Laboratories
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Molecular Neuroscience
The research area of "Molecular Neuroscience" aims to understand how a large number of molecules in various kinds coordinately work together for cells to function in the brain and nervous system and to establish such super-complex systems. Both genetic programs and the epigenetic responses against environmental factors will be focused using mice and flies as typical model animals.
Key Words
behavior genetics, epigenetic, neural development, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis -
Systems Neuroscience
Based on the construction and function of the local and inter-regional neural circuits, we aim to understand the brain mechanisms underlying perception and cognition, motor functions, learning and memory, and prediction and decision making. Our main expertise is the animal experiment using primates and rodents as subjects. We apply various techniques such as electrophysiology and neuroimaging for neural recording, and genetic modification, opto- and chemo-genetics, electro- and magnetic stimulations, and chemical microinjection for neural manipulation, as well as behavioral and computational theories and methods for experiment designing and data analysis.
Key Words
higher brain function, monkey, electrophysiology, transcranial magnetic stimulation, genetic modification, behavior analysis
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Genome Science
Since neuroscience is closely related with life science, research in fundamental genome science is essential also to understand functions and establishment of the brain and nervous system at the molecular level. The research area "Genome Science" focuses on gene regulation, cell division, and organism evolution as well as pursues genome epidemiology using genomic information of 150,000 people deposited in Tohoku Medical Megabank.
Key Words
life science, epigenetics, genome science, epidemiology
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Neuropsycho-perceptive Area
Experiments using animal models provide enormous knowledge on basic mechanism of functional disorders of the human brain. Many experimental procedures including genetic engineering greatly contribute to explore intriguing new treatments. On the other hand, human brain has much more complexity with different dimensions than animal brains. Therefore, many functional disorders of the brain have to be investigated in humans per se. Recent advances in non-invasive imaging/modulatory techniques including magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, transcranial magnetic stimulation and other methods enable us to examine morphology and function in living humans. In this area, translational investigation is in progress on animals and humans with bridging basic research and clinical practice. We will promote challenging research on neurological, behavioral, psychological, psychiatric, or psychosomatic disorders as well as disorders of perception including vision, auditory information, olfactory function, taste, somatic sensation or visceral perception.
Key words
disorders of sensory organs, human brain imaging, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, psychosomatic disorders, translational research