Information : Laboratory of International Wastewater-based Epidemiology

Information

2024/12/06: [Conference]　Oral pres. at SEAWE-14 (Project Prof. Kitajima, Dr. Liu, Dr. Angga)（SEAWE-14）NEW

Some of the members of our lab gave oral presentations at The 14th International Symposium on Southeast Asian Water Environment（SEAWE-14）（Dec. 3-5、Wyndham Grand Bangsar Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia）
● H. Ando, S. Okabe, M. Kitajima： "Treatment reduction of SARS-CoV-2 and gastroenteritis viruses in municipal wastewater treatment revealed by the EPISENS-M method" (Prof. Kitajima was the presenter)
● V. D. Canh, M. Liu, H. Katayama, M. Kitajima, et al.： "Wastewater Surveillance of Human Bocavirus and Streptococcus Pneumoniae in Japan" (Prof. Kitajima was the presenter)
● M. Liu, I. Kasuga, H. Katayama, M. Kitajima： "Monitoring antimicrobial resistance genes in Japan using wastewater-based epidemiology: from Pre- to Post- COVID-19" (Dr. Liu was the presenter)
● M. S. Angga, M. Kitajima, E. Haramoto, et al.： "Future Research Prospect of Wastewater-based Epidemiology in Indonesia : Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria at Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bandung City" (Dr. Angga was the presenter)
2024/11/28: [Research]　The Yomiuri Shimbun published an article about the institutionalization of wastewater surveillance (by Project Prof. Kitajima)NEW

The Yomiuri Shimbun published an article about the wastewater surveillance, in which Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima was interviewed.
下水の新型コロナウイルス調査、予算１・７倍要求で範囲拡大…１週間後の流行を予測 (only in Japanese)
2024/11/27: [Award] Clarivate announced its 2024 list of Highly Cited Researchers and Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima has been selected. Annual list recognizes researchers whose publications rank in the top 1% of citations.(Project Prof. Kitajima)NEW

Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima has been selected as "2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers". Using qualitative and quantitative analysis to identify researchers from across the globe whose work holds broad influence, the list is drawn from highly cited papers that rank in the top percentile of citations for field and publication year over the past decade.

Press Release has been issued from the School of Engineering (in Japanese)
2024/11/20: [Media] Launch of laboratory of WBE in IWA Newsletter (Project Prof. Kitajima)NEW
One of IWA's Specialist Groups is the Health-Related Water Microbiology (HRWM group). The June issue of their Newsletter featured the Launch of the Laboratory of International Wastewater-based Epidemiology led by Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima and Project Prof. Hiroyuki Katayama.
2024/11/19: [Publication] Paper on SARS-CoV-2 in Vietnam's surface water(Project Prof. Kitajima・Dr. Angga)

The following paper by Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima and Dr. Angga et al. was published by Sci. Total Environ. This is the result of joint research between University of Yamanashi, Phenikaa University, Viet Nam, University of Tokyo and Hanoi University of Public Health.
Siri, Y., Malla, B., Thao, L. T., Angga, M. S., ... Kitajima, M., ... & Haramoto, E. (2024). Assessment of environmental factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 in Vietnam's surface water across two years of clinical data. Science of The Total Environment, 957, 177449.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177449
2024/11/16: [Oral Presentation]　61st Environmental Engineering Research Forum to be held (Project Prof. Kitajima)

The 61st Environmental Engineering Research Forum, organized by JSCE and Environmental Engineering Committee, will be held on November 26-28, 2024 in Niigata, Japan.Program(PDF)

In the oral session, Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima will present his paper.
Izuki NAKASO, Akira HAFUKA, Masaaki KITAJIMA, Katsuki KIMURA
DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-CONCENTRATION VERSION OF THE EPISENS-M METHOD SUITABLE FOR TREATED WASTEWATER AND EVALUATION OF VIRUS REMOVAL PERFORMANCE BY MBR
2024/11/14: [Publication] Paper that analyzes wastewater-based epidemiology research using structural topic model (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima et al. used a structural topic model to provide an overview of the topics involved in WBE in various research fields and elucidate their characteristics, and published a paper in Results in Chemistry.
Michio Murakami, Yoshitaka Nishikawa, Masaaki Kitajima (2024) Analysis of research fields involving wastewater-based epidemiology and interdisciplinary spillovers using a structural topic model, Results in Chemistry, 12, 101897.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2024.101897
2024/11/05: [Publication] COVID-19 infection Up-to-date 25 (Project Prof. Kitajima)

A review article by Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima was published in the September issue of Modern Media, an academic information magazine on medicine and public health published in 1955. The article is available to the public in PDF format. (in Japanese)
安藤宏紀、北島正章 (2024) 下水疫学調査による新型コロナウイルスの感染動向把握, モダンメディア, 70(9), pp.292-301.
2024/10/30: [Lecture] Invited speech on Water and Wastewater in Korea (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima gave an invited speech at a conference organized by Korea Society of Water and Wastewater.
Masaaki Kitajima. Technology Development and Social Implementation of Wastewater-based Epidemiology in Japan. Korean Society of Water and Wastewater (KSWW) Conference, Jeju, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2024.
2024/10/26: [Lecture] 2 lectures in Qingdao, China (Prof. Katayama, Dr. Liu)

Project Prof. Hiroyuki Katayama and Asst. Prof. LIU Miaomiao attended the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Chinese Association of Microbial Ecology from October 25th to 28th. Prof. Katayama delivered a keynote speech, while Dr. Liu focused on networking and reconnecting with both new and long-standing collaborators. See News from Shandong University, the co-host of the meeting.
In addition to the meeting, they were invited to the School of Environmental Science and Technology at Shandong University, where they participated in academic discussion and Prof. Katayama gave an invited lecture.
Lecture title:
Wastewater-based Epidemiology: Experience in Japan (Hiroyuki Katayama and Masaaki Kitajima)
2024/10/16: [Press Release] Evaluating survey techniques in wastewater-based epidemiology for accurate COVID-19 incidence estimation (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima, Prof. Michio Murakami of Osaka University and others analyzed the survey methods for wastewater surveillance necessary to understand the status of COVID-19 infection in regions, and clarified appropriate survey method criteria.
- Press Release from Osaka University (English)
- Press Release from Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University (Japanese)
2024/10/09: [Media] Introduced as a partner on the latest science news portal (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima has been introduced as a partner on the INNOVATION NEWSNETWORK, a portal site that posts the latest scientific news from around the world.Tracking viral disease dynamics through wastewater-based epidemiology
From now on, articles about Project Prof. Kitajima will be published as news on this site. Also, Past articles are also posted on the same page.
2024/09/30: [Lecture] Invited speech at SpringX "Cho" School/YouTube Live (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology) gave a lecture held simultaneously at the venue and online on Sep 17. YouTube Live is available. (in Japanese)

Knowledge Capital "Cho" School
A course that enriches “life” and “lifestyle” by considering with evidence, season2
Part 3 Wastewater-based Epidemiology - Cutting-edge knowledge for the Osaka/Kansai Expo -
(Translation of the event name, not official)
2024/09/11: [Publication] Paper on data standardization method for wasterwater surveillance (Project Prof. Kitajima)

The following paper by Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima (International Wastewater-based epidemiology) et al. was published by Sci. Total Environ. (Printed version is published on Nov 25).
N. Endo, A. Hisahara, Y. Kameda, K. Mochizuki, M. Kitajima, M. Yasojima, ... & H. Tanaka (2024) Enabling quantitative comparison of wastewater surveillance data across methods through data standardization without method standardization, Science of The Total Environment, 953, 176073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176073
2024/08/27: [Lecture] Keynote speech at a lecture on wastewater surveillance (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima gave a keynote speech at the Japan WasteWater Surveillance Association's 3rd Lecture: "Utilization of Wastewater Surveillance and its nationwaide expansion in a Post-Corona Society" (August 2nd, 9F, East Bldg, TFT Building near Tokyo Big Sight).
The lecture video has been released. Please take a look. (in Japanese)
2024/08/16: [Media] Interview and commentary articles in Jul and Aug (Project Prof. Kitajima)

An interview article with Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology) and his 2 commentary articles were published as follows:
The Hokkaido Shimbun (Aug 14, interview)
The Environmental News (Jul 24, full page commentary)
Journal of Sewerage, Monthly (Aug issue, Commentary published in new series on WBE)
(in Japanese)
2024/07/31: [Publication] Paper on antimicrobial resistance genes (Drs. Kasuga & Liu )

The following paper by Project Asst. Prof. Miaomiao Liu and Project Assoc. Prof. Ikuro Kasuga (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology) was published by Sci. Total Environ. (Printed version is published on Nov 1).
Miaomiao Liu and Ikuro Kasuga (2024) Impact of chlorine disinfection on intracellular and extracellular antimicrobial resistance genes in wastewater treatment and water reclamation, Science of The Total Environment, 949, 175046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175046
2024/07/12: [Media] Newspaper interview articles in June and July (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Interview articles with Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima have been published in multiple media.
The contents include the fact that Wastewater-based Epidemiology is attracting attention due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the increase in inbound tourists, start of wastewater surveillance at international airports, cost effectiveness of the surveillance, future direction of the research and so on.
Asahi Shimbun (July 12)
Nikkei Biotechnology & Business (July 11)
Tokyo Shimbun (June 16)
(in Japanese)
2024/07/10: [Event]　Symposium on Wastewater & Environmental Surveillance in Asia (Project Prof. Kitajima, Drs. Liu & Canh)
"Online Symposium on Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance (WES) in Asia" was held, where Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima and Prof. Sungpyo Kim (Korea University) were the Meeting organizers. Also Project Asst. Prof. Miaomiao Liu and Project Researcher Canh Duc Vu served as secretariat.
There were talks from 8 countries/regions of Asia. Dr. Kitajima presented "Ongoing wastewater surveillance programs in Japan". Symposium outline & Program(PDF)
2024/07/01: [Publication] Paper on virus adsorption and elution (Dr. Liu, Project Prof. Katayama)

The following paper by Project Asst. Prof. Miaomiao Liu and Project Prof. Hiroyuki Katayama (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology) et al. was published by RSC Applied Polymers (First published on Apr 2). This is the result of joint research between Dept. Chemistry and Biotechnology and Dept. Urban engineering.
Junya Uchida, Miaomiao Liu, Shizuka Matsuyama, Hiroyuki Katayama and Takashi Kato (2024) Virus adsorption and elution using cationic polymer brushes: potential applications for passive sampling in wastewater-based epidemiology, RSC Applied Polymers, 2(4), pp.670-677. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3LP00216K
2024/06/27: [Lecture] Keynote and invited lectures (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Projct Prof. Masaaki Kitajima (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology) gave following keynote lecture and invited lectures.
● Masaaki Kitajima (2024) Wastewater surveillance at international airports to monitor imported infectious diseases: a proof-of-concept study in Japan, NSF Research Coordination Network Webinar Series #37, June 7, Online.
● Masaaki Kitajima (2024) Wastewater-based Epidemiology [Keynote], International Young Researchers' Conference 2024, June 8, UTokyo
● Masaaki Kitajima (2024) Wastewater & Environmental Surveillance for Public Health Action in Asia [Keynote Panel], PREPARE-TF READl: Developing a Regional Agenda for Wastewater & Environmental Surveillance and Research for Epidemics and Pandemics, June 24-28, PARKROYAL on Beach Road, Singapore.
● (予定) 北島正章 (2024) 札幌市における下水疫学調査に資する下水中ウイルス高感度検出技術, 第35回北海道輸血シンポジウム(PDF), Jul 20, 日本赤十字社北海道ブロック血液センター, 札幌.
2024/06/27: [Press Release] Willingness to pay for nationwide wastewater surveillance system for infectious diseases in Japan (Project Prof. Kitajima)

School of Engineering has issued a press release regarding research conducted by Project Professor Masaaki Kitajima (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology) with Waseda University, Keio University, Technische Universität München, and others.
2024/06/22: [Conference] Oral/poster pres. at SIWW 2024 (Project Prof. Kitajima, Drs. Liu & Canh)

The members of International Wastewater-based Epidemiology gave oral/poster presentations at Singapore International Water Week 2024 (SIWW 2024) (June 18-22, Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore) as follows:
● M. Kitajima and H. Ando：
"Tracking the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on other viral diseases through wastewater-based retrospective epidemiological surveillance"
● T. Takeda, M. Kitajima, E. Haramoto et al.：
"Towards a regional framework for wastewater-based epidemiology"
● V. D. Canh, H. Katayama et al.：
"Low-Cost Virus Concentration Method for Wastewater-Based Epidemiology"
● M. Liu, V. D. Canh, H. Katayama et al. (Dr. Canh was the presenter)：
"Viral indicators for combined sewer overflow (CSO) pollution based on capsid integrity quantitative PCR"
2024/06/19: [Event]　International Young Researchers' Conference (Dr. Canh)

Project Researcher Dr. VU Duc Canh are involved in managing and preparing for International Young Researchers' Conference (IYRC Spring 2024) (June 8 @UTokyo) as IYRC Coordinator.
2024/06/14: [Award] Best Research Award at 8th ISFEV Conference (Project Prof. Kitajima)
At the 8th International Society for Food and Environmental Virology Conference, a research group led by Asst. Prof. Shotaro Torii (Collaborative Member) and Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology) received the Best Research Award (PDF).
2024/06/14: [Conference] Oral pres. at 8th ISFEV (Project Prof. Kitajima, Drs. Liu & Canh)

The members of International Wastewater-based Epidemiology gave oral presentations at 8th International Society for Food and Environmental Virology (ISFEV) Conference (June 9-14, Shimadzu Tokyo Innovation Plaza, Kawasaki) as follows:
● N. K. Lahil. C. Rupasinghe, V. D. Canh, H. Katayama et al. (Dr. Canh was the presenter)：
"Influence of operating state on reduction of viruses from a pilot scale ultrafiltration system for potable water reuse"
● V. D. Canh, H. Katayama et al.：
"Development of virus concentration method using moringa oleifera extract"
● M. Liu, T. Kato, and H. Katayama et al.：
"Passive Sampling Materials: Surface-Modified Cotton Gauze to Better Adsorb Viruses from Water"
● S. Torii, M. Kitajima, E. Haramoto et al.：
"Relative occurrence and reduction of waterborne viruses, tobamoviruses, crAssphage, polyomaviruses, and protozoa at wastewater treatment plants determined by high-throughput quantitative PCR"
● S. Raya, M. Kitajima, E. Haramoto et al.：
"Surveillance of hepatitis A virus in Asian countries using wastewater-based epidemiology"
2024/06/13: [Publication] Papers through international joint research (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Two papers by Project Professor Masaaki Kitajima (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology) have been published through international joint researches.
● Research with the University of Helsinki (Tiwari, Kitajima et al., Jun 13)
● Research with Waseda University, Keio University, Technische Universität München, etc. (Yoo, Kitajima, Himmler et al., May 30)
2024/06/06: [Press Release] Establishment of International Wastewater-based Epidemiology Laboratory

The School of Engineering, Shimadzu Corporation, and Shionogi & Co., Ltd. have established the "International Wastewater-based Epidemiology" Corporate Sponsored Research Program within RECWET.

The establishment announcement was held at UTokyo on June 5th, and press releases were issued today by the School of Engineering, Shimadzu Corporation, and Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
Press Release from the School of Engineering (Japanese only)
Image: from the School of Engineering website
2024/06/03: The website has been published.
2024/05/28: Project Professor Masaaki Kitajima recieved 5th Japan Research Front Award　
more 　　Organizer article
2024/04/13: Invited international/domestic lectures in April (Project Prof. Kitajima)

Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology Program) gave an invited lecture at ISBER 2024, an international conference on biobanking (Melbourne/virtual, April 11th) and at the sponsored seminar of the 59th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Molecular Medicine (April 13th).
● Masaaki Kitajima (2024) Wastewater Banking: Proof of Concept as an Archival Record of Population-Level Infectious Disease Prevalence, ISBER 2024 Annual Meeting and Exhibits, Apr 11, Melbourne/Virtual.
● 北島正章 (2024) 下水疫学：患者検体に依存しない病原体サーベイランス, 第59回日本臨床分子医学会学術集会スポンサードセミナー2, Apr 13, 東京国際フォーラム.
2024/04/01: Appointed to "International Wastewater-based Epidemiology" Program (Drs. Kasuga & Liu)

As of April 1st, Project Assoc. Prof. Ikuro KASUGA (RCAST/concurrent) and Project Asst. Prof. Miaomiao LIU (previously project researcher of Dept. Urban Engineering) have been appointed to the "International Wastewater-based Epidemiology" Corporate Sponsored Research Program, RECWET. Member information
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) utilizes the features of sewage infrastructure, where pathogens like viruses discharged from infected individuals accumulate in wastewater treatment plants. WBE provides a potent avenue for gathering public health data, facilitating early detection of disease outbreaks and comprehension of infection trends. Since its establishment in March 2024, the International Wastewater-based Epidemiology Program has been pioneering in the field of "wastewater-based epidemiology" and aiming to contribute to the establishment of resilient societies against infectious diseases through the implementation of WBE both domestically and internationally.
2024/03/01: "International Wastewater-based Epidemiology" Program launched (Project Profs. Katayama & Kitajima)
The "International Wastewater-based Epidemiology" Corporate Sponsored Research Program has been launched at RECWET. As of March 1st, Project Prof. Hiroyuki Katayama (Dept. Urban Engineering/concurrent), Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima (previously Assoc. Prof. of Hokkaido University) and Project researcher Vu Duc Canh (previously Dept. Urban Engineering) have been appointed (photos are only faculty's). See the member details.