Cultivating the Basics and Applied Skills in Biology

Basic Educational Policies for the Konan University Graduate School of Natural Science’s Biology Program (Master’s Program)

• ・Basic Educational Policies
• ・DP (policies on degree conferment)
• ・CP (policies on the formulation and implementation of education curricula)
• ・AP (policies on enrollment)

Study in a Comprehensive Research Environment

With equipment and facilities carrying the latest DNA sequencers, confocal laser scanning microscopes, a P2 level laboratory for genetic recombination and more, we have constructed an environment that can support all types of experimental research. Here, students carry out comprehensive research and, upon graduating, go on to work in a wide range of fields such as corporate R&D, factory management and MR for pharmaceutical companies.

Master’s Program

Developmental Biology

Studies on development and evolution of the nervous system and sensory organs

Investigator	Subject of Research
KUSAKABE, Takehiro Lab Home Page	1) Cell-fate specification, cell differentiation, and gene regulation in the central nervous system 2) Connectome and function of the nervous system of the ascidian larva 3) Development and evolution of photoreceptors 4) Evolution of gene regulation and development in chordates

Systematics

Phylogeny, taxonomy and ecology of protists

Investigator	Subject of Research
HONDA, Daiske	1) Phylogeny and taxonomy of protists 2) Ecological role of protists in the marine environment 3) Morphology and function of cell organelles

Plant Biochemistry

Studies on metabolism and function of sphingolipids in plants

Investigator	Subject of Research
IMAI, Hiroyuki	1) Sphingolipid profiles in plants: analysis of sphingolipid molecular species using LC-MS/MS 2) Physiological functions of sphingolipid metabolism in plants 3) Characterization of enzymes involved in synthesis and degradation of sphingolipids in plants.

Molecular Cell Biology

Molecular mechanisms for germ cell formation in animals

Investigator

Subject of Research

MUKAI, Masanori

Research in our laboratory focuses on the molecular biology of germ cells. Germline cells are critical for transmitting genetic information into in the next generation in many animals. We use fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, to investigate the molecular mechanisms and epigenetic mechanisms, how germline specific genes are activated in primordial germ cells. We also study the mechanisms about the interactions between the somatic cell and germ cells, which regulate germ cell differentiation and meiosis in Drosophila ovaries.

Biochemistry, Protein Science

Studies on mechanisms of molecular chaperones

Investigator	Subject of Research
WATANABE, Yo-hei	1) Molecular mechanism of ClpB disaggregase 2) Structual properties of aggregated proteins 3) Development of systems monitoring protein synthesis and folding 4) Exploring new molecular chaperones

Molecular and Cellular Regulation

Molecular mechanism for temperature sensation and memory in nervous system

Investigator

Subject of Research

KUHARA, Atsushi

Our final goal is elucidation of brain mechanism. How do genes acting in the neural circuitry generate environmental response? How do brains function during sensation and memory? We are addressing these important issues by using temperature responses of simple model animal, nematode C. elegans. We aim to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which animals (1) sense temperature; (2) memory temperature.

Microbiology

Studies on cellular responses to environment and cell cycle regulations using the fission yeast, S. pombe, as a model

Investigator	Subject of Research
TAKEDA, Kojiro	1) Ubiquitin dependent proteolysis 2) Mitochondrial function and maintenance 3) Regulation of cellular proliferation

Entomology

Studies on the reproductive biology of social Hymenoptera

Investigator	Subject of Research
GOTOH, Ayako	1) Mechanisms of long-term sperm storage in ant queens 2) Evolution of the spermatheca morphology and function in social Hymenoptera 3) Evolution and development of caste dimorphism in social Hymenoptera 4) Ecology of ants

Plant Cell Biology

Endomembrane- and cytoskeleton-mediated environmental responses in plants

Investigator	Subject of Research
UEDA, Haruko	Plants have evolved the endomembrane-mediated strategies against environmental stimuli. Specific aims of our studies are: 1) to disclose the organ straightening mechanism in response to mechanical stresses 2) to disclose the quality control mechanism of the ER membrane in response to environmental stimuli

Class Subjects of Master's Biology Program (The Master's Program in fiscal 2015 students)

Class subjects of Doctoral Physics Program (The Doctoral Program in fiscal 2010 and later entering students)

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