Tokyo Women's Medical University

School of Medicine

Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy

Overview

Anatomy is divided into two fields: microanatomy, which focuses on the microstructure and histomorphology of living organisms, and macroanatomy, which focuses on gross morphology. Our department conducts microanatomy (histology) and developmental biology learning the developmental processes of living organism. We conduct education on histology and embryology and our research focuses on stem cells, which are the origin of all tissues. In histology/embryology, you will observe and study the normal structure of tissues and cells, which allows deep thought into how structures are adapted for homeostasis and developmental processes. Understanding the normal processes of tissue and development is indispensable knowledge for elucidating the pathophysiology of various diseases and developing treatments. In our laboratory, by analyzing tissue and cellular structures from multiple perspectives, including 2D morphology captured at rest, 3D morphology, temporal changes, and electron microscopic analysis.
Our laboratory is currently located on the 4th and 5th floor of the Yayoi research/education building. The atmosphere in the laboratory is one of free and active discussion on various research topics. We welcome medical students, post-doctoral students, and those interested in collaborative research to drop by.

Education Details

Lectures and practical training in histology consist of a general introduction to the structure of the four major tissues (epithelium, connective tissue, muscle, and nerve), which are the vertical threads of histology, and individual lectures on the tissue structure of each organ, which is the horizontal thread. You will learn the general theory in the first year of medical school, and each theory of organ-specific segments in each year of medical school. You will have embryology lectures and practical training in the second year of medical school.
S1　Basic structure of cells
S2　Basic histology
S3　Developmental biology
S4　Histology of circulatory, respiratory, urinary and reproductive system
S5　Histology of gastrointestinal and endocrine system
S6　Histology of nervous system, ear, eye and skin
S7　Histology of the hematopoietic and lymphatic system
Our laboratory stores tissue specimens from various organs and developmental stages. Practical training will focus on the observation of tissue sections using optical microscope and virtual images. Students will also learn how to fix, embed, and stain tissues, as well as how to observe with transmitted and scanning electron microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, and confocal laser microscopes.

Research Details

Tissue stem cells are the source of differentiated and mature cells that can reconstruct one tissue system. We focus on tissue stem cells, especially HSCs, which are the source of mature hematopoietic cells, and research how they are regulated. We are investigating not only the endogenous regulation of HSCs but also the effects of the bone marrow microenvironment (niche) through histological methods and various functional analyses. We also plan to focus on translational research using xenotransplantation of normal human hematopoietic stem cells and myeloid tumor stem cells into immunocompromised mice.
Other than that, we are also researching morphological analysis of Cajal interneurons, analysis of abnormal organogenesis in Foxc2 gene-deficient mice and others.

Faculty

Professor and Division head Ayako ISHIZU
Associate Professor Tomomasa YOKOMIZO

Graduate School

Our course is offered in the field of histology and developmental biology.
However, our research is not limited to morphological methods, and includes the elucidation of the biological processes of development and differentiation in various tissues and cells, especially focusing on the hematopoietic system.
Major possible research topics include
1) Mechanisms of maintenance of stem cell potency and quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells
2) Mechanisms of HSC maintenance by the bone marrow niche
3) Regulatory mechanism of mitochondrial metabolism in HSCs
4) Elucidation of mechanism of replication stress regulation
5) Elucidation of hematopoietic tumor stem cell kinetics
6) Morphology and function of gastrointestinal pacemakers (Cajal interneurons)

Related links

Anatomy (Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy)HP
Research Achievements Database

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