A new, robust, long-lasting, and safe nucleic acid therapeutic

Scientists at the Institute of Science Tokyo have developed a cholesterol-conjugated PMO/RNA heteroduplex oligonucleotide (Chol-HDO[PMO]) designed for treating disorders of the central nervous system. This advanced nucleic acid technology enables precise targeting of diverse genes while maintaining a strong balance between therapeutic efficacy and safety, offering a versatile platform for developing improved therapies for a wide range of neurological diseases. READ MORE

Dr. Rintaro Hara and Dr. Kotaro Yoshioka contributed a chapter to Gapmers: Methods and Protocols

A new book titled Gapmers: Methods and Protocols 2nd Edition has been published by Springer as part of the Methods in Molecular Biology series. Specially Appointed Associate Professor Rintaro Hara and Specially Appointed Associate Professor Kotaro Yoshioka contributed a chapter titled “DNA/RNA Heteroduplex Oligonucleotide for Highly Efficient Gene Silencing”. READ MORE

The research proposal submitted by Dr. Rintaro Hara was selected for the AMED Translational Research Program

The research proposal titled “Development of brain-targeting oligonucleotide therapeutics using glymphatic system control”, submitted by Specially Appointed Associate Professor Rintaro Hara, was selected for the AMED Translational Research Program. READ MORE

The research proposal submitted by Dr. Rintaro Hara was selected for AMED’s PRIME program

The research proposal titled “Exploring the technology of oligonucleotide therapeutics based on CSF science”, submitted by Specially Appointed Associate Professor Rintaro Hara, was selected for AMED’s PRIME program. READ MORE

Dr. Rintaro Hara was selected for the twelfth cohort of the Mansfield–PhRMA Research Scholars Program

Specially Appointed Associate Professor Rintaro Hara was selected for the twelfth cohort of the Mansfield–PhRMA Research Scholars Program. The scholars will participate in a two-week program in the U.S. in September 2026 to gain practical knowledge of translational research, healthcare policy, and regulatory affairs. READ MORE

Research project promoting patient-specific nucleic acid drug development for rare and intractable diseases (N-of-1+ drug development) selected by AMED
Japan’s first N-of-1+ drug development to be implemented through international collaboration with the n-Lorem Foundation in the United States

Led by Associate Professor Hiroya Kuwahara of Department of Neurology and Neurological Science and the Nucleotide and Peptide Drug Discovery (TIDE) Center at the Institute of Science Tokyo, “Advancing personalized nucleic acid therapeutics for rare and intractable diseases” has been selected as a new research project for fiscal year 2026 under the “Research Project for Practical Application of Intractable Diseases” by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). READ MORE

Dr. Kumiko Ui-Tei appointed Director of the TIDE Center

Message

The Nucleotide and Peptide Drug Discovery Center (TIDE Center) at the Institute of Science Tokyo promotes middle molecule drug discovery, focusing on nucleotide and peptide therapeutics. The Center advances convergence science by integrating specialists from diverse fields such as basic medicine, clinical medicine, structural biology, data science, nucleic acid chemistry, peptide chemistry, polymer engineering, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and pharmaceutical formulation. READ MORE

Institute of Science Tokyo established following merger of Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Tokyo Institute of Technology

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