Elucidation of Biological Adaptation and Remodeling Mechanisms to Mechanical Stress Based on the Development of Novel Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology

物理和机械刺激，如重力、伸展和剪切力，在整个活体中都会产生。人们逐渐发现，这些通过细胞机械转导机制传递的刺激不仅是对生物有害的应激，而且是器官发育过程和功能适应所必需的生物信息。本课题在发展细胞和组织机械应力加载系统的基础上，对多种机械敏感组织中细胞对机械刺激的适应性反应及其传导机制进行了研究。因此，该项目旨在阐明机械转导系统的分子机制和作用，该系统被用作许多生理事件的基础。它还有助于开发癌症侵袭、心脏肥大和神经元回路再生的治疗方法。

Physical and mechanical stimuli such as gravity, extension, and shearing stress are generated throughout a living body. It has been gradually revealed that these stimuli, which are transmitted via the mechanotransduction mechanisms of cells, are not simply detrimental stresses for living organisms, but rather are biological information essential to developmental processes and functional adaptation of organs. In this project, on the basis of the development of original loading systems for mechanical stress to cells and tissues, the cellular adaptive responses to the mechanical stimuli and their transduction mechanisms in a variety of mechanosensitive tissues are to be examined. Thus, the project aims toelucidate the molecular mechanisms and roles of mechanotransduction system, which is utilized as a basis of many physiological events. It can also contribute to develop therapeutic approach to cancer invasion, cardiac hypertrophy, and regeneration of neuronal circuit.