Research

Our goal is to develop algorithms to find design conditions (i.e., design space) that meet the quality requirements for cell pharmaceuticals in mesenchymal stem cell production processes, which is a complex and uncertain process. The following topics are mainly tackled:

• Hybrid modeling by combining dynamic models and image information.
• Stochastic simulation by categorization and parameterization of variation origins and Monte Carlo approach.
• Design space determinations that incorporate dynamic and stochastic variations in cell quality.

Grants

• Study abroad grant “Musha Syugyo Program”, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, July 2023
• Research Fellow for Young Scientists “Doctoral Course Students (DC2)”, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), April 2023
• Research assistant fellowship, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, April 2023
• Special grant “Leadership Development Program for PhD”, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, October 2022 to March 2023
• Research fellowship “World-leading Innovative Graduate Study Program on Innovation for Intelligent World” Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, April 2022 to March 2023
• Study abroad grant “Tobitate! (Leap for Tomorrow) Study Abroad Initiative” Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Japan, July 2021

Awards

• Dean’s Award, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, March 2022
• Best presentation award, Department of Chemical System Engineering, The University of Tokyo, March 2022

Publication

1. Keita Hirono, Yusuke Hayashi, Isuru A. Udugama, Yuto Takemoto, Ryuji Kato, Masahiro Kinooka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “Image-based hybrid model incorporating initial spatial distribution for mesenchymal stem cell cultivation process design”
   AIChE Journal, 70, e18452 (2024)
2. Isuru A. Udugama, Sara Badr, Keita Hirono, Benedikt X. Scholz, Yusuke Hayashi, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “The Role of Process Systems Engineering in Applying Quality by Design (QbD) in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Production” Computers & Chemical Engineering, 172, 108144 (2023)
3. Keita Hirono, Isuru A. Udugama, Yusuke Hayashi, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “A dynamic and probabilistic design space determination method for mesenchymal stem cell cultivation processes” Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 61, 7009–7019 (2022)
4. Masaki Nishikawa, Hiroyasu Ito, Fumiya Tokito, Keita Hirono, Kousuke Inamura, Benedikt Scheidecker, Mathieu Danoy, Takumi Kawanishi, Hiroshi Arakawa, Yukio Kato, Katsuhiro Esashika, Hiroshi Miyasako, Yasuyuki Sakai “Accurate evaluation of hepatocyte metabolisms on a noble oxygen-permeable material with low sorption characteristics” Frontiers in Toxicology, section In Vitro Toxicology, 4, 810478 (2022)
5. Kikuo Komori, Masataka Usui, Kohei Hatano, Yuma Hori, Keita Hirono, Dongchen Zhu, Fumiya Tokito, Masaki Nishikawa, Yasuyuki Sakai, Hiroshi Kimura “In Vitro Enzymatic Electrochemical Monitoring of 1 Glucose Metabolism and Production in Rat Primary Hepatocytes on Highly O₂ Permeable Plates” Bioelectrochemistry, 143, 107972 (2022)

Proceedings

1. Keita Hirono, Yusuke Hayashi, Isuru A. Udugama, Yuto Takemoto, Ryuji Kato, Masahiro Kinooka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “Use of image data in kinetic model development for the design of mesenchymal stem cell cultivation processes” Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, in press.
2. Keita Hirono, Isuru A. Udugama, Yusuke Hayashi, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “Design space determination of mesenchymal stem cell cultivation by dynamic modeling under uncertainty” Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, 51, 721–726 (2022)

International conferences

1. Keita Hirono, Yusuke Hayashi, Isuru A. Udugama, Yuto Takemoto, Ryuji Kato, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “Hybrid model for mesenchymal stem cell cultivation processes incorporating seeding heterogeneity”, Oral, 14th European Symposium on Biochemical Engineering Science ESBES 2024, Accepted
2. Keita Hirono, Yusuke Hayashi, Isuru A. Udugama, Yuto Takemoto, Ryuji Kato, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “Use of image data in kinetic model development for the design of mesenchymal stem cell cultivation processes”, Oral, 34th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering and the 15th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering, 2–6 June 2024, Palazzo dei Congressi, Florence, Italy.
3. Keita Hirono, Yusuke Hayashi, Isuru A. Udugama, Mohamed Rami Gaddem, Yuto Takemoto, Ryuji Kato, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “Hybrid Modeling with Phase Contrast Microscopy Images for the Design of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cultivation Processes”, Oral, 2023 AIChE Annual Meeting, 5–10 November 2023, Hyatt Regency, Orlando, U.S.A.
4. Keita Hirono, Isuru A. Udugama, Yusuke Hayashi, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “Design space determination of mesenchymal stem cell cultivation by dynamic modeling under uncertainty”, Poster, 32nd European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering, 12–15 June 2022, Centre de Congrès Pierre Baudis, Toulouse, France

Domestic conferences

1. Keita Hirono “Modeling and design space development for stem cell cultivation” 2024 ISPE Japan Affiliate Annual Meeting, 30-31 May 2024, Tower Hall Funabori, Tokyo
2. Keita Hirono, Yusuke Hayashi, Isuru A. Udugama, Yuto Takemoto, Ryuji Kato, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “A hybrid model for mesenchymal stem cell cultivation incorporating seeding heterogeneity” Oral, Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) 89th Annual Meeting, 18-20 March 2024, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka
3. Keita Hirono, Isuru A. Udugama, Yusuke Hayashi, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “A dynamic and probabilistic design space determination method for mesenchymal stem cell cultivation processes” Poster, Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) 87th Annual Meeting, 16-18 March 2022, Tsurukabuto Campus, Kobe University, Kobe city, Hyogo/Virtual meeting
4. Isuru A. Udugama, Keita Hirono, Yusuke Hayashi, Masahiro Kino-oka, Hirokazu Sugiyama “Model-based design space determination of mesenchymal stem cell cultivation considering system dynamics and variations” Oral, Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) 87th Annual Meeting, 16-18 March 2022, Tsurukabuto Campus, Kobe University, Kobe city, Hyogo/Virtual meeting
5. Keita Hirono, Masaki Nishikawa, Yasuyuki Sakai, “Single-nucleus RNA sequencing of multinucleated hepatocytes to elucidate the contribution to liver function”, Oral, Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) 51st Autumn Meeting, 24–26 September 2020, Virtual meeting
6. Keita Hirono, Masaki Nishikawa, Yasuyuki Sakai, “Single-nucleus RNA sequencing of multinucleated hepatocytes to elucidate the contribution to liver function”, Abstract, The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) 85th Annual Meeting

Technical papers and reports

1. Keita Hirono, Isuru A. Udugama, Yusuke Hayashi, Hirokazu Sugiyama “Pharma PSE Spotlight No.17 A dynamic and probabilistic design space determination method for mesenchymal stem cells” Pharm Tech Japan, 39, 39–44 (2023)
2. Keita Hirono “[Student members’ voice] From experiment to simulation research”Chemical Engineering of Japan, 85(4), 45 (2021)

Others

International activities

• PROSYS Annual Research Seminar, Lyngby, Denmark, October 2023
• BIOPRO World Talent Campus, Sorø, Denmark, September 2022
• SMMiL-E School, Lille, France (Online participation), March 2021

Selected student activities

• International Collaborative Learning Course, Online, February 2021
• International Understanding and Communication Course, Online
  1. Technical University of Munich, April 2021
  2. KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, January 2021
  3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, November 2020

Extracurricular activities

• Player of The University of Tokyo baseball club, April 2016 to December 2019
• Japanese class volunteer, Online, KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, December 2020 to May 2021