Study on effects of the space environment on brain structures and functions of model vertebrate zebrafish – Publicly Invited Research 2018－2019

  1. A01 Ogura
  2. A01 H. Takahashi
  3. A01 S. Takahashi
  4. A01 Michiue
  5. A01 Hinoi
  6. A01 Tsumoto
  7. A01 Nikawa
  8. A01 Chatani
  9. A01 Kawakami
  10. A01 Akiyama
  11. A01 Tomita
  1. A02 Shinohara
  2. A02 Mieda
  3. A02 Maekawa
  4. A02 Abe
  5. A02 Ohgami
  6. A02 Kawano
  7. A02 Takano
  1. A03 Suzuki
  2. A03 Nakamura
  3. A03 Harada
  4. A03 Kobayashi
  5. A03 Miyamoto
  6. A03 Funayama
  7. A03 Kakinuma
  1. B01 Lazarus
  2. B01 Kato
  3. B01 Kunieda
  4. B01 Kitaya
  5. B01 Sawano
Research Subject Study on effects of the space environment on brain structures and functions of model vertebrate zebrafish
Research Group Leader
name
Koichi Kawakami
Professor, National Institute of Genetics
Website
https://www.nig.ac.jp/nig/ja/ (*Written in Japanese)
http://ztrap.nig.ac.jp
Research Collaborator(s)
  • Hideyuki Tanabe
    Researcher, National Institute of Genetics
  • Yuri Kotani
    Researcher, National Institute of Genetics

It is not well known how low-gravity environment, such as low earth orbit, 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 which 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 studies on the ground, we will create transgenic fish useful for the above mentioned analyses, and perform basic characterization regarding the relationship between brain structures and behaviors.