53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin,
Sakyo-ku,Kyoto 606-8507,
JAPAN
Department of Biological Repair,
Field of Clinical Application,
Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences,
Kyoto University
We are developing a cell replacement therapy for the neurological disorders by using stem cells, especially embryonic stem cells (ES cells). The main target is Parkinson's disease, and our research focuses on induction of dopaminergic neurons from ES cells and transplantation of the cells into the brain to improve neurological symptoms.
We have revealed the optimal differentiational stage for an efficient survival of the grafted dopaminergic neurons, and also a method to prevent tumor formation. In addition, we have demonstrated that transplantation of monkey ES cell-derived neurons improved the Parkinsonian symptoms of the monkey models. As a next step, we hope to examine the long-term efficacy and safety of human ES cell transplantation in primate models.
