Development of live cell-based sensor devices

We have developed a live cells-based sensorchip fabricated in microfluidic channels in which several laminar flows were achieved. In addition, we established a cytotoxic sensor cell line, which was transfected with a green fluorescence protein (GFP) plasmid derived from the heat shock protein 70B' (HSP70B') promoter, which is induced by cytotoxic reagents. The fluorescence in the sensor cells increased in a CdCl₂ dose-dependent manner in the microfluidic channels. The combination of sensor cells and microfluidic systems will provide an important basis for the development of micro-total analysis systems (micro-TAS) technology, and can be applied to toxicology, environmental assessment and drug screening.

Tooth regeneration

Understanding of molecular mechanism of tooth development is very important for tooth regeneration. Amelogenin, the major constituent of enamel matrix proteins, comprises up to 90% of the enamel matrix protein, and it plays an important role in enamel formation. Amelogenin expression is ameloblast-specific and regulated at the temporal-spatial levels in tooth development. To understand the molecular mechanism of amelogenin expression, we focused on effects of amelogenin on the differentiation of dental epithelial cells.