We will challenge direct viewing of biomolecular dynamics using single-molecule imaging and multi-target super-resolution microscopy IRIS. By elucidating the molecular basis of morphogenesis and the action of drugs, we will pursue principles in biology and seeds for drug development.

• Laboratory of Single-Molecule Cell Biology

  Member

  • WATANABE, NaokiProfessor
  • YAMASHIRO, SawakoAssociate Professor
  • MIYAMOTO, AkitoshiAssistant Professor

  Research outline

  In the cell, molecules often change their behavior by chemical and mechanical stimuli in seconds. By observing individual single-molecules mediating signal- and mechano-transductions, our laboratory is committed to solve the complex system of life. We are also extending the application of our original multiplexed, high-density labeling super-resolution microscopy IRIS to elucidation of remodeling processes of body structures including the brain and nerve system. High resolution imaging is also applied to real-time monitoring of the action of target-based anti-cancer drugs.

  Main themes

  • Single-molecule imaging of mechanotransduction and its underlying signaling
  • Elucidation of tissue remodeling process by multiplexed super-resolution microscopy IRIS
  • Imaging-based elucidation of the mechanism of action of drugs for drug discovery

  Keywords

  • molecular mechanosensing
  • retrograde actin flow and cytoplasmic convection
  • actin turnover
  • formin homology proteins
  • allosteric effects of target-based drugs
  • multiplexed super-resolution microscopy

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  Laboratory website

The objectives of our studies are to clarify the mechanisms that regulate hierarchical structures composing cells, tissues, organs, at the molecular, cellular, and individual levels, especially about cell growth, differentiation, cell death, cell-cell interactions, and histogenesis.

• Laboratory of Immunobiology

  Member

  • TAKAHARA, KazuhikoAssociate Professor

  Research outline

  We focus on functions of innate pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) expressed on immune cells, the mechanism of eliminating pathogens and the negative action of pathogens to suppress host immunity to establish infection. In particular, we attempt to identify immunosuppressive factors of pathogens and develop substances that suppress excessive inflammatory responses such as sepsis as well as cytokine storm. In addition, by examining the cooperation between PRRs and hormone receptors, we would clarify the unprecedented outcome of the innate immune reactions. On the other hand, we are also interested in development and function of γδT cells, the first T cells in the body.

  Main themes

  • Functional analyses of PRRs on dendritic cells and macrophages, and subsequent responses.
  • Identification of immunosuppressive factors of pathogens and their applications for excess immune responses, e.g., sepsis.
  • Cross talk between PRRs and hormone receptors.
  • Functional analyses of pathogen recognition receptors in disease models.
  • Development and function of γδT cells.

  Keywords

  • Dendritic cells
  • Macrophages
  • Lectin
  • Polysaccharides
  • Immune suppression
  • Sepsis
  • γδT cells

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  Laboratory website

• Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology and Development

  Member

  • KITAJIMA, TomoyaVisiting Professor
  • FUJISAWA, ShigeyoshiVisiting Professor
  • TAKASATO, MinoruVisiting Associate Professor
  • OBATA, FumiakiVisiting Associate Professor
  • KONAGAYA, YumiVisiting Associate Professor
  • KONDO, TakefumiVisiting Associate Professor
  • TAKEOKA, AyaVisiting Associate Professor

  Research outline

  Kitajima lab

  Meiosis in oocytes is prone to chromosome segregation errors and thus frequently produces aneuploid eggs. The aneuploidy of eggs is a leading cause of pregnancy loss and congenital diseases such as Down syndrome. Using mouse oocytes as a model, combined with live imaging techniques, micromanipulation, and genetic approaches, we aim to understand the molecular mechanism of meiotic chromosome segregation and the causes of chromosome segregation errors in oocytes.

  Fujisawa Lab

  Our main research goal is to elucidate the mechanisms of cognitive functions such as episodic memory and spatiotemporal recognition at the neural circuit level. To achieve this goal, we conduct studies using large-scale extracellular recordings from the hippocampus and cortex of behaving animals, such as rats, using silicon probes to simultaneously observe the activity of numerous neurons. Furthermore, by analyzing these data and constructing mathematical models, we aim to uncover how neurons contribute to cognitive functions and perform local circuit computations.

  Takasato Lab

  What is the goal of regenerative medicine research using human pluripotent stem cells? We believe that one of the ultimate goals is the complete creation of any organ in vitro. To approach this goal, our laboratory aims to construct 3D organs at a higher level by the directed differentiation of human ES/iPS cells towards organoids. We also aim to contribute to pure developmental biology by elucidating the developmental mechanisms of meso- and endodermal organs.

  Obata lab

  Diet influences organismal healthspan by altering nutritional balance and gut microbiota, yet the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Our laboratory studies the functions of each nutrient and gut bacterial species that are dynamically altered in response to various dietary conditions. We aim to elucidate evolutionarily conserved “dietological” mechanisms that govern organismal homeostasis and healthspan by utilising Drosophila’s short lifecycle and genetics. We also study the molecular basis of feeding (blood feeding) or developmental origins of health and diseases (DOHaD) hypothesis.

  Konagaya lab

  Tissue homeostasis relies on constant tissue renewal, notably within the rapidly regenerating intestinal epithelium. Precise control of cell proliferation during differentiation is critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis, as its disruptions lead to atrophy or cancer. Our research focuses on elucidating how cell proliferation and differentiation are orchestrated in the intestinal epithelium. In particular, we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the cell fate decision of intestinal epithelial stem cells by live imaging of mouse intestinal organoids, multiplexed tissue imaging, and quantitative analyses.

  Kondo lab

  Embryonic development is a dynamic and beautiful phenomenon that proceeds with remarkable precision. Our goal is to elucidate the principles that ensure the accuracy of the entire developmental process. We view development as an information network system consisting of multiple hierarchies of “genome”-“cell”-“tissue”, and study the feedback mechanisms between the layers by quantitatively measuring and analyzing the dynamics at each layer using techniques such as single cell genomics, imaging and large-scale data analysis.

  Takeoka lab

  Movement is the ultimate expression of neural computation, integrating sensory perception and motor control to interact with the world. Our research focuses on how animals learn to generate and refine movement, emphasizing the role of sensory feedback in shaping motor learning. From basic motor functions to skilled movements honed through repetitive training, understanding these processes can inform interventions for motor recovery after spinal cord injury, aiding rehabilitation and functional restoration.

  Main themes

  Kitajima lab

  • Molecular mechanisms of meiotic chromosome segregation in mouse oocytes
  • Live imaging of chromosome dynamics in oocytes
  • Aging-associated deterioration of chromosome segregation in oocytes

  Fujisawa lab

  ・To elucidate the mechanism of spatial navigation in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex.
  ・To clarify the role of oscillations in the information processing of neuronal circuits.
  ・Development of technology for manipulating neuronal activity by combining optogenetics and electrophysiology

  Takasato lab

  • Study to elucidate the mechanism of pluripotent stem cell fate determination
  • Study to elucidate the connection between tissues and the division of roles between them
  • Study to elucidate the mechanism of self-organization
  • Study to elucidate vascularization and maturation of organs

  Obata lab

  • Elucidation of functions of each nutrient and gut bacterial species
  • Elucidation of the mechanism by which early life environment alters homeostasis
  • Elucidation of the amino acid regulation of healthspan
  • Molecular basis of thermotolerance
  • Molecular basis of feeding/blood feeding

  Konagaya lab

  • Investigation of the coordinated control of cell proliferation and differentiation in mouse intestinal epithelium
  • Analysis of the role of mechanical sensing in stem cell maintenance in mouse intestinal epithelium
  • Development of fluorescent reporters using machine learning algorithms for protein structure prediction

  Kondo lab

  • Elucidation of the rules governing how cells process the gene expression information to drive morphogenesis.
  • Understanding the mechanism by which tissue morphological changes control gene expression and cell differentiation.
  • Comprehensive analysis of cell differentiation dynamics in entire embryonic development.
  • Development and application of single-cell and spatial genomics analysis techniques.

  Takeoka lab

  • Spinal learning and memory
  • Sensory integration for motor adaptation
  • Sensorimotor circuit organization and function

  Keywords

  • Oocyte（Kitajima lab）
  • Chromosome segregation（Kitajima lab）
  • Live imaging（Kitajima lab）
  • Aging（Kitajima lab）
  • Neurophysiology（Fujisawa lab）
  • Hippocampus（Fujisawa lab）
  • Episodic memory（Fujisawa lab）
  • Spatial recognition（Fujisawa lab）
  • Developmental Biology（Takasato lab）
  • Regenerative Medicine（Takasato lab）
  • Pluripotent Stem Cell（Takasato lab）
  • Directed Differentiation（Takasato lab）
  • Organoid（Takasato lab）
  • Urinary Tract System（Takasato lab）
  • Nutrient（Obata lab）
  • Gut microbiota（Obata lab）
  • Healthspan（Obata lab）
  • Developmental environment（Obata lab）
  • Feeding behaviour（Obata lab）
  • Thermotolerance（Obata lab）
  • Amino acid（Obata lab）
  • Quantitative biology（Konagaya lab）
  • Live-cell imaging（Konagaya lab）
  • Intestinal organoids（Konagaya lab）
  • Cell cycle（Konagaya lab）
  • Cell signaling（Konagaya lab）
  • Machine learning（Konagaya lab）
  • Embryogenesis（Kondo lab）
  • Single-cell genomics（Kondo lab）
  • Epithelial morphogenesis（Kondo lab）
  • Cell fate control（Kondo lab）
  • Cell differentiation（Kondo lab）
  • Genetics（Kondo lab）
  • Imaging（Kondo lab）
  • Neurocircuit plasticity（Takeoka lab）
  • Motor learning and memory（Takeoka lab）
  • Sensorimotor adaptation（Takeoka lab）
  • in vivo awake electrophysiology（Takeoka lab）
  • mouse genetics（Takeoka lab）
  • cell type-specific opto- and chemogenetic manipulation（Takeoka lab）

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  Kitajima lab's website

  Fujisawa lab's website

  Takasato lab's website

  Obata lab's website

  Konagaya lab's website

  Kondo lab's website

  Takeoka lab's website

Cancer, autoimmune diseases, and life-style related diseases can be caused by genetic abnormalities and aberrant response mechanisms. We aim to reveal dysfunctional biological mechanisms of cell proliferation, cancer, and immunological, genetic diseases.

• Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology

  Member

  • KIMURA, IkuoProfessor
  • IKEDA, TakakoAssistant Professor
  • NISHIDA, AkariAssistant Professor

  Research outline

  Our research aims at understanding the molecular mechanism of homeostasis maintaining, especially focuses on dietary/nutritional function and endocrine metabolism. Based on this research, we aim to provide valuable insight into the development of functional foods, supplements, and medicinal drugs.

  Main themes

  • Dietary signaling via nutrient-sensing receptors and metabolic syndrome
  • Non-genomic effects via sex steroid hormone receptors and neurological disorders

  Keywords

  • Food & Nutrition
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
  • G protein-coupled receptor
  • Fatty acids
  • Sex steroid hormone
  • Obesity
  • Gut microbes

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  Laboratory website

• Laboratory of Genetics

  Member

  • IGAKI, TatsushiProfessor
  • KANDA, HiroshiAssociate Professor
  • TANIGUCHI, KiichiroProgram-Specific Junior Associate Professor
  • NAGATA, RinaAssistant Professor
  • KAKEMURA, BungoAssistant Professor

  Research outline

  Our research focuses on the molecular basis of cell-cell communications, particularly cell competition, cellular cooperation, and organ-organ interaction, that regulate tissue homeostasis, cancer, and aging. We take advantage of the powerful genetics of Drosophila.

  Main themes

  • Mechanism of cell competition
  • Molecular basis of tumor progression and metastasis
  • Genetic basis of tissue growth and homeostasis
  • Mechanism of aging

  Keywords

  • cell competition
  • cell-cell cooperation
  • tumor progression
  • aging
  • inter-organ communication
  • imaging
  • Drosophila

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  Laboratory website

Cell–cell adhesion is essential for the establishment of multicellular organisms. We purse the systemic regulation mechanisms of cell–cell adhesion and signal transduction. We aim to elucidate the mechanisms of tissue formation and the pathogenesis of various diseases caused by disruption of cell–cell adhesion. We also aim to establish the basis for drug discovery and development, and to establish new therapeutic strategies.

• Laboratory of Functional Biology

  Member

  • ODA, YukakoProfessor
  • OGAWA, KeigoProgram-Specific Assistant Professor

  Research outline

  Our research aims to elucidate the regulation mechanisms of cell–cell adhesion in multicellular organisms. We will focus on physiologically active peptides that induce cell–cell adhesion to understand the construction, maintenance, and repair mechanisms of multicellular organisms. We will also work on the control of various diseases caused by disruption of cell–cell adhesion, such as inflammation, cancer, and aging, and on the development of drug discovery.

  Main themes

  • Induction and regulation of epithelial cell-cell adhesion
  • Understanding of epithelial-immune interactions
  • Control of invasive and metastatic cancers
  • Elucidation of stress response in epithelial cells
  • Understanding of individual aging starting from intestinal barrier function

  Keywords

  • epithelial cell
  • cell–cell adhesion
  • physiologically active peptide
  • disease

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The Department of Biology Education and Heredity is composed of the Laboratory of Science Communication, the Laboratory of Bioeducation, and the Laboratory of Chromosome Function and Inheritance. The Laboratory of Chromosome Function and Inheritance studies the mechanisms of meiosis using cell biological and genetic approaches. The department as a whole focuses on training internationally-minded scientists, developing English-based science education and communication at the highest levels.

• Laboratory of Science Communication

  Member

  • GUY, Adam TsudaAssociate Professor
  • HEJNA, James AlanSpecially Assigned Professor

  Research outline

  Our laboratory engages in the development and implementation of new approaches to the internationalization of science education and communication. We are dedicated to training the next generation of scientists to communicate their knowledge and expertise not only to the international scientific community but locally to the citizens who ultimately support basic research.

  Main themes

  • Increasing the exposure of Japanese students to foreign peers. We are forging new partnerships with foreign universities to foster joint distance-learning courses, with active student participation in English.
  • Establishing partnerships with foreign universities to encourage short-term reciprocal exchanges of graduate students for collaborative research.
  • Expanding the opportunities for students to present their research in English to a broad audience.

  Keywords

  • Science communication
  • English education
  • Joint distance learning
  • International student exchange
  • Collaborative research

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• Laboratory of Chromosome Function and Inheritance

  Member

  • CARLTON, PeterAssociate Professor

  Research outline

  Infertility is a very common problem in modern society, while the basic mechanisms ensuring meiosis, the specialized cell division that generates sperm and oocytes, are not understood well. By using diverse techniques (cutting-edge imaging technology, genetics, AI-based prediction analysis, genomic sequence analysis), we aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms executing complex cellular processes in meiosis. Our focus includes control of chromosome dynamics, DNA double strand breaks, homologous recombination, and cell cycle control during meiotic prophase. By understanding these basic mechanisms of meiosis, we aim to contribute to the understanding of infertility problems caused by defective oocyte or sperm production.

  Main themes

  • Understanding mechanisms of chromosome dynamics during meiosis
  • Cell cycle regulation, DNA double strand break formation/repair/recombination regulations, Genome structure analysis
  • Analysis of chromosome structures using high/super-resolution microscopy or live imaging
  • AI-based protein structure/function analysis
  • Genetics and molecular biology with genome-editing technology in the model organism C. elegans

  Keywords

  • Meiosis
  • High/super resolution microscopy and live imaging
  • Chromosome dynamics
  • Genomic sequence analysis
  • AI-based protein structure/function analysis
  • Cell cycle, DNA double strand break, recombination regulation
  • Genetics

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  Laboratory website

We aim to understand the principles and functions of life, from the cellular level to the individual animal level, as a multicellular system with the advanced technologies in molecular genetics, biomolecular visualization sensors, optogenetics, bio-imaging, structural biology, and mathematical modeling.

• Laboratory of Bioimaging and Cell Signaling

  Member

  • IWATA, SoProfessor
  • NOMURA, NorimichiAssociate Professor
  • IM, DohyunAssistant Professor

  Research outline

  The laboratory of bioimaging and cell signaling is mainly studying structures of human membrane proteins, which are the targets for drug discovery, complexed with various pharmaceuticals. The main targets are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and transporters. We hope to contribute to the development of new drugs through these studies. To determine the structures, we use X-ray crystallography and single-particle cryo-electron microscopy.

  Main themes

  • Structural biology on drug target membrane proteins
  • X-ray protein crystallography
  • Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy

  Keywords

  • Structural biology
  • X-ray protein crystallography
  • Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy
  • Drug discovery
  • Membrane proteins
  • G-protein coupled receptors
  • Transporters

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  Laboratory website

• Laboratory of Brain Development and Regeneration

  Member

  • IMAYOSHI, ItaruProfessor
  • GUY, Adam TsudaAssociate Professor
  • SAKAMOTO, MasayukiAssociate Professor
  • SUZUKI, YusukeAssistant Professor
  • NAGASAKI, ShinjiAssistant Professor

  Research outline

  Our laboratory aims at understanding the mechanisms of development and regeneration processes in the mammalian brain, and their functional outcomes on neural circuits, higher brain functions, and animal behaviors. We are focusing on the regulatory mechanism of cell growth, differentiation, and quiescence of neural stem cells. We are also focusing on the functional contribution of newly-generated neurons to neural circuits and animal behaviors. Our laboratory is also developing novel optogenetic tools that can manipulate gene expression of cells by light.

  Main themes

  • Neural development and regeneration
  • Neural stem cell regulations
  • Neurogenesis in the postnatal and adult brains
  • Optical manipulations of cellular gene expressions
  • Optics development for imaging and manipulations

  Keywords

  • Neural development
  • Neural stem cells
  • Neurogenesis
  • Hippocampus
  • Optogenetics
  • Individuality
  • Transcription factor

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  Laboratory website

Genome and epigenome information are maintained by an intricate molecular system acting against exogenous and endogenous perturbations. We aim to study defects in these mechanisms that result in human disorders.

• Laboratory of Genome Maintenance

  Member

  • MATSUMOTO, TomohiroProfessor
  • FURUYA, KanjiJunior Associate Professor

  Research outline

  Attachment of the spindles to the kinetochores is one of the most important processes for equal segregation of chromosomes. The kinetochore, a key player of this process, can be found only at a fix position per chromosome. We are interested in the positioning of the kinetochore and study the underlying mechanisms. The spindle checkpoint delays the onset of anaphase until the spindles are attached properly to the kinetochores. We study molecular events in mitosis that are necessary to satisfy this checkpoint.

  Main themes

  • Chromosome segregation
  • Kinetochore
  • Spindle checkpoint

  Keywords

  • Kinetochore/centromere
  • Chromosome
  • Spindle checkpoint
  • Fission yeast

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  Laboratory website

• Laboratory of Genome Stress Response

  Member

  • YASUHARA, TakaakiProfessor
  • MU, AnfengAssistant Professor
  • IMAMURA, RikiyaProgram-Specific Assistant Professor

  Research outline

  Cells have sophisticated mechanisms to respond to cellular stresses from external stressors, thereby maintaining homeostasis. Our laboratory aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of cellular stress responses, especially the ones caused by genotoxic stresses, and the fundamental mechanisms underlying many types of diseases caused by inefficient stress responses. We hope to contribute to solving various problems in this age of long-life expectancy, such as cancer and infertility in reproductive medicine.

  Main themes

  • The molecular mechanisms of cellular stress response
  • Genomic instability induced by abnormal transcription-associated DNA repair pathways
  • The stress responses mediated by phase separation of RNA-binding proteins
  • Disease-related genome abnormalities caused by aging
  • The fundamental mechanism of diseases, such as cancer and chromosomal anomaly

  Keywords

  • Cellular stress response
  • DNA damage repair
  • Genomic instability
  • Transcription
  • Phase separation
  • Cancer
  • Aging/Senescence

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  Laboratory website

• Laboratory of Cancer cell Biology

  Member

  • HARADA, HiroshiProfessor
  • NAM, Jin-MinAssociate Professor
  • KOBAYASHI, MinoruProgram-Specific Assistant Professor

  Research outline

  Tumor microenvironment is highly heterogeneous and dynamic. Hypoxic, acidic, and nutrients-depleted microenvironments exist in solid tumors and induce malignant phenotype and chemo/radioresistance of cancer cells. We aim to elucidate molecular mechanisms responsible for cellular adaptive responses to the tumor-specific microenvironment and malignant progression of cancer cells in order to understand the nature of cancers and lead to the development of novel strategies for cancer therapy.

  Main themes

  • Cellular adaptive responses to tumor microenvironment, e.g. hypoxia
  • Molecular mechanisms underlying malignant progression and chemo/radioresistance of cancer cells
  • Molecular mechanisms underlying the onset of hypoxia-associated diseases

  Keywords

  • cancer
  • tumor microenvironment
  • hypoxia
  • HIF-1
  • molecular mechanism
  • malignant progression
  • therapy resistance

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  Laboratory website

• Laboratory of Chromatin Regulatory Network

  Member

  • IKURA, TsuyoshiAssociate Professor

  Research outline

  Recent advances in computational technologies such as mathematical modeling and machine learning for constitutive analysis of biological functions, in addition to conventional element-reduction approaches such as genetics and molecular biology, have enabled us to understand biological systems in a more integrated manner. In our Lab, we aim to analyze the diversity of aging and cancer signals induced by various external stresses such as genome damage stress, oncogenic stress or nutrient starvation, focusing on chromatin dynamics, using bioimaging analysis, single cell analysis, and machine learning, and to uncover universal rules behind such diversity, thereby constructing a novel biological concept for stress responses.

  Main themes

  • Chromatin dynamics in DNA damage response
  • Epigenome analysis in cellular senescence
  • The role of chromatin regulation in energy metabolism

  Keywords

  • chromatin
  • ageing signal
  • diversity in cellular responses

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  Laboratory website

Laboratories consisting of this Department study multi-dimensional networks of life signals that contribute to the integrity of higher organisms. Studies also include those utilizing viruses, animal models, and biomaterials, serving to establish basic principles in life science.

• Laboratory of RNA Viruses

  Member

  • TOMONAGA, KeizoProfessor
  • MAKINO, AkikoAssociate Professor
  • VANDENBON, AlexisAssociate Professor

  Research outline

  We perform virological studies on human pathogenic RNA viruses. Research on evolutionary analysis of endogenous RNA viruses and development of a novel viral vector for gene and cellular therapy are also conducted.

  Main themes

  • Elucidation of the mechanism of replication and pathogeneses of bornaviruses
  • Analysis on virus-host co-evolution using endogenous bornaviruses
  • Development of a novel RNA viral vectors for gene and cellular therapy
  • Understanding the replication and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2

  Keywords

  • Virus
  • Infection
  • Evolution
  • Viral vector
  • Gene and cellular therapy

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  Laboratory website

  研究室 Facebook

• Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics

  Member

  • ADACHI, TaijiProfessor
  • MAKI, KoichiroAssociate Professor

  Research outline

  The Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biomechanics aims to clarify the self-organized regulatory mechanisms of diverse biological phenomena through interdisciplinary approaches encompassing mechanics, life science, and medical science. Our research topics cover developmental processes (cell differentiation, morphogenesis, and growth) as well as tissue/organ remodeling and regeneration which underlie functional adaptation to the environment. A major focus of our research is to understand how well-organized dynamics of living systems emerges from complex molecular and cellular interactions. To this end, we are integrating biomechanics and mechanobiology approaches to highlight the roles of “adaptation to mechanical environment” and “hierarchy of structure and function” in the living organisms using mathematical modeling, simulation and experiments.

  Main themes

  • Functional adaptation mechanisms of bone to mechanical environment
  • Continuum mechanics-based modeling for multi-layered brain formation
  • Mechano-biochemical coupling mechanisms in osteocytic mechanotransduction
  • In silico and in vitro modeling of multicelluar tissue morphogenesis
  • DNA transcription mechanisms regulated by nano-scale chromatin dynamics

  Keywords

  • Bone remodeling
  • Tissue morphogenesis
  • Cellular mechanosensing
  • Molecular dynamics
  • Biomechanics

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  Laboratory website

• Laboratory of Mechanosensory Physiology

  Member

  • NONOMURA, KeikoProfessor
  • GOTO, TeppeiJunior Associate Professor

  Research outline

  Welcome to Laboratory of Mechanosensory Physiology!

  We are studying physiological roles of mechanosensation mediated by PIEZO mechanically activated channel (awarded Nobel prize 2021) in tissues/cells including sensory neurons, brain tissue and lymphatic vessels.

  Main themes

  1. Elucidating physiological roles of PIEZO expressing mechanosensory neurons innervating lung and/or other organs. We have been specifically investigating their contribution to breathing pattern of newborns, as starting breathing immediately after birth is critical for survival of mammalian newborns and its underlying mechanism is still mostly elusive.
  2. Studying the contribution of PIEZO mediated mechanosensation in the brain, focusing on both developmental process and brain function.
  3. Studying the mechanism in which PIEZO1 mediated mechanosensation contributes to venous/lymphatic valve formation, utilizing KO or reporter mouse lines and cultured endothelial cells.

  Keywords

  • Mechanically activated channel PIEZO
  • Mechanobiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Sensory neuron
  • Brain development
  • Organ function
  • Lymphatic vessel/Lymph node

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  Laboratory website

We will understand the principle of biological functions by measuring and manipulating dynamics of genes and molecules multidimensionally with cutting-edge imaging, optical control technologies, and optical probes.

• Laboratory of Spatiotemporal Optical Control

  Member

  • ISOBE, KeisukeProgram-Specific Professor

  Research outline

  To make invisible biological phenomena that could not be visualized before due to lack of performance in terms of field of view, depth, and spatio-temporal resolution visible, we will develop lasers optimized for observation of biological tissues and novel laser imaging techniques. We also develop optical manipulation techniques to precisely control the spatio-temporal distribution of laser light in tissues in order to control biological phenomena with light.

  Main themes

  • Development of femtosecond lasers for ultra-deep imaging and their applications
  • Development of wide-field deep imaging techniques using spatiotemporal control of laser pulses and their applications
  • Development of 4-dimensional optical control techniques using multiphoton patterned illumination and their applications

  Keywords

  • femtosecond lasers
  • multiphoton microscopy
  • four-dimensional optical control
  • deep imaging
  • ultra-wide-field microscopy
  • optogenetics

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