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Cellular Biochemistry Lab
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A cellular biochemistry lab exploring the stem cells that form the placenta and the mechanisms of RNA.
AboutAbout the lab
Uncovering how differentiation works, starting from placental stem cells
The Cellular Biochemistry Lab studies how placental stem cells differentiate and how gene function is regulated.
The mammalian body develops from a fertilized egg, and cells, influenced by their surroundings, differentiate into specific cell types.
The lab focuses on the placenta, an organ characteristic of mammals, and conducts basic research on the differentiation of its stem cells.
The lab is also studying the mechanisms of RNA splicing and "RNA diseases," which arise from defects in splicing and related processes.
Key terms
- Stem cell
- A cell that can divide to produce more cells like itself while also changing into (differentiating into) other types of cells
- Trophoblast cell
- The main cells that form the placenta. They handle the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the mother and the fetus
- RNA splicing
- The process of removing unnecessary parts (introns) from RNA transcribed from a gene and joining the necessary parts together
NewsLab news
Assistant Professor Masaki published a paper on PUF60, which regulates PKM splicing during muscle differentiation
A doctoral student published a paper on the mechanism of alternative splicing of Mecp2
Assistant Professor Masaki published a paper on a factor that regulates alternative splicing of STAT3
A student received the Best Poster Presentation award
ResearchResearch themes
The lab focuses on the placenta, an organ characteristic of mammals, and aims to clarify how its stem cells differentiate and how gene expression is regulated. It is also studying how RNA splicing is coordinated with other steps of gene expression, as well as "RNA diseases" that arise when this coordination breaks down.
*Illustrative imageMouse trophoblast stem cells
All trophoblast cells, which form the placenta, differentiate from trophoblast stem cells. Using mice, in which the process of placenta formation can be observed directly, the lab searches for the factors that regulate this differentiation.
*Illustrative imagePrimate trophoblast cells
Because the placenta is structured differently in humans and mice, findings from animals closer to humans are also needed. Using trophoblast cells from cynomolgus monkeys, the lab investigates how primate trophoblast cells differentiate.
*Illustrative imageCoordination between splicing and gene expression
The lab explores how RNA splicing is coordinated with other steps of gene expression. It also studies DNA and histone modifications during cell differentiation, signals from outside the cell, and the role of hypoxia.
*Illustrative imageUnderstanding "RNA diseases"
Diseases caused by the breakdown of RNA splicing, processing, transport, and other steps are called "RNA diseases." Targeting genes responsible for conditions such as myelodysplastic syndromes, the lab investigates how these diseases develop and how they can be treated.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Cellular Biochemistry Lab consist of faculty, graduate research students, and doctoral and master's students.As of 2026
- ProfessorSatoshi TanakaPublications ↗
- Associate ProfessorNaoyuki KataokaPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorSo MasakiPublications ↗
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Fetus and placenta - journal.pbio.0060312.g001” Wei Hsu, Shang-Yi Chiu / CC BY 2.5 (cropped)
- Mouse trophoblast stem cells: “Dual immunohistochemical staining of Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA)+ uterine natural killer (uNK) cells and trophoblast in a mouse implantation site at mid-gestation” Gaynor LM and Colucci F / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Primate trophoblast cells: “Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) Labuk Bay” Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Coordination between splicing and gene expression: “NEAT1 paraspeckles in U-2 OS cells” Aeffenberger / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Understanding "RNA diseases": “Megakaryocytes in MDS (RAEB and 5q-chromosome abnormality)” The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (応用遺伝学研究室): “GFP Mice 01” Ingrid Moen, Charlotte Jevne, Jian Wang, Karl-Henning Kalland, Martha Chekenya, Lars A Akslen, Linda Sleire, Per Ø Enger / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (獣
医動物 行動学研究室): “Laboratory rat” Anna Marchenkova / CC BY 4.0 (cropped) - Related lab (産業技術総合研究所): “Brainbow (Smith 2007)” Stephen J Smith / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (放射
線動物科学研究室): “Individually cage for lab mice” Karol Głąb (Karol007) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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