ALL STEM CELLS

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Kyoto iPS Cell Research (CiRA = SILAPLANE) is established in April 2010, currently, about 30 research teams of cooperation respectively, and at the same time work on iPS cells in basic research, the research aimed at medical applications we are. In addition, ethical surrounding the iPS cells, legal, we are also conducting research on social issues. If you also include the research support team to assist in these studies, 320 people faculty total of is, we are engaged in research activities in order to achieve a mission of CiRA "medical applications of iPS cells".
iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells), is the stem cells that had been artificially developed by my research team is to introduce a small number of factors in the human body cell. Since it has the ability to produce all cells of the body and the ability to proliferate indefinitely, sometimes referred to as "universal cell". medical applications using iPS cells There are two major areas. One, from the iPS cells to differentiate into various cells of the body, is a regenerative medicine for transplant patients. Another is to elucidate the disease mechanism by reproducing a condition for iPS cell-derived cells made from the patient's cells are drug discovery to develop drugs.
When CiRA opened, we set a four goals to be achieved until 2020. At the time, shallow day the birth of iPS cell technology, is the realization of medical applications there were many challenges. So first 10 years with firm research, it was thought that that attempt to assess the new technology called iPS cells. Thanks to the cooperation of hard work and a lot of people of CiRA faculty, research in the last five years has been progressing well.

1. ensure the establishment and the intellectual property of the foundation technology
2. Building of medical iPS cell stock
3. from preclinical trials to clinical trials
4. Contribution to the development of therapeutic drugs using the iPS cells derived from patients

First it is about the goal of 1., but it was almost establish a safe iPS cell production technology. It also has acquired basic patent of iPS cell technology in the world 30 countries and one region. For 2., to start the establishment of medical iPS cells in 2013, now, about the ability of the iPS cells to differentiate into a variety of cells, but if I have to evaluate the external researchers. Omotte these results, I think that it can begin the distribution of iPS cells that can be used in medical care by the end of the year at the earliest. 3. also we are steadily goals. Last year in September, CiRA transplanted retinal pigment epithelial cells derived from iPS cells to the patient, such as is age-related macular degeneration RIKEN who are cooperating, clinical studies began with the world's first iPS cells It was. Check the safety of the treatment in animal experiments, called pre-clinical testing, such as Parkinson's disease or blood disorders in CiRA, 1, 2 year or less, we plan to proceed to clinical studies to target a small number of patients in. 4. For even drug discovery research, to achondroplasia, some existing drugs I was confirmed to be effective in animal experiments level. Currently, eagerly studying the possibility of application to the human of this existing drugs, we aim to enter the clinical research.

Collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Regenerative medicine we have received generous support from the government, but an effort to advance the drug discovery research, we have concluded a comprehensive joint research agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited in mid-April this year. This is contribution from the research funds of 20 billion yen over the next 10 years Takeda, heart failure, diabetes, and will conduct disease research projects of neurological disorders such as 10 jointly. The role of venture company is a bridge between technology between universities and large companies have followed a weak situation in Japan. In order to overcome the "valley of death", it was decided to direct cooperation with large companies is not going through the venture. CiRA researchers a unique attempt to carry out a research project in Shonan within the Institute of Takeda, will say that the new industry-university cooperation model that can fully take advantage of the know-how of the pharmaceutical companies.
Such is the new approach is what luck risk, but you continue to challenge without fear of failure. It also actively promotes cooperation with other companies in Japan and overseas.

New goal until 2030

In CiRA, it leads to believe the initial goal of 2020, we set a long-term goal of 2030 to this April the new.

1. dissemination of regenerative medicine iPS cells stock as a pillar
2. drug discovery of realization and incurable diseases of individualized medicine by iPS cells
3. development of new life science and health care using the iPS cells
4. development of research environment and research support system of Japan's best level

The first goal is to be the general treatment of regenerative medicine using medical iPS cell stock currently conducting construction. using iPS cells in advance safety has been confirmed, we would want to achieve a system that can be implemented quickly the cell transplantation therapy, such as spinal cord injury. In the second goal, to use the iPS cells derived from patients, or drug is a cell level is good for the patient, and to take advantage of the fact that it is possible to determine not work, we aim to achieve individualized medicine. It also advances continue developing therapeutic agents of rare incurable disease. The third goal, by using the iPS cells as a tool (a tool), cancer and immune, I think want to advance the research to better understand the life phenomena such as generation. And we will continue to pioneer in the field of new medical care based on the new findings.
In order to achieve the three goals of the above-mentioned, it is essential is the fourth goal, "enhancement of research support system and research environment" is. To achieve clinical applications, technical personnel to perform cell culture and safety assessment, intellectual property, contracts, regulations, becoming more and more research assistants with expertise, such as public relations needs. However, in the fixed-term employment of about 90% of the faculty of CiRA a few years, the majority are involved in research and support services. To ensure the financial resources to hire over them a long period of time, has become my major challenge is the director of CiRA.

Fund for research support system and research environment improvement

Our Institute has received research funding through a collaboration with a large amount of public competitive funds and companies, but they are because there is time-limited and objective is the difference funds specific, Ya outstanding researchers it is not a sufficient to hire research assistants to a long period of time. The young researchers of education, the development of research environment, preparing for patent disputes, as well, such as support of exploratory research for future medical development, it can not respond sufficiently in research funding from the government and companies. Where they founded the "iPS Cell Research Fund", widely called for a donation, we are committed to trying to ensure the financial resources the power to fundraising activities. I myself participated in the full marathon, it is also or donations recruiting online. Securing financial resources for stable employment of enhancement and research assistants of the research environment is a challenge that many universities face. Through our fund initiatives, we want to take root the donation culture, such as gather donations from citizens in research activities in Japan.
The future, but I think that to face various challenges, they overcame, to accelerate research toward a mission of CiRA "medical applications of iPS cells", you want to deliver a new treatment in early patients a day I think.
Kyoto iPS Cell Research: https://www.cira.kyoto-u.ac.jp