LABORATORY OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Ciopsin1.jpg

Whole-mount in situ hybridization showing photoreceptor-specific expression of Ci-opsin1, a vertebrate-type opsin gene in a tadpole larva of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis

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updated on April 1, 2008


 

Research in this laboratory focuses on function and cellular and molecular architecture of the central nervous system (CNS). As a model system to study CNS, we are using primitive chordates, ascidians. The fertilized egg of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis develops into a tadpole larva consisting of about 2,600 cells within 18 hours. The tadpole larva of ascidians shares a basic body plan with vertebrates. The CNS of the ascidian larva shows organization similar to that of vertebrates. Most anterior part of the CNS, the brain vesicle (sensory vesicle), contains two sensory organs, the ocellus (eye-spot) and the otolith (gravity sense organ). Posterior to the brain vesicle is the visceral ganglion containing motor neurons. The caudal nerve cord extends from the posterior end of the visceral ganglion to the tip of the tail. The CNS of the ascidian tadpole contains only about 370 cells; among them, less than 100 cells are neurons. Its similarity to the vertebrate CNS and simple organization make the ascidian larval CNS a unique model system to study function and development of the chordate CNS.



STAFF:

   Professor  HATTA, Kohei Ph.D.  

   Associate Professor  KUSAKABE, Takehiro Ph.D.  tgk@sci.u-hyogo.ac.jp

   Research Assosiate  NAKAGAWA, Masashi Ph.D.  nakagawa@sci.u-hyogo.ac.jp



ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:

       MIYAGAWA, Ikumi


TECHNICAL STAFF:

       MIYAMOTO, Yuki
       TERASHIMA, Yasuko



VISITING RESEARCH FELLOW :

       TAKIMOTO, Noriko



GRADUATE STUDENTS:

   Doctoral Students:
       A.F.M. Tariqul Islam
       NAKAYAMA, Sohei

   Master's Students:
       NISHITSUJI, Koki
       MORIMOTO, Yuki
       Pricila Khan Moly
       ISODA, Erika
       KATSUMOTO, Shinpei
       MATSUNAGA, Makoto
       YAMAMOTO, Tamami
       ITOH, Mariko



UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS:

       OKABE, Shogo
       TASHIMA, Kazutake
       NAKAJIMA, Chino
       HARA, Mayumi
       FUJITA, Kyohei
       MATSUSHITA, Yoshie
       YAMASAKI, Norihiko



CURRENT RESEARCH TOPICS:

   - Neural networks and function of the central nervous system of the ascidian larva
   - Neuronal bases of swimming behavior of ascidian tadpoles
   - Reproductive control of ascidians by the photoreceptor-GnRH system
   - Developmental mechanisms of the central nervous system of the ascidian larva
   - Evolution of chordate photoreceptor organs
   - Structural analysis of invertebrate rhodopsins
   - Extraocular photoreceptors in mollusks



RECENT PUBLICATIONS: