Research
About our research
Cell Biological Technology Laboratory
Long non-coding rna-genes related to cancer and senescence
We are trying to unlock relationships between genetics and human cancer and senescence processes by using animal cell cultures and genetic engineering. By clarifying the expression control mechanisms of genes, our goal is to make positive contributions to the fields of pharmaceuticals, medicine and industry through the development of cancer suppression agents and cancer diagnostic markers. Much of our recent attention has focused on "long non-coding RNA genes". Recent research has revealed that humans have over 10,000 versions of these types of RNA genes, but their functionality is still not well understood. Our group has shown that these long non-coding RNA genes play a role in cellular senescence, cell death and cancer cell proliferation. Our hope is to help develop new drugs with completely revolutionary action mechanisms by developing new expression control mechanisms for these genes. Using genetic manipulation, senescence-related genes can be introduced into the fibroblast of human fetal lungs (A) to induce cellular senescence (B). The cell dyed blue in the picture on the right is an senescent cell (SA-β-gal staining method). By revealing senescence and cancer generation mechanisms at the cellular level, our research can help develop future methods for preventing cellular senescence and cancer formation.
(A)Fibroblast from human fetal lungs
(B)Fibroblast induced to cellular senescence thru genetic manipulation
Research by Current Students
Electronics and Computer Science Course
Cleaning exhaustgas using new processing methods based on pulse-power technology
Our research assesses new methods for processing exhaust gas from diesel engine cars and other devices by using a catalyst that promotes discharge plasma and chemical reactions using pulse power. Our goal is to develop future processing systems capable of reducing the amount of precious metals compared with conventional designs.
About our lab
Biological and Environmental Chemistry Course
Functional food science laboratory
Clarifying the roles and composition of foods that promote health maintenance and improvement
Our research primarily looks at the functionality of food constituents for health maintenance. By examining the components found in various materials in food, we are clarifying their roles and mechanisms. Our research into metabolic syndrome and the effects of mushrooms and polyphenols on the central nervous system is aiding the development of prevention and treatments for a range of illnesses.
Ganoderma lucidum, shelf fungus, prevented cancer and influenza
Electronics and Computer Science Course
Electromagnetic energy engineering laboratory
Development of high-performance charged particle beam sources
Various charged particle beam technologies such as ion beam and electron beam are widely used in the microfabrication of materials and thin-film depositions. Recently these technologies have been advanced remarkably in the medical and space fields. In our laboratory, we study the production of high-performance charged particle beams (including neutral beam) and incorporate them into these applications. For example, we have succeeded in producing cluster ion beams which yield film deposition of super high speed using both the specific gas flow and VHF plasma.
Ion beams using a multi-hollow cathode plasma for solar cell fabrication
Social Environmental Science Course
Architectural design laboratory
Our lab aims to design attractive urban areas by visualizing city information
By visualizing environmental indicators of residential areas using computer simulations of GIS and 3D models, our lab effectively assesses methods of behavioral support. Our research contributes to practical design methods that can help promote more attractive urban development in cooperation with existing cities, such as Iizuka and Tagawa.
3D bldg use map around Shibuya Station