Hibi, Masahiko

In vertebrates, the process by which a fertilized egg forms organs with complex structures and functions is precisely regulated. In our laboratory, using zebrafish and medaka, we are analyzing the molecular mechanisms that regulate the formation and function of vertebrate organs through two major research themes.

The first theme pertains to the study of neural circuits that control complex animal behaviors. During the developmental process, individual neural domains are determined along the anterior-posterior axis within the neural tissue, where neural stem cells or neural progenitor cells are generated. Neurons are produced from these cells and, as they move, they extend their neural processes to form neural circuits. In our research, we focus on the cerebellum as a model for studying neural circuits. We aim to understand the molecular mechanisms of cerebellar neural circuit formation and to elucidate the role of the cerebellar neural circuit in higher functions such as motor learning, fear response learning, and social behaviors.

The second theme involves analyzing the differentiation mechanism of neural crest cells. Neural crest cells are stem cells formed on the dorsal side of the early vertebrate embryo. These cells migrate and differentiate into various cell types, including pigment cells, while exerting their functions. We are deciphering the gene cascade that controls the differentiation process from neural crest cells to diverse cell types.