Message
Nobuhiko Kojima, Professor
How is the mind created, where and how does the mind exist?
It is now well accepted that the mind is created in the brain, not in the heart. Like any other organs, the brain is composed of cells and molecules. Genes, the blueprints of life, generate molecules that govern the synaptic connection among neurons and create complex neural networks. Thus, the synapses, as a place of information processing, are critical for creating the mind.
A large number of molecules accumulate at the synapse and support synaptic functions. However, the molecular mechanism underlying synaptic functions is not fully understood yet. Unlike electronic circuits, neural circuits can be added, lost or changed through various experiences. This unique feature of the brain, known as "plasticity," enables learning and memory. However, disturbance in the plasticity may cause various psychiatric disorders.
We aim to clarify the molecular mechanism of synaptic plasticity, which can be considered as a neural basis of the mind, by investigating the synaptic functions at a molecular, cellular, and behavioral levels.
For applicants
Different from electrical circuits, the synaptic connections in the brain are variable and are the fundamentals of the plastic structure of the brain. Although synaptic plasticity is a well-established phenomenon, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. However, there is considerable scope for further research. Hence, for those who wish to join us, we would like you to explore these mechanisms with a creative and challenging spirit that is not bound by existing concepts.