Research Activities

• Necessity of Nerve–Bone Integrated Research
  • Most cases of maxillofacial injuries involve damage to both nerves and bones, and functional regeneration requires an integrated understanding of nerve and bone biology and the development of treatment technologies based on this understanding.
  • However, comprehensive research on the interactions and correlations between nerve and bone tissues remains limited both domestically and internationally, and has not yet been undertaken in a structured and collective way.
  • Therefore, this center seeks to achieve a profound scientific understanding of nerve injury recovery, the mechanisms of pain generation following injury, and the regulation of bone metabolism by the neuroendocrine system, through the world’s first research on the intricate interaction network between nerves and bones in the craniofacial and oral regions. Building on this, the center aims to establish a new paradigm for technologies that suppress pain and promote bone regeneration.
• Neural Injury Regeneration and Chronic Pain Control Mechanisms
  • The craniofacial region is a frequent site of chronic pain persisting for several months, including headaches, temporomandibular joint disorders, and trigeminal neuralgia. Furthermore, the recent rapid increase in implant procedures has led to a significant rise in complications such as pain and sensory deficits resulting from associated nerve injuries.
  • Very little is known about the specific neural circuits in the brain that underlie craniofacial chronic pain. By elucidating these mechanisms, we can establish foundational technologies for developing novel therapies for craniofacial chronic pain.
  • By investigating the functions and responses of the blood–brain barrier and glial cells involved in the development of intractable chronic pain or nerve damage, we can establish novel foundational technologies for treating diseases by modulating the blood–brain barrier or glial cells. Based on this, drug targets of a new concept and therapeutic candidates can be identified and validated.
  • Although much research is being conducted for the regeneration of damaged nerves in the face and oral cavity, successful nerve regeneration has not yet been achieved. Therefore, this study aims to research the regeneration of damaged nerves through the application of neural stem cells.
  • Neural stem cells play a crucial role in maintaining brain homeostasis and function. Through this study, by elucidating the key signal transduction mechanisms underlying neural stem cell homeostasis, neuronal differentiation, and neural regeneration, as well as the regulatory mechanisms of related factors, we aim to secure fundamental technologies for developing therapeutic strategies to address chronic pain or regenerate injured nerves.