Elucidation of regulatory mechanisms underlying self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells

Research by the Stem Cell Therapy Division focuses on investigation of stem cell biology using the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) as a research model.

Recent identification of a variety of stem cell sources, including embryonic and somatic (tissue-specific) stem cells, has brought about substantial progress in the field of stem cell research. The HSC represents the first stem cell for which identity and existence have been determined. Studies on HSCs have provided us with various basic concepts applicable to different types of stem cells, however many of these concepts still remain unverified.

It is important to continue our progress in basic research studies to gain further understanding and provide answers to the many important questions currently left unsolved. This research will ultimately provide valuable contributions to the fields of biological research and clinical medicine.

HSCs are capable of continuous supply of all lineages of blood cells to each individual for his or her entire life. Both self-renewal and multilineage differentiation potentials enable this task. One major advantage in HSC research lies in that established assay systems allow clonal analysis of each individual stem cell. Using a defined assay system, we can test capabilities of self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation at single cell levels using either in vitro or in vivo assays. It is believed HSC research will eventually make important contributions to the development of safe and efficacious regenerative medicine and gene therapy.

Establishing New Technology for Stem Cell Therapy and Connecting Basic Science and Clinical Medicine.

We are working to uncover new diseases, elucidating the causes of disease and developing therapeutic modalities by connecting the knowledge and methodology of basic science such as immunology, molecular biology, cell biology and developmental engineering with clinical medicine.

Research Division Leader

Professor Satoshi Yamazaki

Research Division Leader