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Terada Lab
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The lab uncovers at the molecular level how cells divide.
AboutAbout the lab
Decoding the moment of cell division at the molecular level.
The Terada Lab studies at the molecular level the mechanisms by which chromosomes are correctly separated when a cell divides.
During mitosis, a device called the spindle is built, which divides the replicated chromosomes equally to both sides.
The lab is clarifying, one by one, the roles of the proteins that control the spindle, the centrosomes, and chromatin, which influences gene expression.
Because disruptions in these mechanisms lead cells to become cancerous, this work also leads to finding targets for new anticancer drugs.
Key terms
- Spindle
- A molecular device that divides replicated chromosomes equally to both sides when a cell divides
- Centrosome
- A small structure inside a cell that serves as the starting point of the spindle. It is replicated in step with the cell cycle
- Chromatin
- A structure made of DNA combined with proteins. How loosely it is unwound changes how genes function
ResearchResearch themes
For cells to multiply, chromosomes must be replicated and correctly divided. The lab is clarifying the molecular mechanisms that control the spindle and centrosomes, which distribute chromosomes equally during mitosis, and chromatin, which influences gene expression.
*Illustrative imageHow the Spindle Forms
The spindle is formed when microtubules extend from the two replicated centrosomes and separate into two poles through the force of motor proteins. The lab finds binding proteins of Aurora-A, a mitotic kinase that plays a central role in this formation, and uses their functions to clarify the detailed molecular mechanism.
*Illustrative imageCentrosome Maturation and Duplication
To build a normal spindle, a cell must go through both centrosome duplication and maturation. The lab clarifies the molecular mechanisms of these two processes and aims to uncover the functions of the centrosome, many of which are still unknown. Abnormalities in centrosomes also lead cells to become cancerous.
*Illustrative imageChromatin and Epigenetics
Cells with the same DNA show diverse characteristics because acquired modifications to chromatin and the proteins that control chromatin structure regulate gene expression. The lab is investigating the significance of this regulation being released during mitosis.
*Illustrative imageFinding Gene Functions with Gene Libraries
Through expression cloning, in which gene libraries that comprehensively collect genomic fragments and cDNAs are introduced into cultured human cells, the lab directly links genes to their functions. It also uses this approach to analyze genes that hold the key to aging.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Terada Lab consist of faculty and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorYasuhiko Terada
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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: “Mitosis in Onion Root various stages (Metaphase)” Natalierussell77 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- How the Spindle Forms: “Kinetochore” Afunguy / Public domain (cropped)
- Centrosome Maturation and Duplication: “Centrosome 1 - Two centrioles -- Smart-Servier” Laboratoires Servier / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Chromatin and Epigenetics: “HeLa cells stained with Hoechst 33258” TenOfAllTrades / Public domain (cropped)
- Finding Gene Functions with Gene Libraries: “Petri dish 2” Drhx / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (中井研究室): “Benzene IBO” Alicesu / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (井村研究室): “Front of 4th century CE Roman Lycurgus Cup, British Museum (1958,1202.1)” Chappsnet / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (清野研究室): “Pentane space filling model 8273” Bin im Garten / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Sakti研究室): “All-solid lithium-sulfur battery ( )” Oak Ridge National Laboratory / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
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