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Early diagnosis of diseases using molecular probes
that enable non-invasive imaging inside the human body
Hatsuo Maeda
Visualizing invisible substances in our body
It is impossible for us to look directly inside our body. Currently, techniques such as X-ray, ultrasonic echo and MRI are available that assist us in capturing images inside the body to a certain extent. However, various substances (molecules) that act in particular ways inside the body are too small for us to look at. Still we believe that, if we can detect molecules inside our body by some method and can have detailed information of the targeted molecules selected among many molecules, it will contribute greatly to finding causes of diseases and to predicting the onset of diseases. This is the idea behind our research on molecular probes.
Research for disease prevention and discovery of their causes
Molecular probes visualize invisible substances in the body by emitting fluorescence in the near infrared region. Unlike ionizing radiation including y-rays and X-rays, this method is harmless and enables detection of diseases (damaged cells) before they appear.
We have already developed molecular probes that visualize “active oxygen”, a probable cause of many lifestyle diseases and aging. This type of molecular probe has been already marketed and used as a research reagent. We are also working on development of molecular probes that emit fluorescence in response to near-infrared rays penetrating into the body. If successfully developed, we believe they will enable more precise measurement of the blood flow without any damage to the body.
Researcher introduction
Hatsuo Maeda, Professor at Department of Pharmacy
After completing his doctorate at Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Osaka University, he served as Associate Professor at the same graduate school, and then as Visiting Researcher at Department of Chemistry of Minnesota University and so on. He became Professor at Department of Pharmacy, Hyogo University of Health Sciences in 2007. He is a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, the Chemical Society of Japan, and American Chemical Society. His specialty areas include bioimaging and fluorescence analysis.