Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University
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Divisions and Departments
Field of Biological Function
Field of Tissue Engineering
Field of Regeneration Control
Department of Development and Differentiation
Department of Stem Cell Biology
Department of Growth Regulation
Department of Immunology
Field of Clinical Application
Adjunct Facilities
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Kyoto University
 
Field of Regeneration Control
 
Department of Development and Differentiation | Department of Stem Cell Biology
Department of Growth Regulation | Department of Immunology
Department of Development and Differentiation

Prof. Norio Nakatsuji
Assist. Prof. Shinichiro Chuma

This laboratory analyzes molecular and cellular mechanisms to control function of stem cells and differentiation of mammalian germ cells by using various mouse strains. Particular attention is paid to the development of germ cells and spermatogenic cells in testes, as well as pluripotent embryonic stem cells.

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Department of Stem Cell Biology

Prof. Shinya Yamanaka
Assist. Prof. Masato Nakagawa

The ultimate goal of our laboratory is to generate ES-like pluripotent stem cells directly from somatic cells by nuclear reprogramming. To this end, we are trying to understand molecular mechanisms underlying pluripotency and rapid proliferation of ES cells and to identify factors that induce reprogramming. We have shown that pluripotent stem cells can be induced from mouse embryonic and adult fibroblast cultures by retrovirus-mediated introduction of four transcription factors (Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc). We designated these cells iPS cells for induced pluripotent stem cells. We are now trying to generate human iPS cells and overcome safety issues.

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Department of Growth Regulation

Prof. Atsuko Sehara
Assist. Prof. Tomohiro Kurisaki
Assist. Prof. Shuji Wakatsuki

Development and regeneration require various kinds of intercellular signaling and adhesion molecules. Our research has been focused on regulatory mechanisms of such cell-cell interactions. Numerous intercellular signaling molecules are generated as membrane-anchored proteins, and they are subjected to proteolytic processing to liberate their extracellular domains (ectodomain shedding). Molecular bases that regulate the ectodomain shedding events are coming into focus. Evidence suggests that ADAM family proteases are involved in the ecotodmain shedding of various membrane proteins. We are currently studying roles of ADAM proteases in development and diseases, which will clarify physiological significance of ecdodomain shedding mediated by ADAM proteases.

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Department of Immunology

Assoc. Prof. Tatsuo Kina
Assist. Prof. Shinji Fujimoto

Our current research activities cover two areas. The first is the molecular mechanism of inflammatory diseases in BALB/c.CD45.1 mice. These mice spontaneously develop atopic dermatitis and allergic tympanitis/conjuncitivitis in eyes and ears. We are investigating the cause of these diseases at the molecular level, and our current hypothesis of regulation of CD45 function is illustrated in Fig.1. The second research activity is focused on TCR? chain gene rearrangement and the mechanism of lymphomagenesis during recovery of atrophied thymus.after irradiation or ENU treatment. In connection with this, we are investigating the role of transcription factor Id2 in the differentiation of T and NK cells from thymic T/NK common progenitors.

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