Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Kagawa University
MD, Tokushima University
PhD, Shimane Medical University

Post-doctoral Position: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Programs for Applied Biomedicine, Division of Clinical Medical Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University
Department of Regenerative Medicine Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Kobe, Japan
Past Employers: Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University
Mentors: Prof. Mitsuo Och, Prof. Nobuo Adachi

Could you describe the path you’ve taken in meniscus research? How did it evolve?
We had long been engaged in cartilage repair and regeneration research for the knee joint. In Japan, autologous cultured chondrocyte implantation (ACI), a tissue-engineering–based technique introduced in 1996, was indeed a novel technology and showed relatively stable outcomes in younger patients. However, in cartilage repair for middle-aged and elderly patients, it became evident that a comprehensive approach was required – one that considers lower limb alignment, meniscus, and ligament conditions.

That realization led us to focus on the meniscus. Even after meniscal suturing, non-healing occurs in approximately 20–30% of cases, suggesting the need for a scaffold or biomaterial that could promote healing. In addition, in Japan, lateral discoid meniscus is relatively common, and we often encounter young patients with meniscal defects after partial resection. Therefore, there has been a strong clinical need for materials capable of meniscal reconstruction itself. We thus turned our attention to silk-elastin, a recombinant protein, and began investigating its potential as a scaffold for meniscal repair and regeneration, as well as for meniscus reconstruction.

When you started in meniscus research, what was your biggest question? Do you think it was answered?
My biggest question when I began meniscus research was how an avascular tissue could heal. Even in the avascular zone of the meniscus, healing can occur if proper suturing and an appropriate biological environment are provided. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear and still require further investigation.

What collaboration was the most unexpected of your career? How did it impact your work today?
Collaboration with industry was the most unexpected but also the most valuable and exciting. It allowed us access to biomaterials that are otherwise unavailable in academia and provided opportunities to validate them. Moreover, through such collaborations, I gained insight into the regulatory processes and requirements for clinical translation, which has been extremely beneficial for advancing future medical device development.

In your opinion, what is the current open question in the meniscus field right now?
Research on the qualitative assessment of meniscal tissue.

What advice would you give investigators who are just starting out in the field?
We need more studies focusing on clarifying the qualitative characteristics of the meniscus.

When you’re not in the lab, what do you like to do for fun?
Swimming and reading Japanese MANGA.

What is the most unusual/unexpected item sitting on your desk right now?
Labubu