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Faculty of Science, Department of Life Science
- Professor
- Hidetsugu TSUJIGIWA
- Research Field
Regenerative medicine, Tumor
- Keyword(s)
Hard tissue, Stem cell, Regeneration, Microenvironment
- Research theme
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- Regenerative medicine mainly focused on hard tissue such as bone and teeth.
- Elucidation of cell-to-cell interactions between in tumor parenchyma and in stromal and Development of new therapies.
Outline of research activitiesThere are many diseases associated with hard tissue, such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and periodontal disease, and their patients have increased with the advent of an aging society. In this laboratory, for the treatment of these diseases, we are developing regenerative research on hard tissue (bone, cartilage, teeth) by setting three keyword; growth factors, extracellular microenvironment and stem cell.
- Desired cooperation
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- Search of useful substances such as osteoporosis preventive drug.
- Development of new biomaterials.
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Faculty of Science, Department of Life Science
- Professor
- Ken KATAOKA
- Research Field
Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine
- Keyword(s)
Cell Culture, 3D culture, Spheroids
- Research theme
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- 3D culture of tissue stem cells
- Artificial control of spheroid formation
- Assessment system of cell culture techniques
Outline of research activitiesEpithelial cells in spheroids formed through three-dimensional culture exhibit a quiescent state. Our research aims artificial interventions to control cell proliferation and differentiation during spheroid formation. Additionally, aiming for the standardization of cell culture techniques, we are advancing the development of a assessment system utilizing recorded videos.
- Desired cooperation
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- Assessment system of cell culture techniques
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Faculty of Science, Department of Life Science
- Professor
- Seiichi KATAYAMA
- Research Field
Bacteriology, Bacterial Molecular Genetics
- Keyword(s)
Clostridium perfrigens, Regulation of Production of a-toxin, Fibronectin-binding Proteins, Pili
- Research theme
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- Effect of phased A-tracts sequence on a-toxin production.
- Identification and functional analysiss of Clostridium perfringens fibronectin-binding protein.
- A study of novel pili in Clostridium perfringens.
Outline of research activitiesClostridium perfringens is a bacterium that causes gas gangrene and food poisoning. a-toxin (phospholipase C) is a pathogenic factor in gas gangrene. We showed which amino acids in the C-terminal domain of the αsubunit (αCTD) of RNA polymerase interact with the phased A-tracts DNA upstream of the promoter of a-toxin gene. The autolytic enzyme autolysin of C. perfrignes was identified as one of the fibronectin-binding proteins. In addition, through joint research, we were able to determine the three-dimensional structure of CppA, a pili-constituting protein.
- Desired cooperation
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- Three-dimensional structure analyses of the phased A-tracts DNA and the fibronectin-binding proteins, and analysis of immuno-electron microscopic images of the pili,etc.
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Faculty of Science, Department of Life Science
- Professor
- Takayoshi KIBA
- Research Field
Gastroenterology, Oncology
- Keyword(s)
Visceral organs, Regeneration, Proliferation, Carcinogenesis
- Research theme
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- Identification of new nerve-delivered growth factor regarding pancreatic B cells.
Outline of research activitiesWe found that vagal hyperactivity produced by ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions stimulated cell proliferation of rat pancreatic islet B through a cholinergic receptor mechanism. Previously, we developed a new technique regarding high-quality RNA extraction from rat pancreas for cDNA microarray analysis, and thereby, we found that VMH lesions may change the expression of cell proliferation-related genes and neuron-related genes in a rat pancreas, using DNA microarray and real-time polymerase chain reaction. We believes that these new gene network analysis will lead to Diabetes MellitusTreatment or Pancreatic Cancer.
- Desired cooperation
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- R & D regarding regeneration and proliferation of pancreatic B cells
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Faculty of Science, Department of Life Science
- Associate professor
- Naoya HASHIKAWA
- Research Field
Molecular biology, Neuroscience
- Keyword(s)
Brain function, Gene expression, Protein misfolding
- Research theme
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- Research on mechanisms of mental disorders
- Roles of molecular chaperones in various disease
- Role of molecular chaperones in memory and sensation
Outline of research activitiesProteins exert their functions by adopting specific three-dimensional structures. Molecular chaperones are known to be involved in the process of achieving proper protein folding, which is crucial for the formation of these three-dimensional structures. We are focusing on a specific molecular chaperone known as heat shock protein and investigating its role in the brain. Through our research, we have revealed a connection between heat shock protein and depressive-like symptoms. Currently, we are further expanding this research to explore the relationship between depression and protein misfolding abnormalities.
Additionally, we are studying the impact of heat shock protein expression on memory, sensation, as well as its effects on allergies such as rhinitis.- Desired cooperation
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- Evaluation of the physiological and molecular biological effects of novel substances
- Development of novel therapeutic approaches using disease model mice
- Gene expression analysis
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Faculty of Science, Department of Life Science
- Associate professor
- Narumi HASHIKAWA-HOBARA
- Research Field
Pharmacology
- Keyword(s)
CGRP, Neuroscience, Behavioral neuropharmacology, Atherosclerosis
- Research theme
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- Effects of CGRP on fear memory in mice
- Effects of CGRP on atheroscrelosis in apoE-/- mice
Outline of research activities1. We investigate the role of calcitonin-gene relate peptide (CGRP) which is a potent peptide vasodilator and can function in the transmission of pain on mice behavior. Recently, we have demonstrated that intracerebroventricular administration of CGRP induced anti-depressant effect in 15-day restraint stressed mice. This anti-depressant effect is associated with a massive nerve growth factor production in hippocampus. We are now investigating whether the fear memory associated with the exogenous CGRP in mice.
2. We also exploring the effect of CGRP on atherosclerosis in apoE knockout mice which has on CGRP. ApoE knockout mice, which develop atherosclerosis lesion in short time.
- Desired cooperation
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- Several animal model, depression, arteriosclerosis and type II diabetes are available in our laboratory. We are appreciate to explore novel substances with these animal model.
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Faculty of Science, Department of Life Science
- Lecturer
- Nozomu MATSUNAGA
- Research Field
pathogenic microorganisms,
- Keyword(s)
Host-pathogen interaction, adhesion molecule, wound healing
- Research theme
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- The effects of <i>Clostridium perfringensi> Fibronectin-binding proteins (Fbps)
- The interaction of dermatopontin with Fbps
- Role of peptidoglycan hydrolase in Fbps
- The affects of Fbps on wound healing
Outline of research activitiesInfectious diseases caused by bacteria begin with the attachment (Binding) of bacteria to the host. We use <i>Clostridium perfringensi>, one of the pathogenic bacteria, as wound infection model. We are studying host-pathogen interaction from the following viewpoints.
1. Interaction between fibronectin and fibronectin binding protein (Fbps) of <i>C. perfringensi>
2. The effect of Fbps on dermatopontin (DPT)-induced fibronectin fibrosis.
3. Fbps functions as a peptidoglycan hydrolyzing enzyme
4. The effect of Fbps on wound healing- Desired cooperation
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- The development of novel antibiotics by applying <i>C. perfringensi> Fbps
- Application of <i>C. perfringensi> Fbps to dermatopontin-induced tissue injury
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Faculty of Science, Department of Life Science
- Lecturer
- Satoshi TOMIYASU
- Research Field
Nephrology, Tumor Biology
- Keyword(s)
Round cell, Stem cell, microRNA、Endmetrial cancer
- Research theme
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- Investigation a novel renal function assessment using round cells as an indicator and to elucidate the mechanism of tubular lumen regeneration
- Identification and functional analysis of specific microRNAs for early diagnosis of endmetrial cancer
Outline of research activities・Investigation a novel renal function assessment using round cells as an indicator and to elucidate the mechanism of tubular lumen regeneration.
Since round tubular epithelial cells (round cells) are rarely found in urine and are neglected in daily clinical examinations, we aim to clarify the significance of their appearance and their relationship to disease. The round cells may be stem cells, and we hope to elucidate the process of tubular lumen regeneration and the cells from which they originate.・Identification and functional analysis of specific microRNAs for early diagnosis of endmetrial cancer
We aim to identify microRNAs that can serve as biomarkers for early detection of endmetrial cancer and to detect them in blood samples. Furthermore, we will analyze the functions of microRNAs expressed in endmetrial cancer and clarify their molecular biological characteristics.- Desired cooperation
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- Research on round cells and endmetrial cancer in clinical samples