私達の研究室

脳疾患~アルツハイマー病・パーキンソン病・筋萎縮性側索硬化症などの神経難病、脳梗塞や脳出血などの脳血管障害、そして更には発達障害・精神疾患など~はその多くが治療や対処が困難で、罹患数が多い疾患や障がいも多く、医学的・社会的に非常に重要な課題です。

脳疾患というと非常に複雑でヒト特有のものと考えられるかもしれません。しかし様々な生き物がヒトと同様の脳疾患に自然経過や老化の過程で罹患します。例えば私たちの研究室ではアフリカメダカが老化の過程でパーキンソン病に非常に酷似した病態を呈することを明らかにし、そのことからヒト脳疾患の新たな病態解明に繋がる知見を多数得ています。様々な動物の認知症も時折ニュースや論文レベルで散見されます。さらにパーキンソン病の原因分子であるαシヌクレインは魚類から登場する分子であり、アルツハイマー病の原因分子であるアミロイド前駆タンパク質は進化の過程で魚や昆虫にも存在します。

私たちの研究室では-細胞・魚・マウスを中心とした様々な研究対象-、-最新の脳病態科学と進化学的手法-、-脳研究所が誇るブレインバンク-、-20〜50年後のAIができない研究手法-を融合します。そして脳疾患の進化的な起源を解明すること、脳疾患の原因となる分子の生理機能の理解などに立脚した脳病態の根本的な理解をすること、その両輪を相乗的に前進させ、

1. 難病を克服する
2. 障害を支え合う
3. 科学の歴史を刻む

の3つを目指します。脳疾患の本質を明らかにし、克服すべき脳疾患に対する研究成果は産学連携・創薬研究・予防医学などに発展させ、その治療と人々の健康長寿に貢献します。一方で、共存すべき障がいや老化とはどのようにして共生していくかを積極的に提案します。

Our Lab

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.

While neurological diseases may seem complex and unique to humans, various animals also naturally develop similar brain diseases during aging. For example, our laboratory has discovered that the African killifish exhibits symptoms very similar to Parkinson’s disease during aging. This has provided us with many new insights into the pathophysiology of human brain diseases. Dementia in various animals is also occasionally reported in news and scientific papers. Furthermore, alpha-synuclein, the molecule responsible for Parkinson’s disease, first appeared in fish, and amyloid precursor protein, the molecule responsible for Alzheimer’s disease, exists in fish and insects through evolution.

In our laboratory, we integrate various research subjects In our laboratory, we integrate various research subjects centered around cells, fish, and mice, the latest neuropathological science and evolutionary methods, the brain bank at the Brain Research Institute, and research techniques that AI will not be able to replicate in the next 20 to 50 years. Our goal is to elucidate the evolutionary origins of neurological diseases and achieve a fundamental understanding of brain pathology based on the physiological functions of molecules responsible for these diseases. We aim to synergistically advance these dual goals to:

1. Overcome intractable diseases
2. Support individuals with disabilities,
3. Leave a mark in the history of science.

By elucidating the essence of neurological diseases, our research outcomes on overcoming these diseases will be developed into industry-academia collaboration, drug discovery research, and preventive medicine, contributing to treatment and healthy longevity. On the other hand, we actively propose ways to coexist with disabilities and aging that we must live with.

Topics

• 学生さん、学術振興会特別研究員への応募は随時受け付けていますのでメールしてください。メールアドレスは、hide0729アットマークbri.niigata-u.ac.jp、です。
  
  学術振興会特別研究員:
  https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-pd/pd_sin.html
  
  大学院の案内は新潟大学医学部、博士課程あるいは修士課程で検索すると出てきます:
  https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/contents/target/graduate_school/index.html
  
  リンク先の新潟大学の制度では月収17.5万円とそれとは別に研究費や様々なサポートがあります:
  https://www.phd.niigata-u.ac.jp/student/fellowship/
  それ以外にも研究者として有望な学生や若手研究者へのサポートは日本人外国人を問わず充実しています。
  
• 現在ラボはCREST、脳科学統合プログラム、科研費、ムーンショット、企業さんとの共同研究、クラウドファンディングなどの寄付金などの御支援を受けています。それらのプロジェクト、主に老化や神経変性疾患の研究、に関心がある博士課程卒業予定の学生さんやポスドクの方で、将来有望な方は特任助教などとして採用することが可能です。その方の能力や実績により判断しますのでメールでご相談ください。わかりやすい業績や紹介状、得意な実験系や解析手法などがあればより判断しやすいです。
  ラボでは主に培養細胞、小型魚類、マウス、人剖検脳を扱っていますが、それ以外の経験しかなくても構いません。重要な発見を論文にする能力がある方であればwelcomeです。またご自身で獲得した研究費がある場合は、そのプロジェクトも継続可能です。
  どんどん出現する新しい手技や手法を学ぶ意欲のある方、成果をタイムリーに論文にまとめることのできる方、老化や神経変性疾患に強い関心がある方、失敗から学びミスを減らせる方、などが適性があると思います。自分はそうだと思われる方は、どうぞ遠慮なく相談してください。その通りに適性があればその後のキャリアもサポートしますし、特任助教からポジションがオープンであればテニュアトラック教員や助教-准教授などのポジションにチャレンジすることもできます。
  
• 修士課程や博士課程は、学ぶ場であると同時に、研究者として自ら成果を生み出すことが求められます。
  0から始めるのではなく、自身の長所やこれまでの経験を活かして「どのように貢献できるか」という視点を持って進学してほしいと考えています。
  医歯薬学や理学農学獣医学の知識を活かす人もいれば、数理・データ解析、特殊な生物の利用（単細胞も原始的な動物もwelcomeです）、AIの活用、生化学・分子生物学・in vitro 実験、さらには進化の視点を取り入れた解析などの専門性を発揮する人もいるでしょう。こうした強みは即戦力となり得ます。人によってはその性格がラボを発展させることもあります。
  各自の強みと私たちのラボの特徴が融合することで、一人前の研究者へと成長していく。それが私たちの大学院教育の目指す姿です。
  
  Graduate school—whether at the master’s or doctoral level—is not only a place to learn but also a stage where you are expected to produce results as an independent researcher.
  Rather than starting entirely from zero, we encourage you to enter with the mindset of “How can I contribute?” by making full use of your strengths and past experiences.
  For some, this may mean applying knowledge of medicine, science or pharmacology. Others may bring expertise in mathematics and data analysis, the use of unique model organisms (from single cell life to primitive animals—both are welcome), AI applications, biochemistry, molecular biology, or specialized in vitro experiments. Still others may contribute through an evolutionary perspective in their analyses. These strengths can immediately make you an asset to the lab. In some cases, even a person’s character itself can play a role in shaping and advancing the lab.
  Through the fusion of each individual’s strengths with the distinctive features of our laboratory, students grow into fully-fledged researchers. That is the vision we pursue in our graduate education.
  
  
• Embassy-recommended JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP students are welcome!
  In our laboratory, there are both Embassy-recommended students and an assistant professor who was an Embassy-recommended student. Even embassy-recommended students may feel uneasy about doing research in Japan, but there are seniors in our laboratory and our International Office provides excellent supports. If you are interested in our research, please consider applying (website: https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/study/tuition/scholarships/japanese-government/). Embassy-recommended JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP students are welcome.
  
  JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP students are welcome!
  JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP students (special program or general one) are also welcome! (website: https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/study/tuition/scholarships/japanese-government/). In our laboratory, there are several students on various MEXT scholarships, creating a supportive and enriching environment. If you are interested in our research, please consider applying. There is competition for scholarships, but competition is always present for researchers. We warmly welcome all international and domestic students.
  
  Support from the University and G-MEDEX
  Niigata University has an organization called G-MEDEX that supports international students and researchers (website: https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/g-medex/index_e.html). G-MEDEX employs several English-speaking staff members who assist with various needs, such as arranging transportation, including flights for MEXT scholarship recipients etc., providing accommodation introductions, and supporting procedures at city halls and banks. Additionally, those who wish to can take Japanese language classes offered by the university. The university also provides rooms for worship, and there are various facilities and services that cater to different religions and dietary requirements both at Niigata University and in the surrounding area. The support provided to promising students is comprehensive, regardless of nationality. Whether one is a student with MEXT scholarship, with self-finance, or with another scholarship, you can generally receive the similar level of support.
  
  Postdoctral Fellowships
  Scholarships such as those from JSPS (https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/index.html) and Chugai Foundation (https://c-finds.com/en/business/#grant) are well-known for postdocs. Of course, there may also be scholarships available in your home countries. While these scholarships often require significant results within two years and are not open to everyone, research experience abroad is extremely valuable for future collaborations, networking, life experiences, and, most importantly, for understanding the research environments of both your own and other countries. If you have a solid track record but want to take your work to the next level, or if you consider yourself highly capable and talented, I will support your application. Let’s combine your innovative ideas with the ideas and resources of our lab to create something even more important and original.