Development of novel PDMS-based micro-nano device for monitoring DNA damage – Publicly Invited Research 2016－2017

  1. A01 Akiyama
  2. A01 Ochi
  3. A01 Chatani
  4. A01 Seiki
  5. A01 Nikawa
  6. A01 Kawakami
  7. A01 Tomita
  8. A01 Honda
  1. A02 Shinohara
  2. A02 Maekawa
  3. A02 Ohgami
  4. A02 Nishimura
  5. A02 Kawano
  6. A02 Iwase
  7. A02 Furuichi
  8. A02 Myung
  9. A02 Kitamura
  1. A03 Nakamura
  2. A03 Harada
  3. A03 Ide
  4. A03 Shirai
  5. A03 Kakinuma
  1. B01 Lazarus
  2. B01 Miwa
  3. B01 Kunieda
  4. B01 Shimada
  5. B01 Kitaya
  6. B01 Sawano
Research Subject Development of novel PDMS-based micro-nano device for monitoring DNA damage
Research Group Leader
Asako Nakamura
Research Collaborator(s)
  • Tadashi Murai
    Advisor, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
  • Takaaki Suzuki
    Associate Professor, Gunma University

In modern society, exposure to radiation may come from cosmic rays, the sun or radioactive substances on the ground, during high altitude journeys, or in space. Therefore, exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) is one of the concerns to human health risk. Among the various DNA damages induced by IR, the DNA double-strand break (DSB) is the most dangerous damage leading to cancer. IR-induced DNA DSBs can be recognized using a sensitive quantitative assay based on the detection of phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2AX) foci at the DNA break site, which can be visualized by both immunocyto- and immunohistochemistry techniques. Given its sensitivity (the γ-H2AX assay can detect responses to 1.2 mGy IR), γ-H2AX foci detection has been widely used for radiation biodosimetry. In this project, we aim to develop a novel micro-nano device which will allow us to monitor the DNA damage level by γ-H2AX assay on site, such as at a radiation accident site, in the International Space Station, and on Mars. We will proceed with a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic system for the isolation of lymphocytes from whole blood cells and detection of γ-H2AX. In addition, we will identify novel radio-protective drugs for living in space.