1. Unravelling bodyplan of Crinoids
As basal members of the Deuterostomia, the group of phyla to which vertebrates belong, echinoderms are a potential source of clues to the origin of chordates. The stalked crinoids (sea lilies) are generally accepted as the most ancient of living echinoderms, with a fossil record extending back some 500 million years. Thus the analysis of gene network involved in the morphogenesis of crinoids is indispensable to construct an evolutionary puzzle of chordates. Crinoids have a ganglion, which is thought to be a primitive central nervous system, although all the other echinoderm lost the ganglion during the evolution. We are analyzing the molecular mechanism of the development of the central nervous system.
2. Research of regeneration in feather stars
Feather stars (Echinodermata, Crinoidea) have arms with well-developed nerves and muscles. And they have great capability of regeneration as other echinoderms. We are trying to analyze regeneration of arms of feather stars at tissue, cell and gene level, and to clarify evolutionary changes of regeneration capability of multicellular organisms by comparing with other animals. We are also trying to analyze morphogenesis of segmented structures in echinoderms.
3. Analysis of gene networks involved in morphogenesis
We are analyzing gene networks responsible for development of sea urchin which is the best model system to study molecular mechanisms development.
4. Extracellular matrix involved in morphogenesis
We investigate the function of novel extracellular matrix proteins using various animals. We aim to apply the protein to regenerative medicine.
5. Mechanisms of Sperm Activation and Chemotaxis
Activation of the sperm motility and chemotactic behavior of sperm toward eggs are the first communication between spermatozoa and eggs at fertilization. We have determined the molecular structure of SAAF, the sperm-activating and attracting factor of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, and now we are analyzing the molecular mechanisms of sperm activation and chemotaxis.
6. Capacitation of Mammalian Sperm
Mammalian sperm are infertile just after ejaculation, and capacitated in the female genital tract. On the other hand, some factors in seminal plasma is involved in the sperm capacitation. We are studying on the effect of a seminal vesicle, and we found that the protein released from the seminal vesicle acts as the decapacitation factor. Now we are analyzing the mechanisms of decapacitation.
7. Natural history of sponges
Studies on natural history are the seeds of new discoveries, and accumulation of knowledge on it is essential to correctly appreciate value of biodiversity. We are studying taxonomy, phylogeny, evolution and ecology of sponges (phylum Porifera), especially for Indo-west Pacific coral reef and deep sea species.
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