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Kanazawa University research: Shedding light on how tissues grow with sharply defined structures

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KANAZAWA, Japan, Oct. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Researchers at Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, demonstrate how morphogens combined with cell adhesion can generate tissue domains with a sharp boundary in an in vitro model system.

Figure 1   https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Toda_Fig.-1.jpg
Caption Figure 1:    How does the morphogen gradient regulate multicellular patterning?

Recent advances that have enabled the growth of tissue cultures into organoids and embryoids have heightened interest as to how tissue growth is controlled during the natural processes of embryo development. It is known that the diffusion of signaling molecules called morphogens directs patterned tissue growth but what has been harder to understand is how the gradient of morphogens from this diffusion can lead to sharply defined domains in the resulting tissue (Fig. 1). Now Satoshi Toda at Kanazawa University NanoLSI (currently Osaka University, Institute for Protein Research), alongside Kosuke Mizuno at NanoLSI and Tsuyoshi Hirashima at the National University of Singapore, demonstrate a simple model system – SYnthetic Morphogen system for Pattern Logic Exploration using 3D spheroids (SYMPLE3D) – that sheds light on the process.

Various previous studies have looked at the role of morphogens and cell adhesion during tissue growth separately. However, the researchers noted a couple of recent studies indicating how a morphogen involved in neural tube patterning controls expression of a family of adhesion proteins called cadherins to form sharply defined structures. Prompted by these insights, they devised their model system to investigate the interplay between morphogens and cadherins. They highlight how in vivo morphogens induce numerous changes in cellular properties simultaneously, making it hard to disentangle what is going on. For this reason, as they highlight in the discussion of their report, “SYMPLE3D provides a new synthetic biology approach for mechanistically studying tissue patterning and engineering organoid structures.”

SYMPLE3D uses two types of cells – one, the GFP secretors, which secrete GFP and express P-cadherin forming what they describe as “GFP-secreting organizer spheroids”. The other is a GFP receiver cell, initially engineered to express a synthetic receptor called “synNotch” that recognizes GFP and induces mCherry reporter – “imC cells” (Fig. 2A).

The first stage looked at the result of co-culturing the GFP secretors and receiver cells. They found that although the imC cells did capture the secreted GFP resulting in a GFP gradient, the resulting gradient contained ectopically active cells – expression of the high-level mCherry reporter in an inappropriate position of the gradient (Fig. 2B, upper panel). To deal with the issue of ectopically active cells, Mizuno and Toda engineered GFP receiver cells to induce mCherry-fused E-cadherin, a cell adhesion molecule. To their surprise, a uniformly activated tissue domain with sharp boundary emerged instead of a gradient between the secretor and receiver cells (Fig. 2B, lower panel).

Figure 2: https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Toda_Fig.-2.jpg
Caption Figure 2.  Tissue domain formation through the coupling of morphogen signals and cell adhesion. (A) SYnthetic Morphogen system for Pattern Logic Exploration using 3D spheroids (SYMPLE3D). (B) mCherry (upper panel) or Ecad-mCherry (lower panel) was induced in response to the GFP gradient.

The sharp boundary was also robust to changes in growth conditions. Since the addition of a single factor, E-cadherin, caused a significant change in the pattern, they then focused on the mechanism of the pattern formation process with a combination of molecular gradient and E-cadherin in their model system. 

By monitoring the real time process of tissue growth, they were able to identify activated GFP receiver cells engineered to induce mCherry-fused E-cadherin were initially scattered but aggregated over the course of time. Ectopically active cells were then gradually absorbed into this active domain resulting in a sharp cut off between the mCherry positive and negative domains. They also note “an intriguing aspect” of their synthetic tissue domain, in that across the active domain the distribution of induced E-cadherin-mCherry was uniformly high, whereas GFP was distributed with a gradient. Here, they revealed a key feature of E-cadherin for the synthetic tissue domain formation. They analyzed the behavior of cells that express various levels of E-cadherin in response to different amounts of GFP and found that the behavior was the same whether the cells induced low or high levels of E-cadherin. Furthermore, they showed that cells that induced more than a certain amount of E-cadherin were able to mix with each other and form a single cell population, regardless of the expression level. Therefore, the mixing of cells that induced different levels of E-cadherin within the GFP gradient allowed the cells to receive GFP uniformly and thus the expression level of E-cadherin became evenly high in the synthetic tissue domain (Fig. 3). A simple mathematical model, developed by Hirashima, based on cell movement governed by differential adhesion energy supported their experimental observations. “Our findings suggest the possibility of programming a new tissue domain with sharp boundaries in organoids by combining synthetic morphogens with cell adhesion control,” they conclude in their report.

Figure 3: https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Toda_Fig.-3.jpg
Caption Figure 3.  The pattern formation mechanism where morphogen signals and cadherin expression cooperate to generate tissue domains with a sharp boundary.

Note about the contributions of Kosuke Mizuno to research at the NanoLSI

Kosuke Mizuno, a second-year doctoral student in the Nano Life Science Program, has made notable contributions to NanoLSI research. He was awarded the NanoLSI Transdisciplinary Research Grant for FY2023 and FY2024.

Glossary

Morphogen

A signaling molecule that controls cell fate decision dependently on its local concentration to regulate morphogenesis. Morphogens are secreted from source cells, diffuse within tissues and form a concentration gradient that works as positional information for cell differentiation. Representative morphogens include Wnt, BMP, Shh, and retinoic acid.

Cadherins

Cadherins are a family of transmembrane proteins that facilitate cell to cell adhesion. Mizuno, Hirashima and Toda use E-cadherin and P-cadherin in the current study, which belong to the classical cadherin family. Cadherins primarily bind to each other via their homophilic extracellular domains. However, cadherins also have an intracellular domain, which binds to adaptor proteins connected to actin cytoskeletons and contributes to tissue compaction and cell sorting.

Synthetic Notch receptor (synNotch)

Notch is a signal transduction receptor. When the extracellular domain of Notch receptor binds to its ligand Delta, Notch transmembrane region is cleaved, leading to the translocation of Notch intracellular domain into the nucleus to regulate the expression of target genes. The synNotch receptor is a modified version of Notch receptor, in which the extracellular domain of Notch is replaced by an antibody or nanobody and the intracellular domain by an artificial transcription factor. Using synNotch receptors, researchers can design what ligand molecule cells recognize and what target genes cells express in response, which enables manipulation of cell-cell communications.

Reference

Kosuke Mizuno, Tsuyoshi Hirashima, Satoshi Toda. Robust tissue pattern formation by coupling morphogen signal and cell adhesion EMBO Reports. 2024.
DOI：10.1038/s44319-024-00261-z
URL： https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.1038/s44319-024-00261-z 

Funding

This research was supported by the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), MEXT, Japan, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) PRESTO (JPMJPR2147), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (20K15828, 21H05291, 21H05290), Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) (22bm0704048h0003), Senri Life Science Foundation, Kato Memorial Bioscience Foundation, Kao Foundation, Yoshida Scholarship Foundation, and the Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore.

Contact

Fujiko Imanaga (Ms)
Project Planning and Outreach
NanoLSI Administration Office, Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI)
Kanazawa University
Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
Email: nanolsi-office@adm.kanazawa-u.ac.jp
Tel: +81 (76) 234-4555

About Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University

Understanding nanoscale mechanisms of life phenomena by exploring “uncharted nano-realms”.

Cells are the basic units of almost all life forms. We are developing nanoprobe technologies that allow direct imaging, analysis, and manipulation of the behavior and dynamics of important macromolecules in living organisms, such as proteins and nucleic acids, at the surface and interior of cells. We aim at acquiring a fundamental understanding of the various life phenomena at the nanoscale.

https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/

About the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

The WPI program was launched in 2007 by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to foster globally visible research centers boasting the highest standards and outstanding research environments. Numbering more than a dozen and operating at institutions throughout the country, these centers are given a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to engage in innovative modes of management and research. The program is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

See the latest research news from the centers at the WPI News Portal: https://www.eurekalert.org/newsportal/WPI

Main WPI program site: www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel

About Kanazawa University

As the leading comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, Kanazawa University has contributed greatly to higher education and academic research in Japan since it was founded in 1949. The University has three colleges and 17 schools offering courses in subjects that include medicine, computer engineering, and humanities.

The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa – a city rich in history and culture. The city of Kanazawa has a highly respected intellectual profile since the time of the fiefdom (1598-1867). Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas.

http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/

 

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Kakunin Announces Cryptographic Compliance Shield for Google Gemini and OpenAI Agent Ecosystems

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June 14, 2026

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SaaS Compliance Leader Launches First-Class SDK Integrations for Google Antigravity, OpenAI Swarm, and OpenAI Assistants API to Meet Strict MiCA and EU AI Act Standards.

LONDON, June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kakunin, the leading compliance infrastructure platform for autonomous AI agents, today announced the release of first-class SDK integrations for Google Antigravity SDK, OpenAI Swarm, and the OpenAI Assistants API.

Autonomous agents are executing high-value, real-world tasks—but without strict boundaries, they represent a massive security risk,” said Palash Bagchi, Founder, at Kakunin.

As organizations move autonomous AI agents from sandboxes to production, securing the tools they run has become a critical operational hurdle. The new integrations allow developers to cryptographically secure and audit agent actions in real time, meeting the strict requirements of upcoming regulations like the EU AI Act and MiCA.

Preventing Agent Drift at the Tool Layer

Instead of relying on prompt engineering or system instructions—which are susceptible to jailbreaks—Kakunin secures agent tool execution at the cryptographic layer:

Pre-Flight Scope Verification: Validates that an agent possesses the required permission scope (e.g., trade.execute, file.write) before executing local code.Active-Agent Enforcement: Dynamically halts execution if the agent’s underlying X.509 certificate has been revoked or suspended.Tamper-Evident Auditing: Automatically logs session starts, prompts, responses, tool successes, and error anomalies.

Ecosystem Compatibility out of the Box

The new releases bring seamless, code-first integrations to the industry’s leading agent frameworks:

Google Antigravity SDK: Hook-based runtime protection that automatically secures Gemini-powered tool workflows.OpenAI Swarm: A lightweight class wrapper (KakuninSwarm) that dynamically gates multi-agent handoffs and task executions.OpenAI Assistants API: A polling-loop helper (handle_assistants_requires_action) that streamlines safety checks and tool output formatting in a single call.

Beyond these core OpenAI and Google environments, the new releases also extend Kakunin’s cryptographic shield to the broader agent development community. Out-of-the-box templates and shims are now available for LangChain (KakuninToolGuard), LlamaIndex (KakuninFunctionToolGuard), CrewAI (KakuninCrewAgent), and AutoGen (KakuninConversableAgent), alongside native middlewares for Next.js API routes and raw client libraries for Go, TypeScript, and Python.

“Autonomous agents are executing high-value, real-world tasks—but without strict boundaries, they represent a massive security risk,” said Palash Bagchi, Founder, at Kakunin. “By bringing cryptographic X.509 validation directly to Google’s and OpenAI’s agent loops, we are giving developers the peace of mind to deploy agents in highly regulated environments like fintech and healthcare.”

Availability

The new SDK integrations are available immediately:

Python Package: Available on PyPI via pip install kakunin.Playground Notebooks: Developers can test the integrations in 1-click via the official OpenAI Cookbook and Google Gemini Cookbook.Reference Samples: Available on the public Kakunin Samples Repository.

To learn more about securing your autonomous agent workflows, visit kakunin.ai/docs. or visit Conversational GTM for more enquiries.

Media Contact
Palash Bagchi, Immortal Reality PA LLC, 1 4125437290, ai@kakunin.ai, https://www.kakunin.ai/

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District Taco Kicks Off The Summer’s Biggest Soccer Event with Free Delivery Offer

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June 13, 2026

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App Users can enjoy District Taco at home with free delivery during the world’s biggest soccer tournament.

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — District Taco is bringing the excitement of the world’s biggest soccer tournament straight to fans’ homes with a special promotion designed to make game-day meals even more convenient.

This promotion makes it easier and more affordable to enjoy District Taco delivered right to your door so you don’t miss a moment of the action!

From June 11 through July 19, guests who order delivery through the District Taco app can use promo code ‘SOCCER26’ to receive $5 off their order, effectively offsetting the standard delivery fee and creating a free delivery experience.

Whether cheering on a favorite team, hosting a watch party, or enjoying the match from the couch, fans can enjoy District Taco’s fresh, made-to-order menu without leaving home or the extra delivery cost. “We know fans will be gathering throughout the tournament to watch some of the most exciting matches in the world,” said Osiris Hoil, CEO of District Taco. “This promotion makes it easier and more affordable to enjoy District Taco delivered right to your door so you don’t miss a moment of the action!”

The promotion is part of District Taco’s broader effort to drive digital engagement and app use. Here are the campaign details:

Enter Promo Code: ‘SOCCER26’ when placing the order in-appOffer: $5 off delivery ordersAvailable: June 11 through July 19Valid on: District Taco app delivery orders only (not third-party platforms)

Guests can download the District Taco app here for Apple users and here for Android users!

About District Taco

In 2009, two neighbors got together over some homemade chips, salsa and guacamole and decided to launch District Taco as a food cart. Since then, District Taco has opened multiple locations in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Washington, DC. Their mission is to serve quality – Yucatán style – Mexican food that is fresh, simple, and healthful, with a fully customizable menu that includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. At District Taco, food is made fresh daily from the highest quality ingredients. They strive to limit their impact on the environment by serving in environmentally friendly packaging where possible. For more information about District Taco or their menu, and to download the app, visit districttaco.com or follow @districttaco across socials.

Media Contact

Raquel Robinson, District Taco, 1 5712657573, raquel.robinson@districttaco.com, districttaco.com

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MGI Tech Showcases Expanding Genomics Ecosystem at ESHG 2026 with New IVD Partnering Program and OEM Collaborations

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June 13, 2026

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, June 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (MGI), a company committed to developing core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life sciences, is showcasing its latest advancements in sequencing, automation and clinical genomics at the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) 2026 Conference in Gothenburg, Sweden.

At Booth 352, MGI welcomes researchers, clinicians, laboratory leaders and industry partners to explore its comprehensive portfolio of sequencing and automation solutions while unveiling new initiatives designed to strengthen collaboration across the genomics ecosystem.

Advancing Clinical Genomics Through Partnership

A key highlight of ESHG 2026 is the launch of the MGI NGS Partner Enablement Program, a new initiative designed to connect diagnostic developers, assay providers and laboratory partners seeking to build validated clinical workflows on MGI sequencing platforms.

The program aims to accelerate the development and adoption of regulated next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications by fostering collaborations that simplify workflow implementation, reduce time-to-market and support broader access to precision medicine solutions.

“Clinical genomics is increasingly dependent on strong partnerships across the value chain,” said Fang Chen, General Manager Europe & Africa at MGI. “With the launch of our NGS Partner Enablement Program, we are creating a collaborative framework that brings together assay developers, software providers, automation partners and clinical laboratories to accelerate access to high-quality genomic testing.”

Expanding Automation Capabilities Through OEM Collaborations

At ESHG 2026, MGI is also announcing new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partnership opportunities on MGI’s DE Bundles (integrated library preparation and sequencing platform), bringing turnkey automation to global partners. The DE Bundle includes the current D4+E25 combination, as well as the new D16 paired with the E25 featuring a new 50M flow cell.

The D16, which will be launched later this year, is a benchtop, mid-to-low throughput library prep system and the upgraded successor to the D4. Retaining the fully enclosed contamination control system, it integrates a single-channel robotic pipetting module to maximize automation. With two sample preparation cartridges each processing 8 samples, the D16 delivers significantly higher throughput. The D16 and E25 systems provide flexible and scalable automation solutions for library construction, sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, streamlining the entire laboratory workflow.

Through this open OEM framework, MGI is enabling customers and solution providers to integrate proven automation technologies into customized workflows tailored to specific clinical and research applications. The OEM program reflects MGI’s commitment to building an open ecosystem that empowers laboratories to increase efficiency, improve standardization and accelerate scientific discovery.

“We are excited to expand the opportunities available to our OEM partners by providing access to the D16 platform, enabling the development of truly walkaway solutions that simplify and automate complex laboratory workflows,” said Wim Vervaeke, OEM Director at Europe & Africa at MGI. “Our innovations, including the PrepALL, E25, and G99, have already sparked new partnerships across the life sciences ecosystem. By combining MGI’s automation expertise with the specialized capabilities of our partners, we are creating integrated solutions that deliver maximum value, efficiency, and convenience for end users.”

Corporate Satellite Symposium Highlights Clinical Genomics, Precision Oncology and Spatial Multi-Omics

As part of ESHG 2026, MGI hosted its Corporate Satellite Symposium, Advancing Diagnostics: From Clinical Implementation to Biomarker Discovery, bringing together leading experts from across Europe to showcase how advanced genomic technologies are being translated into real-world clinical and research impact. The symposium highlighted applications spanning clinical oncology diagnostics, pharmacogenomics, and spatial multi-omics.

Dr. Raquel T. Lima from IPATIMUP (Portugal) presented the clinical value of RNA sequencing for detecting actionable gene fusions in solid tumours, improving diagnostic yield and supporting precision oncology decision-making. Prof. Dr. Andreas Braun from University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (Germany) shared how spatial biology technologies map the tumour microenvironment in melanoma, revealing tumour heterogeneity, cellular interactions, and mechanisms associated with disease progression and treatment response. Dr. Andrea Conti from BMR Genomics (Italy) explored the opportunities of whole genome sequencing for pharmacogenetic marker evaluation, highlighting how comprehensive genomic approaches can support the implementation of personalised medicine through improved identification of clinically relevant variants.

Together, the presentations demonstrated how genomic and multi-omics technologies are advancing clinical diagnostics, translational oncology research, and precision medicine, while highlighting the growing role of sequencing in delivering actionable insights across healthcare and biomedical research.

Comprehensive Solutions for Genomics and Multi-Omics Research

Visitors to the MGI booth can explore the company’s comprehensive portfolio of sequencing and automation technologies supporting applications across human genetics, oncology, reproductive health, population genomics and multi-omics research.

Highlighting strong market adoption, MGI is showcasing the T7+, its ultra-high-throughput sequencing platform at the conference. Following its official launch for the Europe and Africa region at Analytica 2026 in Munich, the T7+ has gained significant momentum, with 27 units installed worldwide as of the end of 2025. From benchtop to ultra-high-throughput sequencing platforms, as well as advanced laboratory automation solutions, MGI continues to support laboratories seeking high-performance, scalable and cost-effective genomics workflows.

“Our mission extends beyond delivering innovative technologies,” said Dr. Christian Zimmerman, VP Sales Europe & Africa at MGI. “We are focused on building a complete ecosystem that enables our customers to transition seamlessly from research to clinical implementation. The partnerships and initiatives we are launching at ESHG 2026 demonstrate our commitment to making genomic technologies more accessible, integrated and impactful.”

Driving the Future of Precision Medicine in Europe

Europe remains a strategic region for MGI, with growing adoption of genomic technologies across research institutions, healthcare systems and national population initiatives.

Through continued investment in sequencing innovation, automation, clinical partnerships and collaborative ecosystem development, MGI is helping accelerate the transition toward more precise, data-driven healthcare.

As genomics increasingly becomes integrated into routine clinical practice, MGI remains committed to providing the technologies and partnerships necessary to support the next generation of precision medicine.

About MGI

MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (or its subsidiaries, together referred to as MGI) is committed to building core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life science. Our focus lies in research & development, manufacturing, and sales of instruments, reagents, and related products in the field of life science and biotechnology. We provide real-time, multi-omics, and a full spectrum of digital equipment and systems for precision medicine, agriculture, healthcare, and various other industries.

Founded in 2016, MGI has grown into a leader in life science, serving customers across six continents and establishing research, manufacturing, training, and after-sales service facilities globally. As one of the few companies capable of independently developing and mass-producing clinical-grade gene sequencers, MGI empowers global users with scalable sequencing capabilities ranging from Gb to Tb levels. MGI also stands out as one of the only providers of a full-stack product portfolio that spans three core segments: SEQ ALL (short- and long-read sequencing), GLI (Generative Lab Intelligence), and Multi-Omics. With unparalleled expertise, cutting-edge products, and a commitment to global impact, MGI continues to shape the trajectory of life sciences into the future.

To learn more, please visit MGI Tech, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

 

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