Human Stem Cell Technology Unit

Despite their great promise and fundamental interest, stem cells - both embryonic and somatic - can be challenging to study and manipulate in vitro. The Division of Human Stem Cell Technology (DHSCT) was established to provide a full spectrum of support services to labs within the CDB and throughout Japan with an interest in using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and their derivatives in their research. The DHSCT provides technological expertise, training and support in hESC culture, maintenance, distribution and management, meeting the needs of both experienced and first-time users in the life sciences research community. Working with labs in academia and industry, the DHSCRT seeks to contribute to achieving the goals of translational research, in line with the CDB mission to establish a solid scientific foundation for regenerative medicine.

Research Subjects

• Maintenance culture of human ES • iPS ccells
• Differentiation culture of human ES • iPS ccells

Publications

1. Ohgushi, M. and Sasai, Y.:
   "Lonely death dance of human pluripotent stem cells: ROCKing between metastable cell states. "
   Trends in Cell Biology 21, 274-282. DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2011.02.004 (2011)
2. Ohgushi, M., Matsumura, M., Eiraku, M., Murakami, K., Aramaki, T., Nishiyama, A., Muguruma, K., Nakano, T., Suga, H., Ueno, M., Ishizaki, T., Suemori, H., Nakamura, S., Niwa, H., Sasai, Y.:
   "Molecular Pathway and Cell State Responsible for Dissociation-Induced Apoptosis in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells."
   Cell Stem Cell. 7, 1-15, August 6 (2010)
3. Nagase, T., Ueno, M., Matsumura, M., Muguruma, K., Ohgushi, M., Kondo, N., Kanematsu, D., Kanemura, Y., Sasai, Y.:
   "Pericellular matrix of decidua-derived mesenchymal cells: a potent human-derived substrate for the maintenance culture of human ES cells."
   Dev Dyn. 238, 1118-1130 (2009)