味八木 茂

Currently I am working on a project concerning the expression and function of micro RNAs (miRNAs) in osteoarthritis. This project is highly original as it is the first to address this new class of regulatory RNAs in joint tissue. I have a strong knowledge base in cell and molecular biology and is familiar with a broad range of experimental approaches and models in this field. I have generated mutant mice, established animal models, I am an expert molecular and cell biologist and had in-depth expertise in bioinformatics. My knowledge base not only includes skeletal biology but acquire insight into mechanisms of pathogenesis in musculoskeletal diseases. The goal of proposed studies is to reveal that exosome-mediated extracellular miRNA transfer in joint cell signaling and osteoarthritis pathogenesis. The studies have the potential to reveal important new regulatory pathways in osteoarthritis pathogenesis, and open new insights on osteoarthritis mechanisms. This may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for diagnosis in osteoarthritis. Furthermore, this proposal would not only pave the pathway for understanding and treating osteoarthritis, but it also has the potential to open doors to understanding the general role of extracellular miRNAs as a signaling molecule pathway in a complex network under various physiological and pathophysiological events.