Core Laboratories
Laboratory of Innovational Biology

Theme
Evolutionary genetics, Molecular biology
Keyword
Mimicry, Metamorphosis, Chromosome
Introduction
The main projects currently underway in the laboratory are as follows.
1.What is LINE? Elucidation and application of the retrotransposition mechanism of retrotransposon (LINE)
2.Unusual insect telomeres: mechanisms of targeting telomeres and their evolutionary background
3.Are swallowtail larvae bird droppings? molecular mechanism of mimicry pattern formation on the surface of insects (Photo 1)
For details, please see the homepage of the laboratory.
In addition to these studies, we are also studying the molecular mechanism and survival strategy of Batesian mimicry of swallowtail butterflies, Papilio polytes, which inhabit in Okinawa Islands in Japan (Photo 2). Only a part of females of Papilio polytes mimics a poisonous butterfly Pachliopta aristolochiae. This female-limited Batesian mimicry is controlled by a supergene composed of multiple genes. By comparing the mimicry supergene of the closely related species Papilio memnon, we are trying to reveal the adaptation strategy, evolutionary background, and the mystery of supergene construction.
Biography
2004 – present Professor, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo |
1999 – 2004 Associate Professor, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo |
1995 – 1999 Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo |
1992 – 1993 Research Associate, Department of Zoology, University of Washington |
1989 – 1995 Lecturer, Zoological Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo, |
1986 – 1989 Researcher, National Institute of Health Japan |
1986 Ph.D. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo |
1983 M. Sc. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo |
1981 B. Sc. Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo |