Cancer Research Institute of Kanazawa University

　Our major research interest is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating cancer cells, stem cells and cancer stem cells. Our team has two important research directions: One is to clarify the basic principles underlying biology and the other is to apply the knowledge extracted from the basic principles to translational medicine. In order to achieve the goal, we take challenging approaches of molecular biology and systems biology, in addition to conventional methods of molecular biology.

1. Molecular mechanisms of cancer initiation, progression and metastasis: breast cancer stem cells as key players
   By analyzing the mouse cancer model or primary cancer cells derived from human specimens, we attempt to identify novel molecular targets and biomarkers for cancer. We are collecting breast cancer patient samples and culturing them as spheroids and organoids and constructing patient-derived xnograft models (PDXs).
2. Analysis of mitochondrial metabolic pathways in cancer cells
   “One carbon metabolism” in which one carbon derived from serine is activated specifically in cancer cells. We have found that the one carbon metabolism is not only used for de novo synthesis of DNAs or RNAs but also for maintenance of cancer stem cells. Furthermore, these enzymes are promising molecular targets for cancer therapy.
3. Signal transduction mechanisms through receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) for tumorigenesis and stem cell maintenance
   Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) RTKs play major roles for a variety of physiological and pathological aspects of biology, including stem cell biology, and cancer biology. We focus on FRS2 family of adaptor/scaffolding docking proteins, as key intracellular signal regulators of these RTKs.