Ghrelin Research Project

Professor (Project Leader):

AKAMIZU, Takashi, M.D., Ph.D.

Education & Professional Experience

1980 Kyoto University School of Medicine, M.D.
1980-1981 Resident, Kyoto University Hospital
1981-1983 Resident, Kobe General Municipal Hospital
1987 Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine. Ph.D.
1987-1990 Visiting Fellow, NIDDK, NIH, USA
1990-1991 Chief, Kurashiki Central Hospital
1991-1996 Assistant Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
1996-2000 Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
2000-2001 Lecturer, Department of Medicine and Clinical Science
Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine
2001-2006 Associate Professor, Translational Research Center Kyoto University School of Medicine
2007-Professor, Translational Research Center Kyoto University School of Medicine

Honors & Awards

1994 The Shichijo Award of the Japanese Thyroid Association
1996 The Research Encouragement Prize of the Japan Endocrine Society
1999 The Society Award of the Japanese Society of Molecular Medicine
2000 Research Award of the Japan Medical Association
2003 The Kohn-Onaya Prize at the International Molecular Thyroidology Symposium
2006 The Medical Application Award of the Japanese Thyroid Association

Instructors:
ARIYASU, Hiroyuki, M.D., Ph.D.

IWAKURA, Hiroshi, M.D., Ph.D.

Postdoctral Fellow:
LI, Yushu, M.D. , Ph.D.

[What is ghrelin?]
Ghrelin is a novel acylated peptide discovered from the stomach, playing an important role in growth hormone-release, appetite, energy balance and so on.

structure

[Actions of ghrelin]
action

We explore the clinical significance and apply it for therapy and diagnosis of various diseases.

[Clinical study]
Phase I study was completed in Feb 2002 (Akamizu T 2004 Eur J Endocrinol 150:447-55). Now phase II study has just started in Jul 2004.