We study the molecular mechanisms how cancer related genes (TMEPAI, THG-1,
MafK) work, which we originally identified from the study of transforming
growth factor-β in cancer development. Through these works, we are aiming
to establish the novel methods to treat and prevent cancers. At the same
time, we analyze the kinetics of cancer stem cells in the earliest carcinogenic
lesions by combined research in molecular biology including the generation
of genetically modified mice and 3 dimensional quantitative histopathology
in which cell numbers and cellular growth kinetics are analyzed in 3 dimensional
tissue units reconstructed in computers from serial sections to propose
a novel theory of carcinogenesis.
Projects for Regular Students in Doctoral or Master’s Programs
1) Molecular mechanisms of TGF-β related molecules (TMEPAI, MafK etc.)
in colonic stem cells maintenance and carcinogenesis using gene-manipulated
mice and three dimensional histopathological analysis.
2) Molecular mechanisms of TGF-β related molecules (THG1 etc.) in squamous
cell carcinoma formation.
Study Programs for Short Stay Students (one week ~ one trimester)
1) Pathological tissue preparation, Immunohistochemistry and 3D reconstruction
2) In vitro tumorigenic assays (cell proliferation, sphere forming assay,
scratch assay, matrigel invasion assay, 3D culture invasion assay etc.)
Laboratory of Experimental Pathology
Institute of Medicine and
Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences
University of Tsukuba
1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
