Team Leader
Yasuyoshi Watanabe
M.D., Ph.D.
Laboratory for Next-Generation Imaging
[Closed Mar. 2019]
The Next-Generation Imaging Team aims to revolutionize the biological imaging analysis method by developing the application of the technologies invented and developed by ourselves. We developed the imaging apparatus GREI and MI-PET that are able to take three-dimensional images of multiple radio-tracers at a time distinguishing each kind of radionuclide, and that enable us to make non-invasive imaging analysis of multiple biological processes taking place in living organisms associated with health status and diseases. We have constructed the prototypes of the GREI and MI-PET for small animal imaging and succeeded in the world’s first demonstration of the technologies. Our ultimate goal is to realize clinical GREI and MI-PET systems. We are conducting applied researches on various models in collaboration with researchers and scientists in different fields to show the usefulness of these new imaging technologies clearly. In addition to establishing unprecedented imaging technologies to realize innovative medical imaging diagnostic method, we envisage pioneering new field of scientific researches in radiation therapeutics, radiation protection, bio-trace elements science and so forth.
Research Theme
- Development of the multiple radio-tracer imaging apparatus and its application
- R&D of the multiple-molecular imaging technology
- Fusion of molecular imaging science and metallomics research
Selected Publications
Fukuchi T, Okauchi T, Shigeta M, et al.
Positron emission tomography with additional γ-ray detectors for multiple-tracer imaging
Medical Physics 44. 2257-2266 (2017) doi: 10.1002/mp.12149
Munekane M, Ueda M, Motomura S, et al.
Investigation of Biodistribution and Speciation Changes of Orally Administered Dual Radiolabeled Complex, Bis(5-chloro-7-[131I]iodo-8-quinolinolato)[65Zn]zinc
Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 40. 510–515 (2017) doi: 10.1248/bpb.b16-00945
Munekane M, Motomura S, Kamino S, et al.
Visualization of biodistribution of Zn complex with antidiabetic activity using semiconductor Compton camera GREI.
Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports 5. 211-215 (2015) doi: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2015.12.004
Tanioka M, Kamino S, Muranaka A, et al.
Reversible Near-Infrared/Blue Mechanofluorochromism of Aminobenzopyranoxanthene
Journal of American Chemical Society 137(20). 6436–6439 (2015) doi: 10.1021/jacs.5b00877
Higashikawa K, Yagi K, Watanabe K, et al.
64Cu-DOTA-anti-CTLA-4 mAb enabled PET visualization of CTLA-4 on the T-cell infiltrating tumor tissues.
PLOS ONE 9(11). e109866 (2014) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109866
Kamino, S., Murakami, M., Tanioka, M, et al.
Design and Syntheses of Highly Emissive Aminobenzopyrano-xanthene Dyes in the Visible and Far-Red Regions.
Organic Letters 16(1). 258-261 (2014) doi: 10.1021/ol403262x
Shirasaki Y, Kamino S, Tanioka M, et al.
New aminobenzopyranoxanthene-based colorimetric sensor for copper(II) ions with dual-color signal detection system.
Chemistry – An Asian Journal 8(11). 2609-2613 (2013) doi: 10.1002/asia.201300515
Motomura S, Kanayama Y, Hiromura M, et al.
Improved imaging performance of a semiconductor Compton camera GREI makes for a new methodology to integrate bio-metal analysis and molecular imaging technology in living organisms.
Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 28(6). 934-939 (2013) doi: 10.1039/c3ja30185k6
Taniguchi M, Fukunaka A, Hagihara M, et al.
Essential role of the zinc transporter ZIP9/SLC39A9 in regulating the activations of Akt and Erk in B-cell receptor signaling pathway in DT40 cells.
PLOS ONE 8(3). e58022 (2013) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058022
Kamino S, Muranaka A, Murakami M, et al.
A red-emissive aminobenzopyrano-xanthene dye: elucidation of fluorescence emission mechanisms in solution and in the aggregate state.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 15(6). 2131-2140 (2013) doi: 10.1039/c2cp43503a