Message

The Department of Anatomy was established in 1971 shortly after foundation of Kawasaki Medical School, and since 1993, two departments have been integrated to become the current anatomy department. Based on traditions so far, we have worked all together as one anatomy department member in both education and research to contribute to the development of modern medicine. Technological innovations that have progressed tremendously from the end of the last century to the present have strongly promoted modern life sciences such as molecular and cellular biology, genetic engineering, brain science, and regenerative medicine, which has greatly advanced medicine and medical care. There are also areas where it is extremely fast to proceed from elucidation of the onset mechanism to diagnosis, treatment, regeneration, and prevention.

However, despite of modern advancement, there are many mysteries of the brain. In order to understand human beings and life, that is, to understand various aspects of human existence and life phenomena, it is essential to "explore the brain". The brain can be said to be a collection of structural and functional connection/communication organized by neuron and glia. Based on various cell-labeling methods applied with genetic engineering and cell biology, we aim to elucidate neural circuits analyzing olfactory and emotional systems as a basic circuit-models by using correlative digitized laser microscopes, electron microscopes, and ultrahigh-voltage electron microscopes (Osaka University: the world's highest accelerating voltage). Furthermore, we are conducting developmental engineering, genetic, and epigenetic analysis of "generation of life", the eternal theme of how all living beings are born and nurtured, with the aim of elucidating their differentiation mechanism and gene expression mechanism, mainly in gonadal tissue, especially Sertoli cells and gonadal interstitial cells. These are also conducted at the same time with research institutes and researchers in Japan and overseas, and are presented annually at academic conferences and papers. In the 13 years since I arrived, we have taught 12 graduate students (7 Ph.D. students including 6 medical doctors, 3 Ph.D. students from outside, and 2 postgraduate master's degrees from the Kawasaki University of Health and Welfare), nine of whom have already obtained Ph.D. degrees, and 3 are currently enrolled.

There have been certainly many undergraduate educations in the Department of Anatomy, but I think it just a chance to practice an integrated curriculum with everyone as a member of one anatomy integrated department as well as a good advantage for "integration of education and research", just like a new era “REIWA”, beautiful harmony. We have so far produced two professors and one associate professor outside the university. With the development of "generalists in education and specialists in research ", I would like to practice human education, such as “Liberal humanity, Sound body, and Profound knowledge”, which are the founding policies of our Medical School, not only for medical students but also in the development of doctors, researchers, and educators.

Professor Kazunori Toida, MD, Ph.D.

Chairman of the Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School