[Fine Particles] Function and control of fine particles in a living body

※ Affiliations and titles are as of the end of the research activity.

Strategic Objects

Elucidation of biological system of extracellular fine particles

Research Supervisor

photo

Akihiko Nakano (Deputy Director, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics)

Overview

 This research area will promote elucidation of dynamics and functions of fine particles in a living body and R&D on their control. We will address essential problems of biological phenomena caused by fine particles through this program.
 In recent years, effects of various fine particles from environment (exogenous fine particles) to a living body and functions of fine particles generated in a living body (endogenous fine particles) have been focused. For example, relationship between diseases and exogenous particles such as PM2.5 and carbon nanotubes etc. has been studied, and many novel diagnostic techniques based on in vivo dynamics of endogenous particles like exosomes have been reported.
 However, the processes of uptake, distribution and localization of exogenous fine particles in a living body are still unknown. On the other hand, it is still necessary to elucidate the generation process inside cells and the extracellular dynamics and biological significance of endogenous fine particles. This is an intrinsic problem on development of diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for diseases caused by these fine particles. In addition, due to variation of particle size and lack of good observation techniques, the quantitative analysis and understanding of the dynamics of these particles in a living body have not been elucidated sufficiently and accurately.
 To repeat, this research area will promote the elucidation of dynamics and functions of fine particles in a living body and R&D aimed at their control. More specifically, we will pursue the elucidation of biological systems to deal with extracellular fine particles, the development of practical methods based on new techniques to analyze in vivo dynamics of fine particles, and the development of new technologies that can contribute to our health based on the methods to control fine particles through identifying their biological significance. Then we will be able to contribute to various solutions of environmental and health problems.

Research Area Advisors

・Tatsuya Saitoh
Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University

・Ken Sato
Professor, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation Gunma University

・Mikiko Siomi
Professor, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo

・Kiyotaka Shiba
Chief, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research

・Takeo Tanaami
Manager, Marketing Headqaters, Yokogawa Electric Corporation

・Manabu Tokeshi
Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University

・Hitoshi Nakatogawa
Associate Professor, School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology

・Tatsuya Maeda
Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine

・Shigehiro Yamaguchi
Professor, Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University

・Tamotsu Yoshimori
Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University

Research Projects

  1. Year Started : 2017
  2. Year Started : 2018
  3. Year Started : 2019

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