MISAKO OKUMURA

Last Updated :2025/05/15

Affiliations, Positions
Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Associate Professor
Web Site
http://chihara-lab.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/
E-mail
okumuramhiroshima-u.ac.jp
Other Contact Details
Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
TEL : (+81)82-424-7633 FAX : (+81)
Self-introduction
I am interested in the diversity of behavior. Using nematodes as model animals, I have been studying the function, development and evolution of neural circuits that regulate diverse behaviors.

Basic Information

Major Professional Backgrounds

  • 2012/04/01, 2015/03/31, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, JSPS Research Fellow
  • 2015/04/01, 2015/05/15, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Research fellow
  • 2015/05/20, 2016/04/30, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Department for Evolutionary Biology, Postdoctoral fellow
  • 2016/05/01, 2017/03/19, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Department for Evolutionary Bilolgy, JSPS Overseas Research Fellow
  • 2017/04/01, 2019/03/31, Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Science, Assistant professor
  • 2019/04/01, 2021/03/31, Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Assistant Professor
  • 2021/04/01, Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Associate Professor

Educational Backgrounds

  • University of Tokyo, Graduate School of pharmaceutical Sciences, Doctoral Program (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences), 2012, 2015
  • University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Master's Program (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences), 2010, 2012
  • University of Tokyo, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2008, 2010
  • University of Tokyo, College of Arts and Sciences, Natural Sciences Ⅰ, 2006, 2008

Academic Degrees

  • Master, The University of Tokyo
  • PhD, The University of Tokyo

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

Research Fields

  • Biology;Biological Science;Molecular biology
  • Biology;Biological Science;Developmental biology
  • Biology;Basic biology;Evolutionary biology

Research Keywords

  • Phenotypic Plasticity, Nematode, Behavior, Development, Evolution, Light, Photoreceptor

Affiliated Academic Societies

Educational Activity

Course in Charge

  1. 2025, Liberal Arts Education Program1, 3Term, Introduction to Biology
  2. 2025, Liberal Arts Education Program1, 2Term, Introductory Seminar for First-Year Students
  3. 2025, Undergraduate Education, 2Term, Advanced Biology
  4. 2025, Undergraduate Education, 1Term, Basic Biological Science A
  5. 2025, Undergraduate Education, 1Term, Cell Biology B
  6. 2025, Undergraduate Education, Second Semester, Seminar for Cell Biology
  7. 2025, Undergraduate Education, First Semester, Special Study for Graduation
  8. 2025, Undergraduate Education, Second Semester, Special Study for Graduation
  9. 2025, Undergraduate Education, First Semester, Practice for Fundamental Biology I
  10. 2025, Undergraduate Education, Second Semester, Practice for Fundamental Biology II
  11. 2025, Undergraduate Education, Second Semester, Practice for Fundamental Biology IV
  12. 2025, Undergraduate Education, First Semester, Practice for Fundamental Biology IV
  13. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Year, Research for Academic Degree Dissertation in Basic Biology
  14. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , First Semester, Exercises in Basic Biology A
  15. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Second Semester, Exercises in Basic Biology B
  16. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar A
  17. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar B
  18. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Year, Research for Academic Degree Dissertation in Biomedial Science
  19. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , First Semester, Exercises in Biomedical Science A
  20. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , Second Semester, Exercises in Biomedical Science B
  21. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar C
  22. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , Year, Research for Academic Degree Dissertation in Integrated Life Sciences
  23. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar D
  24. 2025, Graduate Education (Doctoral Program) , 3Term, Biomedical Science Seminar E
  25. 2025, Graduate Education (Master's Program) , 4Term, Introduction to Genetics and Genomics

Research Activities

Academic Papers

  1. ★, The Nematode Pristionchus pacificus Requires the G beta and G gamma Proteins for Light Adaptation but Not for Light Avoidance, ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE, 42(1), 15-15, 202502
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  2. ★, 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
  3. Secretion of endoplasmic reticulum protein VAPB/ALS8 requires topological inversion, NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 15(1), 20241010
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  4. Akaluc/AkaLumine bioluminescence system enables highly sensitive, non-invasive and temporal monitoring of gene expression in Drosophila, COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY, 6(1), 20231214
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  5. ★, Co-option of an Astacin Metalloprotease Is Associated with an Evolutionarily Novel Feeding Morphology in a Predatory Nematode, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 40(12), msad266, 20231201
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  6. Crosstalk between the mTOR and Hippo pathways, DEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, 65(6), 337-347, 202308
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  7. Dynamin-2 regulates microtubule stability via an endocytosis- independent mechanism, Cytoskeleton, 2022
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. ★, Efficient visual screening of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, DEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, 63(9), 488-500, 202112
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  12. Spatial transcriptomics of nematodes identifies sperm cells as a source of genomic novelty and rapid evolution, Molecular Biology and Evolution, 38, 229-243, 2021
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  13. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated VAP33 is required for maintaining neuronal dendrite morphology and organelle distribution in Drosophila, Genes to Cells, 26, 230-239, 2021
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  14. ★, Different combinations of serotonin receptors regulate predatory and bacterial feeding behaviors in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, G3:Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 11(2), jkab011, 2021
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  15. Impairment of cytokinesis by cancer-associated DAPK3 mutations, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 533(4), 1095-1101, 20201217
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  16. ★, Serotonergic modulation of feeding behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans and other related nematodes, Neuroscience Research, 154, 9-19, 2020
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  17. ★, Screening for CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations using a co-injection marker in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Development Genes and Evolution, 230(3), 257-264, 2020
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  18. ★, Serotonin Drives Predatory Feeding Behaviour via Synchronous Feeding Rhythms in the Nematode Pristionchus pacificus, G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS, 7(11), 3745-3755, 201711
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  19. Assaying Predatory Feeding Behaviors in Pristionchus and Other Nematodes, Journal of Visualized Experiments, e54404, 2016
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  20. Function of pioneer neurons specified by the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor atonal in neural development, Neural Regeneration Research, 11(9), 1934-1935, 2016
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  21. ★, 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
  22. A STRIPAK component Strip regulates neuronal morphogenesis by affecting microtubule stability, Scientific Reports, 5, 17769, 2015
    Link to Paper Search Results by DOI
  23. 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
  24. ★, 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

Invited Lecture, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation

  1. The eyeless nematode Pristionchus pacificus responds to light via the cGMP pathway and a GPCR kinase, Kenichi Nakayama, Hirokuni Hiraga, Aya Manabe, Takahiro Chihara, Misako Okumura, Neuro2024, 2024/07/24, Without Invitation, English
  2. Light avoidance mechanism through the cGMP pathway and GPCR kinase in Pristionchus pacificus, Kenichi Nakayama, Hirokuni Hiraga, Aya Manabe, Takahiro Chihara, Misako Okumura, C. elegans Topic Meeting: Neuronal Development, Synaptic Function & Behavior, 2024/06/23, Without Invitation, English
  3. The effect of light-induced oxidative stress on mouth form polyphenism in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Hirokuni Hiraga, Ageha Onodera, Kenichi Nakayama, Chinatsu Kai, Takahiro Chihara, Misako Okumura, Metabolism, Aging, Pathogenesis, Stress, and Small RNAs in C. elegans meeting, 2024/06/20, Without Invitation, English, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, Wisconsin, USA
  4. Light influences mouth form polyphenism through the cGMP pathway in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, 12th Tokyo Tech International Symposium on Life Science and Technology, Photon explores new frontiers of biology, chemistry and medical therapy, 2024/01/24, With Invitation, English
  5. Light and oxidative stress influence the mouth form dimorphism in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Hirokuni Hiraga, Ageha Onodera, Kenichi Nakayama, Chinatsu Kai, Takahiro Chihara, The 46th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan, 2023/12/08, With Invitation, Japanese, Kobe
  6. Establishment of genetic tools for analyzing neural functions in Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Kenichi Nakayama, Aya Manabe, Yuuki Ishita, Keimei Ko, Ageha Onodera, Hirokuni Hiraga, Keigo Niimi, Takahiro Chihara, 4th International Pristionchus meeting, 2023/09/22, Without Invitation, English, Tübingen, Germany
  7. The co-option of a grinder-molting protease is essential for predatory feeding in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Yuuki Ishita, Takahiro Chihara, 24th International C. elegans Conference, 2023/06/26, Without Invitation, English, Glasgow, UK
  8. Regulation and evolutionary mechanisms of predatory behavior in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, 2022/12/10, With Invitation, Japanese
  9. Light exposure during development influences the mouth form dimorphism in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Ageha Onodera, Hirokuni Hiraga, Yuuki Ishita, Ken-ichi Nakayama, Chinatsu Kai, Takahiro Chihara, Misako Okumura, 3rd Franco-Japanese Developmental Biology meeting, 2022/11/07, Without Invitation, English
  10. Molecular and neural mechanisms of light avoidance behavior in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, 2022/10/05, Without Invitation, Japanese
  11. An astacin metalloprotease is required for predation in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Asia-Pacific Worm Meeting 2022, 2022/07/18, With Invitation, English, Online
  12. The evolution of multiple traits associated with a derivative feeding habit is mediated by co-option of an astacin metalloprotease in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Yuuki Ishita, Takahiro Chihara, Misako Okumura, 2022/05/31, Without Invitation, English
  13. Forward genetic screening to understand the molecular mechanism responding to light in P. pacificus, Ken-ichi Nakayama, Ageha Onodera, Chinatsu Kai, Takahiro Chihara, Misako Okumura, 2nd International Pristionchus meeting, 2021/10/13, Without Invitation, English
  14. Exposure of light affects the mouth form dimorphism in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Chinatsu Kai, Takahiro Chihara, Misako Okumura, 2021/06/17, Without Invitation, Japanese
  15. CRISPR/Cas9 injection marker in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Ken-ichi Nakayama, Yuuki Ishita, Takahiro Chihara, Future of the Nematodes Studies 2019, 2019/08/21, Without Invitation, Japanese
  16. Screening for CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutations using microchip electrophoresis in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Yuuki Ishita, Ken-ichi Nakayama, Takahiro Chihara, 22nd International C. elegans Conference, 2019/06/20, Without Invitation, English, Los Angeles, USA
  17. Neural mechanism of predatory feeding behavior in nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Yuuki Ishita Ralf J Sommer Takahiro Chihara, The 41st Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan, 2018/11/28, Without Invitation, Japanese, Yokohama, Japan
  18. Neuro Evo Devoモデルとしての線虫Pristionchus pacificusの魅力と展望, Misako Okumura, Future of the nematodes studies, 2018/09/14, Without Invitation, Japanese, Mishima
  19. Neural regulation of the predatory feeding behavior in Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Yuuki Ishita, Ralf J Sommer, Takahiro Chihara, 8th Asia Pacific Worm Meeting, 2018/07/09, Without Invitation, English, Korea, Seoul
  20. Function of Serotonin in Regulation of Predatory Feeding Behavior in the Nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Martin Wilecki, Ralf Sommer, 2017/12/06, Without Invitation, English
  21. Serotonin regulates predatory feeding behavior in nematode Pristionchus pacificus, Misako Okumura, Martin Wilecki, Ralf J Sommer, 2017/09/21, Without Invitation, Japanese
  22. Serotonin is required for Efficient Predatory Feeding by Pristionchus pacificus Predators., Misako Okumura, Lightfoot, J.W., Wilecki, M., Sommer, R. J, C. elegans Topic Meeting: Neuronal development, Synaptic function and Behavior, 2016/08/27, Without Invitation, English, Nagoya, Japan
  23. Serotonin regulates dynamic feeding mode switching inducing predatory kinetics in Pristionchus pacificus., Misako Okumura, James W. Lightfoot, Martin Wilecki, Ralf J. Sommer, 20th International C.elegans meeting, 2015/06/24, Without Invitation, English, Los Angels, USA
  24. Tubulin folding cofactor D cooperates with Dscam during neuronal morphogenesis, Misako Okumura, Sakuma, C., Miura M., Chihara T, European Fly Neurobiology, 2014/10/05, Without Invitation, English, Crete, Greece
  25. Tubulin folding cofactor D regulates neuronal morphogenesis by mediating Dscam functions, Misako Okumura, Sakuma, C., Miura, M., Chihara, T, Japanese Drosophila Research Conference 11, 2014/06/04, Without Invitation, English, Kanazawa, Japan
  26. Linking cell surface receptor to microtubule: Tubulin folding cofactor D mediates Dscam functions during neuronal morphogenesis, Misako Okumura, Sakuma, C., Miura, M., Chihara, T, 55th Annual Drosophila Research Conference, 2014/03/26, Without Invitation, English, San Diego, USA
  27. Role of tubulin folding pathway in neurite morphogenesis of Drosophila olfactory projection neuron, Misako Okumura, Miura, M., Chihara, T, The 46th Annual Meeting for the Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists, 2013/05/28, Without Invitation, English, Matsue, Japan
  28. Role of PCP signal molecule Four-jointed in dendrite morphogenesis of olfactory projection neuron., Misako Okumura, Miura, M., Chihara, T, Japanese Drosophila Research Conference 10, 2012/10/13, Without Invitation, English, Tokyo, Japan
  29. PCP signal molecule Four-jointed is involved in dendrite morphogenesis of olfactory projection neuron, Misako Okumura, Miura, M., Chihara, T., 14th European Drosophila Neurobiology Meeting, 2012/09/03, Without Invitation, English, Padua, Italy
  30. Role of PCP signal molecule Four-jointed in dendrite targeting of Drosophila olfactory projection neuron, Misako Okumura, Miura, M., Chihara, T, Joint Meeting of The 45th Annual Meeting for the Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists and The 64th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Cell Biology, 2012/05/28, Without Invitation, Japanese, Kobe, Japan
  31. Role of PCP protein Dachsous in the neural wiring of Drosophila olfactory system, Misako Okumura, Miura, M., Chihara, T, The 34th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society, 2011/09/14, Without Invitation, Japanese, Yokohama, Japan
  32. Role of a PCP protein Dachsous in Dendritic Targeting of Olfactory Projection Neurons, Misako Okumura, Miura, M., Chihara, T., 1st Asia-Pacific Drosophila Research Conference, 2011/05/22, Without Invitation, English, Taipei, Taiwan
  33. PCP protein Dachsous is required for dendritic targeting of olfactory projection neurons in Drosophila, Misako Okumura, Miura, M., Chihara, T, The 44th Annual Meeting for the Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists, 2011/05/18, Without Invitation, Japanese, Okinawa, Japan

Awards

  1. 2020, Encouragement Award, Hiroshima University, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life
  2. 2018/09/14, Next Leaders Awards, Future of the nematodes studies

External Funds

Acceptance Results of Competitive Funds

  1. Narishige Zoological Science Award, 2023, 2025
  2. 2023, 2025
  3. Research Grants in the Natural Sciences, 2023, 2025
  4. FOREST, 2023, 2025
  5. 2021, 2021
  6. Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists, 2020, 2021
  7. Tomizawa Jun-ichi & Keiko Fund of Molecular Biology Society of Japan for Young Scientist, The molecular and neural mechanism of nematode light avoidance behavior, 2019, 2020
  8. AMED-PRIME, Molecular and neural mechanism of polyphenism responding to light, 2019, 2022
  9. JSPS Grands-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists, 2018, 2019
  10. The Hiroshima University Education and Research Support Foundation, 2017, 2018
  11. Sumitomo Foundation, 2017, 2018
  12. Hiroshima University, 2017, 2017

Social Activities

Organizing Academic Conferences, etc.

  1. 24th International C. elegans Conference, Organizing Committee, 2023/06, 2023/06
  2. Future of the nematodes studies 2021, Main organizer, 2021/08, 2021/09
  3. 23rd International C. elegans Conference, Organizing Committee, 2021/06, 2021/06
    Permalink
  4. Future of the nematodes studies, Organizer, 2019/08, 2019/08
    Permalink

History as Peer Reviews of Academic Papers

  1. 2024, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part D: Genomics and Proteomics, Others, Reviewer, 1
  2. 2025, Communications Biology, Others, Reviewer, 1
  3. 2024, Environmental Pollution, Others, Reviewer, 1
  4. 2024, Zoological Science, Others, Reviewer, 1
  5. 2023, Integrative and Comparative Biology, Others, Reviewer, 1
  6. 2022, Journal of Cannabis Research, Others, Reviewer, 1
  7. 2022, Insect science, Others, Insect science, 1
  8. 2020, Proceedings of The Royal Society B, Others, Peer Reviews, 1