Viruses have small genome sizes, and paramyxoviruses (measles virus, mumps virus, parainfluenza virus, etc.), which our laboratory mainly uses, can be used as viral vectors for gene therapy, cancer therapy, vaccine development, etc. because of their relatively easy genetic engineering. We have developed viral vectors carrying multiple genes for iPS cell production and viral vectors that can control replication and gene expression by blue light irradiation. Currently, we are considering the development of various viral vectors for clinical applications by improving their performance as vectors and examining the genes to be accommodated on them. We would like to actively accept collaboration research projects discussing what kind of performance viral vectors are needed for breakthrough research.

Main Related Publications

1. Okura T*, Tahara M, Otsuki N, Sato M, Takeuchi K, Takeda M. Generation of a photocontrollable recombinant bovine parainfluenza virus type 3. Microbiology Immunology (Online ahead of print)
2. Bae C, Katoh H*, Wakata A, Sakata M, Kato F*, Takeda M. Demonstration of bacterium-free very rapid reverse genetics system using mumps virus. Microbiol Immunol 76:44–7
3. Hiramoto T, Tahara M, Liao J, Soda Y, Miura Y, Kurita R, Hamana H, Inoue K, Kohara H, Miyamoto S, Hijikata Y, Okano S, Yamaguchi Y, Oda Y, Ichiyanagi K, Toh H, Sasaki H, Kishi H, Ryo A, Muraguchi A, Takeda M*, Tani K*: Non–transmissible MV vector with segmented RNA genome establishes different types of iPSCs from hematopoietic cells. Mol Ther 28:129–141, 2020.
4. Tahara M, Takishima Y, Miyamoto S, Nakatsu Y, Someya K, Sato M, Tani K, Takeda M*: Photocontrollable mononegaviruses. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 116:11587–9, 2019.