GO TOP

Field

Integrative Life Sciences :
Developmental Regulation Network

Research

Professor OGURA Toshihiko
Campus Seiryo campus
Laboratory Developmental Neurobiology
Tel +81-22-717-8564
E-mail ogura@idac.tohoku.ac.jp
Website http://www2.idac.tohoku.ac.jp/dep/devn/

I aim for a new biology. I also try to engage in research that will be at least of some use. I am waiting for people who have an interest in mathematics, physics, and engineering, and who are interested in creating new medicines.

Career

Graduated School of Medicine, Tohoku University, 1984; completed Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, 1988. Achieved current position in 2003 after serving as a pediatrician and working at Yale University, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and the Nara Institute of Science and Technology.

Selected Publications
  1. Nature Communications 4, 1978, 2013
  2. Science 327, 1345, 2010.
  3. PNAS 104, 11274, 2007.
  4. PNAS 104, 6708, 2007.
  5. Developmental Cell 6, 43, 2004.
  6. Nature Neuroscience 7, 605, 2004.
  7. Science 287, 134, 2000.
  8. Nature 398, 810, 1999 etc
Activities in Academic Societies

The Molecular Biology Society of Japan, Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists

Teaching

Advanced Lecture on Neurobiology

Recent Activities

Force is constantly being applied to the systems and cells of living and moving animals. For example, body weight (gravity) places a load on the bones and muscles, and blood pressure on the blood vessels. As can be observed in the atrophy of the bones of astronauts living in zero gravity, without such stimuli, these systems quickly wither away. So, how does the stimuli of such forces influence cells and maintain homeostasis? We are researching these mechanisms. We are also pursuing possibilities for creating medicines which apply these mechanisms. Doing so may lead us to finding a medicine which prevents bone atrophy in bedridden senior citizens, provides powerful protection for muscles, and burns fat even without intense exercise (an exercise pill, so to speak). Let us elucidate the hidden biological mechanisms which no one has yet figured out and create a new biology and medicine.

Message to Students

Since my time as a young graduate student, I have valued research aimed at publication in highly ranked journals. The active pursuit of research and enjoyment of science are significant influences on the nature of a researcher. Let us pursue active research and the hottest science together.