Research

New neurons and glial cells are continuously generated throughout life, not only at the embryonic and neonatal stages. Recent studies using experimental animals indicate that several regions of the adult brain have the capacity to regenerate injured neural tissues. We have been studying the mechanisms for cell migration and regeneration in the postnatal brain. We aim to study the endogenous repair mechanisms in the brain and develop a new strategy to promote neuronal and glial cell regeneration after injury.

Neuroblasts(red) migrate toward a lesion through a meshwork of processes from a single astrocyte(blue), as shown by serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) (Kaneko et al., Sci Adv. 2018).

 

Members

Professor:
Kazunobu Sawamoto, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor:
Masato Sawada, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor:
Kazuya Kuboyama, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor:
Mami Matsumoto, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor:
Takashi Ogino, Ph.D.
Lab Manager:
Rie Kakei

Publications

  • Significance of birth in the maintenance of quiescent neural stem cells. Sci Adv. 11(4): eadn6377 (2025)
  • Neuraminidase inhibition promotes the collective migration of neurons and recovery of brain function. EMBO Mol. Med. 16: 1228-1253 (2024)
  • Identification of the growth cone as a probe and driver of neuronal migration in the injured brain. Nat. Commun. 15, 1877 (2024)
  • New neurons use Slit-Robo signaling to migrate through the glial meshwork and approach a lesion for functional regeneration. Sci Adv 4: eaav0618 (2018)
  • PlexinD1 signaling controls morphological changes and migration termination in newborn neurons. EMBO J e97404(2018)
  • Radial glial fibers promote neuronal migration and functional recovery after neonatal brain injury. Cell Stem Cell 22: 128-137 (2018)
  • Speed control for neuronal migration in the postnatal brain by Gmip-mediated local inactivation of RhoA. Nat Commun 5: 4532 (2014)

　　We publish a list of all achievements on the original site