At a time when emerging infectious diseases continue to challenge global health systems, Moriya Tsuji, MD, PhD, is advancing a distinct approach to prevention and treatment, one that focuses not on a single pathogen but on strengthening the immune system’s ability to respond broadly and effectively.
Now joining the Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed) as a professor, Tsuji brings decades of experience in infectious disease research, immunology and translational science. His work centers on developing immune-based strategies that could one day help the body defend against a wide spectrum of infectious diseases and even cancer.
Supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health, his work centers on investigating immune-based therapies that aim to enhance the body’s natural defenses and move promising discoveries closer to clinical applications.
A Broader Approach to Immunity
Rather than targeting individual viruses or bacteria, Tsuji’s research explores how to activate and enhance key immune cells to build a more resilient and adaptable defense system.
“Infectious diseases are constantly evolving,” Tsuji said. “When a new virus emerges, we often have to start from scratch. My goal is to develop broader approaches that can strengthen the body’s immune response in a more general and durable way.”
That approach is rooted in his work with natural killer T cells, or NKT cells, a specialized group of immune cells that play a critical role in regulating immune responses. Tsuji and his team have identified compounds that can activate these cells, potentially enhancing the body’s ability to respond to infection and tumor growth.
From Discovery to Development
The discovery began in the laboratory, where early experiments revealed unexpected immune activity. Subsequent preclinical studies demonstrated that advanced laboratory models can more closely replicate how the human immune system responds.
These findings have undergone years of vigorous validation and refinement, an iterative process that Tsuji emphasizes as critical in biomedical research.
“You have to proceed step by step,” he said. “From fundamental basic research to animal models, then to safety studies and ultimately clinical trials, it is a long process, but each stage is indispensable.”
The Path to Clinical Impact
Before reaching human testing, potential therapies must undergo extensive preparation, including safety studies and regulatory review. Early-phase clinical trials alone can require substantial time and funding to complete.
Despite the complexity, Tsuji remains focused on long-term impact.
“If there are no adverse reactions, then we can begin to assess whether the compound truly provides a beneficial effect,” he said. “The first step is always safety.”
Challenging Scientific Assumptions
His research trajectory also reflects an unconventional scientific discovery that helped shape his broader perspective. In collaboration with researchers at Harvard University, Tsuji contributed to findings showing that certain T cells can recognize not only peptides antigens but also carbohydrate structures. This insight challenged long-standing assumptions in immunology.
The work, later published in Nature Medicine, led his laboratory to develop specialized research animal models designed to investigate these carbohydrate-recognizing T cell responses more closely.
Advancing the Work at EnMed
At EnMed, Tsuji sees an opportunity to continue advancing this work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment that bridges engineering and medicine.
“What excites me most is the opportunity to interact with faculty from different backgrounds,” he said. “This kind of environment encourages us to think differently and broadly, thus allowing us to move research forward more efficiently.”
He also emphasizes the importance of humility, collaboration and openness in scientific discovery; qualities he believes are just as important as technical expertise. “You need conviction, but you also need to be respectful and humble,” he said. “Science is not done alone. It is a collaborative effort.”
That mindset has guided both his laboratory leadership and his approach to training young scientists. His lab has welcomed students at multiple levels, including high school, undergraduate and graduate researchers, some of whom have traveled long distances to participate in experiments and gain hands-on experience.
Looking Ahead
Tsuji’s arrival at EnMed marks what he describes as a new chapter; one focused on continued discovery, translational impact and collaboration across disciplines. He believes the EnMed model, which integrates engineering and medicine, is uniquely positioned to accelerate biomedical breakthroughs.
“It is a small and flexible environment,” he said. “That allows ideas to move quickly and teams to adapt. I think that increases the likelihood of meaningful and significant discoveries.”
As infectious diseases continue to evolve globally, Tsuji’s work reflects a broader scientific shift toward strengthening the body’s own defenses rather than focusing solely on individual pathogens.
And while each step may appear incremental, this approach has the potential to reshape how diseases are prevented and treated in the years ahead.
