Research
1) Molecular basis supporting totipotency of plant cells
One of characteristics of plant cells is “totipotency”. This nature can be recognized through, for example, organ regeneration; recently plant organ regeneration was shown to be occurred by a flexible operation of the molecular programs for normal plant development. We successfully revealed that the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing and RNA quality control is important for totipotency, and now we propose the hypothesis that RNA metabolism would support the expression of totipotency in plant cells. These RNA metabolism studies will be deepened, by further analysis of molecular mechanisms controlling the cell potency of plants. Moreover, the development of efficient clonal propagation technology will be future targets of our works.
2) Roles for biopolymer dynamics in plant environmental responses
Generally mobility of plants is quite low, thus plant cells should constantly response to changes in environmental factors (temperature, light, nutrients, etc.), to maintain the homeostasis of cell function. We elucidate roles for biopolymer dynamics in environmental response of plants, focusing on RNA (the essential molecules for gene expression) and cell walls (the first barrier against the external environment for plant cells). Currently we found that the dynamics of RNA structure/metabolism and of modification/decomposition of pectin, one of cell wall polymers, could function as sensors and reactors directly to response the environmental factors. Artificial control of the environment response by the modification of these biopolymers will be further promoted in our laboratory.
3) Molecular understanding and application of wood biomass biosynthesis
Aggravated environmental problems strongly require us to change the style of social activities. Towards a sustainable social system, we promote to understand the biosynthesis of woody biomass (cell wall polymers that is included in lignified secondary cell walls). We have successfully revealed the transcriptional regulatory network of secondary cell wall biosynthesis so far; hereafter, the understanding of secondary cell wall biosynthesis as a system and the explore of evolutionary origin of secondary cell walls are pursued by comparative- and trans-omics approaches. These will provide new molecular breeding targets to improve the utilization of wood biomass.
our policy of teaching
[Knowledge and technique necessary to start research]
If you learned biology, you can start research smoothly, but we do not ask any special backgrounds. We strongly welcome students who are interested in molecular regulation of cell functions.
[Teaching policy of the laboratory]
What skills can be your weapons for your own life? What can you try with continuous passion? We help you to find out such things, respecting your personality. We also give guidance for practical logical thinking with knowledge and your research data. Additionally, our active international and cross-disciplinary researches should train your communication skills.
[Technique acquired in this research]
We use multi-scale materials (molecular to individual levels), and a wide range of analysis techniques that span molecular biology, plant physiology, material science, information science, and measurement science; you have opportunities to learn a wide range of techniques, such as genetic manipulation, cell manipulation, data analysis, various measurement techniques. Let's advance your research, thinking together whether to enhance your present skills or to learn new skills.