Kouta Niizuma
Basic Life Research Scientist 

Kouta Niizuma, Ph.D. is a Research Scientist in the laboratory of Professor Hiromitsu Nakauchi at Stanford University. He received his Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Tsukuba, Japan, where he studied under Professor Akira Shibuya and identified CD300H, a novel immunoglobulin-like receptor expressed on monocytes and dendritic cells and established a monoclonal antibody against CD300H. During his Ph.D., he also trained in NK cell biology as a visiting scholar in the laboratory of Professor Lewis L. Lanier at UCSF.

Dr. Niizuma conducts research on the interface of stem cell biology and immunology. His work focuses on dissecting species barriers through interspecies chimera models to better understand the developmental and immunological limits of cross-species cell integration. He also develops engineered immune cells—including macrophages and T cells—derived from human pluripotent stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells, and applies these systems to investigate immune function and disease. In parallel, he generates monoclonal antibodies and applies protein engineering to create novel tools for immune modulation and cellular tracking. Through these multidisciplinary efforts, he aims to advance both fundamental biology and translational applications.

Outside the lab, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, traveling, camping, or playing badminton together. He is also passionate about science communication, which he pursues through writing and creating content on platforms such as YouTube as part of his lifelong mission to make science accessible and engaging.

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Selected Publications:

• Niizuma K, Morikawa S, Gars E, Xiang J, Matsubara-Takahashi T, Saito R, Takematsu E, Wang Y, Xu H, Wakimoto A, Tan TK, Kubota Y, Chan CKF, Weissman IL, Nakagawa T, Wilkinson AC, Nakauchi H, Yamamoto R. Elevated hematopoietic stem cell frequency in mouse alveolar bone marrow. Stem Cell Reports. 2025 Jan 14;20(1):102374. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.11.004. Epub 2024 Dec 12. PMID: 39672154; PMCID: PMC11784484.

• Niizuma K, Morikawa S, Gars E, Chang AH, Wilkinson AC, Nakauchi H, Yamamoto R. Protocol for the isolation and characterization of mouse alveolar bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. STAR Protoc. 2025 Jun 20;6(2):103875. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2025.103875. Epub 2025 Jun 5. PMID: 40482037; PMCID: PMC12173640.

• Niizuma K, Tahara-Hanaoka S, Noguchi E, Shibuya A. Identification and Characterization of CD300H, a New Member of the Human CD300 Immunoreceptor Family. J Biol Chem. 2015 Sep 4;290(36):22298-308. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M115.643361. Epub 2015 Jul 28. PMID: 26221034; PMCID: PMC4571981.

• Nishimura T, Niizuma K, Nakauchi H. Bioluminescent Tracking of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells In Vitro and In Vivo. Methods Mol Biol. 2022;2524:291-297. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2453-1_22. PMID: 35821480.

• Niizuma K, Nishimura T, Villanueva J, Amaya L, Fowler JL, Isobe T, Nakauchi Y, Saavedra B, Xu H, Nakanishi M, Wilkinson AC, Loh KM, Shrager JB, Nakauchi H. Development of iPSC-Derived T Cells Targeting EGFR Neoantigens in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev. 2025;29:101517. doi: 10.1016/j.omtm.2025.101517.