Research

Cell Differentioation on Micro-Patterns

We are researching the effects of 3D topological patterns of substrates on stem cell differentiation. The results show that a specific pattern promotes the differentiation of murine mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblast -like cells. As this effect is thought to be due to tension made by actin fibers, it is suggested that intracellular tension might control the cell differentiation.

 

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Cartilage Regeneration

Regenerated articular cartilages are expected as one of promising methods to treat osteoarthritis. We are trying to regenerate articular cartilages by using physical stimulations such as shear stress, hydrostatic pressure, compressive stress and ultra-sound loadings. Additionally, we are researching scaffold-free cartilage models. We are trying to combine scaffold-free models with the physical stimulations for achieving “articular” cartilage-like tissues.

 

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Bood Vessel Regeneration

We are developing bioreactors for regenerating blood vessel under shear stress and hydrostatic pressure. We are trying to fix the adequate conditions for promoting the regeneration of blood vessel, including the design of bioreactors and development of evaluation protocols.

 

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Bone Regeneration

We are trying to develop bioreactors for bone regeneration, realizing interstitial flows into 3D calcium phosphate scaffolds. We are also trying to combine 3D fabrication techniques of scaffolds and bioreactor planning techniques for realizing to regenerate physiological bone structures.

 

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25423088

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25215543

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24764314

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23983180

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19160373

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19002585

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18041721

bonetissueeng.pdf

Uterus Regeneration

We are challenging to regenerate uteri in order to solve sterility issues coursed by acquired diseases. Based on murine decellularized uterus tissues, we are trying to make partially generated uteri comparable with native tissues from mechanical, biochemical and structural points of view.

 

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Bioreactor Development

We are trying to develop diverse bioreactors, which enable to regenerate 3D tissues under physical stimulations, such as shear stress, hydrostatic pressure, compressive stress and ultrasound loadings.

 

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Development of Blood Flow Simulator

We are developing a blood flow simulator for evaluating hemo-compatible biomaterials. The developed simulator can realize real-time imaging of platelet adhesions to biomaterials under static, pulsatile and turbulence flow conditions.

 

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Mechano-Transduction

It is well known that living cells can sense diverse physical stimulations, and induce intracellular signaling, resulting in changes in gene expressions. We are trying to elucidate those mechanisms by molecular biological approaches and real-time imaging.

 

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Stereolithography for Scaffolds

Scaffolds are indispensable in regenerative medicine in order to fabricate regenerated tissues in 3D manners. We are trying to fabricate scaffolds having not only outer 3D shapes but also internal micro-structures. For that purpose, we adopt to use laser-based stereolithography. In addition, we are trying to use decellularized tissues having complicated internal structures.

 

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Non-Invasive Measurement of Regenerated Tissues by Tera-Hertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

As regenerated tissues are not mass-products but tailor-made ones, it is keenly required in regenerative medicine to develop a new modality for realize non-invasive measurement of regenerated tissues. We are trying to realize it by tera-hertz time-domain spectroscopy, focusing inter-molecular vibration of water molecules in the tissues.

 

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