Disease Model

Prof. Osamu Kaminuma

【Research Keyword】
Experimental animals, Immunology, Genetic modification, Genome editing, Somatic cell cloning, Radiation effects, T cell, Allergy

【Recent highlights】
Using CD4-positive T cells expressing antigen-specific T cell receptors, we successfully generated the world's first cloned mouse lines (EMBO Rep, 18:885, 2017). These mice could be obtained in about two months without genetic modification, allowing for the creation of various immune disease models that develop in a short period of time. It is also becoming clear that this T-cell cloned mouse technology can be used for analyzing radiation effects with changes in T-cell repertoire and for detailed analyses of pathogenic T cells, which are normally present only in small numbers in vivo. We hope that this research will lead to breakthroughs in radiation medicine and immunology in the near future.

【Department of Disease Model】 

Name Title
Osamu Kaminuma Professor
Nariaki Fujimoto Associate Professor
Kento Miura Assistant Professor

【Education】
It is hard to elucidate all of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of human diseases from the clinical analysis alone. In our department, we develop and analyze new disease models useful for fully elucidating human diseases and developing therapeutic strategies. Our goal is to develop outstanding human resources who are capable of applying their ideas to produce original findings with learning various cutting-edge approaches to elucidate the origins of various diseases and the roles of their key cells and molecules.

【Research】
We are generating animal models for research in radiation effects by using novel genetic modification, genome editing, and somatic cell clone technologies. We are elucidating cellular and molecular mechanisms and developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods for immunological diseases.
 1) Generation and application of novel T cell cloned mice
 2) Generation of analyzing system for radiation effects using model animals
 3) Development and analysis of human disease model animals
 4) Analysis of antigen- and radiation-mediated hypersensitivity
 5) Investigation into the role and regulatory mechanisms of T cells in immune diseases
 6) Analysis of pathogenesis and development of novel treatment for COVID-19
 7) Development of novel diagnosis and therapeutic means for cancers
 8) Investigation into therapeutic mechanisms of immunotherapy
 9) Generation of novel genome editing technologies


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