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Field

Integrative Life Sciences :
Brain and Nervous System

Research

Assistant Professor HUANG Tzu Ting
Campus Katahira campus
Laboratory Neuroethology
Tel +81-222176224
Website http://www.lifesci.tohoku.ac.jp/neuroethology/
Orchid
 
My scientific aspiration is to elucidate the genetic and circuit basis of sensory perception, sensorimotor integration, and behavioral decisions subject to the changing environment, individual experiences, and physiological alterations. This aspiration originated from my graduate studies on neural aging and my postdoctoral studies on decision-making behaviors in an animal with its whole genome sequenced and full circuit connectivity revealed: the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Here at the Tanimoto Lab, I am thrilled to apply my knowledge about C. elegans to the future directions dedicated to advancing our understanding of sensory representation and decision-making behaviors subject to physiological alterations using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster
Career
April 2023 – Present                   Assistant Professor (Hiromu Tanimoto Lab)
Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Japan

April 2021 – March 2023               Designated Assistant Professor (Ikue Mori Lab)
Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Japan 

October 2020 – March 2021             Postdoctoral Fellow (Ikue Mori Lab)
Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Japan

October 2017 – September 2020          PhD Student (Ikue Mori Lab)
G30 International Program, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Japan

September 2016 – September 2017       Research Assistant (Chun-Liang Pan Lab) 
Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan

September 2014 – August 2016          Graduate Student (Chun-Liang Pan Lab) 
Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taiwan

September 2009 – June 2014            Undergraduate Student  
Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan
 
Selected Publications
  1. Tzu-Ting Huang, Hironori J. Matsuyama, Yuki Tsukada, Aakanksha Singhvi, Ru-Ting Syu, Yun Lu, Shai Shaham, Ikue Mori, Chun-Liang Pan (2020) 
    Age-Dependent Changes in Response Property and Morphology of A Thermosensory Neuron and Thermotaxis Behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans. Aging Cell, Wiley, 19; 5:e13146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.13146
  2. Chih-Ta Lin, Chun-Wei He, Tzu-Ting Huang, Chun-Liang Pan (2017) 
    Longevity control by the nervous system: Sensory perception, stress response and beyond. Translational Medicine of Aging, ScienceDirect, 1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tma.2017.07.001
  3. Yen-Chih Chen, Hung-Jhen Chen, Wei-Chin Tseng, Jiun-Min Hsu, Tzu-Ting Huang, Chun-Hao Chen, Chun-Liang Pan (2016) 
    A C. elegans Thermosensory Circuit Regulates Longevity through crh-1/CREB-Dependent flp-6 Neuropeptide Signaling. Developmental Cell, CellPress, 24; 39:209-223. DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.08.021
Activities in Academic Societies
The Japan Neuroscience Society
Genetic Society of America (GSA)
 

Recent Activities

    Sensory perception and behaviors are plastic to physiological conditions such as aging. Such perceptual and behavioral flexibility under physiological alterations is crucial for animals to satisfy concomitant adjustments in their internal needs. However, the neural basis of aging in sensory perception and learning behaviors is still largely elusive. Taking advantage of the transparent body and short lifespan of C. elegans, my former colleagues and I identified the neural basis of aging at structural, sensory, and behavioral levels through genetic approaches, functional calcium imaging and behavioral assays (Huang et al. 2020 Aging Cell). This research on age-related remodeling in sensory activity and learning behaviors provides hints on the neural basis of cognitive aging. 
 

Message to Students

    As a graduate student and former faculty member at Nagoya University, I conducted research on the neural basis of aging in sensory perception, learning, and decision-making using the nematode C. elegans. I am thrilled to join Tohoku University and the Tanimoto Lab to apply this knowledge to the study of fly behaviors. Our research has the potential to provide new insights into how animals make decisions and adapt to their environment.

    As a scientist and educator, I am committed to creating a collaborative environment where we can all learn from each other. I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and support your academic pursuits. Together, let us embark on a journey of discovery, fueled by our curiosity for understanding the intricacies of the natural world.