Given that understanding diseases and their progression is important for human life, disease research is one of the biggest research areas in modern biology. However, we are still vulnerable to diseases and new disease outbreaks, as evidenced most recently by the global COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2.
To better understand diseases, we utilize patient and mice-derive organoid model systems in our research. An organoid is a self-assembling three-dimensional (3D) tissue culture model that mimics the structure and function of the original organ. Organoids can be used in a wide range of research applications, including drug development and disease modeling, as well as for basic research on organ development and function. Patient-derived organoids are directly generated from the individual, allowing them to maintain patient-specific characteristics. The benefits of using such organoids include 1) disease modeling, 2) personalized medicine, 3) drug development, 4) a better understanding of organ development and function, and 5) the reduction of animal experiments.
CRISPR/Cas9 is a genetic engineering tool which allows us to edit genetic information in living organisms. It is a highly potent technique to identify functional genes in certain conditions. The focus of our research team is on drug screening that utilizes patient-derived organoids and genetic screening.
