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.
Sada lab seeks 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!
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
An unofficial twitter account of Junior PIs in Kumamoto University. We tweet, at least once a day, about daily life in Kumamoto and our exciting research going on here.
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
