Keyword
Neuropeptide, wakefulness, sleep, orexin, hibernation, emotion, reward system
研究テーマ
- Molecular Behavioral Physiology
研究ハイライト
Major Scientific Interests of the Group
We have particular interest in the elucidation of neural circuits and mechanisms that play an essential role in regulating homeostatic processes and various animal behavior patterns, including many of our most basic functions, such as eating, drinking, reacting to fear and pleasure, sleeping and forming memories.
Projects for Regular Students in Doctoral or Master’s Programs
1)Decipher physiological roles of neuropeptides
2)Delineating the neuronal circuits that regulate emotion, arousal, and sleep/wakefulness states.
Study Programs for Short Stay Students (one week – one trimester)
1)Learning basic techniques about
opto/pharmacogenetics
2)Neuronal circuit tracings using viral vectors
研究の応用・展望
- We are also seeking a possibility to collaborate with industries in the development of novel therapeutic drugs for sleep disorders, as well as drugs that induce hibernation-like states in non-hibernating animals including humans.
文献・知財・作品
- Takahashi, T.M., Sunagawa, G.A., Soya, S., Abe, M., Sakurai, K., Ishikawa, K., Yanagisawa, M., Hama, H., Hasegawa, E., Miyawaki, A., Sakimura, K., Takahashi, M., Sakurai, T. A discrete neuronal circuit induces a hibernation-like state in rodents, Nature 583, 109–114(2020)
- Soya, S., Takahashi, T.M., McHugh, T.J., Maejima, T., Herlitze, S., Abe, M., Sakimura, K., and Sakurai, T. Orexin modulates behavioral fear expression through the locus coeruleus. Nat Commun. 2017;8(1):1606.
- Sakurai T, et al. Orexins and orexin receptors: A family of hypothalamic neuropeptides and G protein-coupled receptors that regulate feeding behavior. Cell 92:573-585, 1998
- Sakurai T, Yanagisawa M, Takuwa Y, Miyazaki H, Kimura S, Goto K, Masaki T. Cloning of a cDNA encoding a non-isopetide-selective subtype of the endothelin receptor. Nature 48:732-735, 1990
http://sakurai-lab.com/index.php
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医学医療系
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences
Other Faculty Members
Associate Professor Arisa Hirano
Associate Professor Shingo Soya
Associate Professor Emi Hasegawa
Associate Professor Yasutaka Niwa