Welcome to the Sada Lab!
Aiko Sada, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Laboratory of Skin Regeneration and Aging
IRCMS, Kumamoto University, Japan
Stem cells maintain the tissue integrity during homeostasis and show remarkable plasticity to quickly respond to various stress or damages of the tissue. Dysfunction or misregulation of stem cells leads to tissue dysfunction, including impaired wound healing, cancer and aging. Emerging evidence suggests the presence of heterogeneous stem cell populations within adult tissues and their specific roles in physiological and pathological conditions.
Our research focuses on elucidating the cellular dynamics and regulatory mechanisms of tissue-resident stem cells, especially using mouse epithelial tissues (skin, eyes, oral) as a model. We identified a new stem cell populations in the mouse skin epidermis (Sada et al., Nat Cell Biol 2016) and established the genetic tools and molecular markers to analyze these cells in vivo. We are currently studying stem cells in tissue regeneration and aging, by combining cell & molecular biology techniques, genetic-engineering of mice, omics analysis, FACS-based stem cell isolation, bioengineering, glycobiology and so on.
Our research goal is to reveal the drivers and effectors of stem cell dysfunction. Targeting these factors may prevent or cure diseases at the stem cell level, with implications for applications in regenerative therapy and for future treatments of cancer, aging and other disorders.
RESEARCH INTEREST
Stem Cell Dynamics
Skin Biology
Stem Cell Aging
Mouse Model
Stem Cell Isolation
Tissue Engineering
Omics Analysis
Glycobiology
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS) at Kumamoto University is a a cutting edge, research institute, especially focusing on stem cells, aging and cancer. Researchers in our institute enjoy Science and closely communicate with each other in a characteristic open lab system of our institute.
IRCMS website
We seek motivated students (undergraduate, master and PhD level), postdocs and collaborators from all over the world. If you're interested in pursuing research with us, please do not hesitate to contact me.
LIFE IN KUMAMOTO
Kumamoto University is located in the south part of Japan (Kyushu area) and is close to the city center with traditional Japanese castle, convenient living places, shopping mall and nice foods & drinks! Kumamoto also has beautiful nature within 1 hour drive distance, where you can enjoy Aso mountains, hot springs, fishing and many other outdoor activities.
Kumamoto has an official character, called "kumamon". You can meet our cute (and funny!) friend here in Kumamoto. https://kumamon-official.jp/kiji0035109/index.html
WHAT'S NEW
2019.11.13-14
After KU-KAIST joint symposium, Aiko moved from Daejeon to Busan and attended ACGG (Asian Community of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology) conference. A PhD student Lalhaba Oinam (University of Tsukuba) received a poster award on the project of glycan profiling of aged epidermal stem cells. Congratulations, Lal!
MEETING
2019.11.11-12
Aiko and other PIs in IRCMS attended and gave a talk at Kumamoto Univ-KAIST joint symposium in Daejeon, Korea. High level of research, stimulating talks and discussion - we really enjoyed the symposium. We thank people in KAIST for their warm and kind hospitality!
MEETING
2019.11.01
The application for IRCMS fellowship is now open. This fellowship provides financial support for graduate students. For more details, check this page or contact me.
IRCMS NEWS
2019.10.17
Aiko received research grants from the Mitsubishi foundation, the Ichiro Kanehara foundation and the Sumitomo foundation.
FUNDING
2019.10.01
Sada lab started! Find us on Facebook and Twitter too.