Hiroki Yokota, Ph.D.
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
Professor, Anatomy and Cell Biology (Adjunct)
Contact:
723 W. Michigan St. SL 220C
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317)-278-5177
hyokota@iupui.edu
Dr. Yokota's lab
Education:
Ph.D. Molecular Biology, Indiana University (1993)
Ph.D. Astronautics, University of Tokyo (1983)
Postdoctoral training:
Department of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Washington School of Medicine (1993 – 1998)
Research area : Biomechanics and systems biology of bone and cartilage
The main focus of our research is the investigation of the biophysical and biochemical mechanisms of load-driven bone remodeling and maintenance of joint tissues. We have developed a unique mechanical loading modality, named as “joint loading,” which can enhance bone formation and accelerate healing of fractured bone. Molecular pathway analysis reveals that this mechanical loading modality suppresses integrated stress responses and stimulates proliferation of bone forming cells. We are investigating the mechanism of suppression of integrated stress responses in concert with the mechanism of mechanotransduction. We also build mathematical and computational models of mineral metabolism and develop biomedical devices and sensors. Specific areas of interest include:
1. Loading and unloading of the skeleton and bone remodeling
2. Molecular analysis of mechanotransduction and integrated stress responses
3. Mathematical and computational modeling of mineral metabolism
4. Development of biomedical devices and sensors
Recent Publications:
Sun, H.B., Cardoso, L., Yokota, H. (2011). Mechanical intervention for maintenance of cartilage and bone. Clinical Med. Insights: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders 4:1-6.
Yokota, H., Pires, A., Raposo, J.F., and Ferreira, H.G. (2010). Model-based analysis of FGF23 regulation in chronic kidney disease. Gene Regulation and Systems Biol.4:53-60.
Chen, A., Hamamura, K., Zhang, P., Chen, Y., Yokota, H. (2009). Systems analysis of bone remodeling as a homeostatic regulator. IET Systems Biology 4:52-63.
Hamamura, K., Weng, Y., Zhao, J., Yokota, H., Xie, D. (2008). PEG attachment to osteoblasts enhances mechanosensitivity. Biomed. Mater. 3:25017.
Zhang, P., Sun, Q., Turner, C.H., and Yokota, H. (2007). Knee Loading Accelerates Bone Healing in Mice. J. Bone Miner. Res. 22:1979-1987.
Su, M., Jiang, H., Zhang, P., Liu, Y., Wang, E., Hsu, A., and Yokota, H. (2006). Load-driven molecular transport in mouse femur with knee-loading modality. Annals Biomedical Eng. 34:1600-1606.
Liu, Y., Vincenti, M.P., and Yokota, H. (2005). Principal component analysis for predicting transcription-factor binding motifs from array-derived data. BMC Bioinformatics 6:276.
