Welcome to the homepage of the Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation (IMCR), Gunma University!
What is “metabolic syndrome” ?
Most of you have heard of the words “lifestyle disease” and “metabolic syndrome” before. Over twenty million Japanese suffer from these conditions today.
We conduct cutting-edge research to elucidate the mechanisms behind these health issues and develop cures for them. Our aim is to understand the homeostatic mechanisms of the body, especially endocrinological and metabolic mechanisms. We take a multi-disciplinary approach toward achieving this goal using various model organisms, including simple organisms such as yeast and worms as well as more complex ones such as rodents and other mammals.
How endocrine system works
Endocrine cells secretes hormones and regulate only the target cells without affecting other cells.（Like wireless communication）
What is “metabolism” ?
Metabolism is the process in which body uses what you ingested as sources to maintain the function of the body. The ingested materials are broken down or put together to make body parts or used as fuels.
We mainly investigate:
- How the hormones produced in cells are secreted
- How hormones convey signals in the target cells
- How metabolism is regulated at the cellular and organismal levels
- How genes and lifestyle affect our susceptibility to diseases such as obesity and cancer
- How inflammation and immune reactions affect the action of hormones
Our bodies are made up of 60-70 trillion cells and consist of very complex organ systems. Harmonious coordination among these cells and organs leads to homeostasis and good health. Therefore, our goal is to understand how homeostasis is maintained in good health and disturbed in diseases at the genetic, epigenetic, cellular, and organismal level and to better understand health and disease in order to develop more effective treatment strategies for the future.
