The Biosignal Research Center was founded as project-oriented research laboratories at Kobe University focusing on the mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction in June 1990. The present research building was completed in May 1994, at the Rokko-dai campus of the University. In April 2000, the Center was reorganized as a new research center, according the regulation by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan. Then in April 2007, the Center joined the newly started Organization of Advanced Science and Technology in the University consisting of the Core Research Division and five Research Centers. On the other hand, the Biosignal Research Center contributed as a core facility in the 21st Century COE (Centers of Excellence) Program entitled "Signaling Mechanism by Protein Modification Reactions" for five years, which was established in 2002, by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, as Targeted Support for Creating World-Standard Research and Education Bases (Centers of Excellence). In 2007, the new program entitled "Global Center for Education and Research in Integrative Membrane Biology" has started in Kobe University as a Global COE Program, which succeeds the 21st Century COE Program, and the professors of the Center continue to take part in the Program.

Our research program is concerned with the molecular properties and regulatory mechanisms that control the functions of protein kinases (including PKC, DGK and PKN) and of NADPH oxidases, under normal and pathophysiological conditions. Using imaging techniques and behavioral studies of genetically manipulated mice, the Saito and Adachi group focuses on neuronal signal transduction and its dysregulation in diseases, including Parkinson's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia, with the goal of providing molecular bases for therapeutic advances . The Mukai group focuses on mapping and monitoring the network of signaling pathways linked to PKN. In particular, they are elucidating the role of PKN in cell migration, synaptic plasticity and the response to stress. The Ueyama group, employing genetically manipulated mice, focuses on the analysis of compensation in the cerebellum/spinal cord after neuronal injury and on the development and maintenance of auditory and vestibular function, including the role of NADPH oxidases.

The cells compose their signaling system based on their genome to respond to the changes in the surroundings. In other words, the activities of the organisms are controlled both by the genetic information and environment inputs. The aim of our studies is to clarify the regulatory mechanisms of cellular responses by analyzing the following projects; (i) the control mechanisms of cellular functions by protein kinases, PKC and PKB, (ii) the signal transduction mechanisms of mTOR to manage protein synthesis and cell growth, (iii) the roles of caspases in apoptosis and cell cycle.

Genomic DNA is constantly damaged by various agents including reactive oxygen species and radiations. Such DNA damage induces not only chromosomal aberrations and mutations, causing cancer and hereditary diseases, but also apoptosis, possibly leading to aging and neurological degeneration. To avoid these deleterious effects, multiple DNA repair pathways have evolved to maintain the genome integrity. This laboratory focuses on understanding of: 1) molecular mechanisms underlying DNA repair and its regulation, and 2) signal transduction pathways determining the fates of cells in response to DNA damage.

The goal of our lab is to understand the molecular mechanism of signal transduction. There are many molecules participating in signal transduction. Among them, protein kinases are believed to be key enzymes. We are focusing on the physiological function of PKN family, which was originally identified as a PKC-related, fatty acid- activated serine/threonine kinase family. Recently, we are mainly doing the research projects as follows.
1. Functional analysis of PKN family using each knock-out mouse.
2. Functional analysis of centrosome and Golgi localized giant protein CG-NAP that was identified as a novel PKNbinding protein.

During embryonic development, neurons derived from neuroepithelial cells migrate toward the pia of neuroepithelium. Neuron, which arrives at a certain place, typically generates a single axon and multiple dendrites, and results in acquiring neuronal polarity. Axons elongate to appropriate target neurons (axon guidance), and subsequently form the synapses, thereby establishing neuronal network. Our research interest is to understand the molecular mechanisms of determination of axon and dendrite fate, and axon guidance during neuronal development.