leucine-releasing nanoparticles (NanoLeu) produced a marked increase in grip strength and running time in an all-out exercise test. Biochemical and molecular analyses further revealed increased skeletal muscle mass and activation of muscle anabolic signaling pathways. Similar improvements in muscle performance were also observed with isoleucine- and valine-based nanoparticles. These findings demonstrate that nanoparticle-mediated sustained delivery of BCAAs effectively enhances muscle strength and endurance beyond conventional BCAA supplementation. This oral nanomedicine strategy represents a promising and safe approach for preventing frailty and sarcopenia in aging populations.