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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Associate professor
- Takuya MURATA
- Research Field
Reproductive Physiology, Endocrinology
- Keyword(s)
Estrogen, Estrous Cycle, Vitamin D receptor, Oxytocin receptor
- Research theme
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- Regulatory mechanisms of oxytocin receptor expression
- Effects of vitamin D on reproductive function
- Regulatory mechanisms of pituitary hormone expression
Outline of research activitiesMost female mammals have an estrous cycle in which they ovulate periodically. During the estrous cycle, ovarian follicles develop and blood levels of estrogen secreted by the developing follicles increase. This increased estrogen induces ovulation, promotes the proliferation of the endometrium to prepare for implantation of a fertilized egg, and induces sexual behavior by acting on the central nervous system. In addition, estrogen is known to have a wide range of effects, including effects on bone formation, central effects such as memory, and effects on the cardiovascular systems. This means that a wide range of cells are affected by estrogen, and these effects fluctuate during the estrous cycle. In our laboratory, we are investigating the factors and functions affected by estrogen during the estrous cycle, especially in tissues related to reproductive functions such as the pituitary gland and uterus. Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland and is involved in milk secretion and uterine contractions. Recently, its central effects, such as the ability to trust others more easily, have been attracting attention. Vitamin D is considered to be a hormone and is known to have many actions, just like estrogen. We are currently investigating the regulatory mechanisms of oxytocin receptor and vitamin D receptor expressions, which are involved in the expression of these hormones’ actions.
- Desired cooperation
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- Studies on the reproductive physiology of female mammals
- Research on diseases specific to female mammals
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Associate professor
- Toshiyasu MATSUI
- Research Field
Neuroanatomy, Veterinary Anatomy
- Keyword(s)
Nervous System, Olfaction, Neuroanatomical Tracing, Cholinergic Neuron
- Research theme
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- Neuronal connections of the reticular formation
- Morphology of cholinergic interneurons
- Comparative anatomy of the amphibian olfactory system
Outline of research activitiesMastication and swallowing are patterned movements that are essential for the vital activities of animals including humans. These movements require coordinated activity of orofacial muscles, and interneurons in the brainstem control the activity of motor neurons in the orofacial motor system. Among brainstem interneurons, we are focusing on cholinergic interneurons and studying their cell morphology, neural circuits, and neurotransmission. By elucidating the neural circuits between interneurons and motor neurons, we aim to gain knowledge that will lead to an understanding of orofacial movement disorders.
We are also studying the histology of the olfactory organ and its center, the olfactory bulb, of urodele amphibians. By comparing the olfactory system between urodelan species, we are investigating the relationship between the adaptation to water and land environments and the olfactory evolution.- Desired cooperation
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- Histological analysis of animal tissues
- Evaluation and development of medical devices using animal anatomy
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Associate professor
- Tsuneyuki MASUDA
- Research Field
Animal health and hygiene
- Keyword(s)
Livestock chronic infection, Bovine viral diarrhea, Enzootic bovine leukosis
- Research theme
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- Effect of chronic infection on productivity
- Establish a model to prevent the spread of BLV and BVD
- Study of insect pest-control using natural maerials
Outline of research activitiesInfectious livestock diseases, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza recognized as acute infection that cause tremendous damage to the livestock industry. Acute infections develop relatively early and have significant clinical symptoms, making outbreaks easily recognizable. Conversely, chronic infections that decrease livestock productivity, such as enzootic bovine leukosis (BLV) and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), have become problematic in recent years. Generally, eradication of chronic infections is extremely difficult and requires considerable time and effort.
I want to sutdy the Effect of these diseases on the livestock industry using field cases, and want to resarch the viable approch of preventing the spread of BLV and BVD. I also study environmentally friendly insect pest-control using natural materials, such as commercially available diatomite product.- Desired cooperation
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- Veterinary epiemiology
- Virology
- Theriogenlogy
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Lecturer
- Kei HAYASHI
- Research Field
Parasitology, Veterinary Parasitology, Phylogeny
- Keyword(s)
Parasite, Trematode, Cestode, Nematode, Helminth
- Research theme
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- Relationship between the parasite evolution and their host.
- Parasite dynamics, pathogenesis and morphological and molecular characters.
- More usuful diagnosis and identification methods for parasites.
Outline of research activitiesI analyze influences of biogeographic phenomena such as evolution and migration of host animals on parasite distribution or population using molecular phylogenetic analyses. I’m also conducting research on the mechanisms of migration and pathology of helminths in their host.
- Desired cooperation
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- Experimental biological research of parasitic helminths.
- Biogeographic study of host livestocks and wild animals.
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Lecturer
- Kohei MURAKAMI
- Research Field
Immunology, Bone metabolism,
- Keyword(s)
Polyarthritis, WNT signaling
- Research theme
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- Pathogenesis of canine idiopathic immune-mediated polyarthritis
- Roles of WNT signaling on bone metabolisms
Outline of research activitiesRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease based on chronic inflammation in synovium. Since RA is a relatively common disease in human, there are many studies on its pathogenesis, and recently we can control RA with biological drugs or small molecular compounds. Dogs may develop a disease similar to that of human, also known as canine rheumatoid arthritis (cRA). However, since there are few studies on its pathophysiology, most dogs with cRA take only symptomatic treatment, and joint structures are irrevocably destroyed. I am studying to elucidate the inducer of inflammation in cRA, identification of early diagnostic marker, and development of new therapeutic drug.
I am also studying the Wnt5a antagonist Sfrp5. Sfrp5 is an adipokine that regulates the metabolism of adipocytes. We already found that Sfrp5 regulates not only adipocytes but also osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In other words, fat tissue may control bone. I am studying the mechanisms how Sfrp5 regulates bone.- Desired cooperation
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- Study of rheumatoid arthritis
- Development of new drugs
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Lecturer
- Kosuke TAKEYA
- Research Field
Biochemistry, Physiology
- Keyword(s)
Smooth Muscle, Cell Signaling
- Research theme
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- Regulatory mechanisms of smooth muscle contraction and relaxation
- Regulatory mechanisms of renal microcirculation
- Development of highly sensitive phosphorylation analysis
Outline of research activitiesSmooth muscle composes a muscular layer in various organs, such as blood vessels, gastrointestinal tracts, bladder, uterus, etc. in the vertablate body. It plays important roles in many life stages from birth to death. To achieve different roles in different locations, each smooth muscle has unique regulatory mechanisms of contraction and relaxation. For example, renal arteriolar smooth muscle, which regulates blood flow in the kidney, contracts in response to a vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II by activating molecular motor in the cells. On the other hand, another vasoconstrictor, endothelin 1, induces abnormal contraction in the arteriole by excessively activating the motor. I hve been studying the molecular mechanisms of smooth muscle contractions, especilly in the renal arterioles.
- Desired cooperation
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Lecturer
- Masashi MUKOHDA
- Research Field
Pharmacology, Molecular biology, Vascular biology
- Keyword(s)
Circulation, Hypertension, Arterial Stiffness, Microbiome
- Research theme
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- Exploring outbreak and molecular mechanisms of hypertension
- Exploring mechanism of arterial stiffness
- Research on microbiome and inflammatory disorder
Outline of research activitiesTo explore my interest using a molecular biology approach, we employ novel transgenic animal models and ex vivo or in vitro systems such as isolated vessel and cell culture.
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality. In particular, the prevalence of hypertension is high and increasing (American Heart Association). To understand the mechanism of outbreak and molecular alterations in hypertension, we examine how genes regulate organ function related to regulating blood pressure including vessel, heart, kidney and brain using transgenic model.
Gut microbiome research is becoming the key to better understanding physiology and pathology. Clinical evidence is accumulating for a role of the microbiome in contributing to aging and inflammtory disorder. We try to find how microbiome affects body.- Desired cooperation
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- Drug development
- Cardiovascular disease research
- Gut microbiome research
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Lecturer
- Shin-ichi NAKAMURA
- Research Field
Veterinary Pathology, Toxicologic Pathology, Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Veterinary Forensic Medicine
- Keyword(s)
Diagnostic Pathology, Experimental Pathology, Veterinary Forensic Medicine, Investigation of the cause of the death
- Research theme
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- Pathological analysis of spontaneous diseases in various animals
- Pathological evaluation of studies using various animal models of disease
- Investigation of the cause of the death in animals
Outline of research activitiesVeterinary pathology is the study of the causes of animal diseases and the study of their mechanisms. The results revealed by veterinary pathology are returned to clinical practice to help diagnose and treat animal diseases. Although our research targets all kinds of animals other than humans, we also contribute to the human medicine through basic research using laboratory animals.
I have experience in pathological diagnosis in a variety of animals, including companion animals, industrial animals, laboratory animals, wild animals, exotic animals, zoo and aquarium animals, fish, and invertebrates. I aim to identify issues from spontaneous diseases seen in various animals and to conduct research that can be fed back to clinical practice. At the same time, I will develop basic research using experimental pathological methods.- Desired cooperation
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- Investigation of the cause of the death in animals
- Research on elucidating the mechanisms of various animal diseases.
- Studies on the isolation and identification of pathogens and the analysis of trace elements.
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Akihiro OHNISHI
- Research Field
Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Radiology, Emergency Medicine
- Keyword(s)
Radiotherapy, Behavioral Analysis
- Research theme
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- Radiation Therapy in Veterinary Medicine
- Detecting Postoperative Sleep Disturbances with a accelerometer
Outline of research activitiesI am studying the effects of radiation therapy in veterinary medicine. We are also investigating the possibility of using sensors to detect animal behavior and applying this to clinical practice.
- Desired cooperation
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Hikaru FUJII
- Research Field
Virology
- Keyword(s)
infectious disease, virus, recombination, host specificity, epidemiology
- Research theme
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- Mechanism determining the host specificity of herpesvirus.
- Analysis of virus-host interaction
- Analysis of pathogenicity of SFTS virus.
- Epidemiological studies of herpesvirus.
Outline of research activitiesMore than 200 herpesviruses have been discovered and most of them have very limited host range. Therefore, there are many herpesviruses which have not established cell culture system to replicate or system to evaluate the pathogenicity of the virus using experimental animals. Without these systems it is impossible to analyze the precise mechanism of viral replication and pathogenicity. Thus, I aim to unveil the determination mechanism of host specificity of herpesvirus by analyzing the interactions of virus and host factors by using recombinant viruses. In addition, I also study epidemiology of herpesviruses.
As SFTS virus seems to be spread in Ehime, our lab focuses on SFTS virus. I compare the pathogenicity of SFTS virus and its related virus, Heartland virus and analyze which factor causes the difference.
- Desired cooperation
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- Pathology
- Statistics
- Ecology
- Proteome analysis
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Jiro MIYAMAE
- Research Field
Comparative immunology, Comparative genetics, Transplantation immunology
- Keyword(s)
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC), Transplantation, autoimmune disease
- Research theme
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- Polymorphism and functional analysis of MHC about animals
- Elucidation of correlation between MHC and diseases such as graft rejection and autoimmune diseases
- Assesment for genomic diversity about animals based on MHC genes
Outline of research activitiesMajor histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule is a glycoprotein expressed on cell surface. MHC molecule plays important role for inducing acquired immunity by presenting self or non-self peptides to T cells. it is known that MHC genes encoding MHC molecules are highly polymorphic genes. In human, various report shows these polymorphisms are related with the risk for graft rejection, tumor and development of autoimmune diseases. However, the correlation between MHC polymorphisms and various diseases in small animals such as dog and cat were unclear so far.
I study about the polymorphisms and functions of MHC in animals and relation of MHC with various diseases. Through these studies, I want to incarnate the regenerated medicine with stem cell transplantation in veterinary medicine and the elucidation for mechanisms of development of autoimmune diseases.- Desired cooperation
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- Regenerated medicine with stem cell transplantation
- Elucidation for mecahisms and pathology of autoimmune disease
- Study about evolution and origin of canine and feline species
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Shinya MIZUTANI
- Research Field
Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Suegery, Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, Veterinary anesthesiology
- Keyword(s)
soft tissue surgery, anesthesia, diagnostic imaging
- Research theme
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- Pathophysiology of canine gallbladder disease
- Reserch of liver diseases in canine and feline
- Surgical anatomy of small animals using diagnostic imaging equipment, etc.
Outline of research activitiesTypical gallbladder diseases in dogs include biliary sludge, gallbladder mucocele, and cholelithiasis, but the pathophysiology remains unclear. I am investigating safer treatment methods by clarifying the detailed pathophysiology of canine gallbladder disease.
In addition, the progress of diagnostic imaging technology in veterinary medicine is remarkable, and I am also working on the application of these data to surgical anatomy (vascular anatomy, etc.), and using these, considering a more safer surgical methods.- Desired cooperation
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- Clinical veterinary research in small animals
- Reserch of hepatobiliary diseases in small animals
- Reserch of surgical anatomy in small animals
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Sho KADEKARU
- Research Field
Veterinary pathology
- Keyword(s)
Diagnostic pathology, Exotic animal, Meat inspection
- Research theme
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- Pathological study of cardiac dilation in meerkat
- Pathological study of disease in various animal species
- Pathological study of dermal fungus disease in Shiro-hebi (Albino of Japanese rat snake)
Outline of research activitiesVeterinary pathology is the study and elucidation of the causes of animal disease and the study of their mechanisms. There are varies of animal diseases that are recognized dependinng on the animal species, the porpose of keeping animals and anatomical and physiological charaters of animal specises.
The researchs currently focusing on:
1) Pathological study of cardiac dilation in meerkat aims to elucidate the cause of cardiac dilation with suspecting a relationship with nutrients deficiency such as vitamin E and selenium.
2) Patholocical study of dermal fungus disease in Shiro-hebi (albino of Japanese rat snake) aims to elucidate the cause of the disease.- Desired cooperation
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- Physical and chemical science
- Microbiology
- Ecology
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Shuichi CHIBA
- Research Field
Neuroendocrinology, Psychopharmacology
- Keyword(s)
Stress (psychological), Neuroprotection, Sex steroids, Animal model of psychiatric diseases
- Research theme
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- Pathophysiology of the depression caused by chronic stress exposure
- Neuroprotective effect of sex steroid hormones
Outline of research activitiesChronic exposure to psychological stress leads to increased levels of hormones and cytokines, including glucocorticoids, in the blood or brain tissue. These substances may be involved in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders such as depression. To study the chronic effects of glucocorticoids on the nervous system, we are creating animal models of depression to identify useful targets for the treatment of depression. Steroid hormones are also known to protect nerve cells (neuroprotection) and I am investigating how this action is altered in the pathogenesis of depression and whether it can be used to develop treatments.
- Desired cooperation
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- Research about neuroendocrinological diseases
- Development of animal models of psychiatric disease and exploratory research using the models
- Research about neuroprotective effect of sex steroid hormone
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Takamasa ITOI
- Research Field
Neurology, Rregenerative Medeicine
- Keyword(s)
Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Regeneration, Rehabilitation, Ggait Aanalysis
- Research theme
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- Developing new treatment for Spinal Cord Injury
- Study of Spinal Cord Injury Markers
- Dog gait analysis
Outline of research activitiesRegenerative medicine is attracting as much attention in the veterinary medicine field as in the human medicine field. Research in the veterinary medicine is also expected to be returned to the human medicine. Severe spinal cord injuries in small animal clinical practice often result in animals that cannot walk or stand on their own even after treatment, and there is a need to develop new treatment for spinal cord injuries. In this laboratory, we are conducting research on the development of spinal cord regeneration therapies using stem cells that can be isolated from living tissue and various cytokines. We are also researching the effectiveness and efficacy of rehabilitation as well as the development of new treatment methods by further elucidating the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury and studying gait analysis of spinal cord injured animals.
- Desired cooperation
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- Stem cells
- Treatment of spinal and spinal cord diseases
- Molecular biology
- Biomechanics
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Yoshinori TANAKA
- Research Field
Cell Biology, Molecuar Biology, Experimental Pathology
- Keyword(s)
Protein Transport, Protein Degradation, Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Research theme
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- Cellular function regulated by cellular degradation system
- Dysregulation of vesicular transport on neurodegenerative diseases
- Brain propagation of causal proteins for dementia
- Identification of molecules to cure or modify neurodegenerative diseases
Outline of research activitiesLiife expectancy is getting longer in developed countries, which result in progressive increase in the number of elderly individuals. In parallel, the number of patients with neurodegenerative diseases that cannot yet be cured or significantly slowed, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is increasing. The cytoplasmic aggregation and accumulation of the nuclear protein TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a hallmark of FTD and ALS. TDP-43 action in the nucleus is essential for cellular homeostasis, and TDP-43 aggregation in the cytoplasm is toxic to cells. These findings indicate that TDP-43 accumulation in the cytoplasm mediates development of FTD and ALS. Notably, TDP-43 pathology in the affected region spread over brain and spinal cord simlar to prion diseases. However, the mechanism for cell-to-cell spreading of TDP-43 pathology has been unknown. We previously showed that macroautophagy, a cellular degradation system, suppress aggregate-prone TDP-43 accumulation. Thus, we examine whether dysregulation of macroautophagy develops TDP-43 pathology. For cure of neurodegenerative diseases such as FTD and ALS through suppression of TDP-43 pathology, we are working on fundamental reserach.
- Desired cooperation
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- Drug discovery
- Clinical study
- metabolic study
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine
- Assistant professor
- Yukari NAKAMURA
- Research Field
Dermatology, Parasitology, Epidemiology
- Keyword(s)
Dermatosis, Parasite, Preventive Veterinary Medicine
- Research theme
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- Research on dermatosis and ear diseases in animals
- Treatment of parasite infections in animals
- Epidemiological research on preventive veterinary medicine
Outline of research activitiesI am working for research on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of dermatosis and ear diseases in companion animals (dogs, cats and exotic pet animals). Furthermore, I am focusing on research on the treatment of infestation by fleas, ticks and Demodex mites. With regard to preventive veterinary medicine, the survey on the prevalence of infectious diseases in dogs and cats and further pharmacoepidemiological studies on vaccines, prophylactics for dirofilariasis, and ectoparasiticides for dogs and cats.
- Desired cooperation
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- Research on drugs for cutaneous application for companion animals
- Research on parasite infections in animals
- Research on veterinary medical products
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Associated Science
- Professor
- Nobuyuki KIMURA
- Research Field
Experimental pathology, Cell Biology, Zoobiquity
- Keyword(s)
Aging, Brain, Nonhuman Primate, Membrane Traffic
- Research theme
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- Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease
- Aging science
- Membrane traffic and neuronal activity
- Biological adaptation for climate changes
Outline of research activitiesAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the major causative diseases for dementia. Characteristic AD pathology, such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, are observed in aged animal brains, suggesting that AD pathology would be the sign of brain aging. Zoobiquity is an approach to investigate and treat diseases without any distinction of species. I have been working on the studies to clarify the mechanism of brain aging and the pathogenesis of AD by using nonhuman primates. I am also interested in how neuronal activities affect membrane traffic system in neural cells.
- Desired cooperation
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- Clinical research on age-related diseases.
- Basic research on aging
- Basic research on membrane trafficking
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Associated Science
- Associate professor
- Fumiko ONO
- Research Field
Zoonosis, Medical primatorogy, Laboratory Animal Science
- Keyword(s)
Zoonosis, Prion, Non human primate, Wild life
- Research theme
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- Research on prion disease treatment using the model of cynomolgus monkeys.
- Search for Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli possessed by wild life.
- Risk assessment of AMR possessed by animal.
Outline of research activitiesQuantitative analysis of histopathological changes and brain atrophy using volumetric MRI in BSE prions to cynomolgus macaques. Our results point out that C-BSE and L-BSE infected monkeys could be compatible models of vCJD and sCJD of human.
Administration of the compound in macaques infected with BSE slowed down the development of neurological and psychological symptoms. The de novo rational design of chaperone compounds could lead to therapeutics that can bind to different prion protein strains to ameliorate the pathology of Prion disease.- Desired cooperation
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- Disease model of non human primates
- Risk management of wildlife zoonosis
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Associated Science
- Associate professor
- Kayo FURUMOTO
- Research Field
Laboratory Animal Science, Health Science
- Keyword(s)
Animal Welfare, Health Promotion
- Research theme
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- Animal welfare in laboratory animal science
- Health promotion of owner and dog
Outline of research activitiesIn order to conduct animal experiments with due consideration for animal welfare, we are improving to improve experimental techniques and management methods for experimental animals, and the breeding environment. Since we humans and animals can only communicate non-verbally, we are interested in assessing the needs of animals. We are studying pain assessment and temperature management in postoperative mice by setting up an environment that is selective for the animals.
We also view dog walking as a “joint activity between owner and dog,” and research the health promotion of dogs and their owners through dog walking. Dog walking have been reported to have a positive effects on the physical and mental health of dogs and their owners. We are currently researching heat stroke prevention for dog owners and dogs during dog walking from the perspective of safe health promotion.- Desired cooperation
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- Animal Welfare
- Animal Nursing
- Health Promotion