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This project aims to form and enforce the scientific technology platform that contributes to the generation of innovative new industry. This will be done by constructing an organized cooperative framework among regional universities, endowed institutions, research, development type firms, etc. and promoting systematic cooperative research by assembling eminent human related material in the fields of major research which should be nationally promoted.
Kobe city was elected the project starting area from fiscal 2000 as a special budget of economic stimulus measures (reserved for "Millennium Project") by the Science and Technology Agency in September 2000
Project Operating Body:
The Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation
Project Term:
As a principle, five years starting in fiscal 2000.
Project name:
Regenerative Cell Therapy
Research themes:
1.Systems for practical Medical Treatments
We are developing systems for the growth of cells in large volume outside the body and systems for the lomg-term storage of cells.The growth of blood producting cells is being pursued for clinical treatment of leukemia (Organizations: Kyoto Univ., Osaka Univ., Kobe City General Hospital and others.)
2.Methods to Verify Treatment Efficacy
We are developing methods for the non-invasive evaluation of trnsplanted cells to determine the efficacy of the cell transplantation treatments. Methods under evaluation include Functional MRI and Position Emission Tomograohy(PET) (Organizations: Fukui Medical Univ., and others.)
3.Translational Research
As part of our transfer of scientific results to ptactical medical applications, we are developing cell differentiation methods to direct mouse embryonic stem cells to become insulin producing cells. We are also looking at ways to effectively select such differentiated cells.(Organizations: Osaka Univ., Kobe Univ., and others.
4.Commercialization of Core Technologies
Targeting next generation regenetive cell therapies,wa are developing new ways to selectively differentiate cells needed for transplantation. We are also identifying genes that are indispensable in the differentiation process. (Organizations: Kyoto Univ., Osaka Univ., Kobe Univ. and others.)
Core laboratory
Project director:
Dr. Masayoshi Murakami, M.D.,
Director, Clinical research coordination Department,
Foundation for Biochemical Research and Innovation
Director of Research:
Dr. Shin-ichi Nishikawa, M.D.
Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto Univ.
Core organization:
Foundation for Biochemical Research and Innovation
Technology Facilitator
Special researcher of The New Industry Research Organization(NIRO)
Participating Research Organizations
Kyoto Univ., Osaka Univ., Kobe Univ., Fukui Medical Univ.
Kobe City General Hospital
Collaborative research companies
Future Plans:
Concrete plans will be set up and the project will be put into actual operation after necessary adjustments with the Japan Science and Technology Corporation have been completed. |
