TOKAI UNIVERSITY Researchers Guide 2020

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Genomic instability is a hallmark of most human cancers and is a main impetus behind the conversion of premalignant cells into a more malignant state through the acquisition of multiple somatic mutations. Defects in DNA repair are major contributors to genomic instability in cancer and also play a critical role in the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Thus, it is important to elucidate the cellular processes involved in DNA repair to achieve greater understanding of cancer and to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. We are especially interested in two DNA repair pathways:1) the Fanconi anemia-BRCA pathway, and2) the DGCR8-mediated UV response pathway.ResearchAreasMedicine, dentistry, and pharmacyKeyword■DNA repair■Cancer■Drug resistance■Fanconi anemia■UVRelatedresearchSDGDNA repair and cancerProfessorToshiyasu TaniguchiUndergraduate School of MedicineFaculty of Medicine Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine CourseThus far, I have been engaging in research studies on the molecular pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), using genetical, molecular biological, biochemical, cell biological and histological techniques in conjunction with the use of genetically engineered mice as well as patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, despite of extensive world-wide eorts, the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases remains unclear. The aims and objectives of my research include the understanding of molecular bases of diseases and the development of novel mechanism-based therapeutics to treat patients with such neurological disorders.ResearchAreasMedicine, dentistry, and pharmacyKeyword■Neurological diseases■Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis （ALS）■Molecular pathogenesis■TherapeuticsRelatedresearchSDGPathomechanism and therapeutic research studies on neurodegenerative diseasesProfessorShinji HadanoUndergraduate School of MedicineFaculty of Medicine Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine CourseThe Notch system is a widely conserved and important regulator of dierentiation and is known to contribute to cell lineage determination. We have elucidated the signicance of the Notch system in T cell development. Based on this, we are currently investigating 1) the downstream events of Notch signaling in T cell dierentiation and 2) Notch signaling-induced immune responses, particularly the regulation of differentiation of various eector and regulatory T cells on the mucosal surface.ResearchAreasMedicine, dentistry, and pharmacyKeyword■T cells■Thymus■Notch■Inammatory bowel diseaseRelatedresearchSDGMolecular understanding of the regulation of T cell dierentiation and functionProfessorKatsuto HozumiUndergraduate School of MedicineFaculty of Medicine Basic Medical Science and Molecular Medicine Course106