Cell selective analysis system for cancer microenvironment studies

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H00228
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 20:Mechanical dynamics, robotics, and related fields
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Omata Toru 東京工業大学, 工学院, 教授 (10262312)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 門之園 哲哉 東京工業大学, 生命理工学院, 准教授 (10510282) ; 神永 真帆 豊田工業高等専門学校, 機械工学科, 助教 (20879986)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 知能機械

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study developed a cell exploring device targeting a single or small group of adhered cells for the understanding of the molecular biology of the cancer microenvironment. The main application is the screening of antibodies that bind to the surface molecules of cancer cells based on the phage display method. To achieve the desired antibody screening, an elution reagent needs to be delivered locally to selected cells. A ceiling method using a pipette with tip diameter slightly larger than the cell or group of cells was proposed. The achievement of the ceiling was confirmed with the ion-conductance method and the conditions under which the ceiling could be achieved were clarified. A way to extend the method to three-dimensional culture was also devised.

Free Research Field

知能機械

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

体内の腫瘍は均一ながん細胞の集団ではなく，がん細胞が複雑に分化していること，正常細胞が腫瘍に取り込まれがん細胞の生存に利用されること，酸素と栄養が行き渡らない低酸素低栄養領域があり，そこの細胞は休眠状態になり抗がん剤や放射線に耐性を持つことが明らかになってきた．そのため，腫瘍の微小環境を研究することの重要性が認識されている．そのためには，単一または小集団の細胞を選択する方法を開発する必要がある．本研究の意義は，工学的な手法により，がん微小環境の分子生物学的な解明のための選択的細胞探査方法を開発したことである．