Kyoto University - Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences
The Institute is focused on basic regenerative medicine, stem cell research, tissue engineering, and medical engineering.
The Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences was established in April 1998 with the main aim to promote the regeneration of tissues and organs as a tool for future clinical applications. The Institute integrates various research fields, such as biological science, medicine, and engineering.
The Institute is divided in four principle research areas: biological function, tissue engineering, regeneration control, clinical application.
Norio Nakatsuji DSc, Director
53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku,
Kyoto 606-8507
Japan
Prof. Yuji Hiraki, head of the Department of Cellular Differentiation, is interested in molecular interactions and signaling networks in cartilage, bone and vascular formation.
The research concept of Prof. Yasuhiko Tabata (Department of Biomaterials)is the investigation and development of methods, procedures, and technologies on the basis of material sciences.
The Department of Reparative Materials headed by Prof. Hiroo Iwata develops biomedical and biotechnological devices to progress cell transplantation and tissue engineering.
The Field of Regeneration Control is organised in the Department of Development and Differentiation that analyses molecular and cellular mechanisms to control function of stem cells and differentiation of mammalian germ cells, the Department of Stem Cell Biology aiming to generate pluripotent cells directly from adult cells by identifying factors that can induce nuclear reprogramming, the Department of Growth Regulation and the Department of Immunology.
The main research topic of Prof. Junya Toguchida from the Department of Tissue Regeneration is to understand the mechanisms of tissue regeneration by using cancer cells as model system. The Department of Organ Reconstruction is focused on therapies for Diabetes mellitus by developing bioartificial pancreas and differentiation of islet-like cells from stem cells.
Assoc. Prof. Tatsuo Nakamura of the Department of Bioartificial Organs creates appropriate environments within the body to support the body’s own cells to proliferate and differentiate.
The affiliated Stem Cell Resaerch Center, directed by Prof. Norio Nakatsuji, includes the Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, the Laboratory of Stem Cell Differentaiation, and the Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering.