National Institutes of Natural Sciences

National Institute forPhysiological Sciences

2020

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O

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INTRODUCTION

E

N

T

S

1

Outlines of NIPS
Outlines of the Institute2

A Short History of the Institute
Organization of the Institute36

Section of Viral Vector Development

37

Section of Mammalian Transgenesis

38

Section of Metabolic Physiology

3-6

Section of Research Archives

8

Emeritus Professors/Emeritus Technical Staff/
Deceased Emeritus Professors 8
Research Departments
Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology

Division of Membrane Physiology

10
11

Division of Cell Signaling

13

44

Research Enhancement Strategy Office

45

Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study

46

Division of Coordinator for Animal Experimentation

46

Technical Division

Division of Ultrastructural Research

48

49-50

14

Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism

15Large Facilities and Equipments for Cooperative

16

Studies

Department of Fundamental Neuroscience
Division of Homeostatic Development

51-54

Facilities Shared by the Two Institutes

17

Division of Visual Information Processing
Division of Biophotonics

Section of Health & Safety Management

NIPS Research Fellow

Division of Cardiocirculatory Signaling

Joint Researches
18

61-64

The Graduate University for Advanced Studies School

Department of System Neuroscienceof Life Science

65

Division of Behavioral Development

20

International Exchanges

Division of System Neurophysiology

21

Current State

66

67

22

Division of Cerebral Integration

23

Section of Individual Researches
24-25

Common Facilities in Okazaki

68-69

Okazaki Administration Center

70

Campus Map

Research Centers

Location

Center for Research Collaboration

27

Section of Advanced Research Support

28

Section of International Collaborative Research Project
Supportive Center for Brain Research

31

Section of Brain Structure Information

32

Section of Multiphoton Neuroimaging

33

34

Section of Brain Function Information
Section of Instrumental Design

72

Stuff Index

29

Section of Electron Microscopy

71

26

Section of Collaboration Promotion

Section of NBR Project

55-56

57-60

NIPS International Symposium

19

Division of Neural Dynamics

43

Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems 47

Department of Homeostatic Regulation
12

42

Okazaki Research Facilities（NIPS）

9

Division of Neural Development & Regeneration

Individual Researches

41

Section of Network Management

8

Division of Biophysics & Neurobiology

40

Section of Physiology & Medicine Education

Director General / Vice Director General / Chief

Division of Cell Structure

39

Center for Communication Networks

7

Advisory Committee for Research and Management

Researchers

Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior

55

35

30

73-75

INTRODUCTION
The National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) is an inter-university research institute focused on
research and education in human physiology. The NIPS promotes collaborative studies amongst both
National and International researchers and organizations to together help understand body functions andtheir mechanisms. Research at NIPS also provides further understanding of the fundamental mechanisms
causing diseases, to enable new and improved treatments for these diseases and their symptoms.
A major focus of current research at NIPS is to understand the brain. Brain, most developed in humanamong all the creatures, is critical for how we detect, respond and adapt to our environment, through theprocesses of sensation, motor control and learning and memory. However the brain also directs our
individual behaviors and desires, and how we communicate with each other socially through language andemotions. Furthermore, the brain also interacts with our visceral organ systems to regulate body
homeostasis, and research at the NIPS also aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of themechanisms of body homeostasis through our research on the regulation of the cardiovascular system, of
the body and cellular metabolism, on temperature control and on how we regulate our biological defenses
against damage and pathogens. The NIPS strives to advance our understanding of brain function and body
homeostasis, from the molecular, cellular, organ and whole body and society levels, and we provide anddevelop cutting-edge research technology, including computational and mathematical approaches, toachieve these strategic goals.
The NIPS advocates the following three major missions.
The first mission of NIPS is to conduct cutting-edge research in the physiological sciences across various
levels from the molecular and cellular through to organ systems, and to integrate this multi-level
information to understand homeostasis in the living body. As research in life sciences has become
diversified and “translatable”, NIPS aims to conduct world-leading research focused on the basic medical
sciences, especially physiology and brain sciences. To apply and develop rigorous basic research techniques
necessary to answer fundamental questions is also part of our mission.
The second mission of NIPS is to play the role of a National and International research hub. The NIPS
conducts collaborations with scientists at universities and research institutes to further strengthen andenhance research expertise in Japan at a leading global level. To achieve this goal NIPS also encourage
collaborations with foreign researchers, and we provide and develop specialized and cutting-edge researchtechniques and equipment to facilitate these collaborations. The NIPS provides advanced devices in areas
including electron and laser microscopy for subcellular through to human imaging, and in transgenic
animals and viral vectors. The NIPS also supports advanced research workshops in various fields to help
establish and support research collaborations, discussions and advances and sharing of knowledge.
Through these activities the NIPS is a hub for domestic and international research communities tointercommunicate and support each other. At present, NIPS participates in a number of programs as theircore organizations, such as Comprehensive Brain Science Network, Advanced Bioimaging Support andBrain/MINS Beyond.
The third mission of NIPS is to provide advanced and thorough education for young scientists. The NIPS is
responsible for the 5-year PhD course in physiologicalsciences of The Graduate University for Advanced Studies,
SOKENDAI. The NIPS also provides further education for
graduate students and young researchers from other
Director General
universities and industries in Japan and Internationally, for
NABEKURA, Junichi
education through various research training programs
MD, PhDthat include the annual NIPS Training Course and via NIPS
Internships.
1981 MD, Kyushu University, 1987 PhD, Kyushu
To understand human body functions and to apply ourUniversity, 1987 Postdoc Researcher, Washington
extended knowledge to support human life is our ultimate
University, 1991 Assistant Professor, Tohoku University,goal. NIPS will make every effort to open our institute to1993 Associate Professor, Akita University, 1995 Associate
every research community that can work together with us
Professor, Kyushu University, 2003 Professor NIPS, 2013
towards this goal. For this purpose, your understanding
Vice Director General, NIPS, 2019 Director General, NIPS
and support will be appreciated.
and Vice President, NINS.
Specialty: Neurophysiology

INTRODUCTION ●1

Outlines of InstituteNational Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) is an Inter-university Research Institute for research andeducation on human physiology. NIPS researchers are investigating human body and brain functions as well as theirmechanisms through joint studies with domestic and foreign scientists, and providing specialized techniques andlarge-scale equipment for shared use as well as education and training for graduate students and young scientists.

Organization
NAOJ, NIFS, NIBB, NIPS and IMS were reorganized into NINS by reason of enforcement of the National University
Corporation Law.
The NIPS currently comprises 4 departments, 16 divisions, 4 centers, 18 sections, Research Enhancement Strategy
Office and Technical Division.

Joint Studies
As an inter-university research institute, NIPS entertains proposals for joint studies from domestic and foreign
physiological scientists. Applications from domestic and foreign scientists are reviewed and controlled by the interuniversity ad hoc committee.

Graduate Programs
The NIPS carries out two graduate programs.
1.Graduate University for Advanced Studies
The NIPS constitutes the Department of Physiological Sciences in the School of Life Science of The Graduate
University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI. The University provides 2 courses, 5-year Doctor Course and 3-year
Doctor Course (transfer admission after master’s course completion). The degree conferred on graduation isDoctor of Philosophy.
2.Graduate Student Training Program
Graduate students enrolled in other universities and institutes are trained to conduct researches for fixed periodsof time under the supervision of NIPS professors and associate professors.

Exchange Programs
To activate international collaborations among physiological scientists in the Institute and foreign organizations,scientist exchange programs are conducted.

System management
Administrative Council, Education and Research Council and Executive Meeting are established at NINS to inspectsignificant matters of management, education, research and administration.
Advisory Committee for Research and Management in NIPS advises the Director-General on important matters inmanagement of the Institute.

Administration
Administration of the institutes is managed at Okazaki Administration Center of NINS.

2 ● Outlines of InstituteA Short History of the Institute
In 1960, many physiologists affiliated with the Physiolo­gical Society of Japan initiated a discussion on how toestablish a central research institute for physiological sciences in this country.
In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the life sciences throughout the world, particularly inthe fields of molecular biology, cellular biology and physiology, and in areas concerning information processing
and regulatory systems of higher animals. In view of these developments, there was a consensus among
physiologists in Japan that a new type of research organization must be created, in parallel with the laboratories
in universities, to pursue new approaches in the life sciences.
Through discussions among the physiologists, the following characteristies of such a new institute wereconsidered to be of utmost importance.
1.
Investigators from different fields should be able to collaborate on research projects in the life scienceswith minimal restrictions.
2.
Research communication among scientists from many fields should be closely coordinated.
Specialized, large-scale equipment required for multidisciplinary research, not routinely available in3.
smaller laboratories of educational institutions, should be accessible, and proper training andmaintenance should be provided. A Committee for the Foundation of a Physiological Institute wasorganized by Drs. MOTOKAWA K., KATSUKI Y., NATORI R., TOKIZANE T., INOUE A., UCHIZONO K., and manyother leading physiolo­gists in 1965. Thereafter, in order to establish such an institute, considerable effort
was made by scientists and related government officials.
The following time table describes the history leading to the foundation of the Institute:Nov., 1967
The Science Council of Japan officially advised the thenPrime Minister, SATO Eisaku, that the establishment of an
institute for Physiological Sciences was important, andurgently necessary for the promotion of life sciences inJapan.
The Science Council of the Monbusho （the Ministry of
Education, Science and Culture） reported to the Minister

Department of molecular physiology
Division of Ultrastructure Research
Department of Cell physiology
Division of Membrane Biology
Department of Information physiology*Division of Neurobiology and Behavioral Genetics
Special Facilities for Physiological ResearchTechnical Divisionof Education, Science and Culture that two institutes forscientific research of biological sciences, namely, theApr., 1978

Institute for Physiological Sciences and the Institute forIn the second year the following laboratories were added:

Basic Biology, should be established as early as possible.

Department of Molecular physiology*Division of Intracellular Metabolism

May, 1976
The Preparing Office and the Research Council for theestablishment of Institutes for Biological Sciences wereopened in the Monbusho.

Department of Information physiology
Division of Neural Information
Department of Biological Control System
Division of Neural Control

May, 1977

Apr., 1979

The Institute for Physiological Sciences （Director-General:In the third year the following laboratories were added:

Prof. UCHIZONO K.） was officially established which,Department of Cell physiology

together with the Institute for Basic Biology, constituted

Division of Correlative Physiology

the National Center for Biological Sciences （President:*Division of Active Transport

Prof. KATSUKI Y.）. Constituents of the Institute for

Department of Biological Control System

Physiological Sciences at the time of inauguration were as*Division of Cognitive Neuroscience

follows.

A Short History of the Institute ●3

Apr., 1980

Apr., 1997

The following were added in the fourth year:

Prof. SASAKI K. was elected the Director-General of the

Department of Information physiology

Institute.

Division of Humoral Information*Division of Learning and Memory Research
Research Facilities
Division of Experimental Animals

Apr., 1998
The following were added:
Department of Cerebral Research
Division of Cerebral Structure

Apr., 1981

Division of Cerebral Circuitry

A new organization, Okazaki National Research Institutes,

Division of Cerebral Integration

comprised of three independent institutes （Institute for

A part of facilities in the complex of Physiological Research

Molecular Science, Institute for Physiological Sciences, andFacilities was reformed to the Center for Brain Experiment.

Institute for Basic Biology） was established. Previously,
these institutes had been managed inde­pendently.

Apr., 2000

However, on 14 Apr. 1981, they were adminis­tratively

Division of Experimental Animals was transferred to theamalgamated into one organization, and thereafter referred

Research Facilities as shown below. Center for Inte­grative

to collectively as the Okazaki National Research Institutes.

Bioscience・Department of Strategic Methodology

Apr., 1982
The following was added:
Department of Molecular physiology
Division of Neurochemistry

・Department of Development, Differentiation andRegeneration
・Department of Bio-Environmental Science
Research Center for Computational Science
Center for Experimental Animals

Apr., 1984

Center for Radioisotope Facilities

The following was added:
Department of Biological Control System
Division of System Neurophysiology

Apr., 2003
Prof. MIZUNO N. was elected the Director-General of theInstitute.

Apr., 1985
Prof. EBASHI S. was elected the Director-General of theInstitute.

The following were added:
Department of Developmental Physiology
Division of Behavioral Development
Division of Homeostatic Development

Oct., 1988

Division of Reproductive/Endocrine Development

The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAIDivision of Adaptation Development

was founded and in the Institute the School of Life
Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences wasApr., 2004

established.

Established National Institutes of Natural Sciences（NINS）.
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan （NAOJ）,

Jun., 1990

National Institute for Fusion Science（NIFS）, National

The following were added:

Institute for Basic Biology（NIBB）, National Institute for

Department of Integrative Physiology

Physiological Sciences（NIPS）and Institute for MolecularSensory and Motor Function Research Project

Science（IMS）were integrated and reorganized into NINS

Higher Brain Function Projectby reason of enforcement of the National University*Autonomic Function Research Project

Corporation Law.
In NIPS, Division of Neurochemistry in Department of

Dec., 1991

Molecular Physiology was renamed to Division ofProf. HAMA K. was elected the Director-General of the

Biophysics and Neurobiology, Division of Humoral

Institute.

Information in Department of Information Physiology was
renamed to Division of Neural Signaling, Department of
Biological Control System was renamed to Department of

4 ● A Short History of the InstituteIntegrative Physiology, Division of Cognitive Neuro­science

Division of Cardiocirculatory Signaling

was renamed to Division of Computational Neuro­science,Center for Multidisciplinary Brain Researchand Center for Integrative Bioscience was renamed to

Research Strategy for Brain Sciences Office

Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience, respectively.
The Administration Bureau turned into Okazaki Adminis­
tration Office of NINS.

Apr., 2014
Division of Developmental Neurophysiology in Depart­
ment of Information Physiology was renamed to DivisionNov., 2005of Visual Information Processing.

Division of Neurobiology and Behavioral Genetics was

The following were abolished:reformed to the Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior.

Department of Molecular Physiology
Division of Nano-Structure Physiology

Apr., 2007
Prof. OKADA Y. was elected the Director-General of theInstitute.
The following were added:

Department of Cell physiology
Division of Correlative Physiology
Center for Communication Networks
Section of Communications and Public Liaison

Department of Molecular Physiology
Division of Nano-Structure Physiology
Department of Cell Physiology
Division of Cell Signaling
Department of Information Physiology
Division of Developmental Neurophysiology

Apr., 2016
The following were abolished :Department of Molecular Physiology
Department of Cell Physiology
Department of Information Physiology
Department of Integrative Physiology

Apr., 2008

Department of Cerebral Research

Division of Active Transport in Department of Cell Physi­

Department of Developmental Physiology

ology was renamed to Division of Neural Systematics.

Center for Multidisciplinary Brain Research

The following were abolished:

Division of Computational Neuroscience

Division of Learning and Memory Research

Division of Adaptation Development

Center for Brain Experiment
The following were added:

The following were renamed :Center for Multidisciplinary Brain Research

Divisionof Cerebral Structure‌to Division of Cell

Supportive Center for Brain Research

Structure

Center for Communication Networks

Divisionof Sensori-Motor Integration to Division of‌Integrative Physiology

Apr., 2009

Divisionof Homeostatic Development to Division of‌

Division of Intｒacellular Metabolism was abolished.

Homeostatic Development

Apr., 2011
The following was added:
Section of Health and Safety Management

The following were added :Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology
Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics

Apr., 2013

Division of Membrane Physiology

Prof. IMOTO K. was elected the Director-General of theDivision of Neural Systematics

Institute.

Division of Neural Development and Regeneration
Department of Homeostatic Regulation

Oct., 2013

Division of Cell Structure

Research Enhancement Strategy Office was established.

Division of Cell Signaling
Division of Cardiocirculatory Signaling

Jan., 2014
The following were added:
Department of Information Physiology

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Department of Fundamental Neuroscience
Division of Neural Signaling

A Short History of the Institute ●5The following was added:

Division of Cerebral Circuitry
Division of Homeostatic Development

Department of Homeostatic Regulation

Division of Visual information processing

Division of Ultrastructural ResearchCenter for Experimental Animals has also been renamed

Department of System Neuroscience
Division of Sensory and Cognitive Information

Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study

Division of Behavioral Development
Division of System Neurophysiology

Oct., 2019

Division of Integrative Physiology

The following were abolished:

Division of Cerebral Integration

Department of System Neuroscience

Center for Research Collaboration

Division of Integarative Physiology
The following was added:

Section of Collaboration Promotion

Department of Fundamental Neuroscience

Section of Advanced Research Support
Section of Visiting Collaboration Research Project

Division of Biophotonics

Section‌of International Collaborative Research Project
Asterisk
Regarding Supportive Center for Brain Research, Sectionof Viral Vector Development and Section of Primate Model
Development have reorganized to Center for Genetic
Analysisof

Behavior

andCenterfor

Research

Collaboration, respectively. Section of Primate Model
Development has been renamed to NBR Project.
Section of Evaluation and Collaboration in Center forCommunication Networks has also been renamed to
Section of Research Archives.
Mar., 2018
The following were abolished :Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience
Oct., 2018
The following were abolished:
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Division of Neural Systematics
Department of Fundamental Neuroscience
Division of Cardiocirculatory Signaling
The following was added:
Department of System Neuroscience
Division of Neural Dynamics
Apr., 2019
Prof. NABEKURA J. was elected the Director-General of theInstitute.
The following were abolished:
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Division of Neurobiology and Bioinformatics
Department of System Neuroscience
Division of Sensory and Cognitive Information

6 ● A Short History of the Institute（*） denotes adjunct division.

Organization of the InstituteNational Institutes of Natural Sciences
Executive Directors
President
Auditors

Management Council

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

Board of Directors

National Institute for Fusion Science

Educational and Research Council

National Institute for Basic Biology
National Institute for Physiological Sciences

National Institute for Physiological Sciences

Institute for Molecular Science

Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology

Division of Biophysics & Neurobiology
Division of Membrane Physiology
Division of Neural Development & Regeneration ※Department of Homeostatic Regulation

Division of Cell Structure
Division of Cell Signaling ★
Division of Cardiocirculatory Signaling ★
Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism
Division of Ultrastructural Research ※Department of Fundamental Neuroscience

Division of Cerebral Circuitry
Division of Homeostatic Development
Division of Visual Information Processing

Advisory Committee for
Research and Management

Division of Biophotonics ★

Department of System Neuroscience

Division of Behavioral Development
Division of System Neurophysiology

Director General

Division of Neural Dynamics
Division of Cerebral Integration

Center for Research Collaboration

Section of Collaboration Promotion

Research Enhancement
Strategy OfficeSection of Advanced Research Support ※Section of NBR Project
Section of Visiting Collaborative Research Project ※Section of International Collaborative Research Project ※Supportive Center for Brain Research

Section of Brain Structure Information
Section of Multiphoton Neuroimaging
Section of Electron Microscopy
Section of Brain Function Information
Section of Instrumental Design

Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior

Section of Viral Vector Development
Section of Mammalian Transgenesis
Section of Behavioral Patterns ※Section of Metabolic Physiology

Center for Communication Networks

Section of Research Archives
Section of Physiology & Medicine Education
Section of Network Management
Section of Health & Safety Management

Okazaki Research Facilities
National Institute for Basic
Biology
National Institute forPhysiological Sciences
Institute for Molecular
ScienceTechnical Division※ Adjunctive divisions/sections★ Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems

Research Center for Computational Science
Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study
Center for Radioisotope Facilities
Division of Coordinator for Animal Experimentation

Organization of the Institute ●7

Advisory Committee for Research and Management
Chairman ◎ , Vice-Chairman ○Advisory Committee for Research and Management shall advise the Director-General of the Institute, upon his request,
on important matters in management of the Institute.
（Outside）
AKAHANE, Satomi 	‌Professor, Graduate School of
Medicine, Toho University
FUJIYAMA, Fumino	‌Professor, Faculty of Medicine,
Hokkaido University
HIDA, Hideki	Professor, Graduate School of
Medical Sciences, Nagoya City
University○MIYATA, Takaki	‌Professor, Department of‌Anatomy and Cell Biology,
Nagoya University Graduate
School of Medicine
Professor, Medical Institute of
NAKABEPPU, Yusaku
Bioregulation, Kyushu
University
NAWA, Hiroyuki	‌Professor, Brain ResearchInstitute, Niigata University
ONO, Kyoichi	‌Professor, Graduate School of
Medicine and Faculty of
Medicine, Akita University
Professor, Systems ‌Neuroscience,
TAKADA, Masahiko‌Primate Research InstituteKyoto University

UETA, Youichi	‌Professor, School of Medicine,‌Department of Physiology,
University of Occupational
and Environmental Health,Japan
YUZAKI, Michisuke	‌Professor, School of Medicine,‌Department of Physiology,
Keio University（Inside）◎FUKATA, Masaki
FURUSE, Mikio
ISODA, Masaki
KAWAGUCHI, Yasuo
KUBO, Yoshihiro
MINOKOSHI, Yasuhiko
NAMBU, Atsushi
NISHIDA, Motohiko
SADATO, Norihiro
TOMINAGA, Makoto
YOSHIMURA,Yumiko

Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS
Professor, NIPS

Director General/Vice Director General/Chief Researcher
Director General
Vice Director General
Chief Chairperson

NABEKURA, Junichi
NAMBU, Atsushi
KUBO, Yoshihiro

Chief Researcher / Chairperson for Cooperative Studies

Chief Researcher /Chairperson for Safety and Research
Ethics Problems

Chief Researcher / Chairperson for News and Public Affairs

FUKATA, Masaki

SADATO, Norihiro
Chief Researcher / Chairperson for Animal Experiment Problem

TOMINAGA, Makoto

Chief Researcher / Chairperson for Educational Problem

MINOKOSHI, Yasuhiko

FURUSE, Mikio
Chief Researcher / Chairperson for Special Project

YOSHIMURA,Yumiko

Emeritus Professors

Deceased Emeritus Professors

OOMURA, Yutaka
WATANABE, Akira
YAMAGISHI, Shunichi
MORI, Shigemi
OBATA, Kunihiko
KANEKO, Akimichi
MIZUNO, Noboru

IRISAWA, Hiroshi
UCHIZONO, Koji
EBASHI, Setsuro
KATSUKI, Yasuji
KUNO, Motoy
HAMA, Kiyoshi

NAGAYAMA, Kuniaki
OKADA, Yasunobu
OHMORI, Harunori
KOMATSU, Hidehiko
IMOTO, Keiji
KAKIGI, Ryusuke
KAWAGUCHI, Yasuo

Emeritus Technical Staff
OHIRA, Hitoo

8 ● Advisory Committee for Research and Management

TSUKAHARA, Nakaakira
YANAIHARA, Noboru
WATARI, Hiroshi
SASAKI, Kazuo
IKENAKA, Kazuhiro

Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology
KUBO, Yoshihiro
Professor
Biophysics
Neurobiology

TATEYAMA, Michihiro
Associate Professor
Pharmacology
Physiology

SHIMOMURA, Takushi
Assistant Professor
Molecular Physiology
Biophysics

CHEN, I-Shan
Project Assistant Professor
Pharmacology
Physiology

Functioning mechanisms and dynamic structure- function relationship of ion channels,
receptors and G proteins
Ion channels, receptors and G proteins play critical roles for the excitability and its regulationof neurons. We focus on these molecules which enable brain function. From the biophysicalpoint of view, we study structure-function relationships, regulation mechanisms and dynamic
structural rearrangements of ion channels and receptors. We also study the functionalsignificance of specific features of ion channels and receptors in the brain function by making
gene manipulated mice and by studying their abnormalities in the synaptic transmission andwhole animal behavior.
Our experiments start with constructions of mutants, molecular chimeras and fluorescenttagged molecules of ion channels and receptors. We express them in heterologous expression
systems such as Xenopus oocytes or HEK293 cells. We then analyze the functional featuresand dynamic structural rearrangements by electrophysiological method such as two electrodevoltage clamp and patch clamp. We also use optophysiologial methods such as Ca2+i imaging,
FRET analysis under total internal reflection microscope, subunit counting by single molecule
imaging, and voltage clamp fluorometry using fluorescent unnatural amino acid.
Major target molecules are Two Pore Na+ channel (TPC), G protein coupled inward rectifier
K+ channel (GIRK), hERG K+ channel, ATP receptor channel P2X2、Sigma-1 receptor andvarious G protein coupled receptors including an orphan receptor Prrt3. We also work, as
cooperative research projects, on TRPA1 channels, Kv1.2 channel, Two pore K+ channel,
voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and iodide transporter and Opsin, as well as ion channel toxins.
One of the characteristic features of our experimental approaches is that we utilize in vitro
expression systems such as Xenopus oocytes which enable clarification of the observation
targets, high through-put recordings and precise biophysical analyses by the two electrodevoltage clamp method. Another is that we perform simultaneous recordings ofelectrophysiology and optophysiology to approach the dynamic aspects of the function andstructural rearrangements, which is beneficial towards the understanding of the functioning
images. Taking advantages of these facilities and methodologies, we would like to promote
our research as well as cooperative research projects further.
＊ Shimomura T, Kubo Y (2019) J Gen Physiol. 151: 986-1006.
＊ Chen IS, Liu C, Tateyama M, Karbat I, Uesugi M, Reuveny E, Kubo Y (2019) Br J Pharmacol 176: 3161-3179.
＊ Kume S, Shimomura T, Tateyama M, Kubo Y (2018) J Physiol 596: 4629-4650.
＊ Tateyama M, Kubo Y (2018) PLoS One 13: e0204447.
＊ Kitazawa M, Kubo Y, Nakajo K (2015) J Biol Chem 290: 22724-22733.

Fig. 1.

Analyses of the function and dynamic

structural rearrangements of the KCNQ1/ KCNE1
K+ channel complex by simultaneous recordingsof electrophysiology and optophysiology undervoltage clamp using Xenopus oocyte expression
systems. (Nakajo and Kubo, Nature Commun(2014) )Research Departments / Division of Biophysics and Neurobiology ●9Division of Membrane Physiology
Mechanisms for synaptic transmission and synaptic disorders

FUKATA, Masaki

We will elucidate the core regulatory mechanisms for synaptic transmission and finally address
the fundamental question, “How does our brain physiologically function and how is thesystem disrupted in brain diseases?”. We have focused on the regulatory mechanisms for
AMPA-type glutamate receptor (AMPAR) as AMPAR plays a central role in learning andmemory formation. Based on our specific and quantitative biochemical methods, we
discovered AMPAR regulatory proteins: the DHHC palmitoylating enzymes, ABHD17
depalmitoylating enzymes and the epilepsy-related ligand/receptor, LGI1/ADAM22. So far, wehave elucidated the physiological functions of these AMPAR regulatory proteins and theimplication in the pathogenesis of brain diseases such as epilepsy and limbic encephalitis, bydeveloping new methods to screen the palmitoyl enzyme-substrate pairs, to quantify thepalmitoylation stoichiometry and to specifically visualize the palmitoylated protein, and byintegrating many methods such as super-resolution imaging, mouse genetics, andelectrophysiology. We will elucidate the molecular basis in which these AMPAR regulatory
proteins regulate synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions of mouse and human brainsusing the following our developed or cutting-edge approaches and resources.
１）Analyses of in vivo protein-protein interactions２）Screening of palmitoylating enzyme library３）Profiling of protein palmitoylation stoichiometries４）Observation of synapses with super-resolution microscopy５）Mouse models of human epilepsy with the LGI1 mutation＊ Yamagata A, Miyazaki Y et al., Nat. Commun. 1546 (2018)＊ Yokoi N, Fukata Y et al., J. Neurosci. 36, 6431 (2016)＊ Yokoi N et al., Nat. Med. 21, 19 (2015)＊ Fukata Y et al., J. Cell Biol. 202, 145 (2013)＊ Fukata Y and Fukata M, Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 11, 161 (2010)

Figure (A) Unique AMPA receptor regulatory
proteins: DHHC palmitoylating enzymes, ABHD17
depalmitoylating enzymes and the epilepsyrelated ligand/receptor, LGI1 and ADAM22. (B)
X-ray crystal structure of the LGI1-ADAM22
dimer-of-dimer complex. (C) Discovery of novel
postsynaptic nanodomains by palmitoylated
PSD-95-specific

probe

and

super-resolution

microscopy: a synaptic DHHC protein locallyregulates the formation and reorganization of
nanodomains. (D) Generation and analyses ofmouse models of human epilepsy with the LGI1
mutation: Distribution of wild-type LGI1 and theE383A mutant protein. This LGI1 mutant protein
is misfolded, retained in the ER and does not bindto its receptor, ADAM22.

10 ● Research Departments / Division of Membrane Physiology

Professor
Neuroscience
Biochemistry
Cell Biology

FUKATA, Yuko
Associate Professor
Neuroscience
Biochemistry
Cell Biology

YOKOI, Norihiko
Assistant Professor
Neuroscience
Biochemistry
Bioinorganic Chemistry
Structural Biology

MIYAZAKI, Yuri
Project Assistant Professor
Neuroscience
Biochemistry
Bioinorganic Chemistry
Structural Biology

Division of Neural Development & Regeneration
SAWAMOTO, Kazunobu
Adjunet Professor
Neuroscience
Development andRegenerative Biology

Mechanisms and functional significance of neurogenesis in the postnatal brain
Endogenous regenerative mechanisms of injured brain and new therapies for brain
diseases
New neurons and glial cells are continuously generated throughout life, not only at the embryonic andneonatal stages. Recent studies using experimental animals indicate that several regions of the adultbrain have the capacity to regenerate injured neural tissues. In collaboration with researchers at otherlaboratories in NIPS, we have been studying the mechanisms for cell migration and regeneration in the
postnatal brain. Our group aims to study the endogenous repair mechanisms in the brain and develop a
new strategy to promote neuronal and glial cell regeneration after injury.
＊ N. Kaneko, et al., New neurons use Slit-Robo signaling to migrate through the glial meshwork and approach a lesion for functional regeneration. Sci Adv 4:
eaav0618 (2018)＊ K. Fujikake, et al., Detachment of chain-forming new neurons by Fyn-mediated control of cell-cell adhesion in the postnatal brain. J Neurosci 38: 4598-4609(2018)＊ M. Sawada, et al., PlexinD1 signaling controls morphological changes and migration termination in newborn neurons. EMBO J e97404 (2018)＊ H. Jinnou, et al., Radial glial fibers promote neuronal migration and functional recovery after neonatal brain injury. Cell Stem Cell 22: 128-137 (2018)＊ H. Ota, et al., Speed control for neuronal migration in the postnatal brain by Gmip-mediated local inactivation of RhoA. Nat Commun 5: 4532 (2014)

Fig.2. High-resolution three-dimensional images of migratory neuroblasts
generated by serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. Eachneuroblast possesses either a pair of centrioles (green), or a basal body
(green) with a non-extended or extended primary cilium (pink). The
localization and orientation of the primary cilium are altered depending
Fig.1. Neuroblasts(red) migrate toward a lesion through a meshwork of on the mitotic state, saltatory migration, and deceleration of neuroblasts.
processes from a single astrocyte(blue), as shown by serial block-face Nucleus, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria are shown in yellow, orange,
scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) (Kaneko et al., Sci.Adv 2018).

and blue, respectively.
(Matsumoto et al., J Neurosci 2019).

Research Departments / Division of Neural Development & Regeneration ●11

Division of Cell Structure
Molecular basis of cell-cell junctions involved in epithelial barrier function
The Epithelium separates body compartments as a barrier and selectively transports various
substances, thereby contributing to various functions of organs and homeostasis. Ourlaboratory aims to clarify the molecular bases of specialized cell structures that are responsible
for these basic roles of the epithelium. We focus on the cell-cell junctions involved in theregulation of paracellular transport (occluding junctions), including the tight junction and its
related structures, and examine their molecular architectures, functions and dynamic
behavior. One of the characteristic features of our research is that we identify structural or
regulatory proteins of occluding junctions in our hands and characterize them. We takecombined approaches of molecular biology, physiology and morphology, including
immunoelectron and freeze-fracture electron microscopy, by using cultured epithelial cells
and model organisms. The following are ongoing projects: 1) Molecular mechanism behindthe diversity of the morphology and function of tight junctions. 2) Molecular dissection oftricellular tight junctions. 3) Physiological function of tight junctions and their related
junctional structures in vivo utilizing genetically modified mice. 4)Roles of septate junctions in
intestinal barrier function and regulation of stem cell proliferation in fruit fly.
＊ Otani et al. J Cell Biol 218, 3372 (2019)＊ Izumi et al., J Cell Sci 132(18). pii: jcs232108 (2019)＊ Oda, Sugawara et al., J Biol Chem 295, 4289 (2020)

Ssk

control

control

ssk RNAi

ssk RNAi

Roles of smooth septate junctions in the Drosophila midgut.
When the expression of a smooth septate junction-associatedmembrane protein Ssk is suppressed in the adult Drosophilagut, the intestinal barrier function is impaired, leading to theleakage of blue dye from the intestinal lumen to the body cavity
Molecular architecture and morphology of tricellular tight junctions.
Tricellular tight junctions (tTJs) are cell-cell junctions located at tricellularcontacts, where the corners of three epithelial cells meet. tTJs containtwo types of tTJ-specific membrane proteins, angulin family andtricellulin, and pull claudin-based tight junctions to the center oftricellular contacts.

12 ● Research Departments / Division of Cell Structurewith overproliferation of enterocytes.

FURUSE, Mikio
Professor
Cell Biology

IZUMI, Yasushi
Associate Professor
Cell Biology

OTANI, Tetsuhisa
Assistant Professor
Cell Biology

Division of Cell Signaling

Thermal Biology Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems

TOMINAGA, Makoto
Professor
Molecular and Cellular Physiology

SOKABE, Takaaki
Associate Professor
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Sensory Biology

SAITO, Shigeru
Assistant Professor
Evolutionary Physiology
Molecular Evolution

DEROUICHE, Sandra
Project Assistant Professor
Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Molecular Mechanisms of thermosensation and nociception
We mainly investigate molecular mechanisms of thermosensation and nociception byfocusing on so called ‘thermosensitive TRP channels’. Among the huge TRP ion channel
superfamily proteins, there are eleven thermosensitive TRP channels in mammals (TRPV1,
TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM5, TRPM8, TRPA1, TRPC5) whose
temperature thresholds for activation range from cold to hot. Because temperatures below
15℃ and over 43℃ are known to cause pain sensation in our body, some of thethermosensitive TRP channels whose temperature thresholds are in the range can be viewed
as nociceptive receptors. Some of the thermosensitive TRP channels are expressed in theorgans or cells which are normally not exposed to the dynamic temperature changes. We
found that they contribute to the various cell functions under the body temperature
conditions in the normal to febrile range. Molecular and cell biological, biochemical,
developmental and electrophysiological (patch-clamp and calcium-imaging methods)
techniques are utilized to clarify the molecular mechanisms of thermosensation andnociception. In order to understand functions of thermosensitive TRP channels in vivo, we arealso doing behavioral analyses using mice lacking the thermosensitive TRP channels. In theevolutionary process, organisms are thought to have adapted the changes in ambient
temperature by altering the expression and functions of the thermosensitive TRP channels.
Accordingly, we are characterizing the thermosensitive TRP channels from various species,
which would help us to understand the mechanisms of thermosensation.
We are also investigating thermosensation in Drosophila (fruit flies) through behavioral
analyses utilizing plenty of genetical tools. In addition, since TRP channels are nociceptors, weare developing novel insecticides/repellents that could be used to control insect pests.
＊ Elucidating the functional evolution of heat sensors among Xenopus species adapted to different thermal niches by ancestral sequence reconstruction. Molec.
Eco. 28: 3561-3571, 2019.
＊ ‌Diverse sensitivities of TRPA1 from different mosquito species to thermal and chemical stimuli. Sci. Rep. 9(1):20200, 2019.
＊ TRPV4 heats ups ANO1-dependent exocrine gland fluid secretion. FASEB J. 32 (4): 1841-1854, 2018.
＊ ‌The ATP transporter VNUT mediates induction of Dectin-1-triggered Candida nociception. iScience 6: 306-318, 2018.
＊ ‌A Switch in Thermal Preference in Drosophila Larvae Depends on Multiple Rhodopsins. Cell Rep. 17(2), 336-344, 2016.

Eleven thermosensitive TRP channels

Research Departments / Division of Cell Signaling ●13

Division of Cardiocirculatory Signaling

Cardiocirculatory Dynamism Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems
Elucidation of biological functions using multilevel techniques to evaluate
cardiovascular functions and its clinical application
Our cardiocirculatory function is mainly controlled by muscular organs composed of striatedmuscles (heart and skeletal muscles) and smooth muscle (blood vessels). Our group aims to
elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying transition of the muscles from adaptation tomaladaptation against environmental stress (mainly hemodynamic load) multi-leveltechniques to evaluate cardiovascular functions (in vivo and in vitro), and work towardpractical application (e.g., drug discovery and fostering). We also investigate the mechanismof muscle repair and regeneration, and aim to develop a novel therapeutic strategy forrefractory diseases. In addition, we address the inclusive research to elucidate the mechanism
underlying maintenance and transfiguration of cardiocirculatory homeostasis via multi-organinteractions by combining non-invasive measuring methodologies of motor functions andthose cardiovascular functions.
Our laboratory has various techniques and equipments to drive the above researches.
1. Non-invasive measurements of muscular functions Echo-cardiography (mouse and rat),
Laser Doppler flowmetry (mouse), Measuring devices of motor activity (mouse), Tail-cuff(mouse and rat), blood pressure telemetry (mouse)
2. Invasive measurements of cardiovascular functions Langendorff perfusion system (mouseand rat), Mouse millar catheter (for P-V loop measurement)
3. Isolation of primary-cultured cells and experiments mechanical stretching machine, Ca2+
imaging, FRET imaging, Confocal laser microscopy, Patch-clamp recording, Plate reader(BRET assay, post-translational modification analyses)＊ A. Nishimura et al. Science Signal. 12(587). pii: eaaw1920 (2019)＊ K. Nishiyama et al. Br J Pharmacol. 176(18):3723-3738 (2019)＊ T. Numaga-Tomita et al. FASEB J. 33(9):9785-9796 (2019)＊ A Nishimura et al., Sci. Signal. 11, eaat5185 (2018)＊ T. Akaike et al., Nature Commun. 8(1):1177 (2017)＊ T. Shimauchi et al., JCI insight, 2(15). pii: 93358 (2017)

Figure. Measuring systems for cardiovascualr
functions and summary of our research using
these systems
Motor6Activity

Myocardial
Infarction

Exercise

AorticBanding

Peripheral6Artery
Disease6(PAD)

Mouse&models&for&human&disease

Multi4level6Analyses6of6cardiovascular6functions

Echocardiography

Langendorff

Laser6speckle6blood6flow6imaging

Elucidation&of&Multi3level&interactions&based&on&the&cardiocirculatory system
and&pathology3dependent&protein3protein&interactions&in&cardiovascular&diseases

14 ● Research Departments / Division of Cardiocirculatory Signaling

NISHIDA, Motohiro
Professor
Cardiovascular Physiology

TANAKA, Tomohiro
Project Assistant Professor
Histology

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
MINOKOSHI, Yasuhiko
Professor
Endocrinology and Metabolism

NAKAJIMA, Ken-ichiro

Molecular mechanism for the hypothalamic regulation of whole body energy metabolism
Physiological and pathophysiological roles of AMPK in whole body metabolism
The animal body has an integrated-regulatory system for “homeostasis” that maintains a

Associate Professor
Neuroscience
Food Sciencenormal, constant internal state by responding to changes in both the external and internal

KONDOH, Kunio

environments. Within the central nervous system, the hypothalamus is a crucial center that

Assistant Professor
Neuroscience

KIKUCHI, Akihiro
Project Assistant Professor
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Structural Life Sciences
Endocrinology and Metabolism

regulates the homeostatic activities by integrating autonomic nervous system, endocrine
system and immune function. This division is investigating the role of hypothalamus in bodyenergy balance in mammals. The main subjects of our current research are as follows:(1) Molecular‌mechanism of the hypothalamic regulation of food intake, glucose and lipid
metabolism and taste sensations.
(2) Signaling‌
pathway for metabolic action of leptin, adipokines and myokines.
(3) Physiological‌and pathophysiological roles of AMPK in whole body metabolism.
(4) Development‌
of novel analytical method for glucose and lipid metabolism.
(5) Neuronal‌circuits that regulate hunger-induced taste modification.
＊ Y. Minokoshi, et al., Nature 415, 339, 2002.
＊ Y. Minokoshi, et al., Nature 428, 569, 2004.
＊ T. Shiuchi, et al., Cell Metab 10, 466, 2009.
＊ S. Okamoto, et al., Cell Reports 22, 706, 2018.
＊ O Fu, et al., Nat Commun 10, 4560, 2019.

Fig. 1 Discovery of neurons that induce selection ofcarbohydrate over fat.
AMP kinase-regualted CRH neurons in the PVH is necessary andsufficient to inducse selection of carbohydrate over fat after
fasting.

Fig. 2 Neuronal circuits that regulate hunger-induced taste modification.
Hypothalamic AgRP neurons regulate appetitive and aversive taste preferences via two
distinct neuronal pathways.

Research Departments / Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism ●15

Division of Ultrastructural Research
Ultrastructural analyses with microscopic approaches including electron microscopic 3D
reconstruction
Regulatory mechanisms and roles of mitochondrial dynamics in myelin diseases

Our goal is to understand structural changes in biological phenomena including development,functional maintenance and pathophysiology of the nervous system, and elucidate their molecularmechanisms and roles. We utilize various imaging approaches including 3D ultrastructural analyses with
serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM) and animal models, and also engage indevelopment of new technologies and many collaborative projects.
We are interested in intercellular associations of the nervous system. Among them, we would like toclarify the structural and functional changes and their molecular background in myelination and myelin
diseases. One of our focuses is on mitochondrial dynamics, which are involved in pathophysiology ofvarious diseases. We are trying to clarify the association of mitochondria and myelin diseases, anddevelop approaches for their regulation.
＊ Life Sci Alliance. 2(4). pii: e201900308 (2019)＊ Nguyen et al. Front Neural Circuits. 12:108 (2018)＊ Katoh et al. Sci Rep. 7:4942 (2017)＊ Morizawa et al. Nat Commun. 2017 8:28 (2017)＊ Ohno et al. PNAS 111:9953-8 (2014)

Figure 1. Reconstruction of serial electron microscopic images from
corpus callosum of control (a) and demyelination model (b) mice, and3D reconstrcution of axonal mitochondria (c). Modified from Ohno et al.
(2014).

Figure 2. Colored electron microscopic images (upper row) and 3D
reconstruction of nuclei (middle row) and mitochondria (lower row) of
monocyte- (red) and microglia-derived (green) macrophages in amouse spinal cord of a demyelination model. Modified from Katoh etal. (2017).

16 ● Research Departments / Division of Ultrastructural Research

OHNO, Nobuhiko
Adjunct Professor
Anatomy
Neuroscience
Cell biology

Division of Homeostatic Development
NABEKURA, Junichi
Director General
Neuroscience

NARUSHIMA, Madoka

Remodeling of Neuronal Circuits in Development and Recovery, − In vivo Imaging andElectrophysiological StudyRemodeling of neuronal circuits takes place during development, learning and recovery

Associate Professor
Neuroscience

after brain damage. The main goal of our research is to understand the regulation of neural

AGETSUMA, Masakazu

circuits remodeling. In details, we are focusing on Glial contribution for the function of

Project Associate Professor
System Neurophysiology
Molecular ethology

HORIUCHI, Hiroshi
Project Assistant Professor
Neurophysiology
Neuroimmunology

neuronal circuits. Glia has been known as a key factor to regulate neural circuits through their
physiological function. We are trying to determine their contribution onto the neural circuits
in development and learning by visualizing fine structure, controlling activity and analyzing
function of neuron and glia in living animals using multi-photon microscopy.

Innovative technology development across fields

The progress of technology has brought about a breakthrough in life science. We
contributed to novel technology development through collaborative research across fields.
Recently, we revealed neural activity-dependent pH changes in the living brain with singlecell level resolution using a CMOS image sensor which we had newly developed.
＊ Cortical astrocytes rewire somatosensory cortical circuits for peripheral neuropathic pain. Kim SK, Hayashi H, Ishikawa T, Shibata K, Shigetomi E, Shinozaki
Y, Inada H, Roh SE, Kim SJ, Lee G, Bae H, Moorhouse AJ, Mikoshiba K, Fukazawa Y, Koizumi S, Nabekura J. J Clin Invest. 2016 May 2;126(5):1983-97.
＊Microglia contact induces synapse formation in developing somatosensory cortex. Miyamoto A, Wake H, Ishikawa AW, Eto K, Shibata K, Murakoshi H, Koizumi
S, Moorhouse AJ, Yoshimura Y, Nabekura J. Nat Commun. 2016 Aug 25;7:12540.
＊ CMOS-based bio-image sensor spatially resolves neural activity-dependent proton dynamics in the living brain. Horiuchi H, Agetsuma M, Ishida J, Nakamura
Y, Cheung DL, Nanasaki S, Kimura Y, Iwata T, Takahashi K, Sawada K, Nabekura J. Nat Commun. 2020 Feb 5;11(1):712.

Transinet acceleration of synaptic plasticity in the
primary sensory cortex of a neuropathic pain
model mouse

Facilitation of spine formation by micrlglial
contact during development

Research Departments / Division of Homeostatic Development ●17

Division of Visual Information Processing
Analysis of mechanisms underlying information processing and activity-dependentfunctional developments in neocortex
To elucidate the mechanisms underlying information processing in sensory cortex and the

YOSHIMURA, Yumiko
Professor
Neurophysiology

HAYASHI, Kenjiexperience-dependent regulation of that processing, we are studying the relationship

Assistant Professor
Neuroscience
Molecular Cell biology

between visual functions and the signaling properties of neural circuits using rat and mouse

KIMURA, Rievisual cortex. We are also examining the development of neural circuits and functions based

Project Assistant Professor
Neurophysiology

on neural activity or synaptic target recognition using specific molecules. To this end, we are

YONEDA, Taisuke

analyzing the visual responses of cortical neurons using multi-channel electrodes or calcium
imaging with 2-photon microscopy, neural circuit properties with a combination of laser
scanning photostimulation and whole-cell recording methods in slice preparations, andneural connections morphologically using modern virus tracers. The following is a list of ourmain projects currently ongoing, including collaborative projects with researchers belonging
to research organizations other than our institute.
1. The‌mechanisms that establish fine-scale networks in visual cortex and the role of these
networks in visual information processing
dependent establishment of neural connections and visual responsiveness
2. Cell-lineage‌
3. Synaptic‌plasticity and visual response plasticity in animals at different developmental
stages and in animals subjected to the manipulation of visual inputs during postnatal
development
analysis of neural circuits using trans-synaptic virus tracers
4. Morphological‌
5. Neural‌
activities in visual and motor cortex underlying visual cue-triggered behavioral
tasks＊ Ishikawa AW, Komatsu Y, Yoshimura Y (2018) Experience-Dependent Development of Feature-Selective Synchronization in the Primary Visual Cortex. J
Neurosci. 38(36):7852-7869.
＊ Tarusawa E. et al., (2016) Establishment of high reciprocal connectivity between clonal cortical neurons is regulated by the Dnmt3b DNA methyltransferase
and clustered protocadherins. BMC Biol. 14(1):103.

A

Pa

B

Pb
Pa

L2/3

Pb

Number of events

L4
30

L5

20
10

100 m
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100

200

300 pA0-100 0 100
Time (ms)Electriphysiological and morphological analyses of cortical neural circuits
A. Cross-correlation analysis of photostimulation-evoked excitatory
postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) simultaneously recorded from a pair oflayer 2/3 pyramidal neurons that were synaptically connected.
B. Visualization of neural circuits using a trans-synaptic virus tracer.
Presynaptic neurons (green) providing synaptic inputs to some layer 2
pyramidal neurons (yellow) in neocortex.

18 ● Research Departments / Division of Visual Information Processing

Project Assistant Professor
NeuroscienceDivision of Biophotonics

Biophotonics Research Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems
NEMOTO, Tomomi
Professor
Biophysics
Cell physiology

ENOKI, Ryosuke
Associate Professor
Neurophysiology
Chronobiology

OTOMO, Kohei
Assistant Professor
Spectroscopy
Physcial Pharmacy

TSUTSUMI, Motosuke
Project Assistant Professor
Biophysics
Structural Biology

ISHII, Hirokazu
Project Assistant Professor
Developmental biology
Biophysics

Quantitative analysis and elucidation of underlying mechanism of physiological
functions by innovative bioimaging utilizing cutting-edge technologies of photonics
By utilizing such advanced optical technologies as near-infrared ultrashort light pulse lasers,
adaptive optics, nanomaterials, we have advanced innovative imaging methods based on
nonlinear optical processes. We also have driven applications of these methods to the life- andmedical sciences. By facilitating our original world-leading ultra-deep, super-resolution, andultra-high-speed imaging methods with a combination of genetic engineering andnanoparticles, we aim to realize less-invasive "in vivo" observation and manipulation for livingorganisms and tissues to establish a quantitative visualization analysis method forphysiological functions. Through visualization analysis of neural circuits, activities, andexocytosis, we will elucidate the mechanism of the emergence of neural functions, including
biological rhythms, and their molecular basis.
Recently, we successfully developed multiphoton microscopy to realize cross-sectional
fluorescence imaging at the deepest layer in the world. As a result, we visualized neurons in
the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus at 1.6 mm depth from the brain surface underanesthesia. Noticeably, we here observed the activity of hippocampal CA1 neurons at a video
rate (Fig. A). On the other hand, in order to enable ultra-micromorphology for molecular
dynamics in living cells, we are also pursuing super-resolution microscopy by utilizing newlaser technology, including vector beams (Fig. B). Utilizing long-term imaging technology forliving cell functions, we are promoting research on the generation and the function ofultradian and circadian rhythms (Fig. C). In local neural circuits, endocrine or exocrine glands,
and model animals and plants, high-speed three-dimensional "in vivo" imaging is unlocking
the principles underlying the emergence of physiological functions and is also exploring themolecular basis of the pathogenic mechanism of diseases such as cancer and diabetes (Fig. D).
In this research department, these methods collaborate widely with various laboratories
covering not only life sciences but also applied physics, chemistry, medicine, andpharmaceutical sciences. Now, we are weaving a new tapestry of interdisciplinary areas
applicable to medical science by pursuing cell physiology of neural and secretion activities
and by advancing imaging methodology, which can visualize physiological phenomena invivo "as they are." We are looking for graduate students or young researchers who can share
our passion for pioneering new academic fields. We are looking for graduate students oryoung researchers who can share our passion for pioneering new academic fields.
＊ M. Inoue et al., Cell 177,1346-1360.e24 (2019).
＊ H. Ishii et al., Biomed. Opt. Express, 10, 3104-3113 (2019).
＊ Y. Wu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 115, E9469-E9478 (2018).
＊ A. Goto et al., Front. Phys., 7, 56-1–56-9 (2019).

Fig. (A) “in vivo” video-rate imaging of neural activities of mouse CA1 neurons.
(B) Two-photon nanoscopy –breaking the limit of the spatial resolution < 100
nm. (C) Visualizing neuronal circuits controlling circadian and ultradian rhythms.
(D) Fast “in vivo” imaging of molecular orientation using second harmonic
generation.

Research Departments / Division of Biophotonics ●19

Division of Behavioral Development
System-level understanding of social cognitive functions
There is increasing attention to social neuroscience, a discipline dedicated to clarifying the neuralbasis of social cognitive functions. In social neuroscience, studies on human subjects are surely

ISODA, Masaki
Professor
Neurophysiology

GO, Yasuhiro

indispensable, as they can tell us about our social mind most directly. Yet research using nonhuman

Project Associate Professor
Comparative Genomics
Neurogenomics

primates is of equal importance for understanding social brain functions at the cellular and

TOMATSU, Saeka

network levels. Nonhuman primates are phylogenetically close to humans, they have brain
structure similar to humans, and they offer unique opportunities to directly record or manipulate
neural activity. Our laboratory develops novel, behavioral tasks using two monkeys facing eachother and carries out electrophysiological recordings of single-neuron activities and local fieldpotentials across networks of brain regions to achieve a system-level understanding of social
cognition, such as decision making on the basis of behavioral information regarding the self andothers. We also perform pathway-selective blockade of neural activity using viral vectors toestablish a causal relationship between a target neural pathway and a particular social cognitive
function. Furthermore, we perform cognitive genomics studies in macaques with loss-of-function
mutations in genes associated with human psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, thereby
clarifying the genetic basis of social cognitive functions.
＊ Noritake A et al (in press) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA＊ Noritake A et al (2018) Nat Neurosci 21: 1452-1462＊ Yoshida K et al (2016) Sci Adv 2: e1600558＊ Yoshida K et al (2012) Nat Neurosci 15: 1307-1312＊ Yoshida K et al (2011) Curr Biol 21: 249-253

Multi-site, multi-electrode neural recordings forclarifying the neural basis of social cognitive
functions

20 ● Research Departments / Division of Behavioral Development

Project Associate Professor
Cognitive Neuroscience
Neurophysiology

NINOMIYA, Taihei
Assistant Professor
Neuroanatomy
Neurophysiology

NORITAKE, Atsushi
Assistant Professor
Neurophysiology
Cognitive Neuroscience

YOKOI, Isao
Assistant Professor
Neurophysiology

Division of System Neurophysiology
NAMBU, Atsushi
Professor
Neurophysiology

HATANAKA, Nobuhiko

Mechanism of voluntary movements
Pathophysiology of movement disorders
The brain areas, such as the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and cerebellum, play a major role in

Assistant Professor
Neurophysiology
Neuroanatomy

controlling voluntary movements. On the other hand, malfunctions of these structures result in

CHIKEN, Satomi

movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. The major goal of our research

Assistant Professor
Neurophysiology
Neurobiology

SANO, Hiromi
Assistant Professor
Molecular Neurobiology

project is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying higher motor functions and the pathophysiology
of movement disorders. To explore such intricate brain functions, we apply a wide range ofneurophysiological and neuroanatomical techniques to rodents and subhuman primates such as
macaques and marmosets.
The current topics under study are as follows:1）‌Elucidation of information flows through the neuronal networks by electrophysiological andanatomical methods.
‌2）Understanding
the mechanism how the brain controls voluntary movements and higher brain
functions by electrophysiological recordings of neuronal activity from animals performing
motor tasks, combined with local injection of neuronal blockers, optogenetics or
chemogenetics.
‌3）Elucidationof the pathophysiology of movement disorders by applying electrophysiologicalmethods to animal models of Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. Development of new
therapies by suppressing abnormal neuronal activity.
＊ S. Chiken et al., Cereb Cortex 25: 4885-4897 (2015)＊ H. Sano, H. Murata, A. Nambu, J Neurochem 134: 371-381 (2015)＊ H. Iwamuro et al., Eur J Neurosci 46: 2684-2701 (2017)＊ M. Ozaki et al., Cereb Cortex 27: 5716-5726 (2017)＊ H. Sano, A. Nambu A, Neurochem Int 124: (2019)

A sagittal section of the mouse brain showing
selective

expressionofchannelrhodopsin-2(C128S) in striatal projection neurons as visualized
by enhanced yellow fluorescent protein signals.
Strong fluorescence was observed in the striatum(Str) as well as the its targets, such as the external(GPe) and internal (GPi) segments of the globus
pallidus and the substantia nigra pars reticulata(SNr).

Cortical stimulation of the face,hand and foot areas in the
motor cortices of monkeys
inducedresponses

inthesubthalamic nucleus (STN) andthe internal (GPi) and external(GPe) segments of the globus
pallidus,andrevealed

somatotopic maps of thesestructures.

These

contribute

to

maps

stereotactic

surgery, such as deep brain
stimulation(DBS),

for

Parkinson’s disease.

Research Departments / Division of System Neurophysiology ●21

Division of Neural Dynamics
Understanding the functional roles of neural dynamics

KITAJO, Keiichi

The brain can be regarded as a dynamical system, which is composed of a number ofconnected nonlinear elements (e.g., neurons and glial cells) and exhibits a wide variety of
nonlinear dynamics in its activity. For instance, depending on the brain state, the human brain
exhibits transient oscillations and synchrony at various frequency bands. We investigate
functional roles of nonlinear neural dynamics such as oscillation, synchrony, and noiseinduced phenomena in perception, cognition, motor, and social functions from acomputational

neuroscience

perspective.

We

measureandanalyzescalp

electroencephalographic (EEG) signals in humans while subjects are engaged in cognitive
tasks, at rest, or during noninvasive brain stimulation such as transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES). We also analyze electrocorticographic(ECoG), magnetoencephalographic (MEG), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
data in humans as well as imaging and electrophysiological data in distinct modalities inanimals. We promote computational studies by data analysis and mathematical modelingbased on nonlinear dynamical systems theory, information theory, signal processing theory,complex network analysis, and statistical machine learning theory. We also analyze clinicaldata for stroke and epilepsy patients obtained from collaborators and try to understandclinical symptoms in terms of altered neural dynamics and explore brain-machine interface
applications. Moreover, we try to investigate the relationships between neural dynamics andmodulating factors such as autonomic nervous activity and excitation/inhibition balance inneural circuits to understand the functional roles of neural dynamics from an integrative
perspective.
＊Ueda K, Nishiura Y, Kitajo K (2020) Mathematical mechanism of state-dependent phase resetting properties of alpha rhythm in the human brain. Neuroscience
Research, 4387, 1-13
＊ Okazaki YO, Mizuno Y, T. Kitajo K (2020) Probing dynamical cortical gating of attention with concurrent TMS-EEG. Scientific Reports, 10, 4959, 1-10.
＊ Glim S. Okazaki Y, Nakagawa Y, Mizuno Y, Hanakawa T. Kitajo K (2019) Phase-amplitude coupling of neural oscillations can be effectively probed withconcurrent TMS-EEG. Neural Plasticity, 6263907, 1-14
＊ Kawano T et al. (2017) Large-scale phase synchrony reflects clinical status after stroke: An EEG study. Neurorehabilitation & Neural Repair, 31, 6, 561-570＊ Kajihara T, Anwar MN, Kawasaki M, Mizuno Y, Nakazawa K, Kitajo K (2015) Neural dynamics in motor preparation: From phase-mediated global computation
to amplitude-mediated local computation. NeuroImage 118, 445-455.

We measure neural activity in humans by the
TMS-EEG concurrent recording paradigm. Then
we analyze the EEG data and mathematicallymodel the neural dynamics to understand thefunctional roles of the neural dynamics

22 ● Research Departments / Division of Neural Dynamics

Professor
Computional Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience

UEHARA, Kazumasa
Assistant Professor
Neurophysiology
Neuroscience

OKAZAKI, Yuka
Assistant Professor
Cognitive Neuroscience

YOKOYAMA, Hiroshi
Project Assistant Professor
Information Engineering
NeuroscienceDivision of Cerebral Integration
SADATO, Norihiro
Professor
Functional Neuroimaging
Neuroscience

FUKUNAGA, Masaki
Associate Professor
Magnetic Resonance
Neuroimaging
Neuroscience

KOIKE, Takahiko
Assistant Professor
Social Neuroscience
Neuroscience

GODA, Naokazu

Studies on Higher Function in Human Brain Using Neuroimaging Techniques
The goal of Division of Cerebral Integration is to understand the physiology of humanvoluntary movement and other mental processing including language and social interaction
using noninvasive functional neuroimaging technique, mainly fMRI. In particular, neuralmechanisms of the social interaction is the main focus of our research activities. Hyperscanning fMRI (3T) has been installed to evaluate two individuals as one neural network
during social interaction, combined with 7T MRI data to evaluate the detailed structures of theneural network that represent the social cognition. Multimodal approach including EEG, MEG,
TMS, and NIR is considered when appropriate.

Assistant Professor
Neuroscience
Neuroimaging
Psychophysics＊ Matsunaga M et al. Neuroimage 134:132-141 (2016)＊ Abe MO et al. Neuroimage 191:150-161(2019)

NAKAGAWA, Eri

Happiness has two aspects, a temporary positive emotion and a trait-like long-term sense

Project Assistant Professor（Grant Project）
Foreign Language Education
Psycholinguistics

of being happy, that enforces each other. Voxel-based morphometry showed trait-like

YAMAMOTO, Tetuya
Project Assistant Professor(Grant Project)
Neuroimaging
Visual Neuroscience
Visual Psychology

subjective happiness was positively correlated with the gray matter density of the rostral
anterior cingulate cortex (rACC). Functional MRI demonstrated that experimentallyinduced temporal happy feelings were positively correlated with subjective happinesslevel and rACC activity. The rACC response to positive events was also positively correlatedwith its gray matter density. Thus the rACC is related to happiness. The interaction
between structure and function in the rACC may explain the trait–state interaction in

N=26
N=106

happiness.

To evaluate the neural substrates of cooperation,
we conducted a hyperscanning functional MRI

study with a joint force-production task. We
found that the cooperation, the degree ofadjustmentofindividual

motor

outputdepending on that of the partner, is mediated by
the interconnected subdivisions of the right TPJ.
(Collaboration with Associate Professor Masaki O.
Abe et al. )Research Departments / Division of Cerebral Integration ●23

Individual Researches
The roles and mechanisms of membrane traffic
Not only does membrane traffic perform intracellular cargo logistics, but it also works as adynamic integration system of cellular signaling in various physiological aspects including

OHASHI, Masato
Assistant Professor
Molecular Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Developmental Biology

developmental regulation. We currently study the roles and the mechanisms of membranetraffic in developmental morphogenesis, the main theme being the mechanisms of planar cell
polarity（PCP）formation. To this end, we are developing new methods. In developmental
tissue morphogenesis, membrane traffic may work as an interface for integrating
spatiotemporal information, between the intracellular level and the tissue level.
＊ R. H. K. Lee et al., XRab40 and XCullin5 form a ubiquitin ligase complex essential for the noncanonical Wnt pathway. EMBO J. 26, 3592-3606.（2007）.
＊ M. Ohashi, N. Mizushima, Y. Kabeya, T. Yoshimori, Localization of mammalian NAD(P)H steroid dehydrogenase-like protein on lipid droplets. J. Biol. Chem.
278, 36819-36829 (2003).
＊ M. Ohashi et al., A role for phosphatidylinositol transfer protein in secretory vesicle formation. Nature 377, 544-547（1995）.

Individual Researches
Neuronal information processing in the tripartite synapse
Tripartite (three-part) synapses are defined by physically and functionally interactive
structures among pre- and post-synaptic elements, and their surrounding glial processes. Ourlaboratory focuses on the role of neurotransmitter transporters in the integration of neuronal
information in the tripartite synapse. Collaborating with other research groups, we also
analyze genetically modified animals to understand the pathophysiology of neurologicaldisorders such as rapid-onset dystonia with Parkinsonism (RDP), alternating hemiplegia ofchildhood (AHC), and CAPOS syndrome. In addition to classical techniques including
electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and pharmacology, we recently introduced photoreleasable caged compounds. The following are ongoing projects.
(1) Molecular‌mechanisms underlying presynaptic modulation: topographical distance
between voltage-gated Ca channels and exocytotic Ca sensors as a key determinant2,3(2) ‌Intersynaptic neurotransmitter diffusion-mediated crosstalk among adjacent neurons:
involvements of glial cells and glutamate transporters in its regulation1(3) ‌Pathophysiology of neurological disorders originated in haploinsufficiency of the Na
pump gene dosage4＊１ S. Satake, S. Konishi, Eur. J. Neurosci. in press (2020).
＊２ S. Satake, T. Inoue, K. Imoto, Cerebellum 15, 201-207 (2016).
＊３ S. Satake, K. Imoto, J. Neurosci. 34, 1462-1474 (2014).
＊４ K. Ikeda, S. Satake et al., J. Physiol. 591, 3433-3449 (2013).

24 ● Research Departments / Individual Researches

SATAKE, Shin'Ichiro
Assistant Professor
NeurophysiologyIndividual Researches
YAMAGATA, Yoko
Assistant Professor
Neurochemistry
Neuroscience

Brain functions and dysfunctions by protein phosphorylation
Studying molecular mechanisms of learning and memory is important to confront memorydeficient and abnormal memory-associated disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). An enzyme called Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα (CaMKIIα) in thebrain has a key role in such mechanisms. To explore its in vivo function more in detail andmore explicitly, we generated the kinase-dead knock-in mutant mouse of CaMKIIα, and havebeen examining the mouse by using various methods in collaboration with other researchers.
We are now exploring the relation between this kinase activity and age-related decline ofcognitive functions by behavioral analyses of learning and memory.
＊ Yamagata, Y, et al. (2018) eNeuro 5: e0133-18.2018 1-15.
＊ Yamagata, Y, Nairn, AC (2015) Brain Res. 1625: 314-323＊ Yamagata, Y, et al. (2013) Brain Res. 1507: 1-10
＊ Yamagata, Y, et al. (2009) J. Neurosci. 29: 7607-7618(A) In the kinase-dead knock-in mouse of CaMKIIα, hippocampal synaptic
plasticity and hippocampus-dependent learning and memory are severely
impaired. (B) We are performing behavioral analyses to explore possible
relationship between this kinase activity and age-related decline of cognitive
functions.

Research Departments / Individual Researches ●25

Center for Research Collaboration
Outline

KUBO, Yoshihiro
Professor
Director

This center named “Center for Collaborative Research” was established in April 2016. It consists of 5
sections of Collaboration Promotion, Advanced Research Support, National Bio-Resource (NBR)
Project, Visiting Collaborative Research Project and International Collaborative Research Project.
(1) As a mission of the inter- university research institute, NIPS promotes and conducts collaborative
researches. The “Collaboration Promotion” section is in charge of facilitation of joint researches
utilizing the facilities of NIPS. It responds to inquiries about available research facilities andlaboratories suitable to achieve research aims, and also coordinates the joint research. Thus, it serves
as a sort of “concierge” of joint research with NIPS. It also call for requests of facilities and experimental
techniques which researchers wish to have in NIPS. To advertise the collaborative research activity of
NIPS, we organized in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, NIPS research meetings in universities outside of
NIPS. In 2020, we plan to organize one international meeting outside of NIPS.
(2) NIPS, in cooperation with NIBB, started “Supporting Platform for Advanced Bio-Imaging” project
supported by JSPS KAKENHI in April 2016. In this framework, the “Advanced Research Support”
section serves to promote support for advanced imaging techniques using optical microscope,electron microscope and fMRI. The 2nd activity of this section is to support “The Next Generation
Brain Research” Project. It is to organize a symposium of wide-ranged brain science researchers
including the ones belonging to MEXT priority research areas. This activity was succeeded from theformer “Comprehensive Brain Science Network” ended in 2016. The 3rd activity is to support theactivity, as an administration office of the core organization, of “Brain Mapping by Integrated
Neurotechnologies for Disease Studies (Brain/MINDS)” project, a large scale national project of theJapan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).
(3) NIPS has been in charge of supply of monkeys for brain science experiments, as a part of National
Bio-Resource Project. This time the “Primate Model Development” section in the “Supportive Center
for Brain Research” was moved to the “Center for Collaborative Research” as a new section named“National Bio-Resource (NBR) Project”, clarifying the responsible section for the project. In 2017, theprimary responsible role of NBR Project was transferred from NIPS to the Primate Research Center in
Kyoto University. NIPS will continue to cooperatively contribute to the activity of NBR Project.
(4) The aim of the “Visiting Collaborative Research Project” section is to facilitate collaborative
researches with researchers staying in NIPS using a sabbatical leave. The section was moved from“Center for Multidisciplinary Brain Research” which was closed in 2016. In 2020, NIPS will promote thisactivity by calling for sabbatical researchers.
(5) The “International Collaborative Research Project” section is a laboratory run by a visiting professor
from abroad who stays for a significantly long time in NIPS. The laboratory is run up to for 3 years.
From 2017 to 2019, Professor Denis Le Bihan (Former Director of Neurospin in France) served as a P.I.,
and he will continue to take the role from 2020.
In summary, the “Center for Collaborative Research” plays critical roles in the promotion of various
collaborative research activities, including inter-university research, advanced bio-imaging support,
supply of monkeys for experiments, and domestic as well as international research collaborations.

27

Section of Advanced Research Support

28

Section of NBR Project

29▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲Section of Collaboration Promotion

Section of Visiting Collaborative Research ProjectSection of International Collaborative Research Project

26 ● Research Centers /Center for Research Collaboration

30

▲Section of Collaboration Promotion

NISHIO, Akiko
Project Assistant Professor
Neurophysiology
Cognitive Neuroscience

National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) is an inter-university research institute,which organizes some of the latest large experimental equipment and devices that are
difficult for other universities or research institutes to purchase, maintain, manage, or operate,
such as serial block-face scanning electron microscope (SBF-SEM) , multiphoton excitation
microscopes, dual functional magnetic resonance imaging (dual fMRI) , 7-tesla ultra highmagnetic field MRI machines, and magneto-encephalography (MEG) systems, with the aim ofproviding facilities and technical support for researchers on a nationwide basis. NIPS also
actively develops, produces, and provides viral vectors for neuroscience research withtechnical support, as a center for the production of high-quality viral vectors that are difficultfor individual research laboratories to create or purify.
Section of Collaboration Promotion has been organized as a consultation window to help
researchers belonging to other universities or research institutes throughout Japan smoothly
launch joint research projects in NIPS. Its aim is to support researchers who maintain passive
attitudes toward such projects for various reasons, including unestablished research networks
or lack of knowledge about methods to embody their ideas as studies. In addition to these,
NIPS also offers research techniques and devices to corporate researchers who aim to develop
new technologies or products.
The primary purpose of us is to promote liaison between researchers in diverse fields and
NIPS.

It comprehensively performs activities to support joint research and enhance its

recognition, such as setting up exhibition booths to introduce joint research in NIPS at
meetings of related academic societies and study meetings held outside NIPS.

Research Centers /Section of Collaboration Promotion ●27

▲Section of Advanced Research Support

Advanced Bioimaging Support (ABiS)
Advanced Research Support has operated the administrative office of ABiS (FY2016–2021 Grant-in-Aid
for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas ― Platforms for Advanced Technologies and Research
Resources) since FY2016. ABiS is a framework for supporting cutting-edge imaging techniques(observation of samples and data analysis) using various types of microscopy and MRI, for research
conducted by core organizations such as the National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) and the
National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB). Through the collaborative research that these institutes promote,ABiS is forming a network withdomestic partner organizations toprovide custom-made support
for bioimaging techniques.

JISEDAI-NOU Project
Advanced Research Support has also operated the administrative office of the JISEDAI-NOU Project since
FY2016. This project, which is led by members of the brain science–related Grant-in-Aid for Scientific
Research on Innovative Areas, promotes efforts that support the brain science community, including
planning symposia with a focus on cultivating young researchers, disseminating related information via amailing list, and operating a website. It will contribute to
the promotion of brain research by taking advantageof the established community that developed over thecourse of the Comprehensive Brain Science Network
Project (FY2010–2015, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific
Research on Innovative Areas).

Brain/MINDS Beyond
From November 2018, the National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) has been adopted as thecore organization of the newly launched AMED program, the Strategic International Brain Science
Research Promotion Program (Brain/MINDS Beyond). This program aims at contributing to the flight ofthe brain research globally by enhancing collaboration with the domestic projects of other countries
across the world. This office, serving as the core organization and operation secretariat, coordinates thedomestic efforts for the international promotion of brain science research. It also works in close
coordination with two other programs by the
AMED, the Strategic Research Program for Brain
Sciences (SRPBS) and the Brain Mapping byIntegrated Neurotechnologies for Disease Studies(Brain/MINDS).

28 ● Research Centers / Section of Advanced Research Support

KANO, Masanobu
Adjunct Professor
Neurophysiology

TAKADA, Masahiko
Adjunct Professor
Neuroanatomy

MARUYAMA, Megumi
Project Associate Professor
Neurophysiology
Environmental Physiology

▲Section of NBR Project

NAMBU, Atsushi
Professor
Neurophysiology

The promotion of National Bio-Resource Project "Japanese monkey"
The improvement of the monkeys quality, and development of the detection systemfor various pathogens
This laboratory has been organized since 2002, for acceleration of National Bio-Resource
Project (NBRP) “Japanese monkey”. National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) joined
the collaborative institute for this project and Kyoto University Primate Research Institute(KUPRI) became the program as a core institute.
（霊長類学会等）

NBRP “Japanese monkey” has been established as a stable breeding and supply system forJapanese macaques for laboratory use. We have performed the projects with emphasis on thefollowings: (1) The establishment of the breeding system, (2) The provision of the monkey for
researchers in Japan, (3) Data collection of the characteristics of the Japanese macaques, and
提供(4) The integrative administration of NBRP "Japanese monkey".
The Japanese macaques have high cognitive abilities, and dexterous hands. Therefore,
these macaques have been used for research of higher brain functions and various diseases.
We have administered this resource project and coordinated with researchers. We havecollected the data about Japanese macaques for the improvement of monkey quality. One of
our aims is the development of the detection system for various pathogens in the Japanesemacaques, including B virus and Simian retrovirus, in pursuance of supplying high-grade bioresource.
＊ 中村克樹，他 ., ナショナルバイオリソースプロジェクト「ニホンザル」の現状と課題 . 霊長類研究 33 巻 (2017)＊ T. Isa et al., Japanese Macaques as laboratory Animals. Exp. Anim. 58 (5), 451-457 (2009)

Research Centers / Section of NBR Project ●29▲Section of International Collaborative Research ProjectIntroduction of the Section of International Collaborative Research ProjectIn FY2014, the National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) established the Section ofInternational Collaborative Research Project and welcomed Dr. Ravshan Sabirov, an adjunctprofessor, to run the section until FY2016. In FY2017, we invited Dr. Denis Le Bihan to join as a
new Principal Investigator of the section. He is a leading authority on Magnetic ResonanceImaging (MRI) and is well-known around the world as an inventor of the revolutionary
imaging method called diffusion-weighted imaging. In 2007, Dr. Le Bihan founded NeuroSpin,which belongs to the Life Science Bureau, a basic research division of France's Commissariat àl'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA). The institute conducts brain researchusing MRI at a very high level of technological sophistication and is also leading thedevelopment of the world's highest-performance MRI instrument, the Human-oriented 11.7
Tesla Device. NIPS has promoted exchanges with Dr. Le Bihan to advance collaborative
research that takes advantage of the strengths of both institutes, with the primary goals of
introducing the Human-oriented 7 Tesla Device and applying it to neuroscience research.
Accordingly, CEA and NIPS signed a memorandum of understanding on academic researchcooperation on January 13, 2017. As part of this collaborative research, Dr. Le Bihan readily
agreed to become an adjunct professor of NIPS. His mission is to promote international
collaborative research using ultra-high field MRI. We will continue collaborative research withresearchers inside and outside NIPS in collaboration with the Division of Cerebral Integration,
which is also a part of NIPS. These efforts are expected to make a major contribution to thedevelopment of MRI imaging technology and brain science in Japan. Two international
projects with Seoul National University (South Korea) and National Health Research Institutes(Taipei) are ongoing together with Division of Cerebral Integration.

30 ● Research Centers / Section of International Collaborative Research Project

LE BIHAN, Denis
Visiting Professor
NeuroscienceSupportive Center for Brain Research
ISODA, Masaki
Professor
Director

Outline
The Center for Brain Experiment was reorganized into the Supportive Center for Brain
Research in April 2008 to expand its role of supporting brain science research at the
NIPS. The new center was initially comprised of six sections: Sections of Brain Structure
Information, Brain Function Information, Multiphoton Neuroimaging, Electron
Microscopy, Instrument Design, and Ine Marine Laboratory. In 2010, the Ine Marine
Laboratory completed its mission and was closed. In 2012, two sections were newly
opened: the Section of Viral Vector Development and the Section of Primate Model
Development. The mission of the former was to develop and distribute viral vectors,
and the mission of the latter was to breed and supply Japanese macaques, both toresearchers for brain research purposes. In April 2016, the Section of Viral Vector
Development was relocated to the Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior. At the sametime, the Section of Primate Model Development was changed its name to the NBR
Project and relocated to the Center for Research Collaboration.
Brain science is one of the hottest research fields worldwide, of course including
Japan, and recent progress in this field is amazing and surprisingly rapid. The NIPS is
now widely recognized as an important hub for brain science research in Japan, andmost NIPS researchers are engaged in some way in the relevant field. The mission of the
Supportive Center for Brain Research is not only to support intramural studies at the
NIPS, but also to play a role in promoting fruitful collaborations in the neuroscience
community both in Japan and abroad through joint researches.

32

Section of Multiphoton Neuroimaging

33

Section of Electron Microscopy

34

Section of Brain Function Information

35

Section of Instrument Design

55▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲Section of Brain Structure Information

Research Centers /Supportive Center for Brain Research ●31

▲Section of Brain Structure Information

Ultrastructural analysis of cells by high-voltage electron microscopy

MURATA, Kazuyoshi

High-resolution structural analysis of biomacromolecules by cryo-electron microscopy
We visualize the fine-structures of biomacromolecules and cells using electron microscopes
to elucidate their functions from the structure. By employing advanced image analysis
techniques such as single particle analysis and electron tomography, we reconstruct 3D
structure from 2D EM images. The main facilities include an energy-filtered phase-contrast
cryo-electron microscope (JEM2200FS: 200 kV) equipped with Zernike phase plate and a highvoltage electron microscope for medical and biological research (H-1250 M: 1 MV) (Fig. 1).
Combined with the latest image processing technologies, these electron microscopes reveal
the fine structure of cells and high-resolution structure of biomacromolecules such as large
protein complex and viral particles. A recent example of our study is shown in Figure 2.
＊ Sheng et al., Nature Plant 5, 1320 (2019)＊ Burton-Smith et al., JBC 294, 15003 (2019)＊ Sekiguchi et al., Int J Mol Sci 20, 2308 (2019)＊ Hirose et al., Mol Plant 12, 715 (2019)＊ Yoshikawa et al., J. Virol 93, e02130 (2019)＊ Kubota-Kawai et al., JBC 294, 4304 (2019)

Fig. 1High-voltage electron microscope for

medical and biological research, H-1250M: 1MV(left)

andphase-contrast

cryo-electron

microscope with energy filter, JEM2200FS: 200kV(right).

Fig. 2 Medusavairus visualized by cryo-electron
microscopy. Medusavirus discovered at a hot
springinJapan(backgroundpicture)isevolutionary the closest virus to eukaryotes.
(Yoshikawa et al. 2019).

32 ● Research Centers / Section of Brain Structure Information

Associate Professor
Electron Microscopy▲Section of Multiphoton Neuroimaging

Associate Professor
Biophysics
Neuroscience

Imaging activation of signaling molecules in living cells by 2-photon fluorescence
lifetime imaging microscopy
Our state of the art two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopes allows us toimage protein activity and protein-protein interaction in living cells in deep tissue such as
brain slice and brain of living mouse. We accept the collaborative research using thefluorescence lifetime imaging microscope for imaging the activity and interaction of various
signaling proteins. We also accept students to pursue the PhD degree, especially, the students
who are interested in molecular imaging.
In addition to the cutting-edge microscope techniques, we try to develop novel fluorescentproteins and light-controllable signaling proteins. By far, we succeeded in visualizing theactivities of signaling proteins in dendritic spine of hippocampal neuron by using two-photon
microscopy by combining the photo-activatable probes, new fluorescent proteins,
electrophysiology. These techniques will enable us to reveal the system of neural networks
and underlying molecular mechanisms in a living mouse neuron.
Our mission is to reveal “missing-links” underlying between molecular functions andphysiological functions in a living body. We believe that the development & application of
optical imaging methods will reveal the biological system at the cellular level.
＊ Murakoshi et al. Scientific Reports 2019
＊ Saneyoshi et al. Neuron 2019
＊ Chen Xi et al. eLife 2018
＊ Murakoshi et al. Neuron 2017
＊ Hedrick et al. Nature 2016

xy-Scanmirrors

Ti:Sapphire laser

Scan lensLaser pulse~100 fs~12 nsPhotodiodeCollector lensPhotocurrent

PC

Tube lensObjective lens

2.35
ns
Fluorescence
lifetime image

PMT

MURAKOSHI, Hideji

Dichroic
mirror2-photon
excitation

2.60

Figure 1. Two-photon excitation is the phenomenon that two photons of half energy than needed for one photon excitation can excite a fluorescentmolecule. The advantages of 2-photon excitation are 1) Because infrared light is used for excitation, it minimizes excitation-light scattering in the tissue
2) Because 2-photon excitation happens only at the focal point of an objective lens, the background signal is strongly suppressed. These effects enable
us to image cells and subcellular structures in deep tissue with high spatial resolution. Recently, the combination of 2-photon excitation andfluorescence lifetime imaging method enabled us to image the protein-protein interaction or structural change of protein in deep tissue such as brainslice. The fluorescence lifetime is measured by counting the arrival time of signal photon at the detector upon a laser pulse. After making histogram of
lifetimes at each pixel by repeating this measurement, the pixel-by-pixel lifetime image is constructed in a pseudocolor format.

Research Centers / Section of Multiphoton Neuroimaging ●33

▲Section of Electron Microscopy

Support for electron microscopy

FURUSE, Mikio

Ultrastructures of tissues, cells and macromolecules are observed using transmission or
scanning electron microscopes (JEOL JEM1010, Zeiss Σ IGMA). The facility also provides

Professor
Cell Biology

KUBOTA, Yoshiyuki

instruments for their specimen preparations, i.e. ultra-microtome (Leica UC7), high-pressure

Associate Professor
Neuroanatomy
Neurosciencefreezing device (BAL-TEC HPM010), and freeze fracture and replica machine (BAL-TEC BAF060),

MURATA, Kazuyoshi

vacuum evaporator (JEOL JEE-400), etc. For digital image analysis, image processing software

Associate Professor
Electron Microscopy

and volume rendering software (FEI Amira) are available. Serial block-face SEMs (Gatan 3view/

SONG, Chihong

Zeiss Σ IGMA/VP & MARLIN; Fig. 1) and Array tomography SEM system (Zeiss ATLAS5) haveopened since 2013 (Fig. 1), which reveal 3D structures of biological thick specimens. The SBFSEMs, especially, are used for many collaborative projects.
Fig. 1 Serial block-face SEM (SBF-SEM) Gatan 3view - Zeiss
S Σ IGMA/VP

Fig. 2

Transmission electron microscope (TEM) JEOLJEM1010 equipped with 2kx2k CCD camera

34 ● Research Centers / Section of Electron Microscopy

Project Assistant Professor
Cell Biology
Structural Biology

▲Section of Brain Function Information

SADATO, Norihiro
Professor
Functional Neuroimaging
Neuroscience

CHIKAZOE, Junichi
Associate Professor
Neuroscience

Research on functional-anatomical mapping of the primate brain
The mission of the Section of Brain Function Information is to support collaborative studies
using high field magnetic resonance imaging（3T and 7T）and to promote research on
functional-anatomical mapping of the primate brain. We are actively promote collaborative
studies ranging from basic research and development of MRI to clinical applications as well as
studies on establishing standards for MRI procedures, including safety, applications, andquantitative analyses of the images. We are now trying to develop an algorithm toquantitatively and statistically handle image data of the brain generated by MRI. In addition tocollaborative research, training junior researchers in MRI applications and basic neuroscience
research are promoted.
Recently, we focus on the combination of functional MRI and deep learning. Specifically, we
built artificial intelligence that could predict the price of art. We further apply individual
optimization to the AI, which results in making the AI mimic individual’s preferences (Publicly
offered research group in “Correspondence and fusion of artificial intelligence and brain
science”). In our lab, students can learn how to analyze functional MRI data as well as how to
use deep learning.
＊ J. Chikazoe and S. Konishi,“Functional neuroimaging approaches to human memory”,＊ Memory in Social Context: Brain, Mind, and Society, T. Tsukiura and S. Umeda Ed.. Springer. (2018)＊ JA Brooks, J Chikazoe, N Sadato, JB Freeman, "The neural representation of facial-emotion categories reflects conceptual structure", Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences 116 (32), 15861-15870 (2019)＊ J Chikazoe, DH Lee, N Kriegeskorte, AK Anderson, "Distinct representations of basic taste qualities in human gustatory cortex", Nature communications 10(1), 1-8 (2019)＊ RM Todd, V Miskovic, J Chikazoe, AK Anderson, "Emotional Objectivity: Neural Representations of Emotions and Their Interaction with Cognition", Annual
review of psychology 71, 25-48 (2020)

A schematic figure of transfer learning for vision-value converter, based on VGG 16. We used the same structure for vision-tocategory transformation as VGG16 and added new layers for category-to-value transformation.

Research Centers / Section of Brain Function Information ●35

Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior
OutlineTOMINAGA, Makoto
Professor
Director

Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior produces gene-modified rat/mouse using
TALEN and CRISPER/Cas9, etc. The center also provides virus vectors for cell typespecific gene modification. The center has facilities to monitor behavior, neuronal
activity and metabolism in those gene-modified rat/mouse, which are open for thecollaboratory use from researchers of all over the world.

37

Section of Mammalian Transgenesis

38

Section of Metabolic Physiology

39

▲ ▲ ▲

Section of Viral Vector Development

36 ● Research Centers /Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior

▲Section of Viral Vector Development

NAMBU, Atsushi
Professor
Neurophysiology

KOBAYASHI, Kenta
Associate Professor
Molecular Neurobiology

Collaboration by providing viral vectors
Functional analysis of specific neural pathways by using viral vectors
Development of the viral vector system useful for analysis of brain functions
A viral vector, which is available to various animal models, is an excellent genetic tool, andat present, it becomes one of most important experimental technologies to analyze brain
functions. We set up a system to produce a large amount of high quality viral vectors, AAV andlentiviral vectors. In response to requests, we provide these viral vectors and promote thecollaboration.
Brain functions are controlled by complex neural circuits. To understand brain functions, it isnecessary to clarify the function of specific neural pathways forming complex circuits. We
have succeeded in developing the novel gene transfer system, a dual viral vector system using
highly efficient retrograde gene transfer viral vectors, enabling the functional analysis of
specific neural pathways (Fig. 1). By using this system, we analyze the function of specificneural pathways forming the cortico-basal ganglia loop. In addition, we work on thedevelopment of more efficient retrograde gene transfer viral vector system.
＊ K. Kobayashi et al., J. Neural. Transm. (Vienna). 125, 67 (2018)＊ K. Kobayashi et al., Front. Neuroanat. 11, 65 (2017)＊ K. Kobayashi et al., Neurosci. Lett. 630, 45 (2016)

Figure 1. Gene transfer into specific neural pathways using viral vectors. Conditional gene expression in specific neural pathways becomes possible byusing a dual viral vector system combining retrograde gene transfer (RGT) viral vectors and AAV vectors. These useful viral vectors are available tocollaborators.

Research Centers / Section of Viral Vector Development ●37

▲Section of Mammalian Transgenesis

Development of Advanced Reproductive / Transgenic Technologies in Laboratory
Animals
Genetically modified animals such as transgenic and knockout animals are essential tools
for current life science research. In particular, recent progress on gene editing technologies
including CRISPR/Cas9 system has enabled us to generate desired such animals more
efficiently and rapidly. Our facility, Section of Mammalian Transgenesis, routinely generates avariety of genetically modified mice and rats according to requests from internal and external
laboratories. In addition, we have developed novel reproductive and developmental
technologies using early rodent embryos and the stem cells. One of our current projects is anapplication of our techniques to regenerative medicine. Recently, as a collaborative research,
we have established “blastocyst complementation” method which can create a specific organfrom pluripotent stem cells in organ-deficient animals. Through developing new technologies
and generating model animals in various mammalian species, we aim to understand theunderlying mechanisms on stem cell self-renewal/differentiation, early embryo development
and organogenesis, which would contribute to future regenerative medicine as well as life
science research.
＊ T. Kobayashi et al., Development. 147, e183798 (2020).
＊ T. Goto et al., Nat Commun. 10, 451 (2019).
＊ M. Hirabayashi and S. Hochi, Methods Mol Biol. 1874, 313 (2019).
＊ T. Yamaguchi et al., Sci Rep. 8, 15289 (2018).
＊ M. Hirabayashi et al., J Reprod Dev. 63, 611 (2017).

Fig. 1. Kidney regeneration model by interspecific blastocyst complementation. Ⅰ . Genome editing tool (CRISPER/Cas9) is applied toprepare anephric rats. Ⅱ . When GFP mouse-derived ES cells are injected into the rat blastocysts that have a fate to be anephric, 3D kidneys
are regenerated in developmental niche of the interspecific chimeras. Ⅲ . Histological analysis of the regenerated kidneys revealed that themost of nephron tissues consisted from GFP-positive mouse cells.

38 ● Research Centers / Section of Mammalian Transgenesis

HIRABAYASHI, Masumi
Associate Professor
Laboratory Animal Science

KOBAYASHI, Toshihiro
Assistant Professor
Stem Cell Biology
Developmental Technology

▲Section of Metabolic Physiology

MINOKOSHI, Yasuhiko
Professor
Endocrinology and Metabolism

In vivo analysis of neuronal and metabolic activity in mice and rats
This section analyzes the in vivo neuronal and metabolic activity in mice and rats whichwere modified their related genes and exposed with various environmental conditions. Thissection examines the following subjects:
1）‌Single unit recording from motor related brain regions in awake state.
2）‌Regional neural activity detected as intrinsic signals with taking the advantage of lightfluorescent dynamics of flavin or hemoglobin.
3）‌Energy intake and expenditure in free-moving animals.
4）‌Body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure in free-moving animals.
5）‌Non-invasive echo-graphic imaging of tissue structure-function relationships (liver,kidney and blood vessels), 4-dimensional changes in cardiac functions, and capillary
blood flow (brain and umbilical cord) using anesthetized mice.
6）‌Mouse temperature preference assay with thermal gradient ring.

Research Centers / Section of Metabolic Physiology ●39

Center for Communication Networks
Outline

FUKATA, Masaki
Professor
Director

The center provides information of NIPS programs and activities to the public,
scientific community, medical profession, and media through WEB, publication,
conferences and symposium. Science education activities and Institutional review
processes are also coordinated. The center maintains infrastructures of LAN as well as
WEB-based services.

41

Section of Physiology and Medicine Education

42

Section of Network Management

43

▲ ▲ ▲

Section of Research Archives

40 ● Research Centers /Center for Communication Networks

▲Section of Research Archives

The Institute has made the self-evaluation and peer review every year since 1993. In
addition, the Institute started editing a volume of annual plans and annual reports every year
since 2004. The section was opened in 2007 to perform more efficient evaluation processes.
For efficient accumulation of historical events in the institute, this section also takes care ofarchiving the documents that describe the activities of the Institute.
The section was reorganized to be responsible for collecting and archiving various kinds of
documents in 2016.
The collection includes the database of documents related to the foundation of theInstitute, which was completed owing to the great contribution of Professor Emeritus Shunichi
Yamagishi. It also includes the text version of “Oral History” stated by Professor Yamagishi.

Research Centers / Section of Research Archives ●41

▲Section of Physiology and Medicine Education

Developing materials and system for ‘step-by-step studies of human life sciences’
The material is presented in very small steps, approximately 10-fold more steps thanconventional materials. At each step, straight-forward images are presented, so that thelearners ‘get the image’, as well as few-choice questions, to provide an immediate opportunity
to use the learned information. To prevent a one-way flow of information, the learners areencouraged to share their questions, comments and suggestions. ‘Active learning’ is verymuch possible with this material, not only by answering questions, but the learners explaining
the image to others. The rate of success is very high as the portion that the learners do
originally is not very much. With this system, not only knowledge, but also confidence andmotivation for further studying is shown to increase. This system was developed by theprevious NIPS visiting professor, Dr. Masato Shibuya (a professor of Junior College of Kagawa
Nutrition University).

Developing materials and system for ‘step-by-step studies of brain science’‘step-by-step studies of brain science’, another e-Learning subject, was developed for theBrain Science Course Group of The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI with
Dr. Yoshihisa Kudo (a professor emeritus of Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science).
And the part about neuroscience of the above ‘step-by-step studies of human life sciences’
was provided to the students who take ‘step-by-step studies of brain science’ as a supplement
teaching aid. Students take the e-Learning-based exams in the end of each semester. Upontaking ‘step-by-step studies of brain science’, students are supposed to learn basic brain
science completely.

42 ● Research Centers / Section of Physiology and Medicine Education

TOMINAGA, Makoto
Professor
Molecular and Cellular Physiology

▲Section of Network Management

Computer services and network supports are now indispensable for research activity. In this section,
we manage the “Computer System for Data Analysis in Physiology”, which is a software sharing system
for Numeric Computation, data analysis, visualization, mathematics, statistics and electronic design. Threetechnical staffs support high-speed and reliable network for intra-/internet services such as E-mailcommunication, Web services, and peripheral devices for in-house information network. Technologicaldevelopments for the best use of these facilities are also underway（ Fig. 1）
Ensuring information security is also an important part of our work. We have revised our information
security policy in line with our research and are making efforts to maintain the security level by raisingawareness among users. In addition, we also cooperate with CSIRT to prevent security incidents, takecountermeasures, monitor them, and respond to them when and after they occur.
Fig.1. Computer System for Data Analysis in
Physiology & Network Servers

Research Centers / Section of Network Management ●43Section of Health and Safety Management
OutlineNIPS is sincerely trying to promote the security and health of researchers and workers,
particularly considering the environments of laboratories and offices. Recently, NIPS has
had to focus on resolving some serious problems, for example, storing several drugs
such as narcotics properly, and safely maintaining several machines such as those using
lasers. To avoid accidents caused by such drugs and machines, NIPS is conducting a
regular annual medical examination for all researchers and workers. Considering how
important this problem is, the Section of Health and Safety Management was foundedin 2011 under the direct management of the Director-General. This section is mainly
conducting the following four activities:
1. ‌‌Work to prevent accidents and health problems of workers at NIPS.
2. ‌‌Education related to safety and hygiene for workers.
3. ‌‌Regular medical examinations.
4.‌‌Investigation of problems causing labor accidents in order to prevent them.
Monthly meetings are held to smoothly conduct the regulatory procedures.

44 ● Section of Health and Safety Management

TOMINAGA, Makoto
Professor
Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Research Enhancement Strategy Office
NAMBU, Atsushi
Professor
Neurophysiology

KUBO, Yoshihiro
Professor
Biophysics
Neurobiology

FUKATA, Masaki
Professor
Neuroscience
Biochemistry
Cell Biology

MINOKOSHI, Yasuhiko
Professor
Endocrinology and Metabolism

YOSHIMURA, Yumiko
Professor
Neurophysiology

URANO, Toru
Specially Appointed Professor
Loboratory Animal Science
Bacterial Infectious Disease

Research Enhancement Promotion Project
National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS）has been selected as one of 20 Universities and 3 InterUniversity Research Institutes in the Program for Promoting the Enhancements of Research Universities
funded by Monbukagakushou（MEXT）, which started from September 2013. Research Enhancement
Promotion Headquarters and Research Enhancement Strategy Office of this program have been settled
at NINS and each of 5 Research Institutes, including NIPS, respectively. At NIPS, Research Enhancement
Strategy Office （manager: vice director of NIPS） has been composed of by 5 units, 1） Research
Surveillance and Analysis, 2）Evaluation, 3）Research Animal Management, 4）Promotion of Outreach
Activity, 5) International Cooperation, and 6） Promotion of Gender Equality. Specially Appointed
Professor, Project Associate and Assistant Professors were assigned to Evaluation Unit, Research Animal
Management Unit and Promotion of Outreach Activity Unit. Each unit promotes its activity to facilitate
own research and research collaboration to achieve NIPS mission.

MARUYAMA, Megumi
Project Associate Professor
Neurophysiology
Environmental Physiology

NISHIO, Akiko
Project Assistant Professor
Neurophysiology
Cognitive Neuroscience

Collaboration with overseas universities and research institutes
Promotion of joint utilization and joint research
Recruitment of brilliant researchers from other countries

Collaboration with universities and research institutes
Promotion of joint utilization and joint research
Universities

Support for the Promotionof international Advanced
Research

Support for the Promotion of
Joint Utilization and
Joint Research in Japan

NINS
Companies

Research
Institues

Enhancement of Research Capabilities of NINS

Goal1: Encourage cutting-edge academic research in the ﬁeld of natural sciences throughinternational joint research-strengthen joint research with world s most advanced research institutes in the world
developing the world s most advanced research instrumentsGoal2: Contribute to the enhancement of research capabilities of universities, etc. in Japan using theworld s most advanced research environment for joint utilization and joint research
Dissemination of Information and Enhancement of
Public Relations in Japan and Abroad

Encouragement of interaction with public
Dissemination of information in English
and international announcements

Support for Researchers(for young, female or foreign researchers)

Improvement of support system fordiversiﬁed research environment

Research Enhancement Strategy Office ●45

Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study
The Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study is one of the top-class experimental animal
centers in Japan. The center was reorganized from the Center for Experimental Animals in FY2019 tofurther enhance collaborative study based on animal research as a common facility of the interuniversity
institutes. In the terrestrial and aquatic animal sections, multiple species including mouse, rat, marmoset,
Japanese macaque, fish, and amphibians are maintained and supplied for experimentation.
To enhance and support collaborative animal researches involving domestic and foreign researchers,

MINOKOSHI, Yasuhiko
Professor（Director）

URANO, Toru
Specially Appointed Professor
Loboratory Animal Science
Bacterial Infectious Disease

WANG, Chen-Chi
Assistant Professor
Laboratory Animal Science
Cell Biology

the principal responsibilities of the center include (1) the appropriate breeding of rodents and otherexperimental animals, (2) embryo transfer and cryopreservation for genetically modified mouse lines, (3)development and refinement of diagnostic testing methods, microbial containment, and disease
prevention strategies, (4) provision of information related to the techniques of animal experimentation as
well as promotion of education and awareness with regard to ethical considerations and regulations
related to the study of experimental animals. The new building in “Myodaiji” area, which is equipped withthe state-of-the art system including individually ventilated cages rack and experimental rooms forcollaboration studies, will be operational in October, 2020. We are capable of supplying high quality
animal care and resources to researchers to reach the best research achievements in the world.

Division of Coordinator for Animal Experimentation
The Division was established in 2008 under the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
covered with 3 Institutes in Okazaki (Current with National Institutes of Natural Sciences).
The important role of animal-based research in the life science, especially physiological science fieldhas been extensively increasing in the world. On the other hand, it is needed to clarify the socialtransparency, ethics and animal welfare in the animal experiments based on several rules including ‘Law
for the humane treatment and management of animals’，’Standard relating to the Care and Managementof laboratory animals and relief of pain’, ‘Fundamental guideline for proper conduct of animal experimentand related activities in academic research institutions under the jurisdiction of MECSST’ and domestic
Standard. Accordingly, this Division is responsible for the following activities.
and training of the researchers
1. Education‌
2. Review‌and approval of the animal experiment plans‌and self-assessment of animal experiments
3. Self-evaluation
4. Information disclosure regarding animal-based research

46 ● Center for Animal Resources and Collaborative Study / Division of Coordinator for Animal Experimentation

TOMINAGA, Makoto
Professor
Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems
Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience ended in FY 2017.
A new research center “Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems(ExCELLS)” was launched in FY 2018.
ExCELLS consists of 18 research groups, and the following 4 research groups also
belong to the National Institute for Physiological Sciences.
・Thermal Biology Group Division of Cell Signaling (See P. 13)・‌Cardiocirculatory Dynamism Research Group Division of Cardiocirculatory Signaling(See P. 14)
・Biophotonics Research Group Division of Biophotonics (See P. 19)
・Cognitive Genomics Research Group

Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems ●47

NIPS Research Fellow
The NIPS Research Fellows are young researchers with advanced research capabilities through operational
expense subsidies for a certain period in order to have them be engaged in specific joint research projects, andto develop and promote research activities.

UEMATSU, Akiko

HAMANO, Yuki

DWI WAHYU, Indriani

Division of Behavioral

Division of Cerebral

Division of System

Development

Integration

Neurophysiology

Neurophysiology

Experimental Psychology,
Neuroimaging,
Neuroscience

Neuroscience

FU, OuSUITO, Takuto

YAMAMOTO, Mariko

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism

Division of Cell Signaling

Neuroscience,
Food Science

Molecular Biology
Lipid Biochemistry

Division of Visual
Information Processing

ANDRIANI, Rizki TsariDivision of Biophysics &Neurobiology

Pharmaceutical Science andTechnology
Biophysics

48 ● NIPS Research Fellow

NeuroscienceTechnical Division
Outline
The Technical Division is an organization of technical staffs to support research activities in National
Institutie for Physiological Sciences（NIPS）. This organization is under the direction of the DirectorGeneral of NIPS. It is organized in a management system with Head, Assistant Head, Section Chief, Unit
Chief, Assistant Unit Chief and Staff.
The division is composed of the technicians, who are covering a wide diversity of fields, such as electric
circuitry, mechanical machine tooling, computing, gene engineering, biochemical analysis, cell culture,
microscope, raising and reproduction of gene-implanted animals and so on.
The division is divided into two sections, one is for Departments and the other is for Research Centers.
The personnel belonging to the Departments support mainly the researchers in the Departments. Thosebelonging to the Research Center or Laboratory are maintaining and controlling common researchequipment for use in joint research projects by scientists of inside and outside of the institute.
In addition to these technical supports, the division is conducting common operations（maintenanceand control of equipment, machinery and other installations, and management of research meeting andsupply shops）.
Beside the division conducts self-study activities by organizing technical research meeting and by
publishing technical reports, in order to improve the technical abilities of individual members. A technicalcommittee is organized to allow the institute to obtain new technologies vital to the research and to
dissolve technically challenging subjects.
Every year, "Operation Report Meeting" is held to promote the mutual understandings of technicaloperations and to exchange general information in the division.
The Annual Meeting of Technical Research is held for the purpose of exchanging technologicalinformation among technicians working in all universities and research institutes in the country. In themeeting, discussions are made through oral presentations, panel exhibitions and lectures with technicalpractice.
These study activities and technical research meetings conducted at the division are summarized andpublished in "Annual Report of Technical Division" and in "Annual Report of Technical Research Meeting."

Technical Division ●49

Head :

Unit Chief :Staff :

OKAWARA, Hiroshi

MORI, Masahiro

HIRAYAMA, Yuya

Research Infrastructure
Technical Unit

Homeostatic Regulation
Technical Unit

Assistant Head：

Assistant Unit Chief :Staff :TOGAWA, Morio

ISHIHARA, Hiromi

WATAKABE, Yuki

Departments Technical
SectionHomeostatic Regulation
Technical Unit

Fundamental
Neuroscience Technical
Unit

Section Chief :Assistant Unit Chief :Staff :YOSHIMURA, Nobuaki

TAKAHASHI, Naoki

INAGAKI, Mariko

Research Centers
Technical Section

System Neuroscience
Technical Unit

Center forCommunication Networks
Technical Unit

Unit Chief :Assistant Unit Chief :Staff :YAMAMOTO, Tomomi

YAMADA, Gen

YAMANAKA, Midori

Molecular & Cellular
Physiology Technical Unit

Supportive Center for
Brain Research Technical
Unit

Center for Experimental
Animals Technical Unit

Unit Chief :Assistant Unit Chief :Staff :FUKUTA, Naomi

SANBO, Makoto

TAKAHASHI, Nobuaki

Homeostatic Regulation
Technical Unit

Center for Genetic
Analysis of Behavior
Technical Unit

Center for Experimental
Animals Technical Unit

Unit Chief :Assistant Unit Chief :TAKAGI, Masahiro

MURATA, Yasuhisa

Fundamental
Neuroscience Technical
Unit

Center forCommunication Networks
Technical Unit

Unit Chief :Assistant Unit Chief :SATO, Shigeki

KUBOTA, Mitsuko

System Neuroscience
Technical Unit

Center for Experimental
Animals Technical Unit

Unit Chief :Assistant Unit Chief :YOSHITOMO, Miki

KAMIYA, Emi

Center for Research
Collaboration Technical
Unit

Center for Experimental
Animals Technical Unit

Unit Chief :Staff :YAMAGUCHI, Noboru

INAHASHI, Hiroki

Supportive Center for Brain
Research Technical Unit

Molecular & Cellular
Physiology Technical Unit

Unit Chief :Staff :HIROE, Takeshi

KANO, Yuichiro

Center for Experimental
Animals Technical Unit

Homeostatic Regulation
Technical Unit

50 ● Technical Division

Large facilities and equipments for cooperative studies
OutlineAs a mission to be the inter-university research institute, NIPS conducts joint studies with researchers
from domestic or foreign universities and other research institutes. NIPS provides specialized equipment,
large-scale equipment, and research facilities, and develops new equipment for morphological andfunctional 4D imagings of various organs such as the brain.

▲

Magnetic Resonance Imaging System (MRI: 3 tesla, 7 tesla)

MRI is an imaging technique that utilizes the nuclear
magnetic resonance of the hydrogen atom. Not only toimage the anatomical details of the brain, but MRI also
allows exploring the neural substrates of human cognitive
function by the visualization of the task-related changes inregional cerebral blood flow（functional MRI）. For over a
decade, we have been working on 3T MRI to investigate
higher brain function of a human (The first 3T machine
installed in 2000 was shutdown in 2018). To simultaneously
measure the neural activities of two participants during their social interaction, we have recently installed
dual functional MRI system with two 3T MRI. Furthermore, ultra-high field (7T) MRI system has been
installed.

In 2016 and 2017, cooperative study projects using 7T machine were performed for the

purpose of technical assessment and development. As we have confirmed stable operation in 2018, it will
be fully provided for cooperative studies.

Large facilities and equipments for cooperative studies ●51

▲Magnetoencephalography (MEG)

Magnetoencephalography（MEG）has a potential to measurebrain activities with better temporal and spatial resolution in
milliseconds and millimeter, respectively, compared with othermethods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Event-

related magnetic fields following various kinds of sensory
stimulation are mainly analyzed. Also, background brain activities（brain waves）in various conditions can be analyzed.

▲

Phase Contrast Electron Cryomicroscopy

Phase contrast electron cryomicroscopy is an electron microscope
developed for observing close-to-life state biological samples with a
combination of rapid freezing and ice embedding sample
preparation methods. Biological specimens up to 200 nm
thicknesses can be observed with high-resolution and highcontrast. Ultrastructure analyses of protein molecules, viruses,bacteria, cultured cells and frozen tissue sections are performed
with this novel microscopic system.

52 ● Large facilities and equipments for cooperative studies

▲

Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscope (SBF-SEM)

Serial block-face scanning electron microscope（SBFSEM）is an advanced 3-D nano-imaging equipment.
Two different types of SBF-SEM are available; highresolution and wide-area types. Resin-embedded
biological specimens are sliced by a diamond knife
equipped inside the chamber, and the block-faceimages are acquired by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. 3-D structures of the specimens are finallyreconstructed from the acquired serial block-faceimages. 3-D structures of large biological specimens
like a brain tissue can be visualized at the resolution ofseveral nanometers.

▲

Multiphoton excitation microscopy

Multi-photon excitation is a method to visualize living tissue by exciting the fluorescence moleculeswith the tightly focused near-infrared femtosecond pulse laser. Since the longer wavelength is used for
multi-photon excitation, it has a superior deeper tissue penetration and reduced phototoxicity comparedwith single-photon excitation. Our 2-photon microscopes have the top level specification for deep tissue
imaging and can be applied to the imaging of neurons and glial cells in deep tissues such as mouse brain.
Recently, we also developed a 2-photon fluorescence imaging microscope which can be applied toimage protein-protein interaction and the protein activity.

Large facilities and equipments for cooperative studies ●

53

‌
▲

Analytical equipment for in vivo neuronal, metabolic andphysiological parameters in mice and rats
We analyze the following physiological parameters inmice and rats:
1） Single unit recording from motor-related brain
regions in the awake state, 2）Regional neural activity
detected as intrinsic signals with taking the advantage
of light fluorescent dynamics of flavin or hemoglobin, 3）
Energy intake and expenditure in free-moving animals, 4）
Body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure in
free-moving animals, 5） Non-invasive echo-graphic
imaging of tissue structure-function relationships (liver,kidney and blood vessels), 4-dimensional changes in
cardiac functions, and capillary blood flow (brain andumbilical cord) using anesthetized mice, 6） Mousetemperature preference assay with thermal gradient ring.

54 ● Large facilities and equipments for cooperative studies

Facilities Shared by the Two Institutes
OutlineNational Institute for Physiological Sciences and National Institute for Basic Biology
are shar­ing facilities which are innovative for conducting biological researches, butrather expensive to be supported only by one institution.

▲

Section of Electron Microscopy

See P. 34▲

Instrument Design Room

Custom-designed equipments, which are not commercially available, can be constructed in this room.
The machine shop is equipped with various types of machines such as milling machines and drill presses.
3D-printer and a samall laser cutting machine also work, and laboratory equipment can be manufactured.
The electronic shop is equipped with various types of test instruments used for construction andmeasurement calibration of electronic devices.
Machine shop equipments（Instrument Design Room）

Facilities Shared by the Two Institutes ●55

▲Functional Genomics Facility

The Functional Genomics Facility is a division of NIBB Core Research Facilities and organized jointly by
NIBB and NIPS for promoting DNA and protein studies. The facility maintains a wide array of core researchequip­ments, from standard machinery like ultracentrifuges to cutting edge tools such as next generation
DNA sequencers, which amount to 70 different kinds of instruments. Our current focus is supporting
functional genomics works that utilize mass spectrometers and DNA sequencers.
Next generation DNA sequencers (Functional Genomics
Facility)▲

Spectrography and Bioimaging Facility

Spectrography and Bioimaging Facility is a division of NIBB Core Research Facilities. It assists bothcollabo­rative and core research by managing and maintaining research tools that use “Light”, such as the
Okazaki Large Spectrograph, confocal microscopes, two–photon micro­scopes, and other imaging
equipments. We also hold technical seminar and training session about microscopes and bioimaging toprovide useful information to users.
Okazaki Large Spectrograph（Spectrography
and Bioimaging Facility）

56 ● Facilities Shared by the Two Institutes

Joint Researches
Outline
The National Institute for Physiological Sciences（NIPS）, an inter-university research institute, carries out generalcollaborative research, planned collaborative research that focuses on the most important theme at the time, andcooperative research using large facilities.
As the following table shows, many collaborative studies are conducted each year and have produced promising
results. In 2020, the institute plans to carry out 118 cooperative research projects, and 38 cooperative experiments.
Another one of principal pillars of the corporative studies at NIPS is the NIPS research meeting. Unlike normal
academic meetings, here, most of these meetings include oral presentations, giving plenty of time for Q&A.
The small number of participants also allows detailed discussions to take place. Twenty meetings were held lastyear, and 20 meetings are planned for this year. The number of NIPS research meetings greatly outnumbers thosehosted by the other two research institutes in Okazaki, and in fact, they have become a highly important baseorganization. In the past, the meetings have helped establish new scientific research funded study groups, and haveeven established activities such as academic conferences. The NIPS International Workshop has been running since2008. Research meetings are inviting overseas researchers, who present their work in English, have shown positive
potential for the future of science. In 2019, two International Workshops was conducted, but one is now scheduled
in 2020.
1. General collaborative project
The general collaborative projects and planned
collaborative projects involve studies carried out by
researchers from outside universities or research
institutes, and professors or associate professors fromwithin NIPS. About a total of 30 to 40 projects havebeen selected in the past, but in 2019, 112 projects had
been selected as part of a move to raise the number ofcooperative studies.
2. Planned collaborative project
Planned collaborative project themes are selected by
NIPS, which are based on requests from researchers.
Until 2007, there were two themes, “Physiological andneuroscientific studies into genetically modified model
animals” and “Biomolecular sensors and physiological
function.” Additional themes were added in 2008, with
“Functional and morphological analyses of cells andtissues by multi-photon microscopy” and “Medical andbiological applications of phase-contrast cryo-electron
microscopy”（name changed to “Medical and biologicalapplications of cutting-edge electron microscopy” in2011）, and in 2009 with, “Behavioral analysis of mouseand rat”. Also, “Analysis of metabolic physiology formouse and rat” began in 2011, while “Transfection
study with primates,” “Analysis of fluctuations infunction research in life science,” and “Multidisciplinary
study of neural information” began in 2012. Also,“Transfection study with viral vector neurologicalsystem” was started in 2013. Furthermore, “Purificationof supra-molecular complexes and analyses of theirconstituents by mass spectrometry” was started in2016, and “Analyses of dynamic aspects of the function
and structure of membrane proteins” in 2017. All these
themes cover the most talked about scientific topics
today, and are areas where NIPS is considered to be afrontrunner in Japan. We expect to receive many new
proposals.

Two projects, ”Analysis of fluctuations in function
research in life science” and “Multidisciplinary study ofneural information” were closed in 2015, due to thefinish of the related NINS projects.
“Behavioral analysis of mouse and rat” was closed
due to the shutdown of the Section for Behavior
Patterns. In 2016, NIPS performed only the collaborative
experiments carried over from last year.
In regards to the proposal agenda, long discussions
had been carried out at both faculty meetings and work
meetings in 2012. The agreed requirements are as
follows.
1）‌Proposals should clearly state the aim andexperimental design of the research project andshould be completed within five years. However,depending on the state of the research, an
extension period may be granted after the initial
five years.
‌Proposals should specifically state the research area
2）of interest. Broad themes will not be accepted.
‌There will be a limit to the number of proposals
3）
accepted. Each general collaborative research area
category and research facility will accept fiveprojects each at most, in principle.
The details of the planned collaborative research are
as follows.
“Physiological and neuroscientific analysis ofgenetically modified model animals.”
Since genetically modified model animals are
extremely effective for gene function analysis at
individual level, they are widely used in the field of life
sciences. The recent engineering required to createsuch model animals has taken huge leaps forward; e.g.,a new genome-editing tool (CRISPR/Cas9 system) canrelatively easily cut arbitrary sequences on the genome.
Section of Mammalian Transgenesis at the Center for

Joint Researches ●57

Genetic Analysis of Behavior in NIPS has established thespecimens,

latest technology such as the CRISPR/Cas9 systemembedded in the plastic resin are sliced by a diamond-capable of providing endogenous genetic modification

knife and imaged by SEM continuously. Finally, theto mice and rats. Our staffs familiar to not only

three-dimensional ultrastructure of the specimens is

physiology and brain science but also reproductive

rebuilt at dozens of nanometer resolution. The program

biotechnology, have greatly contributed to researchers
all across the country by providing technology to create
genetically modified model animals. We can support
cooperative studies by providing the technologies todevelop adoptive models such as transgenic or knockout mice and rats. In the calendar year of 2019, we havecreated a total of 18 transgenic or knock-out mouseand rat lines under 9 collaborative research projects.
We will continue to work on the requested creation ofgenetically modified model animals by applying the
new genome-editing tools.

support studies by using these state of the art electron
microscopes. In 2019, 20 projects were carried out, and
20 are now scheduled in 2020.

“Analysis of metabolic physiology for mice and rats.”
The Section of Metabolic Physiology was set up in
2010, and the planned collaborative research project,“Metabolic physiology analysis of mice and rats,” hadstarted in 2011. Since then, researchers from within andoutside NIPS have been looking at the following topics
concerning genetically modified animals.
1）‌Measuring neural activity of individual neurons
associated with motor function while awake.
2）‌Circuit behavior imaging of flavin and hemoglobin
intrinsic signals in the brain using voltage-sensitivedyes.
‌Measuring food intake and energy consumption
3）
during free movement.
‌Measuring body temperature, pulse rate, and blood4）
pressure‌‌Non-invasive echo-graphic imaging of tissue
5）
structure-function relationships (liver, kidney andblood vessels), 4-dimensional changes in cardiac
functions, and capillary blood flow (brain and umbilicalcord) using anesthetized mice.
6）‌Mouse temperature preference assay with thermal
gradient ring (only for mice).
Seven collaborative research projects withresearchers outside NIPS were conducted in 2019, andeleven projects are now scheduled in 2020.
”Ultrastructure analysis of biological specimens by
cutting-edge electron microscopy.”
One phase-contrast electron microscope (PC-TEM)
and two serial block-face scanning electron
microscopes (SBF-SEMs) are mainly used for this joint
research program. PC-TEM developed by NIPS shows
the best performance when combined with a rapidfreezing sample preparation method. Under thiscondition, it is possible to study three-dimensional
structures of unstained biological specimens, including
isolated proteins, viruses, bacteria, cultured cells, andtissues, to more or less their true state with 1 nm spatial
resolution. On the other hand, SBF-SEMs are used forthe studies of ultrastructural analysis of thick biological

58 ● Joint Researches

like

a

brain

tissue.

The

specimens“Functional and morphological analyses of cells andtissues by multi-photon excitation microscopy.”
Two-photon excitation fluorescence microscope is aless invasive method for studying the microscopic
structure and functions of cells in deep tissues of
biological organisms. Currently, our institute has three
upright two-photon excitation microscopes, and these
allow us to observe the structure in depth of one
millimeter with a spatial resolution of a micrometer.
Since the maintenance of two-photon microscope iscomplicated, NIPS is the only institute which canprovide the opportunity for collaborative research withthe high-quality experience. Furthermore, we recently
build the two-photon fluorescence lifetime microscope
system which enables us to observe the intermolecularinteractions and the activity of signaling protein in aliving cell in the deep tissue. We are also working on
single-molecule imaging using quantum dot in a
combination of a fluorescence microscope. Using these"cutting-edge methods," we have conducted thecollaborative researches. Recent successes are
particularly in vivo Ca2+ imaging, and long-term
imaging of neurons in living mice.
In 2019, four planned collaborative projects werecarried out, and two were scheduled in 2020. We also
discussed collaborative research with over ten groups
andintroduced
ourmulti-photon
excitation
microscopes to over ten groups.
“Development and supply of viral vectors and genetransfer to primates.”
Advances in technology to control molecularfunctions or change neural activity by inserting certain
genes into primate brains using virus vectors can leadto major possibilities. Getting to do such research,however, requires a long list of equipment and facilities
to enable researchers to develop do things such as
develop vectors, or insert vectors. A planned
collaborative research project “Transfection study withprimates” was launched in 2012 so that researchers
could share their resources, and work together tounravel mysteries about higher brain functions andpathological conditions. In 2013, five projects werecarried out, and five projects were carried out in 2014.
The key point of the experiments is the developmentof suitable viral vectors. Also, viral vectors are useful,not only for primates but also for other animals. Thus, aplanned collaborative project “Gene transfer into thenervous system using viral vectors” was started in 2013.

In Section of Viral Vector Development, we promote

institute or even new researching funding. For example,

the collaboration with many laboratories by providing

the Glial Young Researcher Meeting in 1994 – 1996 hadvarious serotypes of AAV vectors, conventional lentivirallead to the priority area（B）“Glial cell role in the neuralvectors, and highly efficient retrograde gene transfer

transmission regulation mechanism” discovery, andvectors. Moreover, we proceed with the collaboration

later on, the became the priority area“ Glial Neuralto exploit the more advantageous viral vectors. Up to2014, we provided more than 100 viral vectors for otherlaboratories and performed two planned collaborative
research in 2013, and 4 in 2014. At present, very
intriguing research results are being obtained. In 2015,
the two projects were merged as “Development andsupply of viral vectors and gene-transfer to primates. ”
The three examples of the achievements are as follows.
1) Virus vectors helped to identify system circuits thatcompensated motor functions after spinal cord injury
in macaque monkeys. 2) Virus vectors revealed theproperty of subnetwork composed of excitatory andinhibitory neurons in layer 5 of the rat frontal cortex. 3)
Virus vectors identified a specific subset of neurons
commanding the dietary preference for carbohydrate
over fat in mice.
In 2019, 16 research were performed, and 18 are now
scheduled in 2020.

Network.” Another example would be the Biomolecularsensor related NIPS research meeting held in 2008,
which lead to the Grant-in-Aid for scientific research onpriority area “Cell Sensor.” The establishment of twopriority areas in 2015, “Thermal biology” and“Oscillology” was also triggered by the activity of NIPS
research meeting. Also, synapse research meetings andresearch meetings on pain have all helped progress inresearch communities across Japan, and have lead tothe establishment of new fields.

“Purification of supra molecular complexes andanalyses of their constituents by mass spectrometry.”
To understand the function of proteins in vivo, it isnecessary to identify the constituents of supra
molecular complexes precisely. Therefore, there are
gradually increasing needs for the support to perform
purification of protein complexes from tissues and cells,
and to identify constituents of the complex and thetarget antigens in auto- immune diseases by mass
spectrometry. This project was newly started in 2016 torespond to the needs. In 2018 and 2019, one researchin each was performed, and one is now scheduled in
2020.
”Analyses of dynamic aspects of the function andstructure of membrane proteins”
Functional membrane proteins such as ion channels
and receptors are strictly designed molecules. They, atthe same time, show dynamic changes of the structureand function depending on the situation. To analyze
the dynamics aspects by electro-physiological andopto-physiological experiments using in vitro
expression systems, we perform this planned
collaborative project. In 2019, we conducted 6 research
projects, and 3 are now scheduled in 2020.
3. NIPS research meeting
In 2018, more than 1000 researchers took part in a
total of 23 meetings. In 2019, 20 meetings are being
planned. At each meeting, the country’s best
researchers gather to take part in serious discussions
about the meeting’s theme.
The discussions often lead to new collaborative
research project ideas both within and outside the

In 2016, one NIPS research meeting was held at
Kyushu University. Traditionally, NIPS research meetings
had been held in Okazaki area. We aimed to contributeto the physiological research communities located in
the Kyushu area, and to the functional enhancement of
the universities there. As this trial-run meeting won
popularity, we conducted one in Tohoku and anotherin Tokyo area in 2017, and in Nagoya and Tokyo in
2018, and one in Osaka in 2019. We now schedule NIPS
International Workshop in Kyushu in 2020 (see 4. NIPS
International Workshop).
More recently, there have been some debates goingon about whether it was useful or not to holdresearching meetings on the same topic every year.
As a result, the meeting application guidelines wererevised and put into use from 2013. The revised
guidelines are as follows.
‌Research meetings: This research debate meeting1）
will aim to create a new research field or develop
a new technology, and will only involve up to 100
participants, one of which must be a Professor or
Associate Professor from NIPS. NIPS will provide
some financial support to pay for travel expenses.
‌Meeting Duration: Up to three days.
2）
3）‌Meeting Venue: Meetings will take place within the
Okazaki area, where the National Institutes for
Natural Sciences is based. The Okazaki ConferenceCenter is available for use, and reservations can bemade by contacting the International Research
Support division（ TEL: 0564-55-7138）.
4）‌Research report: The organizer is required to submit
a report to the Institute head within 30 days after
the meeting has ended.
‌Other: Researching meeting themes may only be5）repeated for three consecutive years. If you wish tocontinue research meetings on a theme for morethan three years, please submit an agenda that has
included new points of discussion.
4. NIPS International Workshop
To promote the international efforts at NIPS, the NIPS
International Workshop was launched in 2008. The

Joint Researches ●59

workshop invites renowned scientists from around thethemes,world, and a wide-range of participants from aroundobservation of living organisms” and “structure andthe country. All presentations and discussions are heldenergy state observation of organic activity, including

in English. In 2015, one International Workshop wasbrain activators.” Currently, the institute has a 3 Tesla

held. The themes were TRPs and SOCs --Unconventional

machine in 2000, which is twice as powerful as theCa2+ Physiology--”. In 2016, two NIPS international

standard 1.5 Tesla machine, and has a considerable
advantage when measuring cerebral blood flow inbrain activator tests. Another characteristic is that it iscapable of running primate brain activation tests. On
top of this, it systematically processes all experimental
designs, image data, and statistical image analysis,
making it more than just a high-resolution image
machine, but something that produces high-quality
data that researchers need. In 2010, the two machines
were interlocked, becoming a dual system capable ofanalyzing
brain
function
relatedtosocialcommunication. A new 7 Tesla magnetic resonanceimaging machine for a human was introduced in 2014,
and the operation was started in 2015. In 2017, twocooperative study projects using 7T machine were
performed for the purpose of technical assessment anddevelopment, and five were conducted in 2018. As weworkshops were conducted, “Towards elucidation ofmemory engram,” and “The 4th International
Symposium on Salivary Glands in Honor of Niels
Stensen”. In 2017 and 2018, no International Workshops
was conducted. In 2019, two workshops were held. In
2020, one workshop is scheduled in Kyushu asmentioned (see 3. NIPS research meeting).
5. ‌Cooperative study by high voltage electron
microscopy
NIPS is the unique organization running the highvoltage electron microscope（H-1250M）that is onlyused for medical and biological researches. Worldwide
researchers who are working on collaborative research
projects use the microscope every year. The
accelerating voltage of 1000 kV allows researchers totake a look at a deep area of the cell at a higher
resolution. Therefore, it is possible to study the
conformations and connections of neurons in brain
tissues or rebuild three-dimensional ultrastructure ofcellular components using electron tomography.
Currently, the microscope is being used in collaborative
studies of biological specimens involving 1) threedimensional analysis, 2) high-resolution observation,and 3) observation in near-native conditions. Since theprogram was started, the majority of users have comefrom outside of the institute. This emphasizes the roleof NIPS as a resource provider. A digital camera wasinstalled in 2012, which accelerates three-dimensional
structural
analysisbyhigh-voltage
electrontomography. In 2018, five projects were carried out,
and seven in 2019. In January 15, 2019, themanufacturer (Hitachi) terminated the maintenanceservice of this 38-year-old equipment installed in 1981.
For this reason, it was determined to terminate thecooperative study by high voltage electron microscopy
in FY2020.
6. ‌Cooperative study by functional imaging（combined
study of 2011’s cooperative study by functional
magnetic resonance imaging and cooperative study
by Magnetoencephalography）
Until 2011, NIPS had been conducting two individual
cooperative studies on its large-scale functional
imaging machines, the magnetic resonance imaging
machine, and the magnetoencephalography machine.
However, as it became apparent that many researchers
used both machines, it would be more efficient foreveryone if the two studies were combined into one in2012. In 2019, 36 projects were carried out, and 38 are
now scheduled in 2020.
Magnetic resonance imaging involves two research

60 ● Joint Researches“non-destructive

three-dimensional

have confirmed stable operation, it is now fully
provided for cooperative studies.
In 1991, the first 37 channel magnetoencephalography(MEG) machine in Japan was installed at NIPS and hassince been a pioneer for MEG studies, even getting
recognition from the international community. At thesame time, researchers from universities and institutes
without a MEG machine took part in collaborative
studies with NIPS, many of who discovered fascinating
results. Even today, NIPS is the only institute providing
researchers the opportunity to use the MEG machine incooperative studies using large facilities. In 2002, a newwhole-head type MEG machine was installed, allowing
clinical test measurements impossible at otheruniversities to be made at NIPS. Cooperative MEG study
themes either come under, “higher brain function
investigations such as judgment, memory, andlearning”
or,“sensory
andmotorfunction
investigations”. A significant problem that is likely tocome up shortly is how to use the MEG machine
simultaneously with other techniques such asfunctional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）,
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and nearinfrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

The 50th NIPS International Symposium
The 50th NIPS International Symposium“MIRACLES in Cardiovascular Physiology”

The 50th NIPS International Symposium “MIRACLES in Cardiovascular Physiology” was held at Okazaki ConferenceCenter from December 5th to 7th, 2019. Professor Motohiro Nishida organized the symposium and also served as
Secretary-General. Eight oversea and 18 domestic speakers gave presentations, and there were also 40 poster
presentations. The number of participants were as many as 100.
This symposium values the concept of ‘developing new ideas by studying the past’, and both established andrising-sun investigators promoting cutting-edge researches in Metabolism, Interaction, Regulation, Application,
Chemical biology, Longevity, Exercise, and Signaling got together to share the respective central questions andactively discuss how to develop an organic Miracle collaboration to solve them.
All lectures highly attracted the attention of audience. Professor Rui Ping Xiao, a top runner of cardiovascularresearch in China, presented her recent finding on the isoform-specific role of CaMKII in cardiac apoptosis. Professor
David Carling presented their new finding on the role of AMPK in vivo revealed by the analyses using AMPK isoformspecific deficient mice. Dr. Ippei Shimizu presented the new finding that Senometabolite promotes pathologies in
cardiovascular disorders. Dr Wataru Kimura (Riken) presented the relationship between oxidative metabolism andcardiomyocyte cell cycle regulation. Active discussion and fruitful exchange of research information were done bothin oral sessions (both main and local symposiums) and in poster sessions.

The 50th NIPS International Symposium ●61

Program
December 5, 2019Local Symposium (Chairs: Motohiro Nishida and Hyoung Kyu Kim)
1. Tomohiro Tanaka Cardiocirculatory Signaling, NIPS
Pathology-dependent protein-protein interactions (PPIs) as a new therapeutic target of heart failure
2. Kazuhiro Nishiyama Kyushu University, Grad. Sch. Pharmaceu. Sci.
Atypical GPCR signaling regulated by cysteine-based post-translational modification and its physiologicalsignificance3. Sandra Derouiche Cell Signaling, NIPS
Involvement of thermosensitive TRP channels in temperature-dependent microglia movement
4. Kenichiro Nakajima Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIPS
Hypothalamic regulation of feeding-related behaviors
5. I-Shan Chen Biophysics and Neurobiology, NIPS
Regulatory mechanisms of GIRK channels by small molecules
6. Cheung, Dennis Lawrence Homeostatic Development, NIPS
Holographic light patterning for fine scale interrogation of cellular networks
7. Hideji Murakoshi Biophysics Neuroscience, NIPS
Spatiotemporal manipulation and imaging of signaling molecules in neurons
Main Symposium
Opening Remark by Prof. Junichi Nabekura Director General of NIPS
Session 1 (Discussion Leaders: Motohiko Sato and Takeda)
1. Rui Ping-Xiao Institute of Molecular Medicine, Peking University
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent Kinase II and Cardiac Cell Death
2. Jin Han College of Medicine, Cardiovasc. Metab. Disease Center, Inje University
Molecular mechanism of exercise-induced cellular adaption
3. Mitsuhiko Yamada Shinshu University School of Medicine
Aβ arrestin-bias AT1 receptor agonist improves the survival of neonatal knock-in mice bearing a humandilated cardiomyopathy mutation
4. Satomi Adachi-Akahane Grad. Sch. of Med. and Facul. of Med., Toho University
Ventricular diastolic dysfunction in the early stage of diabetic cardiomyopathy: involvement of insulinmediated regulation of Ca2+ signaling

62 ● The 50th NIPS International SymposiumSession 2 (Discussion Leaders: Jin Han and Kazuho Sakamoto)
5. David Carling MRC London Inst. of Med. Sci., Imperial College London
Investigating the role of AMPK activation in vivo
6. Yasuhiko Minokoshi Endocrinology and Metabolism, NIPSAMPK is the metabolic sensor that induces dietary preference for carbohydrate over fat
7. Ippei Shimizu Niigata University Grad. Sch. of Med. and Dent. Sci.
Senometabolite promotes pathologies in cardiovascular disorders
8. Wataru Kimura RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research
Oxidative Metabolism and Cardiomyocyte Cell Cycle Regulation
9. Ken Suzuki William Harvey Research Institute / Queen Mary University of London
Myocardial repair, cardiac macrophages and mesenchymal stromal cell-based therapy

December 6, 2019
Session 3 (Discussion Leaders: Woong Sun and Takuro Numaga-Tomita)
1. Junko Kurokawa University of Shizuoka, Sch. of Pharmaceu. Sci.
Multidisciplinary approaches for functional evaluation of human iPS-derived cardiomyocytes
2. Yasunari Kanda National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS)
Development of in vitro cardiotoxicity assessment using human iPS cell technology
3. Satoshi Matsuoka Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui
Property and roles of mitochondrial Na+-Ca2+ exchange in heart
Session 4 (Discussion Leaders: Satomi Adachi-Akahane and Akiyuki Nishimura)
4. Yoshihiro Ishikawa Yokohama City University School of Medicine
Mechanical Stress and Vascular Regeneration
5. Sang Geon Kim Seoul National University, College of Pharmacy
G12/G13 regulation of systemic energy metabolism
6. Hitoshi Kurose Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University
G12 family G protein-mediated signaling
Session 5 (Discussion Leaders: Ippei Shimizu and Taichiro Tomida)
7. Soojka Kim Chung Macao University of Science and Technology
Global Proteomics of Skeletal Muscle and Validation Lead to Identification of PGC-1 alpha and Fatty Acid
Metabolism Downstream to Exchange Protein Directly Activated by cAMP (Epac) for Forced Treadmill Exercise Capacity

The 50th NIPS International Symposium ●63

8. Utako Yokoyama Tokyo Medical University
Prostaglandin E receptor EP4-mediated regulation of vascular elasticity
9. Hisao Yamamura Grad. Sch. of Pharmaceu. Sci., Nagoya City University
Pathophysiological significance of TRPC6 channels in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Session 6 (Discussion Leaders: David Carling and Kazuhiro Nishiyama)
10. Keiji Kuba Akita University Graduate School of Medicine
mRNA deadenylation-mediated control of cardiac homeostasis
11. Mariko Omatsu-Kanbe Shiga University of Medical Science
Identification of ANP-marked cardiac progenitor cells in mouse heart that develop into beating cells
12. Shigeki Kiyonaka Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University
Coordination chemogenetics, a new technique for allosteric regulation of membrane receptors
Flash talk by poster presenters

December 7, 2019
Session 7 (Discussion Leader: Nobuhiko Ohno)
1: Akiyuki Nishimura Grad. Sch. of Pharmaceu. Sci., Kyushu University
Pathology-dependent aberrant interaction between mitochondria and actin cytoskeleton causes cardiac
fragility
2: Woong Sun Korea University College of Medicine
Mitochondrial quality surveillance by Drp1-dependent regulation of mitochondrial structure and function
Session 8 (Discussion Leaders: Yasunari Kanda and Nobuhiko Ohno)
3: Seiryo Sugiura UT-Heart Inc
A Heart simulator coupling the molecular dynamics with the finite element model – Cross-scale integration of our knowledge on heart
4: Hyoung Kyu Kim Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center, Inje University
Tetrahydrobiopterin rescues late-stage diabetic heart failure via restoring mitochondria function through
CaMKK2/CREB/PGC1-α signaling
5: Junken Aoki Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University
Lysophospholipid Signaling Protects the Heart from Ischemic Damage by regulating the Vagal Nerve
Closing Remark (by Motohiro Nishida)

64 ● The 50th NIPS International Symposium

The Graduate University for Advanced Studies School of Life Science

In recent years, it has become necessary to train

departments; Department of Genetics (based on NIG

scientists, who are highly skilled and creative, to(National Institute of Genetics)), Department of Basic

support the promotion of creative research andBiology (based on NIBB (National Institute for Basic

pioneer in leading scientific areas, which is a strong

Biology)), and Department of Physiological Sciences

demand in our country.

(based on NIPS (National Institute for Physiological
Sciences)).

According to the increasing internationalization ofacademic research, it is also necessary to takeenormousinternational-minded

The outline of Department of Physiological Sciences.

researchers with broad outlook, particularly for

efforttotrain

The aim of this department is to promoteinterdisciplinary research in multiple fields.

researchers who mainly investigate underlying

The Graduate University for Advanced Studies,mechanisms the function of human body in a

SOKENDAI was established in 1988 to develop

comprehensive manner.

creative international researchers with wide-ranging

Physiological Science plays a central role tovision capable of leading the latest streams ofcombine various fields in basic medicine, as sharing

research under close cooperation with the inter-the base with bioscience and maintains close

university research institutes. It has accepted

connections with clinical medicine.

graduate students since 1989.

The policy is to promote educated researchers who

SOKENDAI is composed of 6 schools; Cultural and

have

a

broad

knowledgeofmedicineandSocial Studies; Physical Sciences; High Energy

physiological science, and is to be able to find theAccelerator Science; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Life

function from the molecular, which is the basic

Science and Advanced Sciences.

organization of living bodies, to individual body from

School of Life Science is constituted three

an original physiological scientific points of view.

SOKENDAI Students（NIPS）as of 2020
12人

10人

6人

3人
2人
1人

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

The Graduate University for Advanced Studies School of Life Science ●65

International Exchanges
NIPS is an internationally recognized research
institution and active international exchanges are
performed. NIPS has the positions of foreign researchstaff, and world top-class researchers have engaged
in research collaboration so far using this framework.
Besides the research collaboration, visiting professors
contribute to education of young researchers. In
FY2014, NIPS started the Section of International
Collaborative Research Project, which is run for 3
years by an adjunctive foreign professor as a Principal
Investigator (P.I.). In FY2020, Professor Denis Le Bihan (aformer Director of Neurospin, France) continues to run
a lab as a P.I. In addition, using the frameworks such as
JSPS postdoctoral fellowship, foreign researchers andgraduate students conduct research at NIPS. Also many
foreign students enter Department of Physiological
Sciences of SOKENDAI as a graduate school and engage
in research actively.
One of the main international exchange activities
at NIPS is the annual international symposium. A
NIPS professor serves as an organizer, and usually
approximately 10 top researchers from abroad anda similar number of top domestic researchers areinvited. The total number of participants ranges 100150. In FY2019, the 50th NIPS International Symposium
entitled “MIRACLES in Cardiovascular Physiology” wasorganized by Professor Motohiro Nishida. There wereapproximately 100 participants including 8 oversea
speakers (total 26 speakers) and 40 poster presenters.
In FY2020, the 51th NIPS International Symposium
entitled “Intercellular Tight Junction (tentative)” will beheld on Dec 9-11 (Organizer: Professor Mikio Furuse).
In addition, the international workshop, which is aninternational version of NIPS research meetings, waslaunched in FY2008 and a meeting outside of NIPS isscheduled in FY2020.
NIPS has an academic contract or a memorandum of
understanding for academic interaction with foreign
institutions as follows, and is actively conducting joint
academic activities including collaborative researches.
The institutions are Uzbekistan Academy of Science,
Research Institute for Physiology and Biophysics(Uzbekistan); Korea University, Faculty of Medicine andYonsei University, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry(Korea); Tübingen University, Werner Reichardt Center
for Integrative Neuroscience (Germany); Chulalongkorn
University Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences(Thailand); University of New South Wales, Faculty of
Medicine (Australia); Neurospin (France); and McGill
University (Canada). In FY2019, a joint symposiumwith McGill University was held in McGill University,
dispatching 8 NIPS researchers, and two students
in McGill University stayed in NIPS for 5 weeks forcollaborative research. A joint symposium with Korea
University and Yonsei University was held in Korea
University, dispatching 24 researchers including 8
graduate students. That with Chulalongkorn University
was held in Chulalongkorn University, dispatching 8
NIPS researchers. A joint symposium with Tübingen
University and Peking University was organized in
NIPS, inviting 13 oversea speakers. In FY2020, a joint
symposium with McGill University is planned to be held
in NIPS, and that with Tübingen University will be heldin Tübingen University.
Besides these, many international researchcollaborations of high quality are performed at theindividual researchers’ level, supported by the budgetof NIPS and also research grant from outside.

Number of Foreign Researchers
Visiting Researcher（3）Management Expenses
Grant for NIPS

Foreign
Researcher（2）

Research Fellow（2）Other Invited
Researcher（12）51
Funds for Contract
Research（1）Donations（7）

Grants-in-Aid for
Scientific Research（24）※

66 ● International Exchanges

External Competitive Fund

Invited Researchers

Current State
StaffsProfessor 17

Director General 1

Asociate Professor 18

Administrative Suport Staff 94

270

Assistant Professor 38

Research Staff 27
Technical Staff 25
NIPS Research Fellow 7
Graduate Students（SOKENDAI）35

BudgetSpecial Inter-University Researcher 8

numbers are in million yen/As of May, 2019

External
Competitive Funds
889

Contributions

Grants for Commissioned Research
Other Subsidies

26

396

124

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research

Overhead Expenses

171

343

Facility

Total
Amount3,350

Management Expenses Grant for NIPS

1,493

739

Management Expenses Grant
for SOKENDAI 51
Other

7

The budget consists of grants from the government (Management Expenses Grants・SOKENDAI Research
Grants) as well as many competitive funds (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Funds for Contract Researchetc.) which are awarded by competitive selection process.

Current State ●67

Common Facilities in Okazaki▲

Okazaki Library and Information Center

The Library collects, arranges and preserves journals
and books of the three Institutes, and provides them forcommon use for the Institutes staff and their guests.
<main function>
1. 24hours use by The IDENTIFICATION CARD.
2. Information retrieval service（Webof Science, SCOPUS, SciFinder, etc）.
‌▲Okazaki Conference Center

Okazaki Conference Center was founded on February, 1996 to promote international and domestic conference program ofresearch and education.
Ohsumi Conference Hall（capacity of 208）
Conference Room B（capacity of 112）
Conference Room C（2 rooms, capacity of 50 each）

Ohsumi Conference Hall

68 ● Common Facilities in Okazaki▲Accommodation

The lodging houses（Mishima Lodge and Myodaiji Lodge）are provided for guests, both foreign and domestic, for thecommon use of the three Institutes（NIPS, NIBB and IMS）.

The lodging capacities are as follows :Single
Room

Twin
Room

FamilyRoomMishima
Lodge

60

14

12

Myodaiji
Lodge

14

̶

3

Myodaiji Lodge▲

The Sakura Nursery School

The Sakura nursery school is the institutional child care facility established for supporting both research and child-rearing.
The school accept a child from the 57th day of after the birth, and is supporting a researcher's smooth return to research activity.
‌Age: From the 57th day of after the birth to 3 years old
Capacity: 18 persons‌Usecandidate:The

officers,

reserchers,

visiting

researchers, graduate students at Three Okazaki‌Institutes Opening day: From Monday to Friday‌Opening time: From 8:00 to 19:00（maximum extension‌20:00） Childcare form: Regular childcare, temporary
childcareCommon Facilities in Okazaki ●69

Okazaki Administration Center
GeneralAffairs
Department

General Affairs Division

General Affairs Section
Planning and Evaluation Section
Information Service Section
Personnel Section
Employee Section
Payroll Section

International Relations
and Research Cooperation
DivisionInternational Affairs Section
Graduate Student Affairs Section
Joint Research Section
Research Strategy Section
Collaborative Research Section
Research Aid Section

Financial
Affairs
Department

Financial Affairs Division

General Affairs Section
First Financial Affairs Section
Second Financial Affairs Section
Third Financial Affairs Section
Accounts Section
Purchase Validation Section

Procurement Division

Procurement Section for NIBB and NIPS
Procurement Section for IMS and Okazaki
Administration Center
Travel Expense Section

Facilities Division

Asset Management Section
Facilities and Environment Section
Electricity Section

As of Apr. 1, 2020

70 ● Okazaki Administration Center

Machinery Section

Campus Map
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According to

Use classificationarea

National Institute forPhysiological Sciences /National Institute for Basic
Biology / Institute for
Molecular Science / Okazaki
Administration Office / Staff
hall / Lodging for staff /Myodaiji Lodge

MyodaijiArea

MishimaArea

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



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







Okazaki Conference Center/ Mishima Lodge

Tatsumi Area Lodging for staff






Exploratory Research Center
Yamate Area on Life and Living Systems,
and others
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Campus Map ●71

Sapporo

Higashi-Okazaki

Meitetsu line
Meitetsu-Nagoya
JR West line

Location
Osaka(Kansai)

Kyoto

Shinkansen
NagoyaMikawa-Anjo

JR East line
Toyohashi

Tokyo

Bus

MoriokaTokyo(Narita)

SendaiCentral Japan lnternational Airport (Centrair. NGO)

◯東京方面から Japan International Airport
From Central

NagoyaOsaka

A)豊橋駅にて名古屋鉄道
By bus（名鉄）に乗換え，東岡崎下車（豊Get on the Meitetsu Airport Bus bound for Okazaki Station and橋－東岡崎間約
20 分）。南口よgetoff at Higashi Okazaki
Station り徒歩約 7 分。

Fukuoka

Toyohashi

Higashi-Okazaki

Location of Institute◯大阪方面かB) By train ら（http://www.nips.ac.jp/eng/profile/access.html）
Take the Meitetsu train from Central Japan International Airport to
名古屋駅下車，名鉄（名鉄名古屋駅）に乗換え，東岡崎駅下Higashi Okazaki Station. NIPS is a 7-minute walk up the hill on
車（名鉄名古屋－東岡崎間約。南口より徒歩約 7 分。
Higashi-Okazaki
thesouth side of the station.
Meitetsu 30
line分）

Nakatsugawa

SapporoKomaki I.C.
Komaki JCT

JR East lineA) By plane (*Recommended)
名鉄バス東岡崎行きを利用。所要約65 分。東岡崎（駅）OsakaKyoto （駅）NagoyaMikawa-Anjo
ToyohashiTransfer to Central Japan International Airport(Kansai)ac.jp/eng/profile/access.html）

Osaka

MaibaraMeitetsu-Nagoya○中部国際空港から
JR WestlineTokyo International Airport (Narita
Shinkansen
From
New
Airport)＜バス＞

InstituteTokyo

Jingumae

Tokyo Nagoya
Tokyo(Narita)

Nagoya I.C.

Morioka

Toyota I.C.

ら南口よ
B)かBy
train り徒歩約 7 分。
Sendai
Yokaichi
Sapporo Okazaki I.C.
Higashi-Okazaki
Higashi-Okazaki
CentralJapan lnternational
Airport (Centrair.
Takethe
JR Narita
Express airport
shuttleNGO)
train from Narita to
Meitetsu line ＜電車＞
Tokyo Station (approximately 60 minutes) and change trains tooyaMikawa-Anjo
名鉄神宮前駅で豊橋方面乗換え，Central Japan
Nagoyathe
Tokaido shinkansen (bullet train). 東岡崎駅下車（空港―東Tomei Expressway
Tokyolnternational Airport Osaka
FromCentralJapan
International
AirportShinkansen
EastTokyo),line
At
Toyohashi
Station(approximately
2.5 hoursJRfrom
Hamamatsu
岡崎駅約
60JR
分）
。南口よ
り徒歩約 7 分。
(Centrair. NGO)changetrains to the Meitetsu Line's Limited Express train boundA) By bus
Fukuoka
Toyohashi Toyohashi
Shinkansen◯自動車利用の場合
for
Get
off at Higashi
Station(approximately
20
GetGifu.
on theMeitetsu
Airport Okazaki
Bus Toyohashi
boundfor Okazaki
andMoriokaoya
Mikawa-Anjo
TokyoStationTokyoTokyo
Higashi-Okazaki
minutes
Toyohashi).
Turnleftりて国道(south)１
atthe ticket gate
andNational Institute forget
off atfrom
HigashiOkazakiStation東名高速道路の岡崎Ｉ.Ｃ.
を下号線を名古屋方面(Narita)
Physiological
Sciences（http://www.nips.ac.jp/eng/profile/access.html）
Bus
exit
thetrainstation. NIPS is a 7-minute walk up the hill.
B)に約
By
Sendai
1.5km 市役所南東の信号を左折。Ｉ.Ｃ. から約 10 分。
Osaka
Take the Meitetsu train from Central Japan International Airport toNakatsugawa
Higashi-Okazaki
national Airport (Centrair. NGO)
Meitetsu
line
MaibaraHigashi Okazaki Station. NIPS is a 7-minute walk up the hill on
Meitetsu-Nagoya
the south side of the station.
Komaki I.C.
JR West line
Shinkansen
JR East line
NagoyaOsaka
Myodaiji Area Tokyo Komaki JCT
International Airport
Bus

Location of InstituteNo.1
1 RouteFrom New Tokyo
International
Airport
Airport)Nagoya From the south
Osaka(Narita
Kyoto
Mikawa-Anjo
ToyohashiTokyo
exit of Higashi-Okazaki
Nagoya I.C. station.

Jingumae(Kansai)FukuokaA) By plane The(*Recommended)
Otogawa
Myodaibashi
River
rport Bus boundfor toOkazaki
StationBridgeandTransfer
CentralJapan
International
Airport Fukiyabashi

ToyohashiBus
About 7
min.Nagoya
on foot.

Tokyo(Narita)

Toyota I.C.

Higashi-Okazaki
Central Japan lnternational Airport(Centrair.
YamateAreaNGO)
North Exit
BridgeB) By train
Higashi Okazaki
Yokaichi
StationFrom the south exitHigashi-Okazaki
of Higashi-Okazaki
station.
Okazaki
I.C.
Take the JR Narita Express
airport shuttle train from Narita to
NagoyaSouth Exit
・By
taxi
:
About
7
min.
Osaka
Tokyo Station (approximately 60 minutes)
andCentralchange trains
toInternational Airport
From
Japan
Mikawa-Anjo
Osakafrom Central Japan
International Airport
to
・By
bus
: Take Tatsumigaoka-jyunkan,
whichTomei
departs
from No11
Nakatsugawa
CentralJapan
the Tokaido shinkansen (bullet Rokusho
train).
Expressway
MaibaraShrineA)
By busFukuoka
NIBB
lnternational Airportbus
station,
and
get
off
at
Tatsumi-kita-1chome(about Toyohashi
n. NIPS is a At
7-minute
walk
up
the
hill
on
Toyohashi JR Station (approximately 2.5 hours from Tokyo),
Hamamatsu(Centrair.
NGO) for Okazaki Station and
Get on the Meitetsu Airport Bus
bound6min), and walk to the east
for about 3min..
Higas
Main Entrancechange trains to the MeitetsuLine's Limited Express train boundToyohashi
tion.
KomakiI.C.
get off at Higashi Okazaki
StationShinkansen
for Gifu. Get off at Higashi Okazaki Station (approximately 20 ・On foot : About 20 min.
Tokyo
Myodaiji Area
B) at
Bythe
train
minutes from Toyohashi). Turn left (south)
ticket gate andNational
Institute
Komaki
JCTforOsaka
Physiological
Sciences
MishimaTake
Lodgethe Meitetsu train from Central
JapanInternational
Airport
to
IMS
exit the station.
NIPSAirport)
is a 7-minute
walk up the hill.
Maibaraernational Airport(NaritaOkazakiHigashiMishima
Okazaki Station. NIPS is aNagoya
7-minute
Conference
I.C. walk up the hill on
Elementary
Jingumae
CenterNational Institute for
Schoolthe southside of the station.
mended)Komaki I.C.
●

ki Station

M

ei

te

ts

u

Li

ne

Physiological Sciences

an International Airport

Lawson ●

u

Li

ne

N

From the south
exit of Higashi-Okazaki station.
ToyotaTransfer to Central Japan International
AirportAbout 7 min. on foot.
Mikawa-Anjo
B) By train
CentralFukiyabashi
Japan
Tomei ExpresswayYokaichi
Higashi-Okazaki
Take
the
Narita Express airport
shuttleYamateArea train from Narita to
BridgeJR
lnternational
AirportTokyo
Station60 minutes) and change trains to Hamamatsu(Centrair.
NGO) (approximately
From the south exit of Higashi-Okazaki station.
Mikawa-Anjo
Central Japan
Myodaiji,444-8585, Japanthe Tokaido shinkansen (bullet
train). Okazaki
Toyohashi・By taxi : About
7 min.
lnternational Airport
Shinkansen
Phone :＋81-564-55-7700
Fax:＋81-564-52-7913
At Toyohashi JR Station (approximately
2.5 hours from Tokyo),(Centrair.
NGO) from No11
・By bus : Take Tatsumigaoka-jyunkan, which
departs
Tokyochange trains to the MeitetsuLine's Limited Express train boundToy
http://www.nips.ac.jp/
bus station, and get off at Tatsumi-kita-1chome (about
National Institute for
for
Gifu.
Get
off
at
HigashiOkazakiStation(approximately
20
Physiological Sciences
6min), and walk to the east for about 3min..
minutes from Toyohashi). Turn left (south) at the ticket gate andNational Institute for・On foot : About 20 min.
Physiological Sciences
exit the station. NIPS is a 7-minute walk up the hill.
ts

72

NagoyaMishima Lodge
Okazaki
ConferenceCenterNational Institute forPhysiological Sciences● Location

Jingumae
Nagoyate

IMS

Komaki JC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

ei

Myodaiji Area

Toyota I.C.

From New TokyoNIPSInternational Airport (Narita Airport)
NIBB
Myodaiji Area
YokaichiIMS
National Institutesof Natural Sciences
A) By plane (*Recommended)
Higashi-Okazaki
Okazaki I.C.

M

No.1
1 RouteNarita
press airport Nshuttle train fromtomately 60 minutes) andThechange
trains to
Otogawa
Myodaibashi
River
Bridge(bullet train).
North Exitn (approximately 2.5 hoursHigashi
fromOkazaki
Tokyo),
StationSouth Exitboundeitetsu Line's Limited Express train
ashi Okazaki Station (approximatelyRokusho
20
ShrineNIBBi). Turn left (south) at the ticket
gate and
Main Entrance
a 7-minute walk up the hill.

e No.1

NagoyaYamate Area

Okazaki

Myodaiji High
Lodge School

MishimaElementary
School●Yamate Area
MyodaijiArea

Okazaki

Myodaiji High
Lodge School
Lawson ●Route No.1
1 NIPS

Myodaiji Area

From the south exit of Higashi-Okaz
NIBB of Higashi-Okazaki station.
From the south exit
IMS
National
InstitutesofNaturalSciences
About 7 min. on foot.
The Otogawa
About 7 min.
on foot. Myodaibashi
River
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Staff Index
Ａ

AGETSUMA, Masakazu

FUKUNAGA, Masaki

ISODA, Masaki

17
Project Associate Professor*Div. of Homeostatic
Development

23
Associate Professor*Div. of Cerebral Integration

20 31
Professor*Div. of Behavioral Development*Supportive Center for Brain
Research

FURUSE, Mikio

IZUMI, Yasushi

12 34
Professor*Div. of Cell Structure*Sec. of Electron Microscopy

12
Associate Professor*Div. of Cell Structure

Ｃ

CHEN, I-Shan
9
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Biophysics &Neurobiology

Ｇ

Ｋ

CHIKAZOE, Junichi

GO, Yasuhiro

KANO, Masanobu

35
Associate Professor*Sec. of Brain Function
Information

20
Project Associate Professor*Div. of Behavioral Development

28
Adjunct Professor*Sec. of Advanced Research
SupportCHIKEN, Satomi

GODA, Naokazu

KIKUCHI, Akihiro

21
Assistant Professor*Div. of System Neurophysiology

23
Assistant Professor*Div. of Cerebral Integration

15
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Endocrinology &Metabolism

KIMURA, Rie

DEROUICHE, Sandra

HATANAKA, Nobuhiko

18
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Visual Information
Processing

13
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Cell Signaling

21
Assistant Professor*Div. of System Neurophysiology

KITAJO, Keiichi

Ｄ

Ｈ

HAYASHI, Kenji

ENOKI, Ryosuke

18
Assistant Professor*Div. of Visual Information
Processing

19
Associate Professor*Div. of Biophotonics

HIRABAYASHI, Masumi

Ｅ

Ｆ

FUKATA, Masaki

FUKATA, Yuko
10
Associate Professor*Div. of Membrane Physiology

KOBAYASHI, Kenta
37
Associate Professor*Sec. of Viral Vector Development

38
Associate Professor*Sec. of Mammalian Transgenesis

KOBAYASHI, Toshihiro

HORIUCHI, Hiroshi

38
Assistant Professor*Sec. of MammalianTransgenesis

17
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Homeostatic
Development

10 40 45
Professor*Div. of Membrane Physiology*Center for Communication
Networks*Research Enhancement
Strategy Office22
Professor*Div. of Neural Dynamics

Ｉ

ISHII, Hirokazu
19
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Biophotonics

KOIKE, Takahiko
23
Assistant Professor*Div. of Cerebral Integration

KONDOH, Kunio
15
Assistant Professor*Div. of Endocrinology &Metabolism

Stuff Index ●73

Ｎ

KUBO, Yoshihiro

NABEKURA, Junichi

OHASHI, Masato

9 26 45
Professor*Div. of Biophysics &Neurobiology*Center for Research Collaboration*Research Enhancement
Strategy Office17
Director General*Div. of Homeostatic Development

24
Assistant Professor*Sec. of Individual Researches

NAKAGAWA, Eri

OHNO, Nobuhiko

23
Project Assistant Professor（Grant Project）*Div. of Cerebral Integration

16
Adjunct Professor*Div. of Ultrastructural Research

NAKAJIMA, Ken-ichiro

OKAZAKI, Yuka

15
Associate Professor*Div. of Endocrinology &Metabolism

22
Assistant Professor*Div. of Neural Dynamics

NAMBU, Atsushi

OTANI, Tetsuhisa

21 29 37 45
Professor*Div. of System Neurophysiology*Sec. of NBR Project*Sec. of Viral Vector
Development*Research Enhancement
Strategy Office

12
Assistant Professor*Div. of Cell Structure

KUBOTA, Yoshiyuki
34
Associate Professor*Div. of Cerebral Circuitry*Sec. of Electron Microscopy

Ｌ

LE BIHAN, Denis
30
Visiting Professor*Sec. of International
Collaborative Research Project

Ｍ

MARUYAMA, Megumi
28 45
Project Associate Professor*Sec. of Advanced Research
Support*Research Enhancement
Strategy Office

MINOKOSHI, Yasuhiko
15 39 45 46
Professor*Div. of Endocrinology &Metabolism*Sec. of Metabolic Physiology*Research Enhancement
Strategy Office*Center for Animal Resources
and Collaborative Study

MIYAZAKI, Yuri
10
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Membrane Physiology

MURAKOSHI, Hideji
33
Associate Professor*Sec. of Multiphoton Neuroimaging

MURATA, Kazuyoshi
32 34
Associate Professor*Sec. of Brain Structure Information*Sec. of Electron Microscopy

74 ● Stuff IndexＯ

OTOMO, Kohei

NARUSHIMA, Madoka

19
Assistant Professor*Div. of Biophotonics

17
Associate Professor*Div. of Homeostatic
Development

OTSUKA, Takeshi

NEMOTO, Tomomi

Assistant Professor*Div. of Cerebral Circuitry

19
Professor*Div. of Biophotonics

NINOMIYA, Taihei
20
Assistant Professor*Div. of Behavioral
Development

NISHIDA, Motohiro
14
Professor*Div. of Cardiocirculatory
Signaling

NISHIO, Akiko
27 45
Project Assistant Professor*Section of Collaboration
Promotion*Research Enhancement
Strategy OfficeＳ

SADATO, Norihiro
23 35
Professor*Div. of Cerebral Integration*Sec. of Brain Function Information

SAITO, Shigeru
13
Assistant Professor*Div. of Cell Signaling

SANO, Hiromi
21
Assistant Professor*Div. of System Neurophysiology

NORITAKE, Atsushi

SATAKE, Shin'Ichiro

20
Assistant Professor*Div. of Behavioral
Development

24
Assistant Professor*Sec. of Individual Researches

SAWAMOTO, Kazunobu

TSUTSUMI, Motosuke

YOKOYAMA, Hiroshi

11
Adjunct Professor*Div. of Neural Development &Regeneration

19
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Biophotonics

22
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Neural Dynamics

SHIMOMURA, Takushi
9
Assistant Professor*Div. of Biophysics & Neurobiology

YONEDA, Taisuke

SOKABE, Takaaki
13
Associate Professor*Div. of Cell Signaling

22
Assistant Professor*Div. of Neural Dynamics

YOSHIMURA, Yumiko

URAKUBO, Hidetoshi
Project Assistant Professor(Grant Project)*Div. of Cerebral Circuitry

SONG, Chihong
34
Project Assistant Professor*Sec. of Electron Microscopy

18 45
Professor*Div. of Visual Information
Processing*Research Enhancement
Strategy Office

URANO, Toru
45 46
Specially Appointed Professor*Research Enhancement
Strategy Office*Center for Animal Resources
and Collaborative StudyＴ

TAKADA, Masahiko
28
Adjunct Professor*Sec. of Advanced Research
SupportUEHARA, Kazumasa

18
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Visual Information
Processing

Ｕ

Ｗ

WANG, Chen-Chi
46
Assistant Professor*Center for Animal Resources
and Collaborative Study

TANAKA, Tomohiro
14
Project Assistant Professor*Div. of Cardiocirculatory
Signaling

TATEYAMA, Michihiro
9
Associate Professor*Div. of Biophysics & Neurobiology

Ｙ

YAMAGATA, Yoko
25
Assistant Professor*Sec. of Individual Researches

TOMATSU, Saeka
20
Project Associate Professor*Div. of Behavioral
Development

TOMINAGA, Makoto
13 36 42 44 46
Professor*Div. of Cell Signaling* Center for Genetic Analysis of
Behavior*Sec. of Physiology & Medicine
Education*Sec. of Health and Safety
Manegement*Div. of Coordinator for Animal
Experimentation

YAMAMOTO, Tetuya
23
Project Assistant Professor(Grant Project)*Div. of Cerebral Integration

YOKOI, Isao
20
Assistant Professor*Div. of Behavioral
Development

YOKOI, Norihiko
10
Assistant Professor*Div. of Membrane Physiology
Stuff Index ●75National Institute for Physiological Sciences 2020
Published July 2020
National Institutes of Natural Sciences

National Institute for Physiological Sciences
Editor: FUKATA, Masaki
Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
Phone: +81-564-55-7700

Fax: +81-564-52-7913

https://www.nips.ac.jp

National Institutes of Natural Sciences

National Institute for Physiological Sciences
Myodaiji,Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
Phone:+81-564-55-7700

Fax:+81-564-52-7913

https://www.nips.ac.jp