Elucidating the Environmental Responsiveness of Organisms
Molecular Basis of Plant Circadian Clocks
To proactively respond to environmental changes between day and night, many organisms have evolved an oscillatory system, the circadian clock, which operates on an approximately 24-hour cycle. We are conducting research on plants with high environmental responsiveness to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the circadian clock.
Does a Harsh Environment Bring out the Hidden Functions of Proteins in the Body?
The human body possesses biological defense mechanisms against various environmental stresses, such as high temperatures, high salt concentrations, hypoxia, and nutrient depletion. Conversely, there exist proteins believed to have evolved to exploit these adverse conditions. Our laboratory aims to elucidate the function of a signaling protein active only under acidic pH conditions and to clarify its relationship to human health.
Understanding the Functions of Microorganisms in Paddy Soil
Rice is an essential staple that sustains half of the global population. Rice paddies, the primary sites for paddy rice cultivation, undergo flooding exclusively during the growing season and are drained prior to harvest, resulting in substantial variations in soil conditions throughout the year. Our objective is to investigate the characteristics, dynamics, and interactions of diverse microorganisms inhabiting paddy fields. This research seeks to elucidate the true state and underlying mechanisms of microbial diversity and functionality within the material cycles of paddy fields.
Molecular Basis of Plant Nutrient Responses
It may appear evident at first glance that supplying nutrients to plants facilitates their vigorous and healthy growth. Nonetheless, much of the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood at the genetic and molecular levels. Our research primarily focuses on fundamental aspects of how plants respond to soil nutrients to attain optimal growth, with particular emphasis on the roles of plant hormones and peptide-based signaling molecules.