Research Field

Stem cell biology, Regenerative therapy, Hematology

Research Interests

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) govern life-long maintenance of blood cell generation through their extraordinary capacities for "self-renewal" and "multi-differentiation". At steady state, HSCs show quiescent state to prevent excess cell divisions, thereby contributing to long-term maintenance of hematopoietic homeostasis. But, upon stress hematopoiesis after irradiation or the administration of anti-cancer drug, HSCs actively divide to regenerate hematopoietic system through self-renewal. However, it remains unclear how HSC divisions or fate are regulated. We have interested in the mechanism for the regulation of self-renewal division or cell fate in HSCs especially during bone marrow regeneration. Our research output is expected to contribute to the development of technologies for regenerative therapies by using HSCs.

The focuses of our research:

1. Clarifying the mechanism how stem cells regulate self-renewing divisions or their fate.
2. Developing technologies for ex vivo manipulation/maintain/expansion of HSCs.