An organelle is a specialized compartment within a cell that has a specific function, and is usually enclosed separately within its own lipid bilayer. When cellular activities occur, various materials are transported among organelles. Our aim is to uncover the regulatory mechanism of this material transport and to study organelle biogenesis. We also seek to establish cellular systems that can be useful for the development of medicines and cosmetics. The research in our lab involves an in-depth exposure to the wide range of methodological approaches used in contemporary biology, from fundamental molecular/cellular biological techniques to advanced cellular imaging.
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Introduction to Projects

Development of intracellular drug delivery methods

To reduce the side effects of drugs and reduce the burden on patients, it is very important to deliver drugs accurately to the lesion. Currently, various methods have been developed and put to practical use. We aim to improve medical condition by delivering specific medicines accurately to organelles which are intracellular functional compartments.

Establishing extrem secretory cell lines

Digestive enzymes, hormones, receptors are produced in cells and transported outside the cell and the cell surface. This is called secretion. We are developing cells with higher secretory function by various methods with the aim of eliminating dysfunction of digestive enzymes and endoplasmic reticulum stress which is known to lead to cell death.

Establishing alternatives to animal experiments

Animal experiments are essential for evaluating the safety of pharmaceuticals and materials. However, in some industries, rules have been enacted that do not use materials evaluated by animal experiments. For this reason, establishing a new evaluation method to replace animal experiments is in progress. We aim to contribute to reduction of animal experiment by establishing new evaluation method in addition to existing animal experiment alternative method.

Biotechnological application of red tide causing algae for the production of useful substances

Even in the Seto Inland Sea where Okayama is facing, red tides sometimes cause serious damage. Red tide is known to be caused by explosive proliferation of algae in certain conditions. We are exploring the cultivation conditions of the causative algae and establishing genetic modification technology with the aim of making use of the explosive proliferation power of red tide cause algae for production of pharmaceuticals and materials.