Members

真鍋俊也

The Division of Neuronal Network was established in 2001 as a new division in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo. The aims of the Department are to create new trends of the research fields of life sciences in the future, and the Department is the organization that consists of several heterogeneous laboratories with different expertise. Among these laboratories, the Division of Neuronal Network was established to advance the understanding of neural functions and to contribute to the researches in the Institute of Medical Science from a physiological point of view.

When this Division started its activities, neurophysiological studies were conducted mainly using electrophysiological techniques, which the Division Head Toshiya Manabe had utilized as a principal research method for many years, but we have gradually and aggressively adopted many other kinds of research techniques thereafter. Currently, to elucidate neural functions comprehensively, we are using morphological, biochemical, molecular biological and electrophysiological techniques as well as a behavioral technique with which higher brain functions can be evaluated. As one of the most characteristic points of our laboratory, we can perform such interdisciplinary studies in our single laboratory.

The main aim in our laboratory is to elucidate basic properties of synaptic transmission and the molecular and cellular mechanism of its plasticity in the central nervous system, such as the hippocampus and amygdala, and to explore the role of synaptic transmission and plasticity in higher brain functions at the whole-animal level. We are also trying to elucidate fundamental aspects of psychiatrical and neurological disorders using model animals. Please refer to the contents in this site for the detail of our research.

We are always inviting young scientists and graduate students with great enthusiasms who are interested in neurosciences, especially synaptic and higher brain functions. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Brief personal record of the Division Head Toshiya Manabe