A Year in Review: 2021

by takahashy
in Highlight
on 2021/12/31

Continuing from last year, 2021 was a year in which overseas business trips and acceptance of researchers from overseas were restricted due to the influence of COVID-19. In addition, instability of democracy such as turmoil caused by military government in Myanmar also had a negative impact on our international joint research. Nevertheless, it was a year in which great results were obtained from the publication of 8 papers and 9 presentations at academic conferences.

In his personal life, Takahashi was very pleased to be a torchbearer at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which was a great success even though it was threatened by COVID.

Publication

2021 was a fruitful year in which we published 8 articles in reputable journals including European Heart Journal, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, and npj Microgravity. Last year’s goal, which is to increase the number of publications by strengthening the writing ability of team members and streamlining co-writing, was achieved, thanks to the great work of team members.

Liu, Y, Wang, M, Liang, Y, Naruse, K, Takahashi, K. Development of a human heart-on-a-chip model using induced pluripotent stem cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. European Heart Journal 42(Supplement_1). Oct, 2021
Yin Liang, Mengxue Wang, Yun Liu, Chen Wang, Ken Takahashi, Keiji Naruse. Meta-Analysis-Assisted Detection of Gravity-Sensitive Genes in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 9: 689662. Aug 4, 2021
Chen Wang, Jian Chen, Mengxue Wang, Keiji Naruse, Ken Takahashi. Role of the TRPM4 channel in mitochondrial function, calcium release, and ROS generation in oxidative stress. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 566: 190-196. Aug, 2021
Chen Wang, Masakazu Maeda, Jian Chen, Mengxue Wang, Keiji Naruse, Ken Takahashi. Production of TRPM4 knockout cell line using rat cardiomyocyte H9c2. MethodsX 8: 101404-101404. May, 2021
Yin Liang, Mengxue Wang, Chen Wang, Yun Liu, Keiji Naruse, Ken Takahashi. The Mechanisms of the Development of Atherosclerosis in Prediabetes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(8): 4108-4108. Apr 15, 2021
Mengxue Wang, Yun Liu, Yin Liang, Keiji Naruse, Ken Takahashi. Systematic Understanding of Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress-Related Conditions—Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 8. Apr 13, 2021
Yun Liu, Mengxue Wang, Yin Liang, Chen Wang, Keiji Naruse, Ken Takahashi. Treatment of Oxidative Stress with Exosomes in Myocardial Ischemia. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22(4): 1729-1729. Feb 9, 2021
Ken Takahashi, Hideyuki Takahashi, Takuya Furuichi, Masatsugu Toyota, Makoto Furutani-Seiki, Takeshi Kobayashi, Haruko Watanabe-Takano, Masahiro Shinohara, Takuro Numaga-Tomita, Asako Sakaue-Sawano, Atsushi Miyawaki, Keiji Naruse. Gravity sensing in plant and animal cells. npj Microgravity 7(1): 2. Feb, 2021

Conference

Nine conference presentations including four invited lectures were made, focusing on the work of organ-on-a-chip. Furthermore, our heart-on-a-chip research is featured on the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2021.

Takahashi K. Development of human organ models using organ-on-a-chip. Japanese Society for Medical and Biological Engineering Kansai Branch Meeting (invited). Dec 4, 2021
Liu Y, Wang M, Liang Y, Naruse K, Takahashi K. Development of a human heart-on-a-chip model using induced pluripotent stem cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. ESC Congress 2021. Aug, 2021. European Society of Cardiology
Takahashi K. International Collaboration. Brainstorming 2021 (invited). Aug 28, 2021. Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Takahashi K. Development and functional characterization of a model of human heart using organ-on-a-chip The 3rd International Conference of Microfluidics, Nanofluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip (invited). Jul 4, 2021
Takahashi K. Development of human organ model using organ-on-a-chip and its application. The 124th Seminar of Okayama Medical Engineering Association. Jun 25, 2021
Takahashi K. Development of a model of human heart using organ-on-a-chip. The 60th Annual Conference of Japanese Society for Medical and Biological Engineering. Jun 16, 2021
Yin Liang, Mengxue Wang, Keiji Naruse, Ken Takahashi. Kidney-on-a-chip model using human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The 98th Annual Meeting of The Physiological Society of Japan Mar 30, 2021
Liu Y, Wang M, Naruse K, Takahashi K. Optimization of the cardiac differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. The 98th Annual Meeting of The Physiological Society of Japan. Mar 30, 2021
Wang M, Liu Y, Naruse K, Takahashi K. Establishing an artificial heart model on a chip by using cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells. The 98th Annual Meeting of The Physiological Society of Japan. Mar 30, 2021

Joint Research

Although COVID severely restricted the activities, Takahashi conducted collaborative research under the UNCTAD program. In addition, he started collaborative research with Dr. Nasir Uddin at Texas A&M University with the support of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Editor

Takahashi was appointed as a special issue editor of “3D In Vitro Tissue and Organ Models” special issue in Micromachines.

Peer Review

Takahashi has performed 25 peer reviews for international academic journals, including highly reputable Nature Cardiovascular Research, Clinical and Translational Medicine, and eLife (Publon record is here). Ten of the submitted articles have been published and contribute to the development of science and medicine.

Reviewed: Oct 2021 for Acta Medica Okayama
Reviewed: Sep 2021 for Nature Cardiovascular Research
Reviewed: Sep 2021 for Frontiers in Immunology
Reviewed: Jul 2021 for Lipids in Health and Disease
Reviewed: Jul 2021 for Lipids in Health and Disease
2 rounds from Jan 2021 to Jun 2021 for Clinical and Translational Medicine
Reviewed: Jun 2021 for Lipids in Health and Disease
2 rounds from Apr 2021 to Jun 2021 for Regenerative Therapy
Reviewed: May 2021 for Cells
Reviewed: May 2021 for International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Reviewed: Apr 2021 for Acta Medica Okayama
Reviewed: Apr 2021 for International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Reviewed: Mar 2021 for Cancers
2 rounds from Mar 2021 to Mar 2021 for Medical Science Monitor
Reviewed: Mar 2021 for Pharmacological Reports
Reviewed: Feb 2021 for Pathophysiology
Reviewed: Feb 2021 for Current Drug Targets
Reviewed: Feb 2021 for eLife
Reviewed: Feb 2021 for Antioxidants
2 rounds from Nov 2020 to Jan 2021 for Pathophysiology
Reviewed: Jan 2021 for Scientia Pharmaceutica
2 rounds from Dec 2020 to Jan 2021 for International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Teaching

After years of training in Takahashi lab, Chen Wang has successfully obtained her PhD. Just to make up for the loss, Rumaisa Kamran joined Takahashi’s team at the recommendation of the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan.

Takahashi gave lectures to foster the next generation of researchers, doctors, and medical professionals. Due to the influence of COVID-19 pandemic, all lectures were given online.

The video created for the lecture was provided to the the BIZEN (Business Innovation Zone for ENtrepreneurship) program, a human resources development program for companies, further contributed to education.

Lab training
Oct – Dec 2021: Medical Research Internship (Dept. of Medicine, Okayama University)

Zoom Lecture
Apr 2021: Human Physiology (Master’s Course, Okayama University)
Jul 2021: Physiology Lecture (Dept. of Medicine, Okayama University)
Jul 2021: Physiology Practice (Dept. of Medicine, Okayama University)
May – Jun 2021: Physiology Lecture (Okayama University of Science)
Jul 2021: Myocardial Infarction Special Lecture: Cause for Arteriosclerosis (Ph.D. Course, Okayama University)

Video Lecture
Jun 2020: Anatomy and Physiology (Okayama Medical and Welfare College)

Committee Activity

Takahashi was appointed as a secretary general of Okayama Medical Engineering Study Group and organized two online seminars to promote the activity of medical engineering. In addition, he continued the activity of Okayama University Clinical Research Review Expert Committee.

Apr, 2021 – Present: Member, Curriculum Committee, Okayama University Department of Medicine
Jan, 2021 – Present: Secretary General, Okayama Medical Engineering Study Group
Dec, 2019 – Present: Committee member, Okayama University Clinical Research Review Expert Committee

Looking ahead to 2022

Many results were achieved in 2021. Here is what Ken Takahashi is most looking forward to in 2022.

I would like to take a step to starting business activities to provide organ / disease models, which utilize organ-on-a-chip technology, to pharmaceutical companies. For that purpose, I will further establish the academic foundation of the organ chip model through strong collaboration. Also, I will actively obtain patents for organ / disease model technology. Along with this, I will acquire funds necessary for research and business. I would like to work on this business with the intention of creating one industry.

2021 was the year in which private space tourism began by Virgin Galactic and Space Origin. I would like to contribute to the development of Japan’s space travel business by advancing the creation of medical standards for sub-orbital flight with my business partner PD Aerospace.

About education, I would like to work with an even greater awareness of the production of human resources with a wide range of knowledge and advanced experience.

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Takahashi Lab at Okayama University uses principles of physiology, cellular and molecular biology, and biophysics. The purpose of the lab is to develop science and medicine by unveiling the mechanisms of diseases through collaborations with scientists, epidemiologists, and corporate alliances. The alliance includes Harvard University, Boston University, Texas A&M University, and PD Aerospace, Ltd.

Tags: covid

A Year in Review: 2021