Research Field

Brain/Learning and Memory/Neuro-synaptocrinology/Quantum Biophysics/Biophysics


Details of Research

Imaging and electrophysiological analysis, in combination with molecular cell biology, of synaptic signal transduction which regulates mind, learning and memory. Analysis of synaptic mechanism of the hippocampus, which is the center for learning and memory. Brain is an emotional computer whose learning and memory is strongly modulated by neurosteroids and dopamine which are neuromessengers regulating our mind. Modeling of biocomputer device.

The followings are our present research topics:

  1. We are analyzing neuronal signal trasduction modulated by neurosteroids in the hippocampus and genetically engineered mice, using the novel method of three-dimensional image reconstruction of spine morphology, custom muti-electrode analysis for electrophysiology and molecular neurobiology.

  2. We are analyzing molecular mechanisms of long-term potentiation / long-term depression in the hippocampus by measuring NMDA receptor-mediated Ca signaling, which is acutely modulated by estrogen, androgen and corticosteroids. We are challenging to identify synaptic estrogen receptors and corticosteroid receptors in hippocampal neurons, by using immunoelectron microscopy, etc.

  3. We are analyzing molecular mechanisms of neurosteroid synthesis in hippocampal neurons catalyzed by cytochrome P450s, hydoxysteroidodehydrogenases.

  4. We are using following biological systems: hippocampal slices, cultured hippocampal neurons, and CHO cells containing genetically expressed neurotransmitter receptors and neurosteroid receptors.

  5. Experimental approach toward biocomputing.

  6. We developed Spine analysis software "Spiso-3D".
    Spine analysis software "Spiso-3D" can be downloaded.
    >>[Manual],[Full Spiso-3D] ,[Use Java32bit ->Spiso and ImageJ]
    Spiso program obtains a U.S. Patent. [PDF]
    We show how "Spiso-3D" works as movie demonstration.
    >>[2018 MOVIE MediaPlayer], [2010 MOVIE MediaPlayer]
    Reference: [Cerebral Cortex, 2011] [Neuron, 2020]

Our alumni and alumnae are working as excellent researchers in various fields of research. Among them, we have one professor, four associate professors and six assistant professors working in universities, four postdoctoral researchers in our laboratory and seven researchers in private companies.