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Department of Radiobiology/Molecular Epidemiology |
| There is numerous epidemiological data on the
effects of radiation exposure on disease incidence and death in
humans. However, the biological mechanisms underlying the observed
effects of atomic-bomb radiation on the development of human diseases,
especially cancer, are unknown.The Department
of Radiobiology/Molecular Epidemiology uses molecular oncological and immunological approaches with epidemiological
study design, to investigate radiation effects on health and to clarify
the etiology of diseases among atomic-bomb survivors and their children,
in terms of host-environment interaction. |
Molecular Oncology
Studies: Most researchers believe the process of cancer development
involves multiple steps. For a normal cell to become malignant,
mutations and alterations of selected genes must accumulate in the
cell, often resulting in disfunction of regulatory systems responsible
for the tightly controlled cell growth and death. Ionizing radiation
is known to damage DNA, e.g., gene mutations and epigenetic changes.
Presumably, atomic-bomb radiation damaged some of the important
genes involved in cancer development.
Our molecular oncology studies explore the molecular biological
mechanisms behind radiation carcinogenesis by identifying the damaged
genes and gene systems that have been altered in the post-bombing
population. Our researchers use state-of-the-art molecular biological
techniques to analyze survivors' tissue samples.
Immunology Studies: The immune system
protects the body from the intrusion of alien substances, such as
bacteria and parasites, and in some cases from the continued proliferation
of malignant cells or even from constantly-generating malignant
cells (immunosurveillance against cancer). Host immunological response,
specifically inflammatory response, is thought to be a key mechanism
in development of various lifestyle-associated diseases such as
diabetes, coronary heart disease, and several cancers. Through repeated
division, a pool of blood stem cells produces cells that, in turn,
differentiate into the functionally and phenotypically heterogeneous
cell subpopulations that make up the immune system. These subpopulations
closely interact with and regulate one another to effectively eliminate
intruding substances.
Our immunology studies investigate radiation-induced immunological
changes relating to disease development in A-bomb survivors. In
addition, we have studied somatic mutations in blood cells using
immunological methods.
Immunogenome Studies: The human genome,
the complete set of genetic information in people's DNA, differs
among individuals, and this is in part responsible for individual
differences in biological predispositions such as susceptibility
to environmental chemicals, radiation exposure, and development
of lifestyle-associated diseases. Our Immunogenome Study
investigates genetic polymorphisms responsible for inter-individual
differences in susceptibility to radiation effects and also the
development of lifestyle-associated diseases such as cancer and
diabetes mellitus, aiming at personalized prevention of radiation-associated
diseases. |
Research Scientists
and their Research Interests |
Yoichiro Kusunoki, PhD, Department Chief
| Radiation exposure and immunosenescence |
| Molecular epidemiology on immune-related diseases |
Tomonori Hayashi, PhD, Assistant Department Chief
Kazue Imai, PhD
| Molecular epidemiology on influence of environmental factors, specifically
radiation exposure, on various biological factors |
| Genetic analysis on disease susceptibility |
Norio Takahashi, PhD
| Molecular Genetics |
| Study of radiation effects for cardiovascular systems |
| Study of etiological genes for multifactorial diseases |
Kei Nakachi, PhD, RERF Consultant and Project Principal Scientist
| Studies of immunosenescence and other late effects of acute ionizing radiation
exposure in A-bomb survivors |
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Kiyohiro Hamatani, PhD
| Molecular oncology study of solid cancer (thyroid, colorectal and lung
cancers) among A-bomb survivors |
Masataka Taga, PhD
| Molecular oncological study of solid cancer (lung and colorectal cancers) among A-bomb survivors |
Reiko Ito, PhD
| Molecular pathological study on tumor specimens from A-bomb survivors |
Yasuharu Niwa, PhD
| Molecular biological analysis of lifestyle-associated diseases among A-bomb
survivors |
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Tomonori Hayashi, PhD
| Immunosenescence in the radiation exposed |
| Genetic susceptibility to immune-related diseases |
| Homeostasis and intercellular communication |
Kengo Yoshida, PhD
| Immunogenetic susceptibility to cancer and non-cancer diseases |
| Aging with special reference to immune functions |
Junko Kajimura, PhD
| Studies of immunosenescence and other late effects of acute ionizing radiation
exposure in A-bomb survivors |
Seishi Kyoizumi, PhD (Project Research Scientist)
| Studies of immunosenescence and other late effects of acute ionizing radiation
exposure in A-bomb survivors |
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