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Genetics Lab
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The lab studies how cells compete and cooperate with one another in Drosophila.
AboutAbout the lab
Exploring how cells relate to one another in Drosophila.
The Genetics Group mainly uses Drosophila as a model organism to study how interactions between cells affect tissues and whole organisms.
The lab investigates how tissues of a specific shape and size are formed, how homeostasis of tissues and whole organisms is maintained, and how cancer initiation and progression are triggered.
It has become clear that cells do not only cooperate but also compete with one another for survival, and this "cell competition" is also a subject of study.
In addition to genetic approaches and live imaging, the lab also uses mathematical and physical models in its research.
Key terms
- Drosophila
- Drosophila (fruit fly): an insect used as a model organism that is well suited to analysis at the whole-organism level. It is suitable for molecular genetic analysis and live imaging
- Cell competition
- Cell competition: a phenomenon in which cells compete with one another for survival. Winners and losers are determined, and the losers are eliminated from the tissue
- Imaginal disc
- Imaginal disc: a structure made of a folded epithelial sheet. It extends to become external structures of insects such as wings and legs
- Cell turnover
- Cell turnover: the replacement of cells through cell death and cell proliferation
NewsLab news
A PhD student won the Young Investigator Excellent Presentation Award from the Japan Society for Cell Biology
Paper: A paper by a PhD student was accepted by Communications Biology
A master's student won the Outstanding Presentation Award (1st place, Molecular) at the Biophysics and Biochemistry Master's Thesis Presentation
A PhD student won the Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at GTR
Paper: A paper by a PhD student was accepted by Current Biology
ResearchResearch themes
It has become clear that cells do not only cooperate but also compete with one another for survival. Using Drosophila, this lab investigates how tissues are formed, tissue homeostasis, and the initiation and progression of cancer through genetics and live imaging.
*Illustrative imageHow folded tissues take shape
The external morphology of insects, such as wings, legs, and horns, is formed when folded imaginal discs extend three-dimensionally. The lab studies the regulation of fold formation and unfolding at the molecular level and, through collaboration, builds mathematical models, aiming to uncover the basic principles of morphogenesis.
*Illustrative imageMolecular basis and physiological functions of cell competition
Cell competition has been reported to be involved in regulating the size of tissues and organs, maintaining homeostasis, and both suppressing and promoting cancer, but many aspects remain unclear. Using Drosophila genetics, the lab analyzes its molecular mechanisms and its roles in development and cancer control.
*Illustrative imageCancer initiation and progression through cell-cell interactions
It has become clear that, in addition to genetic changes, interactions between oncogenic cells and the cells surrounding them play an important role in cancer initiation and progression. Using Drosophila models of tumor malignancy, the lab studies the role and molecular mechanisms of blood cell lineage cells (hemocytes) that respond to groups of oncogenic cells.
*Illustrative imageHow tissues are built to withstand perturbation
It is thought that tissues of a defined shape and size are ultimately formed even in the face of gene mutations or environmental changes. The lab has shown that the wing imaginal disc has a mechanism that forms a wing of normal shape and size through cell turnover. The lab aims to uncover the molecular basis of this mechanism, as well as unknown regulatory systems other than cell turnover.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Genetics Group consist of faculty, PhD, master's, and undergraduate students, technical assistants, and a secretary.As of 2026
- ProfessorShizue Ohsawa
- Assistant ProfessorYoshimase Yagi
- Project Assistant ProfessorHaruka Hiraoka
- Project Assistant ProfessorNanami Akai
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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: “Culture vials of Drosophila melanogaster in Unifei” Mateus S. Figueiredo / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- How folded tissues take shape: “Close wing position mud-puddling and peeing activity of Papilio slateri (Hewitson,1859) – Blue-striped Mime (Male)” Atanu Bose Photography / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Molecular basis and physiological functions of cell competition: “Drosophila imaginal discs” J. Albert Vallunen (albval) / CC BY-SA 2.5 (cropped)
- Cancer initiation and progression through cell-cell interactions: “Drosophila busckii larva” Caroline Harding, MAF / CC BY 3.0 au (cropped)
- How tissues are built to withstand perturbation: “Complex Drosophila melanogaster wing 10x” Kieran Roy Powell / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (内分
泌シグナル研究): “Drosophila melanogaster under a microscope 01” Gannu03 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped) - Related lab (細胞時
空間統御): “Elodea cells under microscope” ~delta / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped) - Related lab (多細胞秩序): “Plant Tissue Culture Lab - Atlanta Botanical Garden” Daderot / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (細胞構造学): “Physcomitrella Sporophyt” Manuel Mildner & Annette Hohe / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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