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Reconstruction of blood vessels from vascular endothelium cells, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells Reconstruction of liver tissue from hepatic cells Reconstruction of bone tissue from osteoblast and osteoclast cells (Example) Mechanism of bone regeneration For the purpose of developing artificial bone closely resembling human bone, the detailed structures of bone are studied in relation to osteogenesis, and the process of bone regeneration under mechanical stress is investigated with a model system in culture, consisting of osteoclast-like cells derived from identified cell line of mouse and bone marrow cells of rat. The possible roles of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in the bone remodeling are illustrated in the right. The observation of behaviors of various bone-related cells in culture by use of new microscopic systems will contribute to the elucidation of mechanism of bone remodeling. |
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This study aims at constructing prosthetic devices based on living tissues and cells. To provide materials background to this concept, efforts are being paid to the synthesis of monocrystals of hydroxy apatite, one of bone substrate ingredients, and to the reconstruction of blood vessel and liver by use of porous tubes and sheets.
 Cells growing on the surface of artificial substrate |
 Cross section view of cell proliferation on porous material |
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| It is attempted to decide whether the power of muscular contraction is generated by the interaction of muscle protein with water molecules or by the swing motion of muscle protein itself, by use of microwave and gene engineering. It is expected that this study will be extended to the establishment of basic technology for building a molecular motor through the combination of muscle protein and other biomaterials. | The self-organizing capability of the biological system, assembling and aligning protein and other biopolymers to create higher order structures and functions, may be utilized for the development of technology to construct micro machines composed of molecular motors and other protein-based components. |
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Hydrated molecule of myosin, one of muscle proteins |
Concept of biomolecular micro machine |
The growth of crystals of hydroxy apatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, one of mineral components of bone, in simulated body fluid revealed that the rate-limiting factor of growth is a step to incorporate growth unit to crystal. This is contradictory to the growth of water-soluble inorganic salt, and rather resembles the growth of protein crystals, such as viruses.
J.Crystal Growth,154,118-125(1995)
Thrombus or blood coagulation in medicare tubing has been one of most serious problems in surgery. The atmospheric glow plasma discharge, performed by proper selection of electrode and frequency, allows to provide appropriate inner face treatment for tubing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for medical use, creating highly antithrombogenic surface film.
(Proc.4th Japan International SAMPE ,25-28,1995)
iProc.4th Japan International SAMPE , 25-28, 1995j
In order to clarify the molecular mechanism of muscle contraction, mutant myosin molecules having light chain bonding area of different length have been prepared through the gene engineering means. It has been found that the rate of molecular motion is proportional to the length of light chain bonding area, as shown in the right. This corresponds to the proportionality of the walking speed to the length of leg, supporting the assumption that the swinging motion of light chain bonding area provides motive power to myosin, just like the pendulum motion of leg drives walking.
(Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., USA, 63:4459-4464, 1996)
(Proc.4th Japan International SAMPE , 25-28,1995)
An assembly of photosynthesis reaction center (RC) protein and chlorophyll molecules has been built up, to reconstruct a molecular system having functions of energy conversion and transfer. It has been confirmed that the energy of photon is efficiently transferred from chlorophyll molecules to RC.
(J. Photochem. Photobiol. A, 93: 137-144, 1996)
