Interaction between animals and microorganisms has a great influence on the host physiology, such as health and disease, and thus is attracting attention both socially and industrially. It is also known that animals and microorganisms that have a symbiotic relationship co-evolve by interacting with each other to enhance their fitness.

　Using mammals and insects as research models, we study various physiological phenomena, signal transduction, and metabolic networks that occur due to the interaction and symbiotic relationship between hosts and microorganisms. In addition, we study the co-evolution of hosts and microorganisms and their eco-evolutionary dynamics in nature. Using social insects, we aim to understand how gut microbial communities influence the host society and what principles underlie microbial community formation.