Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation (Stemopia)

Our group research interests focus on the early human development and identifying the causes of diseases using human pluripotent stem cell (hESC) and cord blood hematopoietic stem cell (HSC). To understand such complex and diverse biological mechanisms underlying the human’s early development and diseases, we take multi-omics approaches such as transcriptome, metabolome, and single cell transcriptome to examine relations of genotype-phenotype-functionality.

I. Analysis on the Characteristics of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell

As Human pluripotent stem cells are equipped with an ability to self-renew and differentiate into ~200 functional cells, they are a promising source of cell therapeutic products with unique cell functions and mechanism. A core area of research addresses changes in intracellular organelle, intracellular stress reaction, and metabolic mechanism of three types of human pluripotent stem cells; embryonic stem cell (ESC), induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), and somatic cell nuclear transfer stem cell (SCNT). Especially, in order to explore changes in intracellular organelles and stress during the process of differentiation/reprogramming, transcriptome, microRNAs, metabolome, and single cell transcriptome are routinely performed to provide evidence to develop highly efficacious cell therapeutic agents.

II. Establishment of Organoid & Disease Modeling

We are currently establishing a protocol for a multi-organoid, which provides an in vitro tool to elucidate the causes of genetic disorders or intractable diseases, and disease modeling. We establish patient-specific iPSCs from the individuals suffering from a genetically inherited disorder and using an hESC line with a genetic defect, we have established a vascular modeling system to study the cause and find a cure for hereditary neurovascular disease. In addition, we perform the functional analysis of lung that has a genetic deficiency at the single cell level using a lung organoid.

III. Development of Metabolism-Targeting New Drug for Acute Leukemia

The incidence rate of acute leukemia is constantly increasing by 5-10% every year, but only ~30% of the patient is cured by the existing medicines. It is necessary to explore the unique and new metabolic mechanisms of cancer cells for the development next-generation anticancer drugs. One strategy would be to develop a targeted anticancer drug that can detect and control the specific metabolism of tumor cells, especially metabolic regulatory enzymes in the mitochondria. In our lab, a joint research team is formed to develop an anti-cancer drug targeting a mitochondria specific carbonic anhydrase 5 (CA5A/B). An in-depth analysis of metabolome and mechanism of leukemic cells would open the way for developing a new metabolism-targeting anti-cancer drug