Research overview

Cell-culture work at a biosafety cabinet — Laboratory work. Cell culture at a biosafety cabinet.

Neurological diseases—such as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke and cerebral hemorrhage, and even developmental disorders and mental illnesses—are often difficult to treat or manage. Many of these diseases and conditions affect large numbers of people, making them extremely important medical and social issues.

Our laboratory aims to:

Overcome intractable diseases
Support individuals with disabilities
Leave a lasting mark on the history of science

1. Humans as diverse descendants of ancient life

Humans are descendants of life forms that chose diversity a long time ago. From the fertilized egg, humans grow through various developmental stages. Originally, organisms increased in number through cell division, and offspring had the same genetic makeup as their parents. However, ancient ancestors of humans inherited genes from both parents and allowed for genetic variations, resulting in offspring with different genes than their parents or siblings. Therefore, diversity and individual differences among humans are natural and contribute to traits that make the species resilient to environmental changes and capable of collaboration.

2. Aging and age-related diseases

Due to this trait, humans possess reproductive cells that connect generations and somatic cells that protect them. As humans age while nurturing younger generations, somatic cells accumulate damage in DNA and other components over time. With aging, damaged DNA from the nucleus leaks out into the cytoplasm, leading to various age-related phenomena.

Some diseases, such as dementia and motor disorders, are closely tied to aging and call for prevention or treatment. Aging is the base of age-related disease. When some further vicious cycle sets in, that is when it becomes disease.

We conduct research to identify common cellular events in aging and various age-related diseases, as well as specific triggers for each disease. Our goal is to elucidate the pathophysiology of challenging diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple system atrophy, heart failure, sarcopenia, and liver failure.

3. Development and developmental disorders

While human diversity is an invaluable trait, the variability and susceptibility to genetic changes can also pose challenges for survival in certain eras or environments. Small fish species are suitable for studying developmental processes and associated developmental disorders due to their ease of observation. We focus particularly on neuropsychiatric developmental disorders and aim to uncover new mechanisms to improve our understanding of these disorders.

Why these research lines belong together

Neurodegeneration, aging and neurodevelopmental disorders look like separate disease names. Here they are seen as two wheels: the evolutionary origins of brain disease, and a fundamental understanding of pathology based on the physiological functions of the molecules involved. We bring together cells, fishes and mice, modern neuropathology and evolutionary methods, and the BRI brain bank. A question that starts in one line can connect to the others; that is one reason to work here.

Questions to take forward.

Neurodegeneration

Question What physiological roles do the molecules implicated in brain disease play inside the cell?

What we want to ask next The molecules behind brain disease are there to protect cells in the first place. So why do they stop protecting?

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Aging

Question Where does aging end and disease begin?

What we want to ask next Can we stop disease without stopping aging? And why do we age at all?

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Neurodevelopmental disorders

Question How do genes and environment shape neuropsychiatric developmental disorders?

What we want to ask next Long seen as a motor centre, how does the cerebellum take part in sociability and the mind? And what makes a better society?

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Evolution

Question What are the evolutionary origins of brain disease, developmental disorders, or aging?

What we want to ask next Why has life kept disease-causing molecules for hundreds of millions of years? And why have disabilities persisted to this day?

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Discuss research opportunities

Projects develop through discussion, starting from the lab’s research strengths and your interests and experience. We value researchers who learn from their results, refine the question and help shape the direction of their work.