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Neurogenetics Lab
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The lab investigates how RNA abnormalities give rise to intractable neurological diseases.
AboutAbout the lab
Using in-depth RNA biology to uncover the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases
The Neurogenetics Lab aims to clarify which human diseases are associated with abnormalities in RNA metabolism.
The lab focuses on identifying the causes of intractable neurological diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and on establishing treatments.
Students who wish to can learn and conduct research in both molecular biology experiments and bioinformatics for data analysis.
The lab is always recruiting master's and doctoral students, and welcomes those who are eager to work on RNA editing and modification, RNA immunity, or ALS.
Key terms
- RNA editing
- A post-transcriptional modification that converts adenosine to inosine in double-stranded RNA. It is catalyzed by the enzyme ADAR.
- non-coding RNA
- RNA that does not code for proteins. It has been found to regulate transcription and protein expression.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- An intractable disease in which motor neurons are selectively lost and, in many cases, muscle strength throughout the body is lost within a few years.
NewsLab news
A paper by Professor Kawahara and colleagues was published in Journal of Neuroinflammation
A paper by Assistant Professor Murai and colleagues was published in Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.
A paper by Professor Kawahara and colleagues was published in Cell Reports
A paper elucidating the onset mechanism of interferon-induced encephalopathy was published in Cell Reports
A doctoral student received the Osaka University Outstanding Research Award for Female Graduate Students
ResearchResearch themes
The Neurogenetics Lab aims to create and develop a new research field called "RNA pathology," which investigates which human diseases are linked to abnormalities in RNA metabolism. In particular, it focuses on elucidating the causes of intractable neurological diseases such as ALS and on establishing treatments, conducting research from both the wet (molecular biology experiments) and dry (bioinformatics) sides.
*Illustrative imageElucidating RNA function and RNA pathology
Most of the RNA transcribed from about 80% of the human genome is non-coding RNA, which does not code for proteins. Because failures in RNA editing lead to autoimmune diseases, the lab is working to identify the key editing sites.
*Illustrative imageElucidating ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases
ALS is an intractable disease in which motor neurons are selectively lost. Genetic mutations in RNA-binding proteins and other findings suggest that abnormal RNA metabolism underlies the disease. The lab investigates the mechanism of onset using new mouse models, and is also developing treatments in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies.
*Illustrative imageDeveloping methods for omics data analysis
The lab develops new analytical methods (algorithms) to extract meaningful information from the noise in large-scale genetic data. Its work includes cell classification using single-cell data, detection of genomic structural variations, and prediction of RNA higher-order structures.
*Illustrative imageThe transcription factors MRTFs and the cytoskeleton
The MRTF transcription factors collectively regulate the expression of many genes involved in the cytoskeleton and reorganize the actin cytoskeleton. Focusing on cancer cell metastasis and tissue fibrosis, the lab works to elucidate how MRTF activity is controlled and to develop specific inhibitors.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Neurogenetics Lab consist of a professor, an associate professor, assistant professors, visiting faculty, doctoral and master's students, technical assistants, and administrative staff.As of 2026
- ProfessorYukio Kawahara
- Associate ProfessorYuki Kato
- Assistant ProfessorToshiyuki Murai
- Assistant ProfessorTaisuke Nakahama
- Assistant ProfessorAye Ko Ko Minn
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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: “MegaBACE DNA sequencing instrument” Nels A. Olson / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Elucidating RNA function and RNA pathology: “Scheme of transfer RNA (tRNA) charged with an amino acid” OpenStax (Rice University) / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Elucidating ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases: “Motor neurons 4” 乌拉跨氪 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Developing methods for omics data analysis: “RNA secondary structure mascRNA” Ppgardne / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- The transcription factors MRTFs and the cytoskeleton: “Cells with nuclei in blue, mitochondria in green, and the actin cytoskeleton in red ( )” NICHD / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Neurology Lab): “Neuron (100x magnification)” Ns takes photos / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Cardiovascular Medicine Lab): “Mammal heart model 04- FMVZ USP-06” Wagner Souza e Silva / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Psychiatry Lab): “Brain CT Scan for Stroke Diagnosis” Goleisureintl / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Breast and Endocrine Surgery Lab): “TIGR lab Old DNA sequencers” Steve Jurvetson / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
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