Laboratory of Mammalian Neural Circuits
Iwasato Group
Neuronal circuit development and function in the mouse brain
Faculty
Research Summary
To understand development of complex yet sophisticated neuronal circuits underlying higher brain function of mammals, in-tegrative studies which cover from molecules to whole animals are indispensable. By using a wide range of techniques, such as mouse genetics, molecular biology, in utero electroporation, histology and two-photon in vivo imaging, we are studying mechanisms of development and function of mammalian neuronal circuits. In particular, we are interested in activity-dependent circuit develop-ment during postnatal stages.
(Right) A single layer 4 neuron is labeled by Supernova-RFP and dendritic refinement is analyzed by long-term in vivo two-photon imaging in neonates.
Selected Publications
- Nihashi,A., Nakagawa,N., Sato,T, Yamamoto,M., Wang,L., Ajima,R., Saga,Y., Yoshimura,Y., Kanemaki,M., Iwasato, T. Inducible NMDA receptor knockdown reveals a maintenance phase in dendritic refinement of barrel cortex neurons
- iScience 2025 Aug 15; 28, 113229
- Nakagawa N, Iwasato T. Golgi polarity shift instructs dendritic refinement in the neonatal cortex by mediating NMDA receptor signaling. Cell Rep. 2023 Aug 29;42(8):112843.
- Nakazawa S, Yoshimura Y, Takagi M, Mizuno H, Iwasato T. Developmental Phase Transitions in Spatial Organization of Spontaneous Activity in Postnatal Barrel Cortex Layer 4. J Neurosci. 2020 Sep 30;40(40):7637-7650.
- Nakazawa S, Mizuno H, Iwasato T. Differential dynamics of cortical neuron dendritic trees revealed by long-term in vivo imaging in neonates. Nat Commun. 2018 Aug 6;9(1):3106.