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Q＆A

What is your hot research topic?

It is becoming evident that polyploid cells, which were previously thought to have simply doubled in cell scale, including their genome, exhibit distinct gene expression patterns and characteristics compared to diploid cells. We are focusing on the possibility that these alterations associated with polyploidy play roles in the development of various diseases including cancer and serve as therapeutic targets.

Have you had any breakthroughs or significant research progress in the recent years?

By establishing a mouse model capable of tracking polyploid cell proliferation in vivo, we demonstrated the involvement of polyploid hepatocytes in liver regeneration and carcinogenesis, as well as elucidated the unique phenomenon that ploidy can be reduced in somatic cells (Cell Stem Cell. 2020, 26:34-47; Nat Commun. 2021, 12:646). Polyploid cancer cells not only have a high propensity for chromosomal aberrations but also exhibit strong resistance to cellular stress, such as genomic damage, making them less responsive to anticancer drugs (Cell Death Discov. 2024, 10:436). As a result, polyploid cancers tend to be more aggressive and are associated with poor prognosis (Br J Cancer. 2023, 129:1251–60). We have also developed a model that can detect such polyploid cancers and predict prognosis using AI (Japanese Patent Application 2024-26830; Commun Med. 2025, 5:270). Building on these findings, we aim to further advance cancer medicine by focusing on ploidy dynamics.

What kind of background do your lab members have？

While many members primarily focus on cancer research, we also have a keen interest in studying tissue damages and regeneration.

Do you collaborate with other institutions and universities?

We actively collaborate with various institutions such as Kyoto University, Kobe University, Kyushu University, National Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Ehime University, and others.

What kind of careers do your Lab's alumni go on to?

Members of the team I led in my previous lab include individuals now engaged in research at universities and others employed by pharmaceutical companies.

How do you develop your research?

We aim to unravel many mysteries about ploidy and to develop novel cancer treatment strategies targeting polyploid cells and ploidy alterations.