Preface
Melanin is important as a bearer of skin and hair color, that is, visual phenotype. Even
within the same species, the expressions of body color observed between individuals
are diverse and in some cases cause discrimination because of poor understanding.
It is important to gain a better understanding of melanogenesis from atomic nuclei
and electrons world.
Further, in basic and clinical medicine, understanding the pathology of dyschromia
represented by oculocutaneous leukoderma and vitiligo vulgaris and melanoma,
which is a malignant tumor of melanocytes, and establishing a treatment method
are required.
Therefore, in dyschromia, abnormalities are mainly observed in the functions
related to melanin production and transport, and in the number and shape of
melanocytes. It is a designated intractable disease for which no cure has yet been
established. Vitiligo vulgaris is a disease that causes vitiligo throughout the body due
to lack of melanocytes.
There are various theories about its etiology, but it is thought that the induction of
an abnormal immune response to melanocytes is particularly important for the onset
and progression of symptoms.
Around ten years ago, our laboratory started researching this area. Around five
years later since then, it moved to the Institute of Technology, Akashi College from
Osaka University. Looking back on the research and the crossroads of life, we are
deeply moved by the diversity of life.
Lively and talented young people grow up in a fun and sometimes tough competitive manner. Your future is unknown, hopeful, and expected to be full of further
discoveries. Looking back over the years, you can gain a better understanding of the
diversity of life.
This book is written to introduce our attempt to deepen the understanding on
melanogenesis, its diversity, from atomic nuclei and electrons world. At the beginning, Chap. 1 introduces an overview of melanin chemistry. Chapter 2 introduces
v
Melanin is important as a bearer of skin and hair color, that is, visual phenotype. Even
within the same species, the expressions of body color observed between individuals
are diverse and in some cases cause discrimination because of poor understanding.
It is important to gain a better understanding of melanogenesis from atomic nuclei
and electrons world.
Further, in basic and clinical medicine, understanding the pathology of dyschromia
represented by oculocutaneous leukoderma and vitiligo vulgaris and melanoma,
which is a malignant tumor of melanocytes, and establishing a treatment method
are required.
Therefore, in dyschromia, abnormalities are mainly observed in the functions
related to melanin production and transport, and in the number and shape of
melanocytes. It is a designated intractable disease for which no cure has yet been
established. Vitiligo vulgaris is a disease that causes vitiligo throughout the body due
to lack of melanocytes.
There are various theories about its etiology, but it is thought that the induction of
an abnormal immune response to melanocytes is particularly important for the onset
and progression of symptoms.
Around ten years ago, our laboratory started researching this area. Around five
years later since then, it moved to the Institute of Technology, Akashi College from
Osaka University. Looking back on the research and the crossroads of life, we are
deeply moved by the diversity of life.
Lively and talented young people grow up in a fun and sometimes tough competitive manner. Your future is unknown, hopeful, and expected to be full of further
discoveries. Looking back over the years, you can gain a better understanding of the
diversity of life.
This book is written to introduce our attempt to deepen the understanding on
melanogenesis, its diversity, from atomic nuclei and electrons world. At the beginning, Chap. 1 introduces an overview of melanin chemistry. Chapter 2 introduces
v