Research

Mechanisms of Neurotransmitter receptor and regulation of the synaptic function of the central nervous system. We are carrying out the electrophysiological (mainly patch clamp technique) experiments and imaging analysis (2-photon laser microscopy) from neurons in cerebellar and hippocampal preparations in order to elucidate the basic functional properties of the synapses and receptors which underlie memory and learning. Based on these experimental results, we are trying to analyze the data and express the functions quantitatively from the standing view of reductionism. If necessary, the molecular biological techniques are introduced into theses research subjects. Recently we are interested in the identification of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease by using neural network modeling, biochemical experiment and physiological approaches.

2005〜2010: I has been a project leader of “Development of the fast multi-points stimulation system by laser beam and its application for the analysis of neural networks” in collaboration with Carl-Zeiss advanced microimaging GmbH. The achieved system costs ~150,000,000 Japanese Yen (~1,700,000 $).

The papers has been published in Journal of Physiology (London), Journal of Neurophysiology, Nature Neuroscience, The Journal of Neuroscience etc.

Books: Physiology of Neurone [translation from Physiologie du Neurone in French original book], The frontier of bioimaging (in Japanese) etc.

 

Lecture course

NeurophysiologyI, II, Biochemistry I (Amino acid, protein and enzyme), Biochemistry II (Synthesis and metabolism), Biochemistry III (genetics and molecular biology), Physiology of behavior , Dynamical systems, Biological control system, Biological information system, Molecular engineering etc.

 

Collaborations

Princeton Universiy (USA), Dr. Shy Shoham

Frieburg University (Germany), Prof. Ad Aertsen

CNRS (France), Director and Prof. Bernard Poulain

Auckland University of Technology, Directo and Prof. Nicola Kasabov

Carl-Zeiss advanced microimaging GmbH, Dr. Eva Simbuerger

The University of Tokyo (Japan), Prof. Shigeo Okabe

The University of Tsukuba (Japan), Prof. Ko Sakai

Yamaguchi University (Japan), Prof. Jun Nishii

Riken Brain Science Institute (Japan), Dr. Jun-ichi Nakai (present, Director of the Brain science Institute of Saitam University)

Tokyo Institute of Psychiatry (Japan), Director Kazutaka Ikeda

 

Alumna

Academic: Teacher of Mathematics of Junior High School and High School, PhD course of Bristol University (UK), PhD course of National Institute of Physiological Sciences, Graduate School of Tamagawa University etc.

 

Enterprise:
Olympus Co. Ltd., NTT Data Cop., AJS Cop., Mitsubishi Cop. Kyowa Ekushio Cop. Etc.

 

 

 

 

Introdaction & Research

Electrophysiological measurment by patch clamp system