Principal Research Interests
Development of computing systems and software techniques for solving large-scale bioinformatics problems. High-speed and high-accuracy mass spectrum analysis system. Large-scale molecular dynamics simulation for protein structure analysis. Massively-parallel shape complementary search for coarse molecular docking screening

Principal Research Interests
The scope of our research is broad, covering a lot of areas including cloning of genes involved in carcinogenesis, biological and structural analyses of proteins, analyses of animal models, and the development of new strategies for cancer therapy. In particular, the genes that are directly regulated by tumor suppressor p53 have been isolated using a microarray technology and their functions have been studied to uncover the mechanism of p53-mediated tumor suppression based on which new cancer gene therapies could be developed. Our principal research interests are 1) Identification and characterization of p53-target genes, 2) The role of axon-guidance molecules in tumorigenesis, 3) p53-dependent and p53-independent cell death, and 4) The development of new strategies for cancer therapy.

Principal Research Interests
Comprehensive analysis of transcription/chromatin factors regulating development and stem cell differentiation.

Principal Research Interests
His research interests include bioinformatics and modeling of biological systems. Aiming at understanding of mechanisms for transcriptional control, he is currently taking part in various bioinformatical projects. These projects investigate effects of miRNA on expression levels of genes around the miRNA and a relationship between co-expression of genes and the distance of the genes. He also participates in a project in which a new method for guiding a cardiac catheter in radio frequency ablation procedure is being developed.

Principal Research Interests
We are studying mechanisms by which genome-encoded information become functional; how the fate of primary transcripts are determined, how the RNAs are processed exported out of the nucleus and how their quality is controlled. We are also developing drugs that can modulate the function of such regulation systems and applying them to the clinical aspect.
-Research projects-
1) Development and application of SR protein kinase inhibitors.
2) Processing and quality control mechanisms of cellular RNAs.
3) Mechanisms of tissue-specific alternative splicing in vivo.
4) In vitro transcription-splicing coupling system.
5) CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) signals in C. elegans dauer formation.

Principal Research Interests
Development of theoretical methods for protein structure modeling based on statistical approaches and molecular dynamics simulation. Protein structure-based drug discovery by ligand docking, protein-protein interaction analysis and virtual screening.

Principal Research Interests
Sensory experience shapes the mammalian brain during "critical periods" of development. After even a brief period of monocular occlusion in early life, input to visual cortex from the closed eye is functionally weakened, then anatomically reduced in size. For the first time, we have achieved direct control over the timing of this classical plasticity by manipulating inhibitory (GABAergic) transmission. To further understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that produce changes in connectivity within cortical circuits, we are pursuing the pharmacological or genetic disruption of candidate plasticity proteins using a mouse model. Moreover, we are investigating the interplay between visual experience-dependent plasticity and endogenous sleep rhythms emerging along the same thalamocortical circuits.

Principal Research Interests
Neural substrates of complex cognitive and sensorimotor processes.

Principal Research Interests
Understanding of proteins using mainly X-ray crystallography. The main targets are proteins which could be a drug target. Also interested in protein folding.

Principal Research Interests
Understanding of proteins using mainly X-ray crystallography. The main targets are proteins which could be a drug target. Also involved in further development of Protein Data Bank as a member of PDBj (Protein Data Bank Japan)..

Principal Research Interests
We are interested in the regulation mechanisms of gene expression and the consequences of disruption of gene functions in animals. We have a special interest in mechanisms of regulated alternative splicing of pre-messenger RNAs. We have recently developed a novel transgenic reporter system to visualize expression patterns of mutually exclusive alternative exons in a living nematode worm, C. elegans. We have identified many mutants that are defective in tissue-specific alternative splicing and characterized a novel RNA-binding protein that are evolutionarily conserved in regulation of tissue-specific alternative splicing. Further study will lead to comprehensive understanding of regulation mechanisms and evolution of alternative splicing.

Principal Research Interests
(1) Medicinal chemistry of retinoid: structural evolution and elucidation of their clinical utilities.
(2) Investigation on nuclear receptors as molecular targets for drug discovery, including development of novel pharmacophore and bioisosters.
(3) Aromatic architecture based on the amide conformational properties: elucidation of their utilities in the field of medicinal chemistry and materials science.
(4) Development of novel functional fluorescent molecules for deciphering cellular signal transduction pathway.

Principal Research Interests
After the completion of genome projects, primary concern has now shifted to functional dissection of the genome, the elucidation of which may require combinations of multi-disciplinary approaches. The genome is embedded in the chromosome and a key feature of the chromosome is its dynamics. We are particularly interested in the replication and recombination of chromosomes, how these processes are regulated so the genetic integrity is maintained, and how their defects lead to various diseases. The followings are some of the projects ongoing in our laboratory[s
(1) Roles of Cdc7 kinase in chromosome regulation (replication, recombination, checkpoint, and chromosome maintenance)
(2) Roles of MCM helicase in origin selection and activation and architecture of replication fork
(3) Cellular responses to arrested replication forks for maintenance of genetic integrity
(4) Replication origins, transcription, and chromatin structures

Principal Research Interests
Modeling and simulation of biological processes. He is currently engaged in the simulation of motor proteins to clarify the mechanism of converting the chemical energy of ATP into a variety of mechanical work. Recently he proposed a new theory for the working of motor proteins, which explains various behaviors of myosins and kinesins under the unified framework.

Principal Research Interests
Gamete fusion is a series of sperm-egg membrane adhesion, fusion and the prevention of polyspermy. To reveal the molecular mechanisms, we will identify the functional molecules and clarify the spatio-temporal process by visualizing the vital movements in these steps. These results can provide insights into an important aspect of strategies for the treatment of infertility. In addition, a novel concept for other membrane fusions will be discovered on the mechanism of gamete interaction.

Principal Research Interests
Proteins are dynamically synthesized and degraded. Intracellular protein degradation systems can be roughly classified into two groups: selective and non-selective ones. The former group includes the ubiquitin-proteasome and calpain systems present in the cytoplasm, while the latter type occurs mainly in the lysosome. The lysosome is an organelle specialized for degradation, and it degrades extracellular materials that enter the cell via endocytosis. In addition to outside materials, the lysosome can degrade cytoplasmic constituents through a process called autophagy. We are focusing on autophagy and studying its molecular mechanism in mammals. We are also investigating the physiological and pathological roles of autophagy in various processes such as starvation adaptation, intracellular protein quality control and neurodegeneration.

Principal Research Interest
My principal research interest is in Molecular Epidemiology of human diseases. Especially, our research is focused to decipher the interaction of gene and environment, which are the cause of common diseases. I am also interested in translating the scientific accomplishments to the industry to make new business.

Principal Research Interests
Integration of cognitive processes surrounding reward anticipation and addiction.

Principal Research Interests
The aim of our research is to understand and clarify the complexity of human genome diversity. Human genome displays a remarkable degree of genetic variations and some sequence variations are associated with phenotypic variations including human diseases. The evaluation and measurement of these variations in populations and families are important for mapping genes to specific locations on the chromosomes, a key step in determining gene function. The evaluation of genetic variation is also highly useful in understanding the human evolution.

Principal Research Interests
Our laboratory has been interested in molecular and fundamental mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Research is focused on hematological and mesenchymal malignancies and oncogenic transcription factors. These studies are achieved by using genetic approach and mouse models. We use both in vivo and in vitro retrovirus insertional mutagenesis systems, and identify genetic interaction and cooperative oncogenes in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Genetically engineered mouse models are also used to clarify gene function. Moreover, we search novel disease genes of human cancers using novel genomic approach to understand molecular pathways of diseases and to search diagnostic and therapeutic application.

Principal Research Interests
In order to contribute to the establishment of therapy and prevention for osteoporosis and the other calcium ?related disorders, we are elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of calcium metabolism with emphases on bone formation and resorption. Skeletal system is a largest storage site for calcium in a living body and its metabolism is conducted by a complex cell society consisting of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts as well as stromal cells and chondrocytes. In our department, we take molecular and cellular biological approaches to study the mechanisms of regulation of the development, differentiation, and function of each group of these cells.

Principal Research Interests
Our principal research interests are growth failure, impaired sex development, infertility, and congenital malformation syndrome. My Lab members analyze the pathogenesis in terms of single gene disorders and multifactorial disorders. From the viewpoint of single gene disorders, we challenge the identification of novel genes for human diseases, the clarification of the pathogenesis and clinical spectrum, the development of rapid and precise diagnostic tool, the assessment of the current causative therapy, and the exploitation of new therapeutic methods. From the viewpoint of multifactorial disorders, we challenge the identification of genetic polymorphisms involved in the susceptibility to diseases, the cooperation with environmental signaling, and the responses to therapeutic drugs.

Principal Research Interests
1) Studies on the synthesis of vitamin D and the structure-funciton relationships
We have accomplished a novel method for the synthesis of vitamin D derivatives, and are focusing our attention on the structure-function relationships of the vitamin D derivatives.
2) Discovery of vitamin D derivatives with ability inducing bone formation and the therapeutic application in bone diseases using vitamin D receptor structure-based drug design
3) Development of novel vitamin D derivatives regulating the differentiation of dendritic cells and its application to the treatment of the autoimmune diseases and prevention of transplant rejection
4) Three-dimensional structural analysis of liganded vitamin D receptor by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy

Principal Research Interests
Morphogenesis and organogenesis in the vertebrate are regulated by the signaling molecules inducing the cell-growth and differentiation. The failure of many signaling molecules has been achieved with induction of the diseases. The elucidation of cellular signaling transduction is an important solution upon clarifying the mechanism of morphogenesis, organogenesis and diseases. Thus, we focus the cellular signaling transduction regulating the mechanisms of morphogenesis and organogenesis in developmental process.

Principal Research Interests
Development of biological measurement technology based on biotechnology and IT integration, mainly very sensitive proteins, glycans, lipids and metabolites detection and identification methodlogies.

Principal Research Interests
1. To construct the new discipline named “Systems evolutionary biology” which applies the systems biological approach to molecular evolutionary study
2. Informatics for omics-based medicine

Principal Research Interests
The final goal of our research is to understand molecular, cellular, and neuronal ensemble mechanisms underlying higher order brain functions including learning and memory. For that purpose, we combine molecular genetics, physiological and behavioral methods. The laboratory also studies the mechanism that underlies neurological and mental disorders.

Principal Research Interests
Regulation of gene expression lies at the heart of development of functionally differentiated cells in metazoan life. Genes are packed in higher order structures of chromatin in the nucleus which is covalently and dynamically modified by various enzyme complexes. We have previously cloned a member of the mammalian trithorax-group and are currently studying its molecular functions in regulation of chromatin structure during early lymphohaematopoiesis and leukaemogenesis in mice.

Principal Research Interests
The immune system is essential for host protection against pathogens and cancer cells. By vaccination or previous infection, the immune function is augmented. In contrast, abnormal immune responses are involved in pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and allergy. The aims of our research are to elucidate the mechanisms of initiation and regulation of immune responses and immunological memory, to elucidate how the immune system recognize pathogens vs. self-antigens and environmental antigens, and to develop new strategies for augmenting infection immunity and for controlling abnormal immune responses.

Principal Research Interests:
Germline polymorphisms implicated in cancer susceptibilities and drug responses.
Genetic diagnosis of hereditary cancer syndromes.
Expression profiling of solid cancer.
Gene therapy for solid cancer.