Advanced Medical Science, Medical Innovation Laboratory

In our laboratory, we can handle any research theme that ultimately benefits patients. And if we find unsolved problems that exist in the (medical) field and solve them, (medical) innovation would occur. Let’s work together, make big innovations and contribute in the medical and health fields.
Our main research is using clinical specimens to find the evidence and have some hypotheses. After that, we perform basic research including animal experiments to verify the hypotheses (proof of concept) and clarify the mechanisms. Ideally, we would like to develop new diagnostic or therapeutic methods that lead to solve the clinical problems, and apply them to clinics as translational research. The main research themes are presented below.

We aim to classify and identify disease-specific cells by incorporating single-cell analysis methods, including single cell RNA sequencing, into clinical research. In May 2022, we published the results of a comparative analysis of inflammatory cells present in stable and unstable atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries in Circulation.
This is also the beginning of single-cell genome-omics research in cardiovascular clinical research.
Furthermore, we hypothesize that disease may start in the bone marrow, which is the source of inflammatory and immune cells, and we are also conducting research on the bone marrow.
We will do our best to obtain knowledge on the pathology of new cardiovascular diseases and connect it to the development of new therapeutic methods. 　

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“Prevention of arteriosclerosis through intervening the intestine (intestinal immunity)” is a new concept proposed by our research group. In particular, we believe that intestinal immune modulation can control inflammatory diseases including atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (e.g. by inducing regulatory T cells). 　

We conducted a study on the relationship between gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease, and identified the type of gut flora characteristic of patients with coronary artery disease. Our laboratory is leading this field in the cardiovascular medicine in Japan. In addition, we have discovered gut microbiota with anti-inflammatory effects that can prevent atherosclerosis and control obesity, and are proceeding with development research on new live biotherapeutics products.
We also conducted a survey the relationship between heart failure/atrial fibrillation and gut microbiota. In addition, in joint research with a company, we are reporting the average gut microbiota of Japanese people and investigating the relationship with obesity, weight loss, and lifestyle-related diseases.

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Policy of the laboratory

• We value evidence from clinical research.
• We will focus on research that leads to the development of new therapeutic methods for diseases and the promotion of human health.
• Respect the interests and specialties of the affiliated researchers.
• We will also focus on joint research and development with companies.

We are looking for people who are interested in preventing cardiovascular disease and health management, including for the elderly, and who will work together to solve these problems.
We believe that the diversity of our affiliated researchers is important, and we would like to invite people with different backgrounds, other than medical researchers, to participate.
If you want to contribute to patients not only in clinical practice but also in research, please contact this labo (tomoya@med.kobe-u.ac.jp).