Research Fields: Neuroscience, Genetics, Neural circuits, Animal Behavior

　Animals respond to ever-changing environments to ensure their survival and reproduction. To address how a behavior is generated and executed, we are elucidating molecular, cellular, neural and systemic mechanisms underlying learning, memory and decision-making. We are conducting comprehensive and interdisciplinary approaches using the nematode C. elegans as a model organism. Thermotaxis in C. elegans is a learning-based behavior and the execution of this behavior should require neural computations and systemic regulations. We are attempting to understand these neural computations and systemic regulations by identifying the functions of genes, component neurons, neuronal connections and non-neuronal tissues.

Awards and Honors

1996　　　　日本遺伝学会 奨励賞

2006　　　　猿橋賞

2007　　　　井上学術賞

2013　　　　時実利彦記念賞

2013　　　　日本遺伝学会木原賞

2016　　　　中日文化賞

2017　　　　紫綬褒章

2022　　　　Tray Science and Technology Prize, Toray Science Foundation

2024　　　　津田梅子賞

E-mail:m46920a[at]nucc.cc.nagoya-u.ac.jp