Akane Kawaguchi Akane Kawaguchi

Assistant Professor, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems *Profile is at the time of the award.

2026HagukumuBiology & Life sciences(hagukumu)

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Research topics: Unraveling specific transcription mechanisms during regeneration processes

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Summary: When we look across the vertebrates, there is an astonishing diversity in biological resilience. While morphological differences, such as body size and shape, are readily apparent, less visible but equally profound are the disparities in physiological potential. One example is the vast range of tissue regeneration capabilities. Unlike mammals, some vertebrate species like salamanders possess the remarkable ability to fully regenerate entire limbs. In addition, they exhibit high resistance to carcinogenesis. This study focuses on the multilayered gene regulatory mechanisms triggered during the regeneration process, aiming to elucidate the underlying molecular basis that enables such exceptional regenerative capacity.

Message

Salamanders possess exceptional capabilities for tissue regeneration. Although scientists in the regeneration research field have been fascinated by the question “Why can they regenerate their organs, while we cannot?”, a clear answer has yet to be provided. This study focuses on the biological phenomenon of regeneration triggered by inflammatory responses, examining the differences in specific gene regulatory networks and chromatin landscapes that undergo continuous changes. I hope that the achievements of this project will provide a possible explanation for species-specific differences in regenerative capacity. Furthermore, I aim not only to deepen our understanding of basic science throughout this project, but also to provide results that contribute to building a foundation for regenerative medicine.