Tackling Food and Health-Related Issues
Elucidating the Functions of Food and Applying them to Promote Health
Certain foods contain trace amounts of polyphenols, which are thought to confer health benefits to humans. Our laboratory aims to advance human health by identifying food constituents with potential health-promoting properties and elucidating, at the molecular level, the mechanisms by which these constituents function within the human body and cellular processes.
Research on Breast Milk-Producing Tissue: From Cancer Treatment to Maternal and Child Health
A mother nursing her newborn with breast milk exemplifies a distinctive mammalian mechanism, including humans. The mammary glands responsible for producing breast milk are tissues that become functional exclusively during pregnancy and lactation, and are also associated with breast cancer. Our research is focused on identifying and functionally analyzing biological regulatory factors related to the morphological and functional changes in mammary glands and breast milk components, with potential applications for cancer prevention and treatment, as well as maternal and child health.
Pursuing Research on Appetite
In recent years, issues related to eating, such as overeating and loss of appetite, have become progressively more severe. Nonetheless, the fundamental mechanisms responsible for appetite regulation and the selection of specific foods from a range of options remain poorly understood. Additionally, the factors influencing changes in food preferences with experience and aging are similarly unclear. Our laboratory is undertaking research to elucidate these mechanisms through the investigation of brain function.
Diagnosing and Treating Cancer and Mental or Neurological Disorders Through the Use of Glycans
Glycans serve as indicators that mirror the characteristics of cells and tissues. Specifically, during disease onset, the structure of glycans—the 'face' of cells and tissues—undergoes modifications, thereby affecting their properties. We are conducting research to apply technologies that visualize these glycan alterations for diagnostic purposes and to develop strategies to regulate glycan expression for therapeutic interventions. Our primary focus is on cancer, mental disorders such as depression, and neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia.