Clarification of the Biological Functions of Sugar Chains and the Use of this Knowledge in Applied Technologies

Research Supervisor

Naoyuki Taniguchi(Endowed Chair, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University / Group Director, RIKEN Frontior Research System, Systems Glycobiology Research Group)

Year Started

2002

Outline

The goal of this research area is to clarify currently unknown biological functions of sugar chains in glycoproteins, glycolipids and proteoglycans and to apply this knowledge to unsolved biomedical problems. Specifically, this area includes the clarification of the new functions regarding roles of sugar chains and the control mechanisms in the central nervous functions, morphogenesis and differentiation and studies of possible applications such as suppressing cancer invasion and metastasis and the prevention of infection by means of the remodeling of sugar chains. This area also includes the research on the development of the methods for modulation of immune control directed toward disease prevention, diagnosis and therapy. Research directed toward the development of methods for the ultra-microanalysis of sugar chains and technology that will permit visualizing dynamic changes in signal transduction that are directly related to sugar chains are also included.

Year Started : 2004

Taroh Kinoshita

Professor, Osaka University

Relating Sugar Chains' Structures and Localization with their Biological Functions

Takeshi Tsubata

Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Studies on the Roles of Carbohydratemediated Signaling in Acquired Immunity and its Application to Disease Control

Yoshio Hirabayashi

Team Leader, RIKEN

Expression and Regulation of Neuronal Function through Glycosylation System

Koichi Honke

Professor, Kochi University

Functions of Glycoconjugates in the Membrane Microdomains in Pathophysiological Processes

Year Started : 2003

Kohji Itoh

Professor, The University of Tokushima

Development of Recombinant Lysosomal Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Brain Diseases Based on the Specific Functions of Oligosaccharides

Jin-ichi Inokuchi

Professor, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University

Molecular Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes via Insulin Signaling in Membrane Microdomains

Hiroshi Nakada

Professor, Kyoto Sangyo University

Analysis of Immunosuppressive Effect by Mucins in Tumor-bearing State and Clinical Application

Kazuya Nomura

Associate Professor, Kyushu University

Strategic Analysis of Carbohydrate Functions through Gene Knockouts

Taeko Miyagi

Director, Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute

Molecular Mechanisms of Aberrant Expression of Sialidase in Cancer and Diabetes and their Regulation for Therapeutic Purposes

Yoko Fujita- Yamaguchi

Professor, Tokai University

Production of Single Chain Antibodies against a Variety of Carbohydrate Epitopes

Year Started : 2002

Yukishige Ito

Chief Scientist, RIKEN

Investigation on the Functions of Glycan Chains in Glycoprotein Quality Control

Reiji Kannagi

Chief, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute

Elucidating the Functional Roles of Glycoconjugates in Cell-Cell Interactions During Cancer Progression

Makoto Kiso

Professor, Gifu University

Studies on Development of Novel Glycotherapeutics to Control Infection and Symbiosis

Nobuto Koyama

General Manager, Takara Bio Inc.

Prevention against and Treatment for Cancer and Viral Diseases

Yasuo Suzuki

Professor, Chubu University

Functional Glycomics of Viral Infection and its Application for the Development of Antiviral Agents

Shoko Nishihara

Professor, Soka University

Elucidation of the Roles of Glycans using RNAi Technology