Nara Women's University | Department of Biological Sciences

Biological Sciences Course

Molecular and Cellular Biology Unit

In this Unit, we study fundamental life processes at molecular and cellular levels to elucidate how the collective behavior of biomolecules and cells contributes to the characteristics of living organisms. Our research interests include: cell-cell interactions and sexual reproduction, genome structure and dimorphism, biomembrane biogenesis and transport, evolution of developmental complexities, and redox response in photosynthetic organisms. These subjects are investigated using bacteria, yeasts, algae, protists and plants, applying a broad range of techniques, such as molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genomics, cell imaging, and electron microscopy.

Associate Prof. Shin-ichi Iwaguchi	Molecular Microbiology Genome structure in fungi. Fungal dimorphism Email: *iwaguchicc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Prof. Satoshi Kagiwada	Molecular Cell Biology Biomembrane biogenesis and transport in eukaryotic cells Email: *kagiwadacc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Associate Prof. Takayuki Shimizu	Molecular Biology, Biological Chemistry Redox responsive regulation of physiological functions in photosynthetic organisms Email: *tshimizucc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Prof. Mayumi Sugiura	Molecular and Cellular Biology Studies on cell-cell interaction and the molecular mechanism of sexual reproduction in ciliates Email: *msugicc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Prof. Ichiro Nishii	Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics Evolution of developmental complexities in volvocine algae Email: *ichironcc.nara-wu.ac.jp**

Functional Biology of Multicellular Organisms Unit

In this Unit, we study the mechanisms by which living organisms work, and examine them at molecular, cellular, and whole-organism levels. Our research interests include: mammalian reproduction, cancer formation, photoreception, plant morphogenesis, proliferation and differentiation of plant organelles, water transport in plants, and animal behavior. These subjects are investigated by employing many approaches, such as molecular biology, molecular genetics, physiology, morphology, and behavioral biology.

Associate Prof. Mayumi Okamoto	Neural development and Imaging, Explore the principles of brain tissue formation in mammals Neural progenitor cells, time-lapse imaging, in utero electroporation, mechanical force Email: *mokamotocc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Associate Prof. Emi Kawano-Yamashita	Animal Physiology, Photobiology Physiological studies on non-visual photoreception in lower vertebrates Email: *kawanocc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Prof. Atsushi Sakai	Plant Physiology, Plant Biochemistry Physiological and Biochemical studies on plant organelles, photosynthesis, and allelopathy Email: *sakaicc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Associate Prof. Kumi Sato-Nara	Plant Physiology, Plant Molecular Biology Physiological and molecular biological studies on light responses of roots in plants Email: *kumisncc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Associate Prof. Sayaka Hori	Animal Physiology, Animal Behaviour Comparative studies of molecular and neural circuits underlying animal behavior Email: *horicc.nara-wu.ac.jp**

Ecology Unit

Our ecological research within this unit is diverse. Our areas of research activities include: animal ecology, aquatic ecology, behavioral ecology, conservation biology, limnology, and plant biology. We adopt three approaches: field studies, laboratory studies, and theoretical studies, to explore both basic and applied ecological issues.

Prof. Yoichi Yusa	Animal Ecology, Pest Control Ecological studies on freshwater and marine animals (mainly molluscs), and control of pest species Email: *yusacc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Prof. Izumi Katano	Freshwater Ecology, Applied Ecology Studies on biodiversity and the maintaining mechanisms in freshwater ecosystems Email: *katanocc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Associate Prof. Hiroaki Sato	Community and Evolutionary Ecology, Conservation Biology Ecological studies on population, community, ecosystems from an evolutionary Email: *scarabcc.nara-wu.ac.jp**
Associate Prof. Takashi Y. Ida	Ecology, Evolution, Biology Ecology and evolution of plant reproductive strategy, with focuses on the mutualism between plants and pollinators and resource utilization of plants Email: *tyidacc.nara-wu.ac.jp**