TAKAHIRO CHIHARA

Last Updated :2026/07/06

Affiliations, Positions
Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Professor
E-mail
tchiharahiroshima-u.ac.jp
Self-introduction
I am trying to reveal the molecular mechanism how nervous system regulates animal behavior and physiology by using fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.

Basic Information

Major Professional Backgrounds

  • 2019/04/01, Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Professor
  • 2016/03/28, 2019/03/31, Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Science, Department of Biological Science, Professor
  • 2013/10, 2016/03/27, The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Associate Professor
  • 2010/08, 2013/09, The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lecturer
  • 2009/10, 2013/03, JST, PRESTO, PRESTO Researcher
  • 2007/04, 2010/07, The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assistant Professor
  • 2006/04, 2007/03, The University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assistant Professor
  • 2001/04, 2002/01, National Institute of Genetics, Lab for Invertebrate Genetics, JSPS Research Fellow (PD)
  • 2002/02, 2004/01, Stanford University, Department of Biological Science, JST young scientist abroad
  • 2004/02, 2006/01, Stanford University, Department of Biological Science, JSPS Research Fellow abroad
  • 2006/02, 2006/03, Stanford University, Department of Biological Science, Stanford University postdoc fellow

Academic Degrees

  • Kumamoto University
  • The Graduate University for Advanced Studies

Educational Activity

  • [Bachelor Degree Program] School of Science : Biological Sciences : Biology
  • [Master's Program] Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life : Division of Integrated Sciences for Life : Program of Basic Biology
  • [Master's Program] Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life : Division of Integrated Sciences for Life : Program of Biomedical Science
  • [Doctoral Program] Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life : Division of Integrated Sciences for Life : Program of Basic Biology
  • [Doctoral Program] Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life : Division of Integrated Sciences for Life : Program of Biomedical Science

In Charge of Primary Major Programs

  • Biology

Research Fields

  • Biology;Biological Science;Developmental biology
  • Biology;Biological Science;Cell biology
  • Biological Sciences;Neuroscience;Neurophysiology / General neuroscience

Research Keywords

  • Olfaction, Aging, Animal development, Innate immunity, animal behavior, Sleep, Neural network, Transmembrane protein, Cancer, ALS, Drosophila

Affiliated Academic Societies

  • Japanese Society for Developmental Society, The Japan Society for Neurochemistry, The Japan Neuroscience Society, The Molecular Biology Society of Japan, The Japanese Biochemical Society, Japan Society for Cell Biology, Society for Neuroscience, Genetic Society of America, American Society for Cell Biology

Educational Activity

Course in Charge

  1. 2026, Liberal Arts Education Program1, 1Term, Fundamentals of Biology
  2. 2026, Liberal Arts Education Program1, 3Term, Introduction to Biology
  3. 2026, Undergraduate Education, 4Term, Introduction to Biological Sciences B
  4. 2026, Liberal Arts Education Program1, 2Term, Introductory Seminar for First-Year Students
  5. 2026, Undergraduate Education, 2Term, Advanced Biology
  6. 2026, Undergraduate Education, Second Semester, Seminar for Cell Biology
  7. 2026, Undergraduate Education, First Semester, Special Study for Graduation
  8. 2026, Undergraduate Education, Second Semester, Special Study for Graduation
  9. 2026, Undergraduate Education, 1Term, Molecular Cell Biology
  10. 2026, Undergraduate Education, Second Semester, Practice for Fundamental Biology IV
  11. 2026, Undergraduate Education, 2Term, Special Lectures in Biological Science(Reverse-genetic approach to discover new molecular regulatory mechanisms)
  12. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Year, Research for Academic Degree Dissertation in Basic Biology
  13. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 1Term, Cellular life science
  14. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , First Semester, Exercises in Basic Biology A
  15. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Second Semester, Exercises in Basic Biology B
  16. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar A
  17. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar B
  18. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 3Term, Introduction to Disease Models
  19. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Year, Research for Academic Degree Dissertation in Biomedial Science
  20. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 2Term, Special Lecture on Biomedical Science
  21. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , First Semester, Exercises in Biomedical Science A
  22. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Second Semester, Exercises in Biomedical Science B
  23. 2026, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar C
  24. 2026, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , Year, Research for Academic Degree Dissertation in Integrated Life Sciences
  25. 2026, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar D
  26. 2026, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar E
  27. 2026, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 4Term, Introduction to Genetics and Genomics

Research Activities

Academic Papers

  1. ★, The Hippo tumor suppressor pathway triggers non-cell autonomous tumorigenesis in Drosophila, EMBO Reports, 27, 2915-2946, 20260501
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  2. Characterization of Heat Shock Protein Expression and Its Application to Temporal Gene Expression in the Nematode Pristionchus pacificus, DEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, 68(2), 202602
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  3. ★, The Vap33 signaling axis precisely coordinates the timing of motoneuron dendritogenesis in neural map development, NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 16(1), 202512
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  4. ★, Generation of Odorant Receptor-QF2 Knock-In Drivers for Improved Analysis of Olfactory Circuits in Drosophila, Genes to Cells, 30, e70028, 2025
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  5. The Nematode Pristionchus pacificus Requires the Gβ and Gγ Proteins for Light Adaptation but Not for Light Avoidance, ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 42(1), 15-15, 202502
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  6. cGMP-dependent pathway and a GPCR kinase are required for photoresponse in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, PLOS GENETICS, 20(11), 202411
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  7. ★, Secretion of endoplasmic reticulum protein VAPB/ALS8 requires topological inversion, NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 15(1), 20241010
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  8. ★, Akaluc/AkaLumine bioluminescence system enables highly sensitive, non-invasive and temporal monitoring of gene expression in Drosophila, COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY, 6, 1270, 20231214
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  9. Co-option of an Astacin Metalloprotease Is Associated with an Evolutionarily Novel Feeding Morphology in a Predatory Nematode, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 40(12), 20231201
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  10. Damage sensing mediated by serine proteases Hayan and Persephone for Toll pathway activation in apoptosis-deficient flies, PLOS Genetics, 2023
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  11. Crosstalk between the mTOR and Hippo pathways, Development, Growth and Differentiation, 2023
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  12. Dynamin-2 regulates microtubule stability via an endocytosis-independent mechanism, CYTOSKELETON, 79(9-11), 94-104, 202209
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  13. Ubiquitin proteasome system in circadian rhythm and sleep homeostasis: Lessons from Drosophila, Genes to Cells, 27(6), 381-391, 202206
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  14. ★, Endoplasmic reticulum proteins Meigo and Gp93 govern dendrite targeting by regulating Toll-6 localization, Developmental Biology, 484, 30-39, 202204
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  15. Systemic innate immune response induces death of olfactory receptor neurons in Drosophila, Genes to Cells, 27(2), 113-123, 202202
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  16. Efficient visual screening of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Development, Growth & differentiation, 63(9), 488-500, 20211123
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  17. ★, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated Vap33 is required for maintaining neuronal dendrite morphology and organelle distribution in Drosophila, Genes to Cells, 26(4), 230-239, 202104
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  18. Different combinations of serotonin receptors regulate predatory and bacterial feeding behaviors in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, G3:Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 11(2), jkab011, 20210120
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  19. Serotonergic modulation of feeding behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans and other related nematodes, Neuroscience Research, 154, 9-19, 202005
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  20. Screening for CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations using a co-injection marker in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Development Genes and evolution, 230(3), 257-264, 202005
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  21. ROS regulate caspase-dependent cell delamination without apoptosis in the Drosophila pupal notum, iScience, 23(8), 101413
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  22. Impairment of cytokinesis by cancer-associated DAPK3 mutations, Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 553(4), 1095-1101, 20201217
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  23. Non-apoptotic function of Drosophila caspase activation in epithelial thorax closure and wound healing, Development, 146(4), 201902
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  24. Nanopore Formation in the Cuticle of an Insect Olfactory Sensillum, Current Biology, 29(9), 1512-+, 20190506
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  25. Multiple functions of the ER-resident VAP and its extracellular role in neural development and disease, Journal of Biochemistry, 165(5), 391-400, 201905
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  26. Dronc-independent basal executioner caspase activity sustains Drosophila imaginal tissue growth., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, in press, 201909
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  27. ESCRT-III mediates budding across the inner nuclear membrane and regulates its integrity, NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 9, 20180823
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  28. ★, Dendritic Eph organizes dendrodendritic segregation in discrete olfactory map formation in Drosophila, GENES & DEVELOPMENT, 31(10), 1054-1065, 20170515
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  29. Role of the STRIPAK complex and the Hippo pathway in synaptic terminal formation, Neural Regen Res, 12, 578-579, 2017
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  30. Tissue non-autonomous effects of fat body methionine metabolism on imaginal disc repair in Drosophila., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 113, 1835-1840, 2016
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  31. ★, Hierarchical axon targeting of Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons specified by the proneural transcription factors Atonal and Amos., Genes to Cells, 21, 53-64, 2016
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  32. ★, The Strip-Hippo pathway regulates synaptic terminal formation by modulating actin organization at the Drosophila neuromuscular synapses, Cell Reports, 16, 2289-2297, 2016
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  33. Biallelic TBCD Mutations Cause Early-Onset Neurodegenerative Encephalopathy, Am J Hum Genet, 99(4), 950-961, 20161006
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  34. Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-linked Mutations in Profilin 1 Exacerbate TDP-43-induced Degeneration in the Retina of Drosophila melanogaster through an Increase in the Cytoplasmic Localization of TDP-43., J Biol Chem, 291, 23464-23476, 2016
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  35. Function of pioneer neurons specified by the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor atonal in neural development., Neural Regen Res, 11, 1394-1395, 2016
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  36. ★, A STRIPAK component Strip regulates neuronal morphogenesis by affecting microtubule stability., Scientific Reports, 5, 17769, 2015
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  37. The roles of tubulin-folding cofactors in neuronal morphogenesis and disease., Neural Regeneration Research, 10(9), 1388-1389, 2015
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  38. ★, Linking cell surface receptors to microtubules: tubulin folding cofactor D mediates Dscam functions during neuronal morphogenesis., The Journal of Neuroscience, 35(5), 1979-1990, 2015
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  39. Drosophila Strip serves as a platform for early endosome organization during axon elongation., Nature Communications, 5, 5180, 2014
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  40. ★, Caspase inhibition in select olfactory neurons restores innate attraction behavior in aged Drosophila., PLOS Genetics, 10(6), e1004437, 2014
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  41. ★, Development of olfactory projection neuron dendrites that contribute to wiring specificity of the Drosophila olfactory circuit., Genes and Genetic Systems, 89(1), 17-26, 2014
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  42. RNA binding mediates neurotoxicity in the transgenic Drosophila model of TDP-43 proteinopathy, Hum. Mol. Genet., 22, 4474-4484, 2013
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  43. ★, Meigo governs dendrite targeting specificity by modulating Ephrin level and N-glycosylation, Nature Neuroscience, 16, 683-689, 2013
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  44. Prevention of apoptosis by mitochondrial phosphatase PGAM5 in the mushroom body is crucial for heat shock resistance in Drosophila melanogaster, PLOS ONE, 7, e30265, 2012
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  45. Histon deacetylase Rpd3 regulates olfactory projection neuron dendrite targeting via the transcription factor Prospero, The Journal of Neuroscience, 21, 9939-9946, 2010
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  46. Lineage-specific effects of Notch/Numb signaling in post-embryonic development of the Drosophila brain, Development, 137, 43-51, 2010
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  47. ★, Organelles in developing neurons: essential regulators of neuronal morphogenesis and function, Int. J. Dev. Biol., 53, 19-27, 2009
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  48. ★, Cytoplasmic and mitochondrial protein translation in axonal and dendritic terminal arborization, Nature Neuroscience, 10, 828-837, 2007
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  49. Wiring stability of the adult Drosophila olfactory circuit after lesion, The Journal of Neuroscience, 26, 3367-3376, 2006
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  50. Hedgehog and Decapentaplegic instruct polarized growth of cell extensions in the Drosophila trachea, Development, 131, 5253-5261, 2004
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  51. Like poles repel: Molecular mechanisms of dendritic tiling, Cell, 119, 148-149, 2004
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  52. Rac promotes epithelial cell rearrangement during tracheal tubulogenesis in Drosophila, Development, 130, 1419-1428, 2003
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  53. Control of tracheal tubulogenesis by Wingless signaling, Development, 127, 4433-4442, 2000
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  54. Myeloid ELF-1-like factor up-regulates lysozyme transcription in epithelial cells, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 274, 20098-20102, 1999
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