Fundamental Technologies for Medicine Concerning the Generation and Regulation of Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells

Outline

The objective of this research area is to establish fundamental technologies contributing to advanced medicine through the development of cellular reprogramming technology. Remarkable progress has been made in this field recently, especially the generation of iPS cells. The research objectives include the advancement and simplification of this technology, the elucidation of pathological mechanisms through the development of model cells, the formulation of new therapy strategies, and novel methods for the early discovery of diseases.
Specifically, included is research on cellular reprogramming and differentiation mechanisms using genomics, chromosome structure and epigenetic analysis; research on gene transfer regulation; high-throughput screening of reprogramming-inducing compounds; and research using iPS cells generated from patients with congenital diseases for the elucidation of pathological mechanisms. Moreover, the research also covers an area that may lead to the pioneering of new therapy methods and preventive medicine through the integration of stem cell research and pathological studies.

Strategic Sector

Creation of Innovative Basic Medical Technologies by Stem Cell Manufacturing and Control Based on Cell Reprogramming

Research Projects

Year Started : 2010
Research Director	Affiliation	Research Project
Masaki Ieda	Lecturer, Keio University	Direct Reprogramming of Fibroblasts into Cardiomyocytes by Defined Factors and Its Application to Potential Regenerative Therapies
Mineo Kurokawa	Professor, The University of Tokyo	Search for pathogenesis and novel therapeutics of hematological malignancies based on generation of iPS cells from primary tumor cells
Yutaka Hanazono	Professor, Jichi Medical University	The Generation of High-Quality Human iPS Cells And Their Characterization
Atsushi Miyajima	Professor, The University of Tokyo	Construction of functional liver tissues using iPS cells
Ken-ichi Yamamura	Professor, Kumamoto University	Establishment of the mouse model with human liver derived from iPS cells and its use for experimental therapy
Minoru Yoshida	Team Leader, RIKEN	Chemical Regulation of Nuclear Epigenome and Mitochondrial Genome

Year Started : 2009
Research Director	Affiliation	Research Project
Haruhisa Inoue	Associate Professor, Kyoto University	Development of personalized preventive medicine toward neurodegenerative diseases based on pathomechanistic insight explored by iPS cell technology
Takumi Era	Professor, Kumamoto University	Analysis of molecular basis of stem cell generation using guided differentiation of iPS cell into tissue stem cells
Mitinori Saitou	Professor, Kyoto University	A comprehensive analysis of the mechanism underlying the genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming in the germ cell lineage and its application
Nobuyuki Takakura	Professor, Osaka University	Analysis of molecular mechanisms involved in physiological cell reprogramming
Yoshiko Takahashi	Professor, Nara Institute of Science and Technology	In vivo directed reprogramming of neural crest cells
Noriyuki Tsumaki	Associate Professor, Osaka University	Directed induction of chondrogenic stem / progenitor cells from dermal fibroblast culture by defined factors
Eisuke Nishida	Professor, Kyoto University	Molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in cell reprogramming and differentiation

Year Started : 2008
Research Director	Affiliation	Research Project
Shunsuke Ishii	Chief Scientist, RIKEN	Mechanism of Reprogramming by Germ Cell Histones
Atsushi Iwama	Professor, Chiba University	Manipulation of Epigenetic Status of Hematopoietic Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine
Akihiko Okuda	Professor, Saitama Medical University	Invention of Devices for Elevating Security Level of iPS Cells Through Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of iPS Cell Generation
Mitsuo Oshimura	Professor, Tottori University	Towards Ideal iPS Cells for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine using a Human Artifi cial Chromosome (HAC)
Haruhiko Koseki	Group Director, RIKEN	Isolation of Molecular Markers that Represent Pluripotency and Tumorigenicity of Human iPS Cells
Hideyuki Saya	Professor, Keio University	Analysis of Abnormal Regulation of Cell Differentiation and Drug Development Research by using Induced Cancer Stem Cells
Takashi Shinohara	Professor, Kyoto University	Analysis of Reprogramming Mechanism of Germline Stem Cells
Satoru Senju	Associate Professor, Kumamoto University	Research on iPS Cell-Derived Dendritic Cells And Macrophages Aiming At Clinical Application
Hitoshi Niwa	Project Leader, RIKEN	Analysis of the Transcription Factor Network Governing Establishment of Pluripotency in Somatic Cells
Yoshihiro Yoneda	Professor, Osaka University	A Novel and Effi cient Method of Cellular Reprogramming using Human Artifi cial Chromosomes (HACs).

Research Area Website: http://www.ipscc.jst.go.jp/english/index.html