Research interests

• Atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry: Mass spectrometry using ionization at atmospheric pressure to efficiently produce molecular ions. (Holds the patent for this method.)
• Field desorption ionization and collision induced decomposition mass spectrometer for biological molecules.
• Molecular secondary ion mass spectrometry: molecular ion production and mass spectrometry by ion bombardment ionization for non-volatile bio compounds. (1983 IR100)
• Combined system of liquid chromatograph and mass spectrometer. (1994 R&D 100)
• Fluorescent DNA sequencer
• Capillary array DNA sequencer. (Holds many patents on DNA detection systems)
• Technologies for analyzing gene expressions as well as DNA diagnostics.
• Technologies and instruments for single cell and tissue analysis.

Construction of an information system just like Google Earth for the human body.

Major research activity

1982-present Development of DNA analysis technology

Development of the DNA sequencer, gene expression profile analysis method, gene mutation measurement technology, capillary array DNA analysis equipment, SNPs-oriented DNA mutation analysis methods, probe array method using beads, etc.

1973-1989 Development of ionization technology for biological samples

Development of Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Field Ionization, Molecular-SIMS, LC/MS (Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer combined device), etc.

Major publications

1. T.Yoda, M.Hosokawa, K.Takahashi, C.Sakanashi, H.Takeyama and H.Kambara, “Site-specific gene expression analysis using an automated tissue micro-dissection punching system,” Scientific Reports 7: 4325(2017).
2. T.Kajiyama, A.Fujii, K.Arikawa, T.Habu, N.Mochizuki, A.Nagatani and H.Kambara, ”Position-Specific Gene Expression Analysis Using a Microgram Dissection Method Combined with On-Bead cDNA Library Construction,” Plant & Cell Physiology 56 (2015): pp. 1320-1328.
3. H.Matsunaga, M.Goto, K.Arikawa, M.Shirai, H.Tsunoda, H.Huang and H.Kambara, “A highly sensitive and accurate gene expression analysis by sequencing (“bead-seq”) for a single cell,” Anal. Biochem 471, pp. 9-16 (2015).
4. K.Taniguchi, T.Kajiyama and H.Kambara, “Quantitative analysis of gene expression in a single-cell by qPCR,” Nature Method 6, pp. 503-506(2009).
5. G.Zhou, M.Kamahori, K.Okano, K.Harada and H.Kambara, ”Miniaturized pyrosequencer for DNA analysis with capillaries to deliver deoxynucleotides,” Electrophoresis 22(2001): pp. 3497-3504.
6. G.Zhou, M.Kamahori, K.Okano, G.Chuan, K.Harada, and H.Kambara,”Quantitative detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms for a pooled sample by a bioluminometric assay coupled with modified primer extension reactions (BAMPER),” Nucleic Acid Res. 29(2001): No. 19 e93.
7. Y.Kohara, H.Noda, K.Okano and H.Kambara, ”DNA hybridization using “Bead-Array”: Probe-attached beads arrayed in a capillary in a predetermined order” Nucleic Acid Res. suppl 1 (2001): pp. 83-84.
8. T. Anazawa, S.Takahashi and H.Kambara, “A capillary array gel electrophoresis system using multiple laser focusing for DNA sequencing,” Anal. Chem. 68 (1996): pp. 3699-2704.
9. H.Kambara and S.Takahashi, “Multiple-sheath flow capillary array DNA analyser”, Nature 361, pp. 565-566 (1993).
10. U.S. Patent US6224733 B1, Japanese Patent P2974495（Priority claim date: 24th April 1992: DNA detector and DNA detection method, by S. Takahashi and H. Kambara.
11. M.Sakairi and H.Kambara, “Atmospheric Pressure Spray Ionization for Liquid Chromatography/Mass spectrometry,” Anal. Chem. 61 (1989): pp. 1159-1164.
12. H.Kambara, T.Nishikawa, Y.Katayama and T.Yamaguchi, ”Optimization of parameters in a SNA sequenator using fluorescence detection” Bio/Technology 6, 816-821(1988).
13. Japanese Patent P2013548 (Priority claim date: 1st February 1984) JP1994043135: Device for determining base sequence of nucleic acids, by H. Kambara, O. Okada, et al. (9th February 1994 Patent Application Notification No. 特公平6-10665; 1st February 1984 Patent Application No.特願昭59-15226)
14. M.Sakairi and H.Kambara, “Characteristics of a Liquid Chromatograph/Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometer”, Anal Chem 60 (1988): pp. 774-780.
15. K.Harada, M.Suzuki and H.Kambara, “Diethanolamine Assisted Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry of Naturally Occurring Complex Oligosaccharides,” Org. Mass Spectrom. 17 (1982): pp. 386-391.
16. H.Kambara and S.Hishida, “Secondary Ion Mass Spectra of Nonvolatile Bioorganic Compounds,” Anal Chem. 53 (1981): pp. 2340-2344.
17. H.Kambara and I.Kanomata, “Determination of Impurities in Gases by Atmospheric pressure Ionization Mass Spectrometry,” Anal. Chem. 49 (1977): pp. 276-275.

Kambara has received numerous recognitions for his contributions to the field of analytical instruments, in particular for his contributions to the development of the capillary array DNA sequencer.

Awards & Recognitions

2019.03

Order of the Rising Sun. Gold Rays with Rosette

2009.03

61st (FY2008) CSJ Award for the "development of capillary array DNA sequencer for genome analysis“
(The Chemical Society of Japan)

2004.01

The Asahi Prize for "development of a high-performance DNA sequencer"

2003.05

National Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon

2002.07

Selected as one of BusinessWeek's "Star of Asia"

2002.03 (joint)

48th Okochi Memorial Grand Technology Prize for "development of the capillary array DNA sequencer”

2001.04

Commendation by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology to Persons of Scientific & Technological Research Merits, for "research on fluorescence detection method DNA base sequencing device"

1994.09 (joint)

R&D Magazine, R&D100 Award for "development of LC/MS system"

1989.04 (joint)

Commendation by the Minister of State for Science & Technology for Noteworthy Inventions, for "side entry laser irradiation method for DNA sequencer"

1983.09 (joint)

Industrial Research & Development IR100 Award for "development of molecular SIMS"

1982.05

Japan Mass Spectrometry Society Award for "new ionization technology“

Education

1972.03

Ph.D., University of Tokyo, Faculty of Science, Chemistry

1969.03

M.Sc., University of Tokyo, Faculty of Science, Chemistry

1967.03

B.Sc., University of Tokyo, Dept. of Pure and Applied Science

Employment & Professional Activities

2017.04 - present

Founder & CEO, Frontier Biosystems, Inc.

2015.04 - present

Emeritus Fellow, Hitachi, Ltd.

2011.04 - present

Distinguished Guest Research Professor, Waseda University

2010.05 - 2015.03

Visiting Professor, Medical School of Nanjing University

2005.07 - 2015.03

Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Science, University of Tokyo

2003.06 - 2015.03

Fellow, Hitachi Ltd.

2000.04 - 2015.03

Visiting Professor, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

2000.02 - 2003.06

Senior Chief Scientist - Corporate Technology, Hitachi Ltd.

1994.08 - 2000.02

Senior Chief Researcher, Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi Ltd.

1990.02 - 1994.08

Chief Researcher, Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd.

1989.08 - 1990.02

Chief Researcher, Advanced Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd.

1985.04 - 1989.08

Senior Researcher, Advanced Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd.

1981.08 - 1985.04

Senior Researcher, Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd.

1977.10 - 1979.01

Visiting Researcher at Univ. of California, Berkeley, Space Sciences Lab.

1972.04.01

Joined Central Research Laboratory, Hitachi Ltd.