Hiroshi Asahara, MD, PhD

 Email

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Scripps Research Joint Appointments

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Research Focus

As a molecular biologist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Asahara's research focuses on examining the precise mechanism of chromatin-dependent gene regulation related to limb development. Combining these new findings in molecular and developmental biology, with clinical research in the field of locomotive science, our aim is to develop innovative new therapies that will benefit patients with arthritis, bone tumor and spinal cord injuries.

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Education

Ph.D., Okayama University, 1997
M.D. (Medicine), Okayama University, Medical School, 1992

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Professional Experience

2015-2017 Professor of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Molecular and Experimental Medicine (MEM), Scripps Research
2008-2015 Associate Professor of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Molecular and Experimental Medicine (MEM), Scripps Research
2002-2008 Assistant Professor of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Molecular and Experimental Medicine (MEM), Scripps Research
2000-2002 Staff Scientist, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
-2000 Postdoctoral Fellow, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
-1999 Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University

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Awards & Professional Activities

2000, Arthritis National Research Foundation Grant Award
2002, Hulda Irene Arthritis Investigator Award
2002, Arthritis Investigator Award, Arthritis Foundation
2004, Arthritis Foundation, Molecular Immunology Study Section
2004, Ad Hoc member, NIH MOSS Study Section, NIH SBDD Study Section

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Selected Publications

Kawakami, Y.; Tsuda, M.; Takahashi, S.; Taniguchi, N.; Esteban, C. R.; Zemmyo, M.; Furumatsu, T.; Lotz, Martin K.; Belmonte, J. C.; Asahara, Hiroshi Transcriptional coactivator PGC-1 alpha regulates chondrogenesis via association with Sox9. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2005, 102, 2414-2419.
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Furumatsu, T.; Tsuda, M.; Taniguchi, N.; Tajima, Y.; Asahara, Hiroshi Smad3 induces chondrogenesis through the activation of SOX9 via CREB-binding protein/p300 recruitment. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2005, 280, 8343-8350.
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Kawakami, Y.; Rodriguez-Leon, J.; Koth, C. M.; Buscher, D.; Itoh, T.; Raya, A.; Ng, J. K.; Esteban, C. R.; Takahashi, S.; Henrique, D.; Schwarz, M. F.; Asahara, Hiroshi; Belmonte, J. C. MKP3 mediates the cellular response to FGF8 signalling in the vertebrate limb. Nature Cell Biology 2003, 5, 513-519.
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Tsuda, M.; Takahashi, S.; Takahashi, Y.; Asahara, Hiroshi Transcriptional co-activators CREB-binding protein and p300 regulate chondrocyte-specific gene expression via association with Sox9. Journal of Biological Chemistry 2003, 278, 27224-27229.
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