MECHANOMEDICINE

Abstract

Our bodies maintain normal physiological functions by sensing and responding to various mechanical stresses not only from outside but also within the body. These mechanical stress sensing and response mechanisms contribute to the regulation of physiological functions on a broad space-time scale including cell division, developmental processes, and the emergence of organ-specific functions; evidence has accumulated which suggests that collapse of these mechanical stress sensing and response mechanisms is involved in various pathologies. Looking toward the goal of establishing mechanomedicine in order to devise novel therapeutic methods, we have developed a number of new research methods and systems as well as resolving issues based on the elucidation of pathology employing a vertical research approach covering mechanosensor molecules, cells, tissues, and organs, at individual levels, in combination with horizontal research on diseases affecting each organ, from the perspective of mechanobiology.

This lecture provides an overview of basic medical research on mechanobiology, specifically the mechanism of mechanical stress sensing, and introduces research derived from the aforementioned research processes, specifically as applied to regenerative medicine (three-dimensional culture using selfassembling peptide + mechanical stress loading system) and assisted reproduction technologies (microfluidic sperm sorting system/stretch-induced fertilized egg culture system).