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IMOTO LAB
 

Dissecting the synaptic membrane fission and the trafficking system at milliseconds and nanometer resolution

Welcome to the Imoto lab
at St.Jude Children's Research Hospital, Department of Developmental Neurobiology! 

 Our research focuses on the fundamental molecular mechanisms of membrane fission at presynapses. Membrane fission is essential for synaptic function. The endocytic retrieval of synaptic vesicle protein and membrane maintains neurotransmission through synaptic vesicle regeneration. Endosomal fission maintains synapse health by sorting normal and old / damaged proteins. These membrane remodeling events are basic property of eukaryotic cells; however, the speed of membrane fission events can be at least 100 times faster in presynapses (~100 milliseconds to few seconds).

 We aim to elucidate how membrane fission proteins have adapted their kinetics to the rapid synaptic membrane fissions and how a modern synaptic architecture is established to sustain rapid neuronal communications. Answering these questions is key to a fundamental understanding of brain function and the causes of diseases such as epilepsy or autism.

Read more about our research here.

4/1/2024

Our lab is officially started!! 

3/25/2024

Imoto lab will start from next week in the Department of Developmental Neurobiology at St.Jude Children's Research Hospital!! 

News

5/1/2024

Our research on "Sorting of synaptic vesicle proteins" will be supported by Kazato Research Foundation!! 

6/22/2024

Our new paper has been published in EMBO Journal!   Link

9/19/2024

Yuuta Imoto has received Jennifer N. Bourne Prize in Brain Ultrastructure from Society for Neuroscience. Link  

9/19/2024

Yuuta Imoto has received the Jennifer N. Bourne Prize in Brain Ultrastructure from the Society for Neuroscience. Link  

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