1

Functional Biology

Integrative Physiology —————————————————————————————————————————
http://www.physiol.m.u-tokyo.ac.jp/indexe/indexe.html

Our laboratory specializes in the neuroscience research on cognitive functions in the primate. We
investigate interactions among many neurons in the cerebral
cortex, which create human cognitive abilities such as memory and its cognitive control. These studies have been done
through integrative efforts using electrophysiological,
molecular biological and neuroimaging approaches.

• Functions of memory neurons in the temporal cortex• Roles of the top-down signal from the prefrontal cortex• Functional differentiations of the prefrontal cortex in memory• Molecular biological basis of declarative memory in the primate• Development of high-field MRI for humans and monkeys

Brain activation in cognitive tasks (left) and gene
expression (BDNF) in cortical neurons

Cellular and Molecular Physiology ————————————————————————————————
http://morilab.m.u-tokyo.ac.jp/eindex.html

We aim at a better understanding of neuronal mechanisms involved in sensory perception of theexternal world and for the emotional state induced in the brain by sensory inputs. We are currently
analyzing the central nervous system for olfaction, a sensory modality that has a strong influenceon human emotion. Another major focus is to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms forcontact-mediated interactions between neurons and immune cells that occur in pathological andphysiological conditions.

• Functional analysis of the neuronal circuit in the central olfactory nervous system (Analysis of odor maps in the brain)• Neurogenesis and neuron-elimination in the adult brain• Cellular and molecular mechanisms for the contact-mediated interac-tions between neurons and immune cells in physiological and pathological conditions

Neuronal circuits and 'odor maps' in the olfactory nervous system

18

Neurophysiology —————————————————————————————————————————————
http://plaza.umin.ac.jp/~neurophy/

Our laboratory studies the function of the synapse, a key structure for brain functions, and itschanges related to postnatal development, learning, and memory. We make real time monitoring of
neuronal activities, using various methodologies
including electrophysiology, molecular biology, andoptical imaging of functional molecules.

• Postnatal development of synaptic function and organization in
the cerebellum• Retrograde synaptic modulation mediated by endogenous
cannabinoids• Synaptic integration in intact animals• Synaptic plasticity and motor learning in the cerebellum

Molecular mechanisms of endocannabinoid-mediated retrograde modulation of synaptic transmission

Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology ——————————————————————————————
http://calcium.cmp.m.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

Spatiotemporal distribution of signalling molecules is
extremely important in defining cell signals. We aredeveloping indicators of important signalling moleculesand visualize their spatiotemporal distribution within
intact cells. Using such novel imaging methods we aim
at elucidation of the physiological roles of calcium signalling and related signalling mechanisms in various
types of cells including neurons of the central nervoussystem.

• Development of novel fluorescent indicators of signaling
molecules• Elucidation of the mechanism for spatiotemporal regulation ofCa2+ signals• Exploration of new cellular functions that are regulated by Ca2+signals• Visualization and analysis of molecular events at synapses

Outline of our research on Ca2+ signaling

Molecular Neurobiology————————————————————————————————————————
http://www.pharmacol2.m.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

We have been investigating the molecular basis of higher brain functions by focusing on the glutamate receptor and memory. Previous studies have led to the hypothesis that there is a common
principle between memory signaling and synapse formation. The combination of conditional gene targetingin mice and molecular genetics in zebra fish will facilitate our understanding of the mechanism of higher
brain function at the molecular, cellular and neural network levels.

• Regulation of brain functions by glutamate receptors in specificbrain regions• Identification of neural networks for learning and memory• Regulation of learning and memory• Roles of glutamate receptors in decision-making• Signaling from glutamate receptors to memory• Molecular mechanisms of synapse formation and remodeling• Molecular mechanism of synapse formation during development• Molecular mechanism of synapse remodeling in the adult brain

From synaptic molecules to brain function and dysfunction

19