Research
Our Current Research
Our laboratory focuses on the ions and enzymes that work inside cells, aiming to understand how diseases develop and to apply these findings to treatment.Our research centers on three main themes. The first uses optogenetics, a technique that controls cellular activity with light, to regulate blood vessels, nerves, and skeletal muscle, with the goal of applying it to conditions such as lifestyle-related metabolic disorders and atherosclerosis. The second investigates tuberous sclerosis complex, a disorder associated with autism and epilepsy, by examining the role of the kinase SGK1 in neural stem cells to uncover how the disease arises. The third explores a newly identified zinc-permeable ion channel to clarify its physiological role in the body.
Building on this foundation, our laboratory actively pursues interdisciplinary collaborations with both basic science and clinical departments, aiming to deliver original and impactful research from Nara Medical University to the international scientific community.