Undertake research and development of new regenerative medicine technologies for the cornea, cardiac muscle, periodontal membrane, cartilage, esophagus and so on using cell sheet engineering, and seek the merger of technologies directed first to clinical applications, then to commercialization.

Regenerative medicine enables curative treatments previously considered impossible. While it holds a range of possibilities, it is still in the germinative stage. The concept for establishing Tokyo Women's Medical University as a center calls for gathering a variety of leading edge technologies through partnerships between medicine and engineering, and between academia and industry. We will pursue multifaceted development of regenerative medicine technologies for the treatment of a range of diseases with the aim of empowering society with regenerative medicine in the near future.

dnpcellseed
hitachi

Cooperating organizations

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.

On a foundation of the world's leading print technologies, DNP develops leading edge surface modification technologies, nanoimprinting, ultrafine processing technologies, patterning technologies and so on. It is an organization with the most promising technical capabilities in traceability, a crucial field for regenerative medicine.

CellSeed Inc.

CellSeed was established as an intramural venture company related to TWMU's cell sheet engineering. With researchers in diverse specialisms, CellSeed is active in the areas of surface modification technologies and expansion of production capacity. The company's temperature-responsive cultureware is highly regarded in international markets.

Hitachi, Ltd.

One of the world's leading general electronics manufacturers. In the medical field Hitachi develops diagnostic equipment such as MRI systems, clinical test equipment and so on. It is an organization that can be expected to contribute to the development of automatic culture equipment and closed culture vessels which will be essential for regenerative medicine.

Realizing a fully-functioning regenerative medicine industry

Invention of substitute, assist pump regenerated myocardium Perfection of technologies for building capillary vessels using micropatterning and creation of three-dimensional tissue Commercialization of diagnostic and drug screening technologies Data management systems for achieving traceability of regenerative medicine products

The arrival of a new society empowered with regenerative medicine

Targets for achieving the center concept

3rd year

Mass production of temperature-responsive cultureware and completion of cell sheet composite prototypes. Application for safety approval for esophageal cancer therapy and periodontal membrane transplants. Full implementation of overseas multicenter studies

7th year

Completion of second generation, high-performance cultureware. MHLW approval for autologous oral mucous membrane cell sheet and periodontal membrane cell sheet transplants, with the start of overseas clinical trials.

10th year

Perfection of technologies for building capillary vessels using micropatterning and creation of three-dimensional tissue. Production of three-dimensional tissue, invention of substitute, assist pump regenerated myocardium, and cell delivery systems to the liver, spleen and so on. Data management systems for achieving traceability of regenerative medicine products, and commercialization of diagnostic and drug screening technologies.