Chair YAMANASHI Yuji
Development and progression of cancer is a multi-step process associated with structural and functional alteration of various genes, including those involved in regulation of cell growth, differentiation, aging, regeneration, and cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction. In the Department of Cancer Biology, we aim to clarify the entire picture of tumor development and progression and aging based on these gene products. To do so, we apply various multidisciplinary approaches in addition to molecular and cellular biological techniques and mouse genetics, such as proteomics, molecular imaging, structural biology, physical chemistry, and mathematical sciences. Our goal is to understand the molecular bases of cell growth, differentiation and aging, malignant transformation, tumor invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance, with regard to pathogenic mechanisms in human cancer. The findings of our research will provide innovative targets for translational research. Ongoing research investigations are as follows. Division of Genetics: 1) Studies on molecular signals that regulate a variety of cellular activities, aiming to address how deregulated cellular signals cause neoplastic, neuromuscular or other intractable disorders. 2) Pathophysiological analyses of animal models for the above-mentioned diseases, aiming to develop new therapeutic approaches. Division of Cancer Cell Biology: 1) Elucidation of in vivo anticancer mechanisms and development of innovative cancer therapies. 2) Studies on regulatory mechanisms of in vivo aging. 3) Molecular basis underlying DNA methylation abnormalities in early stages of carcinogenesis. Division of Aging and Regeneration: Studies on the mechanisms of tissue regeneration, aging, and carcinogenesis with a focus on tissue stem cells, and development of technologies to control them.