Research
Our group aims to be the first in the world to create systems that combine devices and cells by fusing microfabrication and microfluidic device technologies with technologies from other fields such as biotechnology and medicine. In particular, I am interested in establishing a method for constructing tissues by in vitro cell cultivation based on microfabrication technology of biomaterials, and constructing a biohybrid system that can utilize cell functions by integrating cultured tissues and devices.
By clarifying a method for constructing cultured tissues that can be used with any cell and by anyone, and by realizing the industrialization of cultured tissues based on mechanical engineering, we will induce a new breakthrough in society.
BIOHYBRID ROBOT
By combining the movement mechanisms of living organisms with robot skeletons, we aim to construct biohybrid robots with biological features such as self-repair, proliferation, and movement by chemical energy. It is expected that skeletal muscle tissues made from cells will be used as actuators in robots and other engineering fields.
CULTURED TISSUE / MEAT
Our goal is to precisely fabricate thick 3D tissues by manipulating and accumulating cells using microfabrication technology. The 3D tissues are expected to be useful for cultured meat produced with environmentally friendly production methods, safe transplantable grafts in regenerative medicine, and drug testing systems that do not rely on animal experiments.
MICROFABRICATION
We aim to develop microfabrication and microfluidic technologies that enable precise manipulation of cells and precise processing of biomaterials. This is the fundamental technology for most of our researches. We are independently conducting research and development of unique microfluidic channels and micromechanisms.