Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo

Department of Biological Sciences
Graduate School of Science
The University of Tokyo

Labs Kubo Lab

JP

Core Division / Biology Kubo Lab Molecular Biology/Animal Physiological Chemistry

Laboratory Website

Professor Takeo Kubo

Assistant Professor Taro Fukazawa

Assistant Professor Hiroki Kohno

Subject of research

  1. 1. Analysis of the molecular and neural bases underlying honey bee social behaviors
  2. 2. Studies on the molecular mechanisms of Xenopus laevis tadpole tail regeneration

Aiming at understanding fundamental life principles focusing on the diversity of life phenomena

We aim to develop the next generation of world-leading researchers by performing research toward understanding fundamental life principles focusing on the diversity of life. Our current research topics are as follows: 1. (Kohno and Kubo) Honey bees exhibit advanced social behaviors. We have revealed that the honey bee mushroom bodies, a higher-order center of the insect brain, comprise three Kenyon cell subtypes with distinct gene expression profiles. We are currently analyzing functions of genes expressed in a Kenyon cell subtype-preferential manner using genome editing, and the brain neural bases underlying behavioral evolution in Hymenoptera through comparative analyses using some hymenopteran species that have different behavioral traits. 2. (Fukazawa and Kubo) The amphibian Xenopus laevis tadpoles can regenerate functional tails when their tails are amputated. In organ regeneration, the wound triggers the formation of a characteristic proliferating cell population called “blastema” at the wound site, which subsequently forms a regenerating organ. It is likely that these wound response mechanisms are responsible for the high regenerative ability of amphibians. We are currently analyzing the signaling pathways from tail amputation to proliferating cell induction and blastema formation, as well as the mechanisms of immune responses after tail amputation that promote blastema formation and induce immune tolerance to protect the blastema.
  • Honey bee mushroom body comprises three Kenyon cell subtypes

  • Immunosuppressant-treatment restores tail regenerative ability of tadpoles during the refractory period