1.Studies of peripheral neurons in culture

In a study of factors influencing development of dorsal root ganglion(DRG) ,the influence of nucleosides on the myelin formation of rat DRG cells was confirmed.The development of calbindin D-28k- (CaBP-) and substance P-(SP-)immunoreactive sensory neurons DRG of mouse were observed,and the appearance of CaBP- and SP-immunoreactive neurons were influenced by various culture conditions.The neurite formation of DRG cells which transformed from bipolar to pseudounipolar cell was observed in cell culture using the VTR system.

2.Studies on the efferent and afferent pathway of the peripheral and central nervous system in cat

The Origin and peripheral distribution of the primary afferent fibers to the cat auricle were studied by HRP.Hitherto unknown corticospinal fibers surrounding the ventral horn of the spinal cord bilatetally ,in addition to crossed and the uncrossed lateral,ventral and dorsal corticospinal tract were confirmed following injection of WGA-HRP into the sensorimotor cortex on one side.

3.Studies on the avascular brains of salamanders

Some kind of salamanders have no blood vessels in their brains.We observed brains of Salamandrella keyserlingii,which live only in moist fields in the Kushiro distinct in Japan.Serial sections were observed, but no blood vessels were found.To clarify this peculiar fact,an immunohistochemical study of glial cells and EM observations of ependyma and brain surface are under way.

4.Guidelines of histology laboratory at Sapporo Medical University

To assist the histology laboratory,all slide for use were sketched and explanations were arranged with CG techniques.

5.Studies on the localization of enzymes in term of cell differentiation

We studied the distribution of the phospholipase A2,Cu-Zn SOD and Mn-SOD in the rat stomach and other tissues.They could be useful markers for cell differentiation.

6.Morphological studies by using computer graphics

A new reconstruction method by computer graphics using "metaballs" was established and applied to a study on the characteristic three-dimensional structure of the Ito cells in the cod liver, from which we proposed a "hepatoskeletal system" formed by Ito cells. We are applying this computer system to other fields and developing it for morphological studies.

7.Information science in biomedical fields

We are applying UNIX Workstations and the Internet(IP network connected to world wide academic computer networks) to our fields in an attempt to facilitate research and education and ease interpersonal interchange among the members of our campus and academic societies.