Research Groups

Strategic issue１：
Development of cell/tissue diagnostic technology using spectroscopic imaging

・Label-free imaging technology for molecules in cells/tissues
・Pharmacological evaluation, quality evaluation, and diagnostic technology based on label-free imaging information
・Development of cell/tissue chip devices that detect multimodal information

Aim of the research

The acquisition of biological information through label-free/minimally invasive cell imaging is becoming increasingly important as medical devices, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery technologies mature. On the other hand, the biological information that can be obtained non-invasively using conventional methods is limited, and the application of new technologies such as Raman spectroscopy is desired.
In order to meet the above needs, our group (Life Imaging Group) conducts research and development of pharmacological evaluation technology, regenerative medicine technology, and diagnostic technology that utilizes cell/tissue label-free spectroscopic imaging technology, and utilizes these research results in medical treatment. We will strongly promote implementation on devices.

Research content

※Label-free imaging technology for molecules in cells/tissues※
Development of technology to visualize the intracellular distribution of small metabolic molecules, ions, enzymes, lipids, nucleic acids, etc. in cells/tissues without labels by utilizing optical information using Raman scattering, Brillouin scattering, autofluorescence, OCT, etc. We are proceeding. We are also working on the development of label-free visualization technology for structural and molecular information on three-dimensional tissue structures such as spheroids, organoids, and pathological tissue sections.

※Pharmacological evaluation, quality evaluation, and diagnostic technology based on label-free imaging information※
Utilizing label-free imaging information of cells/tissues (including spheroids and organoids), we are developing applied research into pharmacological evaluation, quality evaluation of regenerative medical cell products, intraoperative diagnostic technology, etc. Specifically, we are working on the pharmacological evaluation of cranial nerves, the metabolic evaluation of hepatocytes/hepatic spheroids, the intraoperative/postoperative diagnosis of breast cancer, and the development of quality evaluation methods for cardiomyocytes and blood-brain barrier organoid models.

※Development of cell/tissue chip devices that detect multimodal information※
We are promoting the development of cell chips, MPS models, and devices that detect multimodal information obtained from label-free imaging of cellular tissues. We develop cell chips that immobilize chemical substances on the chip substrate surface and introduce molecules into cells, and tissue chips that have a blood-brain barrier structure, and evaluate cell/tissue responses using label-free imaging. These technologies will be implemented in society as chips/devices for evaluating drug discovery processes that replace animal experiments.

Technologies and intellectual property that can be linked

・Label-free molecular distribution analysis in cells/tissues
　　▫ Visualization of liver metabolic factors
　　▫ Application to drug discovery (discrimination of various diseases)
　　▫ Quality control of regenerative medicine products (cell products, etc.)
　　▫ Research and development using Brillouin scattering
・Cell chip/tissue chip, MPS technology
・Implementation of label-free imaging in POCT medical devices (blood cell tests, endoscopes, etc.)

Main achievements

・ Succeeded in simultaneously visualizing molecules related to liver metabolism and drug efficacy/toxicity using label-free intracellular molecular imaging
・ Proposed a new method for efficiently detecting neurotransmitters contained in neuronal synaptic vesicles