Fumi Shima, MD, Ph.D

In Drug Discovery Science Laboratory, we are conducting research on the development of molecularly targeted cancer therapeutics targeting the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway, closely linked to oncogenesis.
ras oncogene product Ras (H-, N-, K-Ras) proteins and their upstream/downstream signaling molecules play quite essential roles for survival and maintenance of cancer cells and tissues. Therefore, substances which prevents their functions presume to become promising anti-cancer drug candidates.
We are developing novel anti-cancer drug candidates by making full use of biochemical/molecular biological/structural biological methods (in collaboration with Graduate School of Medicine, and the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute), and computer simulations (in collaboration with the RIKEN Institute of Physical and Chemical Research). We also aim to create a new category of drug candidates by elucidating their mechanisms of action at atomic level.
We welcome researchers and students who eager to gain a wide range of knowledge, from basic medicine to its applications, and also in manufacturing products in the pharmaceutical field by utilizing those knowledge, and further welcome companies interested in our research. Please contact us and ask for our assistance.

Fumi Shima, MD, Ph.D

Main research themes: Shima, Yoshikawa, Makino

  • Molecular movies of the enzyme-catalytic reaction of the oncogene product Ras and its application to drug discovery 
  • Research on the development of novel molecular targeted cancer therapeutics targeting Ras/MAPK signaling
  • Molecular design of photo-controllable cancer-driver gene products
  • Targeting novel integrin mediated RAC/mTORC2 activation cascade to treat metastasis of undifferentiated soft-tissue sarcomas (MSK team has developed and been characterizing monoclonal antibodies targeting novel integrin’s ligand recognition motif, i-domain, to prevent function of novel integrin. KU will validate mode of action of the antibody at atomic level.)
  • To test the anti-tumor efficacy of Ras signaling inhibitors on active-Ras-driven soft-tissues sarcoma with aberrant genetic changes on Ras pathway including RAS genes and their regulators. (MSK team will conduct identification and validation of patient-derived cell lines with active Ras through genetic and genomic analysis of both cells and original patients’ tumors.)

Positions and Employment

1998 - 2000
JSPS Postdoctoral Research Fellow of Department of Physiology II, Kobe University School of Medicine, JAPAN
Instructor of Department of Physiology II, Kobe University
2000 - 2002
School of Medicine, JAPAN
Assistant Professor of Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, JAPAN
2002 - 2010
Member, The Japan Diabetes Society
2010 - 2011
Member, The Japanese Biochemical Society
2011 - 2015
Member, The Japanese Cancer Association
2015 - 2016
Member, The a Biology Society of Japan
2016 – till present
Member, The a Biology Society of Japan

Other Experience and Professional Memberships

1991-
Member, The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
1993-
Member, The Japan Endocrine Society
1993-
Member, The Japan Diabetes Society
1995-
Member, The Japanese Biochemical Society
1995-
Member, The Japanese Cancer Association
1995-
Member, The a Biology Society of Japan

Honors

1998年
Faculty Award for Excellent research, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, JAPAN
2011年
Chikako Tanaka Academic Award, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, JAPAN
2013年
Faculty Award for Excellent research, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, JAPAN

Courses taught and other services provided to students and the home institution

Undergraduate education

  • Gastrointestinal physiology, (2001 to 2018) in the medical department of Kobe Univ.
  • Physiology training course: ECG & Spirogram (2001 to 2018) in the medical department of Kobe Univ.

Postgraduate education (in the current principal assignment)

  • Science,Technology and Innovation Strategy Project Research (2016 to present)
  • Research on Science, Technology and Innovation 1 (2016 to present)
  • Project-Based Learning of Entrepreneurship in Science and Technology (2016 to present)
  • Presentation Exercises (2016 to present)
  • Master's Thesis (2016 to present)
  • Introduction to Advanced Medicine (2016 to present)
  • Advanced Science and Technology Research (2016 to present)
  • Advanced Project Research (2016 to present)
  • Advanced Course on Development of Molecular Targeted Drugs and Antibody Drugs (2016 to present)