Satoshi Iwakami

Deciphering the mechanisms underlying the rapid evolution of weeds driven by agricultural activities

Grant No.：JPMJPR24N2

Researcher

Satoshi Iwakami

Outline

Weeds have long been targets for eradication by humans in agricultural fields, but they have adapted to various eradication pressures by undergoing genetic changes. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms behind the evolution of herbicide resistance, a typical adaptive phenomenon in weeds. By analyzing the genomic characteristics underlying parallel evolution, the mechanism of “evolutionary co-option,” which enables rapid evolution, will be uncovered. These insights will contribute to the development of strategies for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds and suppressing their evolution.

Natsuko Otaki

Developing a Catalogue of Cell-Cell Interactions and Diversification Pathway Maps to Understand Chronic Disease

Grant No.：JPMJPR24N3

Researcher

Natsuko Otaki

Outline

Chronic diseases can be understood as a diversification toward a stable, yet pathological state, driven by the cumulative impact of external forces, such as cell-cell interactions, on cells that are otherwise stable in a healthy condition. However, understanding this diversification process has been challenging due to the lack of experimental and analytical methods capable of capturing comprehensive information on individual cell-cell interactions. In this study, we aim to develop a technological platform to acquire extensive single-cell interaction data and create the world’s first catalogue of cell-cell interactions, alongside diversification pathway maps.

Soshiro Kashio

Exploring Metabolic Resilience and Failure Through Understanding Spatiotemporal Regulation

Grant No.：JPMJPR24N4

Researcher

Soshiro Kashio

Outline

Omics analyses have significantly advanced life sciences, yet elements that show no apparent changes tend to be overlooked. I identified S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) metabolism as a critical metabolic pathway that remains stable even under conditions of nutrient deprivation and production inhibition. In this study, I aim to comprehensively analyze the spatiotemporal regulation of SAM metabolism and investigate its role in life phenomena, from local intracellular environments to the organismal level. Through this exploration, I seek to uncover the hidden resilience that underlies unchanging metabolic processes.

Ryo Kato

Visualizing inherent “resilience of life” of microorganisms

Grant No.：JPMJPR24N5

Researcher

Ryo Kato

Outline

To visualize the inherent metabolic diversity exhibited by living organisms, it is essential to observe metabolites and intracellular molecules, such as enzymes and nucleic acids that support metabolism, without causing damage, and to do so across spatiotemporal and multiscale dimensions. In this study, we aim to establish a super-resolution mid-infrared spectroscopic imaging method that allows for the visualization of multiple metabolites in microorganisms with minimal disruption to their molecular structure. Using the vitality of lipid-producing yeast as a case study, we seek to gain insights into the inherent resilience of life of microorganismsm could not be obtained through conventional metabolite measurements.

Taro Kitazawa

Uncovering Brain Stress Resilience through History Tracing Genomics

Grant No.：JPMJPR24N6

Researcher

Taro Kitazawa

Outline

In this project, we define vitality as the brain’s resilience to stress. While numerous studies have been conducted on stress responses, it has been challenging to analyze the molecular-level causal factors that lead to the diversity of responses between individuals and cells over long-term time scales. This project aims to overcome this challenge by establishing single-cell history tracing genomics, thereby elucidating the factors that contribute to the brain’s recovery from stress through analyses at the molecular, cellular, individual, and population levels.

Daisuke Kyogoku

Antagonistic evolutionary interactions between pollen and pistils over floral longevity

Grant No.：JPMJPR24N7

Researcher

Daisuke Kyogoku

Outline

The theory of evolutionary ecology predicts that pollen evolves the ability to induce floral wilting whereas pistils evolve the counteradaptation. I test this hypothesis with multifaceted approaches mainly using Arabidopsis thaliana. Specifically, I will identify the genes that determine the characteristics of the pollen and pistils. I will also reveal the phylogenetic evolutionary patterns of the genes among species. The micro- and macro-scale results will uncover the hidden pollen-pistil interactions.

Akane Kubota

A molecular basis for the restoration and diversification of seasonal flowering responses triggered by temperature fluctuations

Grant No.：JPMJPR24N8

Researcher

Akane Kubota

Outline

This research aims to understand the molecular mechanism of seasonal flowering regulation. Specifically, I will investigate how plants “restore” seasonal information in response to temperature fluctuations, while also “diversifying” their flowering response to daily temperature changes. By focusing on this dual nature of temperature responses, I aim to elucidate how plants predict the seasonal transition and optimize their physiological responses under field environment. Ultimately, my goal is to provide a scientific foundation for developing crop varieties that are more resilient to environmental changes by manipulating their temperature responses.

Taisuke Seike

Elucidating the two sides of pheromone recognition in yeast and the mechanisms of environmental adaptation

Grant No.：JPMJPR24N9

Researcher

Taisuke Seike

Outline

This research aims to understand the dual nature of ‘stringency’ and ‘flexibility’ in the pheromone recognition mechanism of fission yeast and to elucidate the mechanisms of environmental adaptation. Specifically, I will analyze how changes in the recognition specificity of peptidyl pheromones and their receptors contribute to reproductive isolation and speciation, through detailed measurements and analysis across temporal and spatial scales. By combining these findings with an investigation of wild yeast strains isolated from natural environments, I aim to gain insights into yeast survival ability and deepen our understanding of evolution in nature.

Tetsuya Takano

Revealing the Molecular Mechanisms Controlling Vitality Enhancement with Cutting-Edge Spatiotemporal Proteome Technologies

Grant No.：JPMJPR24NA

Researcher

Tetsuya Takano

Outline

Fear memory plays a crucial role in boosting survival by learning from past dangers and helping to avoid future risks. Understanding this process enhances our knowledge in neuroscience and psychology, opening up new therapeutic possibilities for disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Although the brain functions that reinforce survival instincts are continually updated, the underlying molecular mechanisms controlling these processes remain largely unknown. This study aims to develop cutting-edge spatiotemporal proteome technologies to comprehensively unravel the molecular mechanisms that regulate the dynamic changes in brain functions involved in vitality enhancement.

Tohru Takahashi

The flexible and robust thermoregulatory center that protects mammalian life from heat

Grant No.：JPMJPR24NB

Researcher

Tohru Takahashi

Outline

Organisms that live in “hot” environments, including Japan, possess a Power of Life known as “heat response”. This power is particularly essential for mammals, which are warm-blooded animals and therefore constantly at risk of hyperthermia and heat stroke. In this study, I am going to carry out research on a large spatiotemporal scale, centering on the preoptic area (POA), the thermoregulatory center. I will attempt to elucidate the neural mechanisms that integrate temperature information inside and outside the body, provide a flexible response appropriate to level of heat and warmth, and realize heat acclimation, in order to get to the heart of “flexible and robust life power” that protects mammalian life from heat.

Kotaro Torii

Diagnosis and Manipulation of Individuality Hidden in Zygotes through Live-Cell Transcriptomics

Grant No.：JPMJPR24NC

Researcher

Kotaro Torii

Outline

In this research, I aim to clarify the origin of the life force that spontaneously individualizes each organism, independent of genetics or environment. The live-organismal transcriptomics method allows for the acquisition of transcriptome data from living cells without causing destruction. This technique facilitates the recording of original individuality during development and behavioral individuality that manifests after hatching, using transcriptome and video data, respectively. By investigating the consistency between these two temporally separated yet identity-linked datasets, I will identify the original gene responsible for the individuality observed after hatching. Furthermore, I will explore prenatal diagnosis of individuality using the identified gene and attempt prenatal manipulation of individuality through mRNA injection of this key gene.

Keigo Fujiwara

Understanding translation regulation by nascent peptides that utilize underrepresented amino acid sequences

Grant No.：JPMJPR24ND

Researcher

Keigo Fujiwara

Outline

Translation arrest sometimes cause cytotoxicity. However, organisms exploit sequences that induce translation arrest to regulate various important physiological functions. This study aims to discover biological systems that effectively utilize “avoided” amino acid sequence patterns and to understand their functions, physiological roles, and evolutionary backgrounds in translation control.

Hiroshi Makino

Exploring the neural basis for the emergence of diversity that supports group adaptation

Grant No.：JPMJPR24NE

Researcher

Hiroshi Makino

Outline

I aim to understand the emergence of diversity at multiple levels, from neurons to individuals to groups. Through interdisciplinary research that integrates neuroscience and AI, I will investigate the neural basis of how mice and AI agents, trained in different reward environments, acquire individuality and behave in competitive social settings. This study will reveal the fundamental properties of how a group of diverse individuals confers robustness to the system, a characteristic that underlies ‘vitality’.

Hideaki Morishita

Molecular basis, regulation and evolution of physiological functions of intracellular destruction

Grant No.：JPMJPR24NF

Researcher

Hideaki Morishita

Outline

Large-scale destraction of intracellular components such as organelles in some tissues creates new physiological functions. However, the mechanism of this phenomenon is largely unknown. In this study, we will establish a unique high-depth spatiotemporal analysis method using zebrafish and human primary 3D culture systems to identify the factors responsible for the intracellular destruction, and elucidate their molecular functions, functions, and evolution.