Category Archives: Takashi Tsuji

Manabu Ohyama, Replicel, Shiseido, Takashi Tsuji

Shiseido Discusses Replicel Technology

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The below two superb videos from Japan’s Shiseido were shared by its Canadian partner Replicel three weeks ago. I delayed embedding them here until they had English subtitles (which they now do if you click on CC in the lower right corner of the videos). Some of the visuals are very interesting and instructive. In my opinion, if final clinical trials this year work out as expected, Shiseido will be able to bring this technology to fruition far more rapidly and easily in comparison to Replicel due to two main reasons:

  1. Japan’s newer much more friendlier regulations governing regenerative medicine and stem cell research.  Stage 3 clinical trials will no longer be required in Japan.
  2. Shiseido’s drastically larger size and funding availability in comaprison to Replicel.  According to wikipedia, Shiseido is the largest cosmetics firm in Japan, and the fourth largest cosmetics firm in the world.

The second video covers the work of Dr. Takashi Tsuji and of Dr. Manabu Ohyama (who it seems might be working for Shiseido).

Takashi Tsuji, Tokyo University of Science

Dr. Takashi Tsuji Brief Introduction

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Dr. Takashi Tsuji from Japan is one of the world’s leading hair loss researchers. His lab is based at the Tokyo University of Science.

However, since this post was written, Dr. Tsuji is mostly associated with the RIKEN Center for Development Biology.

More information on Dr. Tsuji can be found here.

The doctor’s lab is working to gain a better understanding of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in: organ induction; organ development; and organ morphogenesis.

The have developed seminal technologies in relation to three dimensional (3D) control of epithelial stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Primary areas of focus include primordia for teeth, hair follicles and salivary glands. Research to date has been largely focused in mice. Update: Human trials will commence in 2020.

The work involves pluripotent stem cells such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Ultimately, Dr. Tsuji’s team will develop new technologies for use in regenerative medicine. A necessity in rapidly aging Japan, as well as in much of the developed world.

I will explore his research in greater detail in a future post, but for now, below is a recent video in which he makes an appearance:

Dr. Tsuji video.

Also read the important 2011 study from Dr. Tsuji’s lab.