Hiroki Ida

Integrated analysis of endogenous membrane vesicles by single vesicle biopsy

Researcher

Hiroki Ida

Outline

Intracellular dynamics of membrane vesicles, such as substance containment mechanism inside endogenous membrane vesicles and uptake / decomposition process in target cells, are unclear. In order to solve this problem, the new analytical technique focusing on individual membrane vesicles is indispensable, which complement the conventional method for secreted vesicles. Therefore, I will develop “single vesicle biopsy” which can directly collect intracellular particles and evaluate the content, like a tissue level biopsy.

Koshi Imami

Development of exo-proteomics technologies to monitor the dynamics and cellular response of exosomes

Researcher

Koshi Imami

Outline

This research aimes to develop quantitative exo-proteomic technologies that allows us to monitor the dynamics and cellular response of exosomes.To this end, I will develop key technologies for 1) profiling exosome-containing proteome, 2) monitoring cellular responses induced by exosomes and 3)capturing interactome dynamics of exosomes. Those techniques should allow us to reveal a whole life event of exosomes.

Akiko Eguchi

The role of microparticles for disease mediator as organ-to-organ communicator

Researcher

Akiko Eguchi

Outline

Chronic liver disease patients often complicate with sarcopenia and hepatic encephalopathy, but a molecular mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, I will define microparticles from damaged hepatocytes as a pathogenic mediator in organ-to-organ interaction and will reveal the microparticle localization, as well as the mechanism of disease progression. Based on the results, I will develop the biomarkers and will identify the therapeutic targets.

Ryuta Koyama

Microglial networks in function and control of exogenous fine particles in the brain

Researcher

Ryuta Koyama

Outline

Accumulating evidence suggests possible roles of air pollution-related fine particles such as particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) in the pathogenesis of brain diseases. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that link exogenous fine particles and brain diseases remain unclear. Here, this research aims to elucidate whether and how microglia, the brain-resident immune cells, modulate dynamics and functions of exogenous fine particles. Specifically, real time imaging of microglia-fine particle interaction will be performed to examine the hypothesis that microglial networks utilize fine particles as transmitters to efficiently alarm immune systems in the brain. In addition, this study investigates whether and how the reaction of microglial network to fine particle affects the pathogenesis of depressive disorders.

Yan Xu

One-Step Isolation, Arraying and Integrated Analysis of Single Exosomes Using aifA

Researcher

Yan Xu

Outline

Currently, the greatest challenge in the elucidation of the biological significance of exosomes and the development of clinical technology targeted at exosomes is the difficulty of isolation, detection and analysis of exosomes due to their small particle sizes. In this study, I will establish an innovative integrated technology allowing simple one-step isolation/arraying, rapid high-throughput detection, and high-precision analysis of single exosomes by using our original nanofluidic device technology. Through the study, I aims to develop a general exosome tool that everyone can easily use anywhere.

Susumu Nakae

Analysis of pathogenic roles of chitin particles in airway inflammation

Researcher

Susumu Nakae

Outline

Chitin, β-(1-4)-poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, which is a major component of house dust mites (HDM), fungi, crustaceans, etc., can activate immune cells, suggesting that it contributes to development of allergic disorders such as asthma. In the present study, we elucidate the mechanism by which the inhaled chitin particles are removed from the body, and the mechanism of pathogenic roles of chitin particles in the development of allergic disorders.

Takahiro Hamada

Towards understanding and control of small RNA trafficking in plants

Researcher

Takahiro Hamada

Outline

Plant small RNA trafficking is essential for plant embryogenesis and developments. However, the molecular mechanism of plant small RNA trafficking is largely unknown. The project focuses on both intracellular and intercellular small RNA trafficking and tries to understand how small RNAs localize to specific area in cells and transport between cells by biochemistry, cell biology and mutant analyses. The project provides seeds of agricultural technologies to regulate gene expression independent with transgenic technologies.

Naonobu Fujita

Analysis of mechanisms and biological significance of the autophagy-mediated secretory pathway

Researcher

Naonobu Fujita

Outline

The aim of this project is to uncover molecular mechanisms and biological significance of autophagy-mediated secretion. The route is one of the unconventional secretary pathways in the cells and largely unknown. Combined with an original in vivo assay system and powerful genetics of Drosophila melanogaster, I will identify a set of genes required for the autophagy-mediated secretion. Through functional analysis of the identified genes, I will elucidate the mechanisms and significance of the pathway.

Ayuko Hoshino

Unravelling the mechanism of brain targeted disease-related exosomes

Researcher

Ayuko Hoshino

Outline

This research focuses on disease-related exosomes that targets brain. The study aims to characterize the exosomal cargo,to elucidate the mechanism of disease-related exosomes have on brain microenvironment and to unravel the effect exosomes have on etiology of the disease.

Hiroki Mizuno

in vivo functional imaging of extracellular vesicles

Researcher

Hiroki Mizuno

Outline

In this study, I will visualize extracellular vesicles secreted by osteoblasts in living tissues by using a two-photon excitation microscopy. Furthermore, a new experimental system would be established to evaluate the influence of extracellular vesicle secretion and uptake on cell function in vivo and to identify its molecular basis. Based on the analysis of the vesicles in bone metabolism, this project aims to elucidate the entity of cellular function regulated by extracellular vesicles in vivo.

Satoshi Yoshida

Identification of genes involved in Unconventional Protein Secretion in yeast.

Researcher

Satoshi Yoshida

Outline

We perform a genome-wide screen to identify genes involved in unconventional protein secretion in budding yeast and characterize their function.