First
Our laboratory aims to
- Overcome intractable diseases -
- Support individuals with disabilities -
- Leave a mark in 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, have a strong relationship
with aging and require prevention or treatment. Age-related diseases are
not necessarily the same as aging itself. Just as some older individuals
maintain cognitive function despite muscle atrophy, aging and various age-related
diseases should be considered distinct.
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.