Sawa et al. Our team aims at revealing the molecular mechanisms that generate the body axes by identifying intercellular and intracellular signals that control this process. Vertebrates are characterized by periodically repeated structures such as vertebral bones and spinal nerves. These reiterated patterns are attributed to somite segmentation during early ontogenesis. We will perform these studies by combining embryological manipulations with molecular analyses.
Cell migration is an important process for organogenesis.
We investigate the molecular mechanisms of cell migration with special emphasis on interactions between basement membranes. We use C. elegans as a model system and analyze cell migration at cellular, genetic and molecular levels. Nishiwaki, K. et al. Purpose of this group is to describe at molecular and cellular levels the developmental mechamisms behind the emergence of structures known as evolutionary novelty in vertebrates. Specifically, we deal with the lamprey, a jawless vertebrate, for understanding of jaw evolution, and the turtle for mesodermal differentiation in carapace evolution.