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Fields

Molecular and Chemical Life Science :
Molecular and Network Genomics

Research

Plant Molecular and Physiological Adaptation

JAPANESE

Plant Molecular and Physiological Adaptation

Plants inhabit an environment characterized by the dynamic variation of diverse environmental factors across both time and space. Our research in this domain is concentrated on the response, disruption, and repair mechanisms associated with ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) from sunlight. We employ a multidisciplinary approach, specializing in molecular cell biology and physiological analysis, to investigate the combined effects of UV-B radiation and other environmental factors such as solar visible light, temperature, and gravity. Utilizing model plants such as rice, Arabidopsis, and liverwort, we aim to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying adaptive responses and resilience to environmental stress, advancing our understanding of plant resilience mechanisms.

Research Overview

　Plants survive on sunlight and are constantly being damaged by the harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV-B: 280-315 nm) contained in the sunlight. One of the most serious damages caused by UV-B is DNA damage, and plants survive by constantly repairing DNA damage. We are analyzing the repair and defense mechanisms of plants against DNA damage and various UV-B damages, as well as the adaptation strategies of plants to various environmental changes at the molecular, cellular, organelle, and individual levels.
　We are also analyzing plant responses to the stressful environment of space, such as low gravity, high ultraviolet radiation, and space radiation, using special equipment on the International Space Station and on the ground, such as clinostats. Through these studies, we hope to clarify the potential capabilities of plants and understand the nature of advanced environmental resilience mechanisms, and at the same time, contribute the results of these studies to the development of plant development technologies for the near future in the global and space environments.
 

Faculty Members

Professor HIGASHITANI Atsushi (C)
More
  • Fundamental study of muscular atrophy in response to oxidative damage and microgravity using the nematode C. elegans
  • Hypoxia response by mitochondrial damage
  • Effect of increasing or decreasing temperatures on microsporogenesis of plants
Assistant Professor TERANISHI Mika
More
  • Studying how UV-B-induced DNA damage affects gene expression in plants.
  • A study on the effect of UV-B on the flowering of Arabidopsis.

Research