[S-01] Symposium 01
A novel approach to decipher molecular mechanisms of human demyelinating diseases

[S-01-4] A genetically engineered mouse approach to elucidate molecular mechanisms of demyelinating diseases

^○Ryo Yamasaki (Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Japan)

Molecular targeted therapy has rapidly been developing in human intractable demyelinating diseases. However, it is still extremely difficult to cure demyelinating diseases and repair damaged tissues, especially progressive form of multiple sclerosis. To develop a novel therapy for intractable demyelinating diseases, it is critical to uncover novel target molecules involved in disease cascades. Large scale genetic studies and bioinformatics as well as genetically engineered animals are powerful tools for discovering novel risk molecules and examining functions of these molecules. Combined neuropathological and neuroimaging approaches are also useful to clarify disease cascades. In this symposium, four distinguished speakers give lectures on genetic, immunopathological, molecular imaging, and genetically engineered mouse approaches to identify novel molecules involved in pathomechanisms of human demyelinating diseases.

Dr. Ryo Yamasaki is currently an associate professor of the Department of Neurology, Neurological institute, graduate school of medical sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
He graduated Kyushu University Faculty of Medicine on 2000. He obtained his PhD degree on 2008. He had been working as a postdoctoral research fellow in Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA from 2010 to 2012. After he returned to Kyushu University as an assistant professor, he engaged in clinical neurology and in basic research. His research interest is on the pathomechanisms of various neurological disorders through microglia/macrophage dysfunctions.