Elucidating the mechanisms of plant-specific functions that support our survival
Plants possess unique abilities not found in animals, which enable human to live on Earth.
For example, photosynthesis, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releases oxygen, and nitrogen assimilation, which synthesizes amino acids from inorganic nitrogen compounds in the soil, are unique abilities of plants.
Our laboratory focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of plant-specific abilities, such as light utilization (photosynthesis and light signaling) and inorganic nutrient acquisition, and we apply this knowledge to the development of valuable crops.
I am particularly interested in the regulatory mechanisms of leaf senescence in plants.
While leaf senescence delights us in the form of autumn foliage, in agriculture it serves as an important indicator of crop health.
We have revealed key mechanisms underlying the regulation of leaf senescence, such as the roles of light and small RNAs in leaf senescence.
On the other hand, stay-green plants, which exhibit delayed leaf senescence, show positive traits such as increased yields, enhanced stress tolerance, and reduced leaf yellowing in leafy vegetables and ornamental plants. Based on our findings, we are focusing on the development of stay-green crops.
Educational approach
Cultivating the essential 'skills' of a researcher to truly understand research
At the undergraduate course, I teach 'The Study of Plant Functional Regulation' and at the graduate level, 'Plant Functional Biotechnology' covering topics such as light use, nutrient acquisition and utilization, and plant biotechnology.
While many students assigned to our lab aim for research careers, it is not easy to determine in a short time whether such a path suits them.
For students in our lab, we aim to help them understand what research truly is by fostering three essential abilities: 'the ability to create research,' 'the ability to carry out research,' and 'the ability to complete research.'
Thus, we provide each student with an independent research theme early on, with the goal of completing one research project by graduation, supported by daily experiment guidance and regular individual discussions.
Graduate students in our lab have published their research as first authors in international journals such as Current Biology, The Plant Cell, and Plant Biotechnology Journal.
Graduates I have mentored are now active in diverse careers, including research positions in national institutes and private companies.
Vision for industry-academia collaboration
Applying leaf senescence research to improve crop quality
Research on plant aging can contribute to improving crop quality.
Stay-green plants with delayed leaf senescence maintain photosynthetic capacity for a longer period, leading to increased yields. In fact, we have successfully isolated stay-green rice lines with higher yields.
Research on leaf senescence also contributes to developing technologies to reduce leaf yellowing during transport of leafy vegetables.
At the same time, leaf senescence is an important survival strategy for nutrient remobilization to new organs, and studying it may lead to techniques for more efficient nutrient transfer and increased yields.
In this way, insights from leaf senescence research can be applied in many ways to enhance crop quality.
Our lab is also equipped with advanced tools and expertise for transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome analyses, allowing us to investigate specific biological phenomena comprehensively and at high throughput.
