News from the S-BIO Business Division,
Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.

Hepatocytes are the main components of the liver and are responsible for various functions such as metabolism, detoxification, and protein synthesis. However, in monolayer culture, they rapidly lose functionality and dedifferentiate into an immature progenitor cell state. This dedifferentiation is regulated by the activation of the Hippo signaling pathway and Yap, while being supported by Wnt signaling and TGF-β inhibition. This time, we introduce a paper published in Nature Communications titled "Hepatocytes differentiate into intestinal epithelial cells through a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal cell state in culture." In this study, dedifferentiated hepatocytes (dediHeps) were aggregated using PrimeSurface^™ 96U plates, and their redifferentiation ability was analyzed. The results revealed that dediHeps maintained a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype and possessed the ability to differentiate into mature hepatocytes and intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, the study demonstrated the potential for organoid formation and colonic tissue reconstruction, suggesting applicability to regenerative medicine. This achievement deepens the understanding of hepatocyte dedifferentiation and redifferentiation and contributes to the advancement of cell therapy and tissue regeneration technology.

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We will exhibit at Glyco-Core Symposium 2025

We will have a booth exhibition at Glyco-Core Symposium 2025 (September 24th - 25th, at Nagoya University). This event is an international conference hosted by the Institute for Glycobiology Core Research (iGCORE) of Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, where the latest research results will be presented by domestic and foreign glycomics researchers, especially on the Human Glycomics Atlas Project. S-BIO will introduce the glycan analysis kit product, automation system, and glycan analysis service that supports the glycan research are introduced in the booth. Please come to our booth.

I’m Kanazawa from the Marketing and Sales Department of the S-Bio Division. This summer has been another scorching one, and whenever I go out for sales visits, sweat pours down like a waterfall. Even in such heat, one of the quintessential summer traditions is fireworks festivals. Today, I’d like to introduce a few records related to fireworks in Japan.

1. The record for the largest number of fireworks launched belongs to the Suwako Lake Festival Fireworks Display in Nagano, where approximately 40,000 fireworks are set off.
2. he largest single firework in Japan is the "Yon-shaku-dama" launched during the Katagai Festival in Niigata. When it blooms, the diameter of the firework reaches about 800 meters.
3. The fireworks display with the highest number of spectators in Japan is the Tenjin Matsuri Fireworks Display in Osaka, which attracts around 1.3 million visitors annually.
4. he oldest fireworks festival in Japan is the Sumida River Fireworks Festival in Tokyo, which dates back to the Edo period in 1733.

Although fireworks festivals may look spectacular at first glance, some events originated as rituals to ward off epidemics or as memorials and acts of mourning. It’s important to watch fireworks with these sentiments in mind as well.