Biomedical Science

Functional Genomics and Medicine

Yasumasa Ishida

In our laboratory, three faculty members (Ishida, Matsuda, and Shigeoka) are collaborating to conduct research on the physiological functions of genes that play important roles in the immune and nervous systems, as well as their involvement in human diseases.

Topics

Elucidation of the real physiological functions of PD-1
Development of novel strategies in cancer immunotherapy

Some people say that PD-1 was discovered only by chance

Molecular Immunobiology

Taro Kawai

In the Laboratory of Molecular Immunoregulation, we study innate immune responses to viruses and bacteria. Innate immunity is a gateway to immune responses and is a biological defense necessary for induction of inflammatory responses and acquired immunity. By elucidating the mechanisms of innate immunity, we hope to develop vaccines and treat inflammatory diseases caused by the breakdown of innate immunity.

Topics

Analysis of innate immune signaling pathways
Analysis of RLRs
Analysis of sensing mechanisms of endogenous molecules by PRRs

Recognition of microbial components by Toll-like receptors (TLRs)

Molecular Medicine and Cell Biology

Shiro Suetsugu

We study the construction of cells that takes place as a result of the combination of proteins and lipids and the formation of diseases by their disruption.

Topics

Intracellular signaling depending on the morphology of the cell membrane and the proteins that form the morphology of the cell membrane, especially the association with cancer of the cell

Examples of proteins (membrane-binding proteins such as actin, BAR domain, F-BAR domain, and I-BAR domain) and lipids that are responsible for cell morphogenesis targeted in the laboratory (from Suetsugu et al., Phys Rev 2014) ).The BAR domain acts as a polymer of protrusions (including filamentous and lamellipodia) and submicron scale invagination (eg, clathrin-coated holes and caveolae) to form microstructures. Typical sizes for clathrin-coated pores and caveolae are 100-200 nm in diameter and 50-100 nm in diameter, respectively. The BAR domain can be approximated as a 20-25 nm arc with a diameter of 3-6 nm. The thickness of the membrane is approximately 5 nm.

RNA Molecular Medicine

Katsutomo Okamura

Our goal is to understand the mechanism of gene expression regulation using RNA as a keyword. This is an important field that can lead to the elucidation of the mechanisms by which genetic abnormalities cause diseases. In addition to classical biochemistry and genetics, we combine various techniques such as bioinformatics analysis, and students play a leading role in our research.

Topics

How is expression of miRNAs controlled?
Why are there many ways to produce miRNAs?
How do tick small RNA pathways regulate viruses?

Gene regulatory networks and their importance in normal development and physiology.

Stem Cell Technologies

Akira Kurisaki

Stem cell differentiation experiments require careful and detailed work, diligent cultivation of cells with a keen eye for observation, analysis of gene expression, and so on. If you are able to do this, it is a very enjoyable research field. Tissues are also very beautiful and impressive when viewed under a microscope.

Topics

Differentiation of Gastric Tissues
Differentiation of lung tissue and tissue regeneration

Stomach tissue differentiated from mouse ES cells in vitro by 3D culture method. (Left) HE staining of the differentiated stomach organoid (day 56). (Right) Immunofluorescent staining of stomach organoid with Epcam antibody (red), Desmin antibody (green), and DAPI (blue) for epidermis, mesenchyme, and nuclei, respectively. Stomach organoid with gastric glands and mesenchyme can be differentiated from ES cells in vitro.

Developmental Biomedical Science

Noriaki Sasai

We analyse the mechanisms by which animal organs are formed and how their functions are maintained throughout life. In particular, we use genetically mutated mice, embryonic stem cells, and chick embryos as models to clarify how developmental and functional abnormalities occur at the cellular level and to develop treatments for them.

Topics

Signals that control cell differentiation and transitions of the properties of neural progenitor cells
Control of the balance between cell proliferation and differentiation in tissue morphogenesis
Homeostasis of the neural functions

Organ Developmental Engineering

Ayako Isotani

Chimeric animals, in which cells with different genomic information are mixed together in one individual, is one of the animal models artificially created by developmental engineering technology. Such chimeric animals have contributed to the development of life science research, including the analysis of gene function. In our laboratory, we use chimeric animals to study the mechanisms of individual development and organogenesis, which can lead to regenerative medicine.

Topics

Model of organ formation using interspecies chimeras
Trials of novel animal models

When rat embryonic stem cells expressing green fluorescence are injected into mouse zygotes, it is possible to produce chimeric animals containing both mouse and rat cells within a single individual.