Establishment of endangerd avian derived iPS cells and PGC-like cells.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15858
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39060:Conservation of biological resources-related
• Research Institution: National Institute for Environmental Studies
• Principal Investigator: Katayama Masafumi 国立研究開発法人国立環境研究所, 生物多様性領域, 研究員 (80784090)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 絶滅危惧種 / 幹細胞 / 鳥類

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Japan, a biodiversity hotspot, is home to 3155 endangered species. Although it would be ideal if all endangered species could be protected and propagated, this is difficult to achieve in reality. In this study, we planned to establish and preserve stem cells of endangered avian species as an asset to be passed on to the next generation as a way to help protect and propagate them. In this study, we will (1) apply an efficient method for establishing avian induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) developed by the applicants to establish iPS cells from the somatic cells of endangered birds, for which germ cells are virtually impossible to preserve, and (2) establish iPS cells from the somatic cells of endangered avian. (2) Develop a method to induce differentiation of established iPS cells into primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs).

Free Research Field

生物資源保全学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、絶滅の危惧に瀕する鳥類のiPS細胞の樹立に成功した。iPS細胞は無限に増殖可能であるため一度樹立すれば、半永久的に研究資源として利用可能である。また、凍結保存も可能である。加えて、iPS細胞は様々な細胞に分化可能であるため、神経細胞や肝臓細胞などに分化誘導することで、感染症や環境汚染物質の評価へも利用が可能になる。本研究では希少な鳥類の保全に貢献できる資源の開発に成功した。