Introduction to Multicellular Organizaton Laboratory
Multicellular Organization Laboratory
Structual Biology Center
National Institute of Genetics
Mishima, 411-8540
Japan
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last modified on October 10, 2008
How the shape and behavior of multicellular organisms are determined by
genetic information is one of the most fundamental problems in biology. We are
studying some aspects of this problem by isolating and characterizing various
mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Characterization of mutants
includes cloning and expression of the genes, epistasis experiments to learn the
order of gene action, isolation of suppressor mutations, investigation of their
phenotype using light microscopes, etc.
At present we are investigating the following subjects. (1) analysis of mutants in the learning with odorants and food/starvation, (2) analysis of behavioral changes after prolonged exposure to "uncomfortable" stimuli, (3) genetic analysis of sensory information processing as assayed by the formation of dauer larvae, (4) control of defecation behavior, growth, and sensory signals by flr genes, which probably act in the intestine.
Taking advantage of C.elegans, in which all the cell-lineages and the
structure of the neural circuitry are known, we hope to elucidate the molecular
and cellular mechanisms of development and behavior so clearly and strictly that
the results can be used as a firm basis for understanding other species
including humans.
