On-chip single-cell-based analysis system exploiting microfabrication technologies

Abstract

We report a series of our studies aimed at developing methods and systems of analyzing epigenetic information in cells to expand our understanding of how living systems are determined. Because cells are minimum units reflecting epigenetic information, which is considered to map the history of a parallel-processing recurrent network of biochemical reactions, their behaviors cannot be explained by considering only conventional genome information. The role of epigenetic information in cells, which complements their genetic information, was analyzed from the twin complementary viewpoints of cell regulation as an 'algebraic' system and as a 'geometric' system. The knowlege acquired from this study may lead to the use of cells that fully control practical applications such as cell-based drug screening and organ regeneration.