member

As the term “$1000 genome” became popular some time ago, the development and rapid cost reduction of next-generation sequencing have made it not as difficult as it used to be to find out how the genetic information of an individual differs from that of others. However, it is still difficult to identify which of the many genetic differences that individual patients have are related to disease. This cannot yet be solved by next-generation sequencers and computers alone. In addition to the analysis of genetic information, experiments using cells and animals are essential. This is why we “do whatever is necessary from genetic analysis to mouse experiments.”

My mentor said, “To know the disease, you must know the normal.” Many physicians engaged in both research and patient care tend to focus only on the study of disease. However, the pathology of many diseases is complex, and often cannot be understood without understanding normal biological phenomena. We guide young researchers so that they can grasp the essence of life phenomena from a long-term perspective, rather than focusing on disease only.

Furthermore, even cutting-edge research is meaningless if it is not communicated to physicians in their daily clinical work. I am currently a member of the Japanese Society of Cardiology’s committee for “Guidelines for Genetic Testing and Genetic Counseling in Cardiovascular Disease.” The ultimate goal of our laboratory is to treat and prevent diseases and promote the health of patients, so we will actively promote such external activities as well.

Feb. 2024
Takayoshi Matsumura