Study on effects of the space environment on brain structures and functions of model vertebrate zebrafish – Publicly Invited Research 2016－2017

  1. A01 Akiyama
  2. A01 Ochi
  3. A01 Chatani
  4. A01 Seiki
  5. A01 Nikawa
  6. A01 Kawakami
  7. A01 Tomita
  8. A01 Honda
  1. A02 Shinohara
  2. A02 Maekawa
  3. A02 Ohgami
  4. A02 Nishimura
  5. A02 Kawano
  6. A02 Iwase
  7. A02 Furuichi
  8. A02 Myung
  9. A02 Kitamura
  1. A03 Nakamura
  2. A03 Harada
  3. A03 Ide
  4. A03 Shirai
  5. A03 Kakinuma
  1. B01 Lazarus
  2. B01 Miwa
  3. B01 Kunieda
  4. B01 Shimada
  5. B01 Kitaya
  6. B01 Sawano
Research Subject Study on effects of the space environment on brain structures and functions of model vertebrate zebrafish
Research Group Leader
Koichi Kawakami
  • Koichi Kawakami
    Professor, National Institute of Genetics
Research Collaborator(s)
  • Akira Muto
    Assistant Professor, National Institute of Genetics

It is not well known how low-gravity environments, such as outer space, affect brain functions and gene expression. Thus, it is important to investigate this mystery using a vertebrate experimental system. In this project, we will study the effects of the space environment on brain functions and structures by using a small teleost zebrafish. First, we will identify the genes whose expression levels in the brain or in specific regions of the brain are affected by the space environment. Second, we will analyze how such changes affect brain functions and structures by creating transgenic fish for genes having increased expression levels, and by knocking-out functions for genes having decreased expression levels. As a preliminary study, we will create transgenic fish useful for our analysis and perform basic characterization regarding the relationship between brain structure and behavior.