LAB LOGA page on LabLog, a review site (not the lab's official page)
Molecular Neurobiology Lab
Machine-translated · View original
The lab explores, at the molecular level, how neural circuits are formed.
AboutAbout the lab
Understanding how neural circuits form, at the molecular level
The Masu Lab, part of the Molecular Neurobiology group, aims to clarify the molecular mechanisms that build neural circuits.
Brain function rests on neural circuits formed during the fetal period, but how these circuits form is still not well understood.
The lab studies the molecules and genes that control the process from neuronal differentiation through axon guidance and the formation of specific synapses to the acquisition of neural function.
Based on molecular biology, the lab uses developmental engineering techniques in mice and zebrafish.
Key terms
- Axon guidance
- The mechanism by which axons extending from neurons are guided toward their target locations.
- Heparan sulfate
- A type of sugar chain. Changes in how sulfate groups are attached are thought to be involved in regulating extracellular signals.
- Knockout mouse
- A mouse in which a specific gene has been disrupted so that it no longer functions. Used to study the role the gene plays in the body.
NewsLab news
Lecturer Kazuko Masu's paper published in Experimental Animals
Assistant Professor Takuya Okada's paper published in Developmental Dynamics
Paper from a collaboration with the Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, published and featured on the university website
Researcher's paper from a collaboration with the Jikei University School of Medicine published in eNeuro
Paper from a collaboration with the University of Toyama published in eLife
ResearchResearch themes
The lab studies the formation of neural circuits, including neuronal differentiation, axon guidance, and the formation of specific synapses, from the perspective of the functions of molecules and genes. Using developmental engineering techniques in mice and zebrafish, it aims to clarify the functions of the molecules that underlie the formation and function of the nervous system.
*Illustrative imageA Novel Enzyme That Alters Heparan Sulfate
The lab discovered SulfFP, a novel enzyme expressed specifically in floor plate cells, which play a central role in neural development. It is thought to selectively remove the sulfate group at position 6 of heparan sulfate outside the cell and to take part in regulating signaling. The lab is now studying its function in vivo.
*Illustrative imageIn Vivo Function of Autotaxin
Autotaxin, a secreted protein, is known to be involved in the synthesis of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) outside the cell, but its function in vivo remains unclear. Analysis of knockout mice revealed abnormal lysosome formation in yolk sac cells.
*Illustrative imageAxon Guidance of Motor Neurons
Using mutant mice with abnormal axon trajectories of spinal motor neurons, the lab analyzes the mechanisms that regulate axon guidance at the organismal and genetic levels.
*Illustrative imageMigration of Precerebellar Neurons
Precerebellar neurons form nuclei in the brainstem and project to the cerebellum. They are born in the dorsal hindbrain during the fetal period and migrate over long distances. To clarify the mechanism of this migration, the lab fluorescently labels cells in mouse embryos and observes them.
MembersFaculty
The Masu Lab consists of faculty members, visiting researchers, students in the Degree Program in Medical Sciences, students in the College of Medical Sciences, technical staff, and secretaries.As of 2026
- ProfessorMasayuki Masu
- LecturerKazuko Masu
- Assistant ProfessorTakuya Okada
VoicesStudent voices
Ratings and reviews reflect the experiences of individual current or former students, not the lab's official views. Whether a lab has reviews, or how many, says nothing about the lab itself.
Students who take part in an interview may receive a thank-you gift worth ¥1,000, regardless of what they say.
Student ratings (0 students)
--
--
--
--
--
--
Student voices answer questions like these
- What's great about this lab?
- What did you learn after joining?
- What's the vibe, and what is the professor like?
- Who is this lab for?
- Where do graduates go?
Your experience can help younger students choose their lab. Your name won't be shown.
Write a lab reviewAnonymous · Your draft is saved if you stopRelatedLabs similar to Molecular Neurobiology Lab
Sleep Neuroscience (WPI-IIIS) LabSchool of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medicine(1) Activity dynamics of the thalamus and cortex underlying …
Vascular Matrix Biology (TARA) LabSchool of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of MedicineIdentification of novel extracellular matrix (ECM) component…
Connective Tissue Disease, Rheumatology, and Allergy LabSchool of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of MedicineMolecular-level elucidation of the pathogenesis of autoimmun…
Molecular Behavioral Physiology Lab (WPI-IIIS)School of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Medicine1) Elucidating the structure and function of neural circuits…The information on this page is compiled by the LabLog team from the lab's public information and interviews. For corrections or removal requests, please contact LabLog, not the lab.
Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Rattus norvegicus silver nitrate stained and pseudocolored cortical neurons” Micromural123 / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- A Novel Enzyme That Alters Heparan Sulfate: “Biochemistry laboratory MPI-CBG-panorama” Masur / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- In Vivo Function of Autotaxin: “Human Yolk Sac from Tubal Pregnancy ( )” Ed Uthman from Houston, TX, USA / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Axon Guidance of Motor Neurons: “Nervous Tissue Spinal Cord Motor Neuron ( )” Berkshire Community College Bioscience Image Library / CC0 (cropped)
- Migration of Precerebellar Neurons: “Observing Ocular Tissue under Laser Scanning Microscope ( )” National Eye Institute / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (睡眠神経科学
（WPI-IIIS） ): “Sleeping cat 04” Bluemix / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped) - Related lab (血管マトリクス生物学
（TARA） ): “Technicians examine tissue culture” Unknown photographer / Public domain (cropped) - Related lab (膠原病リウマチアレルギー内科学): “U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas C. Sullivan Jr., a laboratory technician assigned to the 319th Medical Support Squadron, places a medical sample into a test tube rack at the medical laboratory on Grand Forks 130522-F-JB669-061” Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (分子
行動生理学 （WPI-ⅢS） ): “Dog sleeping in a dog bed” Tomwsulcer / CC0 (cropped)
About LabLog
LabLog is a lab review app for students only. Student members at each university interview students in labs and publish what they say. Student voices can only be read by students who sign up with a university email address. Operated by bestiee Inc.
Learn more about LabLog ↗Search engines and AI may reference the basic lab info and rating summaries on this page and the description of LabLog. Student voices are for student members only. Automated collection by programs (scraping, or input to or training of AI) is prohibited under Article 8 of the Terms of Service. If you need data for research or analysis, please contact us.