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Informative Genetics Lab (Environment and Genome Research Center)
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A lab that explores the development and diseases of the human placenta using stem cells.
AboutAbout the lab
Unraveling the mysteries of the placenta with stem cells
The lab of Professor Takahiro Arima in the Division of Informative Genetics studies the development and function of the placenta, which is essential for fetal survival.
This lab was the first in the world to succeed in establishing human trophoblast stem (TS) cells.
Using these cells, the lab investigates the mechanisms of placental development and differentiation, and how diseases related to placental abnormalities arise.
Its research themes also include mammalian evolution, genomic imprinting, and the safety of assisted reproductive technology.
Key terms
- Trophoblast stem (TS) cells
- Cells that give rise to the cells of the placenta. When growth factors are added, they differentiate into hormone-secreting cells and cells that invade the uterine lining
- Genomic imprinting
- A phenomenon in which only one copy of a gene is active, depending on whether it was inherited from the father or the mother
- Epigenome
- The whole set of chemical marks that regulate gene activity without changing the DNA sequence
NewsLab news
Professor Takahiro Arima received the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (FY2025)
Assistant Professor Shun Shibata received the AMED President's Award at the 7th Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize
ResearchResearch themes
The placenta is the organ that exchanges nutrients between mother and fetus and protects the fetus from the maternal immune system, but its analysis at the molecular level has not advanced much. Using human trophoblast stem (TS) cells, the lab aims to clarify the epigenetic regulation of placental development, differentiation, and proliferation, and the molecular mechanisms by which diseases arise.
*Illustrative imageMechanisms of placental development, differentiation, and cancer formation
Using human trophoblast stem (TS) cells, the lab aims to clarify the mechanisms of placental development and differentiation. It also investigates conditions such as placental cancer (choriocarcinoma) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and links the findings to the development of prevention and treatment methods.
*Illustrative imageMammalian evolution and the placenta
The lab studies the specificity, continuity, and diversity of placental features and molecular mechanisms that differ from species to species. It explores how the species-specific tissue architecture of the placenta relates to mammalian evolution.
*Illustrative imageMechanisms of genomic imprinting
The lab isolates and identifies new imprinted genes in humans and mice, and investigates the mechanism of the phenomenon using genome-edited trophoblast stem cells. It also studies the relationship between abnormalities in imprinted genes and diseases.
*Illustrative imageSafety evaluation of assisted reproductive technology
Various characteristics have been reported in children born through assisted reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. From an epigenomic perspective, the lab evaluates the safety of these treatments and aims to contribute to standardizing treatments that lead to the birth and healthy development of children.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Division of Informative Genetics (Arima Lab) are faculty and technical assistants.As of 2025
- ProfessorTakahiro Arima
- Assistant ProfessorShun Shibata
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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: “A cell culture plate with induced pluripotent stem cells ( )” National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences from Bethesda, MD / Public domain (cropped)
- Mechanisms of placental development, differentiation, and cancer formation: “Human placenta umbilical cord Ultrasound by Dr. W. Moroder” This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and send me a message. This image is not in the public domain. Please respect the copyright protection. It may only be used according to the rules mentioned here. This specifically excludes use in social media, if applicable terms of the licenses listed here not appropriate. Please do not upload an updated image here without consultation with the Author. The author would like to make corrections only at his own source. This ensures that the changes are preserved.Please if you think that any changes should be required, please inform the author.Otherwise you can upload a new image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract. / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Mammalian evolution and the placenta: “Placentalia” derivative work: user:The Explaner / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Mechanisms of genomic imprinting: “DNA double helix horizontal” Jerome Walker / Public domain (cropped)
- Safety evaluation of assisted reproductive technology: “InVitroFertilization” US Government Owned Photo / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Pediatric Pathophysiology Lab): “Visit of Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner, to the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital - 2024” Elisabetta Villa / European Union, 2024 / EC - Audiovisual Service / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Emergent Medicine Lab (SiRIUS Institute of Medicine)): “Barbara McClintock ( ) shown in her laboratory in 1947” Smithsonian Institution/Science Service; Restored by Adam Cuerden / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Health Policy Lab (Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization)): “Unveiling of policy to facilitate the return of health workers who have been out of service (37)” The President's Office, Maldives / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Cardiovascular Surgery Lab): “Operating theatre” Piotr Bodzek, MD / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
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