Ishitani Lab／Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology  Department of Homeostatic Regulation

In our body, cells recognize their position and role and behave accordingly via cell-cell communication. Such behavior supports tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis, while its dysregulation is involved in congenital malformation, cancer, degenerative diseases, and aging. We focus especially on the cell-cell communication and behavior supporting tissue homeostasis and explore unknown molecular systems controlling embryonic development, organogenesis, regeneration, aging, and disease, using in vivo imaging, animal model genetics, molecular and cell biology, and biochemistry techniques.

A new concept of tissue homeostasis “Morphostasis”

Developing animal tissues are reproducibly formed in the same shape even in the presence of internal fluctuations and external perturbations (developmental robustness). Adult tissues also maintain a stable morphology while replacing old or damaged cells with new healthy cells (tissue homeostasis).

but its dysregulation is involved in various diseases. We are focusing common ground between "developmental robustness" and "tissue homeostasis" and regard it as "Morphostasis". Specifically, using a zebrafish as a model animal which issuitable for in vivo imaging analysis of cell-cell communication

and t issue dynamics and genetic analysis, we are exploring unknown molecular systems supporting developmental robustness and testing their potential roles in adult t issue homeostasis and their dysregulation in disease. We try to combine developmental biology and disease study to establish

a new concept of tissue homeostasis.

Aging programs and their regulation

We are tackling the exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying individual aging. Aging mechanisms have been studied using worm (C.elegans) and fly (Drosophila)as model animals because their life spans are very short . However, their organs are quite different from those of human. In addit

ion, the life spans of mouse and zebrafish, which are well used as human disease model, are very long (3-4yearsl. So, researchers have been searching for short-lived vertebrates. Our lab is using a short-lived fish "turquoise killifish" (the life span of which is 3-6monthsl as a new aging model. This fish

shows age-dependent decline of motility, fertility, and cognitive function, similar to human. We are challenging the clarification of human aging mechanisms and the development of new technique extending "healthy life expectancy" , using turquoise killifish!