Higher Brain Function Project（formerly Learning and Memory Project）
Principal of Higher Brain Functions Elucidated from Functional Algorithm of Compact Brain
Minoru Saitoe is the vice-director of TMIMS, the head of the Learning and Memory Project, the director of the Center for Basic Technology Research, and a visiting professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University. Dr. Saitoe received his B.A. in Organic Chemistry from Osaka University, his M.S. in Biochemistry from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo for studying physiological functions of gap junctions during Ascidian neural development. Currently, his research focus is to elucidate mechanisms involved in Drosophila learnin g and memory and synaptic plasticity.He is especially interested in glial-neuron networks, functional diversity of the monoamine system, and age-related memory impairments. Other interests include the molecular and neural bases of psychological phenomenon such as empathy and causality.
Backgrounds
Memories define us and mold our personalities. Using genetic tools, we have identified genes and neural substrates required for memory-associated behaviors in Drosophila. We investigate when, where and how memory-associated gene products function to produce memory-based behaviors and how memory mechanisms are affected by physiological changes such as aging.
Objectives
- To identify the genes responsible for learning and memory in a Drosophila model and attempt the visualization of the memory process using state-of-the-art imaging and light manipulation technology
- To clarify the basic principles of learning and memory by verifying the findings from Drosophila model in mammalian models
- To identify and abstract the molecular and neural basis of various memory impairment conditions from the complementary analysis of Drosophila and mammalian models
Members
Project Leader Minoru Saitoe
- Kohei Ueno
- Motomi Matsuno
- Tomoyuki Miyashita
- Takahiro Ishikawa
- Akinobu Suzuki
- Shintaro Nagano
- Hiroaki Ishida