Cell adhesion, motility, and polarization are fundamental cellular functions that underlie a variety of physiological events, such as tissue morphogenesis, wound healing, and formation of neural network.

Disruption of these cellular functions causes many human diseases, such as cancer and neural diseases. However, molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion, motility, and polarization are not fully understood.

The actin and microtubule cytoskeleton plays essential roles in cell adhesion, motility, and polarization. We are attempting to isolate novel molecules interacting with the actin and/or microtubule cytoskeleton and investigating the molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion, motility, and polarization. Based on the molecular mechanisms, we will also challenge to create drugs for human diseases.

Cell adhesion and cytoskeleton in epithelial cells Actin filaments are associated with cell-cell and cell-matrix junctions. Microtubules are oriented along the apico-basal axis.