Hiroko BANNAI

The brain, which processes vast amounts of information, is often compared to a computer. However, the brain is very different from a computer: in the brain, the proteins and lipids that make up the brain are constantly being replaced throughout life. How can the brain maintain its structure and perform higher functions such as memory, learning, and thinking while its components are constantly being replaced? Although it is believed that mutations in genes and proteins cause Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders, it is still unclear why these mutations cause severe symptoms. Our laboratory aims to elucidate the mechanisms of memory and learning and the pathogenesis of neurological diseases such as epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease, by "Watching" the structure, function, and dynamics of the protein molecules that make up the living body in living cells.

Our research activities include

(1) "Physiological research": to understand the molecular mechanism of the development, maintenance, and regulation of the synapses, which are the basis of learning of memory, we visualize the behavior and the localization of synaptic molecules in live neurons.

(2) "Pathological research": to clarify the pathogenic mechanism of neurological disorders such as  Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, we examine the effect of pathological Tau, Amyloid β, and αSynuclein on the synaptic structure and function.

(3) "Research for the development of new technologies" to visualize and manipulate biological molecules in living cells, we develop new experimental tools that are based on the latest findings in biophysics.