JigSAP
We develop Jigsaw-Shaped Self-Assembling Peptide (JigSAP) hydrogel for injured tissue regeneration
Updates
Technology
What is JigSAP
JigSAP is a self-assembling peptide hydrogel mimicking extracellular matrix (ECM), enabling sustained release of bioactive molecules, and promoting injured brain regeneration.
JigSAP, with the sequence Ac-RIDARMRADIR-NH2, has alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic amino acid residues, forming an amphiphilic structure with a distinct jigsaw-shaped hydrophobic surface. Through a helix-to-strand transition, JigSAP self-assembles into supramolecular nanofibers several micrometers in length, ultimately forming a hydrogel under physiological conditions. This hydrogel exhibits uniform three-dimensional dispersion and facilitates the efficient incorporation and sustained release of JigSAP-tagged proteins, enabling cell-transplantation-free regenerative therapies.
JigSAP
Features
Sustained
Protein Delivery
1
Efficiently incorporates and gradually releases therapeutic proteins, ensuring prolonged activity for enhanced tissue regeneration without frequent dosing.
High
Biocompatibility
2
JigSAP self-assembles and forms hydrogel at neutral pH in the presence of carbonate ions, ensuring biocompatible and stable delivery.
Versatile
Application
3
JigSAP supports the delivery of various proteins, enabling broad applicability across different therapeutic targets and biomedical research fields
Potential Application 1
“Molecular Assembly Medicine”
using JigSAP
Combined with advanced medical devices, it enables sustained release of JigSAP-tagged protein at the administration site.
Injection of VEGF-JigSAP, a growth factor that promotes a new blood vessel formation, enhanced angiogenesis and protected against neuronal death in the subacute phase of an ischemic stroke model in mice. One week after treatment, the mice also showed functional recovery in a motor skills assessment (Nat Commun 2021, PMID 34799548).
Potential Application 2
“Molecular Assembly Scaffolds”
using JigSAP
Degradation (D)-JigSAP (11 amino acids), which facilitates the gel-to-sol transition of the JigSAP hydrogel, enables hydrogel removal from cells cultured in JigSAP hydrogel.
JigSAP forms a uniform hydrogel, making it an ideal scaffold for cell and tissue cultures. By adding D-JigSAP, cultured tissues and organoids can be efficiently retrieved from the hydrogel without enzymatic digestion.
Professor,
Institute of Science Tokyo
ITSUKI AJIOKA, Ph.D.
Dr. Itsuki Ajioka received his Ph.D. in 2001 from the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech). Following his postdoctoral training at Keio University (2001–2005) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (2005–2009), he joined the faculty member of the Center for Brain Integration Research (CBIR) at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) in 2009. Currently, He is a member of the CBIR (formerly part of TMDU) and the Research Center for Autonomous Systems Materialogy (ASMat) (formerly Tokyo Tech), both under the Institute of Science Tokyo - a new university established in 2024 through the merger of TMDU and Tokyo Tech. His research focuses on developing innovative technologies for neurochemical studies and brain regeneration, combining biological and chemical methodologies.
Professor,
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
TAKAHIRO MURAOKA, Ph.D.
Dr. Takahiro Muraoka received his Ph.D. in 2007 from the University of Tokyo. Following his postdoctoral training at Northwestern University (2006–2008), he was promoted to assistant professor at Tohoku University (2008–2015) and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) (2015–2017). He joined the tenure track position of the Institute of Global Innovation Research at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in 2017 and received an early promotion as a tenured professor in 2020. Since 2021, he has served as the principal investigator for the Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B) project, ”Kinetics-Driven Supramolecular Chemistry". His research focuses on developing innovative biomaterials for tissue regeneration.