Ph.D (agriculture)

No

Chronobiology, Animal Physiology, Neuroscience

04years02months

In organisms living in temperate zones, various biological functions are regulated by seasonal changes in environment (i.e., photoperiod), including metabolism, immune functions, stress responses, affect, and reproduction. The photoperiodic responses are associated with the circadian clock (internal clock) and its main output hormones, melatonin or glucocorticoids. We are trying to clarify the molecular mechanisms of photoperiodic responses, focusing on brain and peripheral organs of mammmals by means of molecular, morphological, physiological, and functional techniques. This study is important for not only the control of animal production but also therapeutic target for the seasonal affective disorder in human.
Disruption of the circadian clock by irregular light-dark cycles, e.g., shift work or irregular light exposure, is a serious problem in the world. Numerous studies report that the circadian disruption increases risk of many diseases such as cancer. We are trying to identify functional nutrients that can ameliorate or prevent the circadian disruption caused by irregular light-dark cycles, and to clarify the effect of dietary rhythms on the clock-associated physiology and behavior.

Research Interests

• Studies on cyclic environment and stress physiology
  keyword : stress, environmental enrichment, brain
  2019.03.
• Mechanisms controlling photoperiodic responses in metabolism and mood
  keyword : metabolism, stress, seasonal affective disorder, brain
  2009.12～2020.03.
• Effect of photoperiod during early life stages on learning, memory, neurodevelopment, and metabolism in adulthood.
  keyword : photoperiodism, neurogenesis, neuronal network, affective behaviors, body weight, metabolism
  2014.04.
• Effect of dietary rhythms on brain functions
  keyword : Dietary rhythm, mouse, behavior, neuron
  2017.04.
• Chrononutritional studies on the circadian disruption: approach using chronic jet lag mice
  keyword : circadian disruption, chronic jet lag, mouse
  2010.04.
• Search of amino acids that affect the circadian clock
  keyword : amino acids, circadian clock, mouse
  2010.12～2018.03.

Academic Activities Membership in Academic Society

• Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science
• Japanese Society for Chronobiology
• The Japanese Society for Amino Acid Sciences
• Japanese Society of Animal Science
• Warm Regional Society of Animal Science, Japan

Educational Activities