Chen Group, iCeMS, Kyoto University

T he Chen Group is interested in developing enabling tools based on micro- and nano-technologies for understanding how cellular microenvironmetal cues consisted with three major factors (i.e., soluble factors, insoluble factors and cell-cell interaction) regulate stem cell fate decision. Especially, understanding their mechanisms is necessary to establish a new method to obtain cell-of-interests with higher efficiency and purity for the future applications in cell-based therapy, drug screening and regenerative medicine. We believe that micro- and nano-technologies are advantageous for engineering such microenvironments as their model systems for investigating their roles. Thus, we are motivated to work on functional micro-patterns, nano-materials, bio-mimic systems as well as advanced microfluidic devices to develop new methodologies for culturing and differentiating ES/iPS cells for basic stem cell research as well as its future application .

T he Chen Group has been established in April 2008. Our research team formulates interdisciplinary research environments for creating breakthrough and new research areas. It is located in the main building of iCeMS (Complex I), which is close to the main entrance of Kyoto University.