Div. of Biomimetics

Professor　 IZUMI Kenji

izumik@dent.niigata-u.ac.jp

face

Our Education

Dental material science　
ands-on work of dental materials
Biomaterial
Biomechanics for dentist(s)
Cutting/Grinding/Polishing

Our Research

Novel Progress in Fish Scale–Derived Collagen Scaffold Applicable to Oral Mucosa/Skin Equivalents and Human Clinical Use
We successfully developed a collagen scaffold derived from fish scales. This scaffold incorporates a specific micropattern that mimics the three-dimensional (3D) undulations of the human oral mucosa/gingiva dermoepidermal junction on one side. When epithelial cells are seeded onto this scaffold, they develop into a structure resembling the rete ridge found in epithelial tissue. By creating these cultured oral mucosa/skin composites that closely mimic in vivo tissues, these products can serve as in vitro models for testing the toxicity of medical products and chemicals. This contributes to the development of alternatives to animal experiments. Additionally, the collagen scaffold can be clinically used as a biomaterial to reconstruct and regenerate oral mucosa defects.

Investigation of Anticancer Effects on Chemo-/radiation Therapies and Accompanying Oral Mucositis Using Organoids of Oral Cancer
We have designed and manufactured a 3D in vitro oral cancer model (“oral cancer organoid”) consisting of four different cell components: patient-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts, adjacent normal oral mucosal fibroblasts, normal oral mucosal keratinocytes, and oral squamous carcinoma cells. This 3D model allows us to assess and investigate the biological effects of anticancer drugs and various radiation therapies on both oral cancer cells and the surrounding normal oral mucosa simultaneously. This technology is expected to serve as a novel analytical tool for cellular and biological evaluation of new anticancer therapies.

Research on Major Signaling Pathways Regulating Cell Motility and Proliferative Capacity of Oral Keratinocytes
In this research, we used our own image analytical tool to measure cell motility. This tool can be utilized for quality control of cells in regenerative medicine. Our study explored the role of EGF/EGFR signaling in regulating oral keratinocyte motility and proliferation. EGF/EGFR signaling and its downstream Src/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway were found to be key regulators, whereas the STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways had minor effects. These findings offer new insights into quality control for therapeutic use of oral keratinocytes. Pharmacological manipulation targeting EGFR/Src activation may aid in expanding the use of oral keratinocytes, but caution is required to avoid oncogenic signals.

Investigation of Various Factors that Affect the Setting Expansion Pressure of Dental Stone
During the setting expansion of dental stones in impression materials, the pressure that confines the setting expansion changes according to the elastic modulus of the impression material. The setting expansion rate also varies in accordance with the balance between the setting expansion pressure and the confining pressure of the impression material. Therefore, because the setting expansion rate determines the accuracy of the dental stone model, multiple factors that affect the setting expansion pressure of dental stone have been investigated.

Measurement of Setting Time by Measurement of Setting Expansion Pressure of Dental Stone
When measuring the setting time of dental stone, a penetration test using a Vicat needle is frequently used. In our department, however, instead of this intermittent measuring method, we apply a continuous measuring method to assess thee setting expansion pressure.

Our Citizenship

In this department, we developed a fish scale–derived, micropatterned collagen scaffold as a research initiative. Kenji Izumi has since founded CollaWind Corporation, where he serves as CEO. CollaWind is dedicated to planning, developing, manufacturing, and selling this innovative biomaterial product.

Research Figures

Back to index