Our body consists of tens of trillions of cells, and exocytosis plays a crucial role in cellular communication. We are focusing on the smallest (~ 40 nm in diameter) and the fastest (within 1 ms) exocytosis in our body, i.e., exocytosis of the synaptic vesicles. We aim to elucidate how this tiny biological reaction varies in different brain regions or under different circumstances to generate different properties of neural circuits.

​

The main focus is the neuron's exocytosis mechanism in the rodent's central nervous system. To precisely measure the synaptic vesicles, of which the diameter is only ~ 40 nm, fuse with the presynaptic plasma membrane, we mainly use electrophysiology and live imaging techniques. In addition, we are incorporating techniques such as super-resolution microscopy to visualize the molecular organization at the nanometer level and morphological methods to visualize the wiring of neural circuits on a single-fiber level.

By compiling these techniques to investigate differences between different neurons and plastic changes resulting from development, adaptation, and learning, we aim to unveil how variations in exocytosis properties affect neural circuits and even higher brain functions. We aim to bridge our study to creating therapeutic strategies for developmental and mental disorders, neurorehabilitation, and beyond.

​