Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505 JAPAN
☎ 88-880-2307

Members

Masahiro YamaguchiProfessor
I first came across olfactory system research while researching neuronal regeneration. Olfactory research has excellent model systems for studying the brain’s universal mechanisms such as neural plasticity, learning memory, and emotional development. There is no doubt that this field of research will lead the world of neuroscience and we hope to contribute as much as we can to this development.
E-mail:yamaguchi►kochi-u.ac.jp(please change the ► to an @)
Tel: 088-880-2305
Mutsuo TaniguchiAssociate Professor
In my research, I analyze the electrical activity between mitral cells and granule cells in accessory olfactory bulb slices using the patch clamp technique.
Yoshihiro MurataLecturer (On-Campus)
I am interested in chemical senses and their related behaviors. One of my research interests has been in the sensory mechanisms of taste, a key determinant for feeding behavior. Since I moved to this lab, my research interests have also included the mechanisms of olfactory memory that affects social and emotional behavior.
Shogo ShimizuLecturer (On-Campus)
Hideto KabaDesignated Professor
After retiring in March of 2016, I asked Professor Yamaguchi and the other staff to allow me to remain in the department. Now, I continue my research of individual recognition in the separate Comprehensive Research Building. I hope for your guidance and encouragement from now on.
Fumino OkutaniProfessor,
Department of Occupational Health
Before I moved to the Nursing Course, my research was focused on synaptic plasticity in the main olfactory bulb underlying aversive olfactory learning in young rats. Now I am interested in human olfaction. Through clinical study on olfactory impairment, I would like to develop olfactory rehabilitation as the latest treatment.
Naoko TodaAdministrative Staff
Md.Monjurul AhasanPostdoctral Fellow
Our department challenging to the development of neuroscience through neural plasticity, learning memory, and emotional development by using neural circuit mechanisms. It’s really exciting matter that odor input induced emotion and motivation in the brain which helps people to live happily and comfortably in this world. Our laboratory also try to improve the quality of life after maturity of the brain by using this neural circuit mechanism. My research focuses on the molecular mechanism of neural circuit.
Hiroko Fujita
I am interested in the molecular mechanisms of pheromonal recognition memory, one of the chemical communication methods between animals. Recently mated female mice in the critical period show different reproductive outcomes depending on the male they encounter; pregnancy block to a foreign male and pregnancy success to a familiar male.
I’m studying to find the candidate molecules involved in this process by applying several approaches of behavioral, immunohistochemical and electrophysiological studies on gene knockout mice.
I hope our findings will lead to clinical applications in the near future.
Md.Fazley Rabbi ShaGraduate Student
The word “Olfaction” links to neuroscience. Olfaction plays an important role for the development of behaviors and related neuronal circuit. Depending on the experience of olfaction the neuronal circuit plastically changes, which induces different emotions and motivated behaviors. These motivated behaviors help animals to sustain life in the world.
In my study I will focus on the experience dependent changes in olfactory behavior and related neuronal circuit and wish to contribute to the therapeutic development of many diseases related to olfaction.
Yutaka YanoGraduate Student
My research focuses on the effect olfactory stimulation (which affects feeding behavior) has in relation to motor functions and posture control. More specifically, through analysis of FRT levels and fMRI brain activity before and after exposure to a seasoning or spice, I hope to prove the medical benefits of cooking as a form of occupational therapy for stroke patients.
Junichi InatomiGraduate Student
I am studying the influence of attention focusing difference on Posutural control and Motor learning.I believe that if it helps rehabilitation to people suffering from stroke and cerebral palsy by being clarified.   
Yuriko KogaGraduate Student
I majored in psychology in my undergraduate and investigated how odor influenced people. This experience has led me to have an interest in olfactory mechanism. In master course, I would like to conduct research on plasticity of neurons in the olfactory neural circuit.
Michiyo MuramastuGraduate Student
  
Kazuyuki OmoriGraduate Student
My research theme is to determine how motor learning can be improved using the neural plasticity of the brain. My hope is that this research in motor learning can be applied in medicine.
Kiwamu ShibanoStudent
Yoshitake OkanoStudent
Norihiro NishiyamaStudent
My name is Norihiro Nishiyama and I am a 2nd year student at Kochi Medical School. I am currently a member of the Physiology Department through the Innovative and Translational Medicine Course. I haven’t yet decided on my research topic but I am considering research in the relationship between olfaction and emotion.
I have been playing softball since elementary school and love softball more than my three meals a day.
Kazuko YokoiStudent
 Emi OhtaStudent
Takaaki SanoStudent
 Shion TomonagaStudent
Mahiro NiinumaStudent
Sakura YamaokaStudent