2023 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Establishment of a novel platform of Raman microscope for diagnosis of hydrogel-generated cancer stem cells.
| Project/Area Number |
22K18179
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| Research Institution | Hokkaido University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | cancer stem cell / machine learning / Raman imaging / chemometrics / hydrogel / macrophage |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
I have achieved the reprogramming of cancer stem cells using hydrogel substrates, analyzing various cell lines to assess stemness marker expression. These substrates were specifically engineered to mimic the natural environment of cells, providing a realistic framework for my research. To evaluate the reprogramming process, I employed a high-speed Raman imaging system, enabling the collection of spatio-spectral data at unprecedented speed and resolution, offering detailed insights into cellular behavior and microenvironment interactions during the reprogramming process. Given the complexity of analyzing hydrogel substrates, I developed a Gaussian background correction method specifically tailored to remove the hydrogel background effect from Raman spectra. This advanced preprocessing technique ensured accurate interpretation of the Raman imaging data, revealing the underlying molecular changes during the reprogramming process. The analysis revealed that mitochondrial redox activity and lipid metabolism play a critical role in cancer stem cell reprogramming. This finding offers new perspectives on the role of cellular metabolism in cancer progression and stemness, highlighting potential targets for therapeutic intervention. My research extended to studying the influence of macrophages on cancer stem cell reprogramming. By exploring the interactions between these immune cells and reprogrammed stem cells, I uncovered significant insights into the immune system's role in tumorigenesis and its potential as a target for innovative treatments.
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