Laboratory of Skin Regeneration and Aging

Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University

IRCMS, Kumamoto University

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Tissue stem cells maintain tissue integrity during homeostasis and exhibit remarkable plasticity in response to stresses and injuries. A misregulation of stem cells leads to tissue dysfunction, such as impaired wound healing, chronic inflammation, tumorigenesis, and aging. Emerging evidence suggests that stem cell populations in adult tissues are heterogeneous and play distinct roles in physiological and pathological conditions. 

 

Our research focuses on elucidating the cellular dynamics and regulatory mechanisms of tissue stem cells during skin regeneration, inflammation and aging processes. We have identified a novel stem cell population in mouse skin epidermis (Sada et al., Nat Cell Biol 2016) and established genetic tools and molecular markers to analyze these cells in vivo. Such stem cell proliferative heterogeneity is shown to be present not only in mouse skin, but also in the other epithelial tissues of the eye and oral mucosa, as well as in human skin. We are now combining cellular and molecular biology methods, mouse genetics, omics analysis, bioengineering, and glycobiology to analyze the function of biomolecules involved in skin stem cell regulation. Our research goal is to identify the drivers and effectors of stem cell dysfunction; targeting these factors will allow us to prevent and treat diseases at the stem cell level, with potential applications in regenerative therapies and future treatments for cancer, aging, and other skin diseases.

 

The Sada Laboratory is looking for motivated students (master's and doctoral level), post-doctoral fellows, and collaborators worldwide. If you are interested in pursuing research with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.