Biological Systems

Biological SystemsBiological Systems

990C234

03BIMEB506

櫻井　雅之

Shunsuke Kon, Takeshi Nakamura, Satoshi Iwano, Tomokatsu Ikawa, Masayuki Sakurai, Hiroyuki Koike, DaisukeKitamura, Shuhei Ogawa, Satoshi Ueha, Yasutaka Motomura, Yuya Terashima, Tsuyoshi Nitta, Akihiko Yoshimura, Atsushi Ochiai, Hiroshi Haeno

2026年度後期

2026年度

②Second semester

水曜1限

Sunday 6th Period

2.0単位

英語　English

⑤ [対面]ブレンド型授業/ [On-site] Blended format (must include 50%-or-more classes held on-site)

Living organisms respond and infl uence on stimuli and information from the outside world, and cooperation of variouselementary processes such as cell diff erentiation, proliferation, and cell death occur. Consequently, maintenance andregeneration of tissues and organs are continually occurred based on homeostatic regulation. There are systems asindividual cells and dynamic systems that should be succeeded to next generations.
In this course, students can understand the basics of the life system.

In this course, students will understand the basic knowledge of life system such as gene, genome, transcription, theepigenetic control, structure and function of the protein, and signal transduction mechanism related to cell function.In addition, students will obtain basic and public knowledge such as the onset mechanisms of diseases caused by thedysregulation of homeostasis, and the development of new therapeutic strategies.
This is the subject that corresponds to the Diploma Policy "It is possible to understand the cutting-edge knowledge ofthe life sciences systematically, and possible to accumulate experiences about the various issues related to lifesciences" in the Graduate School.

１）Students will be able to outline the repair and maintenance mechanism of the genome, and the gene expressioncontrol including epigenetics.
２）Students will be able to outline the basic structure and the high-order structure formation of a protein, and theassociation with the function.
３）Students can outline the established mechanism of the hematopoietic system and immune system, with takingthe dynamic system as an example, which is established by the cell-to-cell communication.
４）Students will be able to outline the pathological expression mechanism associated with the collapse of the system and the development and clinical application of new therapeutic strategies “with taking the human genomeand cancer treatment as examples”.

*Note that this course is almost equivalent context to “生命システム論” on Wednesday 5th period. We recommend to take 生命システム論" instead of this course unless you are not able to understandJapanese at all. "生命システム論" is basically performed in English.
**Unless an international student who can not understand Japanese at all selects this course, We will not hold it.Once it is determined to be held, any students can take the course.


In taking this course, you would better to have basic knowledge about biochemistry, molecular genetics, cell biology,biophysical chemistry. Your active participation in the lecture, especially in the discussion, will be expected with yourown preparation as well as review before and after the lecture.

課題に対する作文　Essay／小テストの実施　Quiz type test／ディベート・ディスカッション　Debate/Discussion

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The content of lecture will be uploaded on the CLASS system before the lecture for your preparation and review.

To be evaluated by internal report or test (80%) and positiveness of participation in discussion (20%)

・S：到達目標を十分に達成し、極めて優秀な成果を収めている
・A：到達目標を十分に達成している
・B：到達目標を達成している
・C：到達目標を最低限達成している
・D：到達目標を達成していない
・-：学修成果の評価を判断する要件を欠格している

・S：Achieved outcomes, excellent result
・A：Achieved outcomes, good result
・B：Achieved outcomes
・C：Minimally achieved outcomes
・D：Did not achieve outcomes
・-：Failed to meet even the minimal requirements for evaluation

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教科書および一部の参考書は、MyKiTS (教科書販売サイト) から検索・購入可能です。
​https://gomykits.kinokuniya.co.jp/tokyorika/​​​

It is possible to search for and purchase textbooks and certain reference materials at MyKiTS (online textbook store).
​​https://gomykits.kinokuniya.co.jp/tokyorika/

The followings are recommended to read.

Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th Edition), B. Alberts et al. （Garland Science）
Molecular Biology of the Gene (7th Edition), J.D. Watson et al. (Benjamin Cummings)
Janeway's Immunobiology (8th edition), K. Murphy (Garland Science)
Cellular and Molecular Immunology (8th edition), A.K. Abbas et al (Saunders)

1.Systems that construct life: KON Shunsuke
Students will understand the mechanisms that sustain life, focusing on cell–cell interactions, tissue formation, andthe maintenance of homeostasis, as well as the breakdown of biological systems in development, aging, and diseasessuch as cancer. In addition, the course aims to deepen understanding of cell competition as a key mechanism underlying homeostatic regulation in living organisms.

2. New imaging technology for life system analysis: NAKANURA Takeshi
State-of-the-art imaging technology (two-photon excitation microscope, super-resolution microscope, FRET imaging,etc.) is eff ective for analyzing the life system from molecules to cells and whole animals. Students will be able tounderstand the fundamentals of the microscope and the outline of these imaging techniques.

3. Bioluminescence in Bioimaging: IWANO Satoshi
Bioluminescence is light emitted by enzymatic reactions and is widely used in the life sciences. Bioluminescence enables monitoring of gene expression, cellular dynamics, and other biological processes in living systems. Students will understand the mechanisms and biological applications of bioluminescence.

4. Epigenetic control in developmental biology: IKAWA Tomokatsu”
In diff erentiation process of stem cells, epigenetic control is necessary switch to read necessary information on thegenomic DNA. Students will understand the molecular mechanism of epigenetic regulation, including DNAmethylation and histone modifi cation, in cell maintenance and diff erentiation.

5.  Gene regulation by RNA editing: SAKURAI Masayuki
RNA transcribed from DNA that consists of four bases of A, G, C and U, and current technological advance indicatethat chemical modification and secondary structure of various bases have effect on protein expression and cellular homeostasis. Students can learn mechanism and novel technology for RNA editing.

6. Principles of Organogenesis Revealed by Pluripotent Stem Cells and Organoid Models: KOIKE Hiroyuki
This lecture introduces core principles of organogenesis using pluripotent stem cell–based and organoid models. Itoutlines how cell-fate specifi cation and three-dimensional self-organization emerge under defi ned conditions. Thelecture also describes how in vitro cellular behaviors and interactions can be related to in vivo patterns of tissueorganization and function, highlighting shared mechanisms that underlie biological systems.

7. Mechanisms of B cell development and responses: KITAMURA Daisuke
Upon recognizing antigens through antigen receptors (BCR), B cells are activated, proliferate clonally, anddiff erentiate into plasma cells to produce antibodies. In addition, cell-surface expression of BCR has importantfunction for B cell diff erentiation. Students will understand the mechanisms for diversifi cation of BCR and responsesto antigens, and roles for B cells and antibodies in immune responses.

8. Acquired immune response and signaling：OGAWA Syuuhei
Students will understand what molecule is activated and transmitted, when the signal is transmitted from antigenreceptor, auxiliary signal molecule, and the cytokine receptor. Students will understand what kind of role the activationof each signaling pathway perform for the activation and expression function in T cells and B cells.

9. Population dynamics of macrophages and dendritic cells in vivo: UEHA Satoshi
Macrophages and dendritic cells play a pivotal role in the regulation of infl ammatory and immune responses. In thislecture, students learn the origin of macrophages and dendritic cells and mechanisms underlying their recruitment tothe infl ammatory site. Through this lecture, students will understand the potential of macrophages and dendritic cells as a therapeutic target of infl ammatory and immune diseases.

10. Innate lymphoid cells in tissue homeostasis and diseases: MOTOMURA Yasutaka
Unlike T cells and B cells, innate lymphoid cells are unable to recognize foreign antigens, but respond to cytokines, lipids, and neuropeptides to regulate immune responses. Students will understand the role of innate lymphoid cells in maintaining tissue homeostasis and in various immune diseases.

11. Regulation of infl ammation and immunity by cytokines and chemokines: TERASHIMA Yuya
Most of the human diseases are infl ammatory and immune diseases. Tissue infi ltration of specifi c types of leukocytesunderlies the infl ammatory and immune responses to invasive stress. In this lecture, students will learn basicmechanisms of the infl ammatory and immune responses regulated by cytokines and chemokines, and understand thebases for disease treatments which target cytokines and chemokines.
　
12. Self/non-self discrimination by the immune system: NITTA Takeshi
Self/non-self discrimination by the immune system involves various biological processes including recombination ofgenomic DNA, protein degradation, organ development, and cell-cell interactions. By describing these processes, thislecture will provide the basis and up-to-date insights of molecular, biochemical, cellular, and evolutionary biology.

13. Molecular Mechanisms of Immune Tolerance: YOSHIMURA Akihiko
Immune tolerance is a state in which the immune system does not react to substances that should be harmless, suchas self or food.
When this breaks down, autoimmune diseases and allergies occur. We will gain a better understandingof this at the molecular and cellular levels.

14. Cancer Microenvironment: OCHIAI Atsushi
Cancer is a “Cancer tissue” that composed of cancer cells, fi broblasts, blood vessels infl ammatory cells and theirextracellular matrices. You will learn the importance of cancer microenvironment on understanding cancer biology anddevelopment of new diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer patients.

15. Data science and mathematical modeling in life sciences: HAENO Hiroshi
Large datasets about DNA mutations, gene expression, and so on have become easily available due to thedevelopment of measurement technology. In this lecture, students will learn how to analyze such big data, understandthe evolutionary dynamics of tumor progression from initiation to diagnosis, and acquire basic knowledge aboutimmunity as a defense mechanism against non-self organisms.

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