We are trying to develop a local DDS (drug delivery system) by using peptide and antibody specific for tumors. Tumors will be visualized by MRI combined with magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with targeting molecules. Local DDS will be possible by using temperature-sensitive ripozomes that contain anti-caner agents.

Our genome has movable elements that are occasionally integrated into the genome once 30-100 births. This project is to identify the role of retrotransposon in human diseases and clarify the mechanism of retrotransposition. This project also covers identification of human endogenous retroviruses involved in human diseases.

The applicants are expected to pursue medical applications of materials produced in hydrothermal reactions and of the functional nanoparticles, for example, dyeing materials for vitreous body, or fluorescent particles for drug delivery. No prior knowledge is necessary.

The objectives of the course are to learn fundamental knowledge and skills for conducting clinical researches. The course covers topics of biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, systematic reviews and cost-effectiveness analysis. The curriculum includes 1)reading basic textbooks, 2)exercise of PC statistical software, 3)conferences, 4)session for critical appraisal of medical literature, 5)designing your own research and writing proposal.

Aiming prevention of postsurgical peritoneal adhesion, cancer metastasis, and inflammation, we will analyze peritoneal exdating cells, cytokines and chemokine at the surgical stress.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the mechanism of inflammation-associated cancer. We will investigate the inflammation- and cancer-associated epigenetic changes including DNA hypermethylation in humans and mouse models.

This program provides opportunity to learn the methods of utilizing skin as a stem cell source. We isolate skin-derived precursor cells from mice and make spheres by using the floating culture method (neurosphere method). These spheres are differentiated then into neuronal cells under several conditions. Neuronal cells are identified as neurons by morphological observation and immunohistochemical analysis using several antibodies against neuronal marker proteins.

The objectives of this course are to understand the design and conduct of epidemiologic method and to develop practical skills for clinical research. After completing this course, participants should be able to 1) design case-control study, cohort study, and randomized controlled trial, 2) control bias and random variation and calculate sample size, 3) develop a questionnaire, and 4) conduct informed consent procedure.

Nosocomial infection measures are developed based on molecular epidemiological analysis of nosocomial pathogens, such as MRSA, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Only few doctors, who would like to gain a license for Infection Control Doctor in the future and to become one of the core members of Infection Control Team, have directly analyzed nosocomial pathogens in microbiology laboratories. In this program, a basic concept of clinical microbiology is acquired through the investigation of nosocomial infection cases and handling of nosocomial pathogens.

Main educational programs of our department are to have an experience with you to cultivate the immature primate embryonic stem cells in the non-feeder conditions and induce the differentiation of these cells also in the non-feeder culture conditions. In addition, we provide you with the opportunity to analyze mRNA and proteins before and after differentiation in primate embryonic stem cells.

Th-POK is a transcription factor that is critically involved in determination of lineage fate of CD4-helper and CD8-killer T cells. To elucidate the function of Th-POK in the lineage commitment process in the thymus, molecular and biochemical analysis of the Th-POK gene will be performed in this program. You will learn basic techniques in cellular biochemistry such as cell culture, gene cloning, protein analysis etc., as well as knowledge about recent immunology.

Using kidney samples of rat models for several chronic renal diseases including crescentic glomerulonephritis, membranous nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy, trainees are scheduled to perform immunostaining for leukocyte markers as well as proteins that have been shown or are assumed to be involved in the progression of chronic renal diseases. The target molecules include extracellular matrix proteins, cytokines, and transcription factors. Through this program, trainee will learn some immunostaining techniques and experience a part of ongoing research project on the pathogenesis of kidney diseases.

Autoantibodies, which recognize self antigens, are one of critical diagnostic marker for various autoimmune diseases, and play roles in development and maintenance of the diseases. We are going to examine whether a newly identified ribonucleic protein (RNP) could be a target of autoantibodies in patients and be a new diagnostic marker. In this program, you will experience several protocols commonly used in lab, such as ELISA, immunoblotting, protein expression and purification.