Aiming to become a researcher, he studied the mechanisms of brain development

Focus on the environment "outside the cell"
Aiming to become a researcher, he studied the mechanisms of brain development

Department of Agriculture School Graduate School of Agriculture
2nd year student Akihiro Takebuchi

Akihiro Takebuchi, a second-year student Department of Agriculture at the Graduate School of Graduate School of Agriculture, has received the "Japanese Biochemical Society Young Researcher Award" and the "Japanese Society of Carbohydrate Research Poster Award" for his research into the process of brain formation. He is also a recipient of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology of Agriculture and Technology Endo Akira Scholarship*, which is awarded to students who meet certain criteria, such as a strong desire to continue on to the doctoral or post-doctoral course at our university and excellent academic performance. We spoke to Takebuchi, who is working hard at his research with the aim of becoming a researcher.

(※) Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and Technology Endo Akira Scholarship
This scholarship is based on the funds donated to Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and Technology Tuition Support Fund by Honorable Emeritus Professor Akira Endo, who discovered a substance known as "statin" that lowers blood cholesterol levels. This scholarship was established to support the academic studies of outstanding undergraduate students enrolled at the university who have the potential to become global talent, but who are experiencing difficulties in continuing their studies for financial reasons, by providing them with a continuing scholarship for their undergraduate studies and for the period they continue on to graduate school after internal transfer.
/campuslife_career/campuslife/fee/syogakki/syogakkin_tat/

What kind of research are you doing?

The brain has many different functions, but many of the nerve cells in the brain are formed during fetal development and do not multiply from there.
It is often said that children have flexible minds and are better at learning language than adults, but it has been discovered that the difference between the brains of adults and children is actually related to the environment outside the cells. In this way, the environment outside the cells plays an important role in controlling the functions of the cells.

I am researching how the extracellular environment affects neurons during the process of brain formation during the fetal period.

There is a layer on the surface of our brain called the "cerebral cortex," which plays an important role in cognition, memory, etc. The cerebral cortex is formed during fetal development, and abnormalities in this process are thought to cause developmental disorders and psychiatric disorders.
During fetal development, the cerebral cortex is formed when immature neurons migrate to the surface of the brain along fibers extended by neural stem cells. However, the function of the extracellular environment during this formation process is not yet fully understood.
To find out what role substances around nerve cells play in the migration of the cerebral cortex, we investigated mice undergoing cerebral cortex formation and found that a complex of three substances, "hyaluronic acid," "neurocan," and "tenascin-C," is formed in the cerebral cortex. Since the loss of these substances caused abnormalities in the formation of the cerebral cortex, we clarified that the environment outside cells also plays an important role in the formation of the brain.

The results of this research, which shed light on part of the molecular mechanism by which the brain is formed during the fetal period, were presented at academic conferences and won the "Japanese Biochemical Society Young Researchers Award" in November last year and the "Japanese Society of Carbohydrate Research Poster Award" in December. Of the molecules discovered this time, "neurocan" is associated with bipolar disorder, so it is expected that this result will also be useful in elucidating the onset mechanism of psychiatric disorders.
I have decided to continue on to a doctoral course, so I have about four years left of Campus Life. From now on, I would like to branch out into various other areas.

What is the appeal of this research?

I had the image that research was done by amazing people, but in fact there are many things that are still unknown, and I was very surprised when I learned that I can sometimes unravel new things myself. I really enjoy conducting research, and I especially enjoy the time I spend reading papers and thinking about what possibilities there are. Of course, the experiments are interesting, but I'm actually nervous because I don't know if the results will match my theory.

As I proceed with my research, I find more and more things I want to investigate, and I don't have enough time. When I am unsure about how to proceed, I consult with Dr. Miyata and get his advice. It is not uncommon to have a one-on-one conversation with a professor about research for an hour. I think the proximity to the teachers is one of the best things about TUAT.

Did you aim to be a researcher from a young age?

I decided to become a researcher when I was in my fourth year of university.

To be honest, I didn't like studying much when I was in elementary school. When I was a freshman in high school, my dream was to become a chef, and I had no intention of going to college.
I thought being a chef was cool and fun, but the world of chefs is known to be very competitive and tough. So I thought that if I could work in development at a food company, I would be able to work on cooking, which I love, in a stable environment. When I researched food companies that interested me, I found that many of my seniors TUAT had joined the company, so I chose to apply to Department of Applied Biological Science, within the Faculty of Faculty of Agriculture TUAT, where I could study something similar to food development.

When I entered TUAT, I had a fun and fulfilling Campus Life from my first year to my third year, but I regretted that I didn't choose to become a chef. While I was feeling uncertain about my choice, I came across research on the extracellular environment and decided that I wanted to become a researcher.

Of course, even if I aimed to become a researcher, a tough road awaited me. I was worried, but I decided to do it because I didn't want to regret it like I did when I gave up on my dream of becoming a chef.
I consider myself very lucky to have found a field that I was so passionate about that it made me want to become a researcher.

Tell us about TUAT 's Campus Life, such as extracurricular activities and part-time jobs.

I have been diving with volunteers since my first year of university. Before COVID, I have fond memories of going to Okinawa to dive together. I also traveled abroad, mainly to Southeast Asia. The food in Thailand was particularly delicious.

Last November, I went to Fukushima Prefecture with students from the laboratory of Professor Yoshihiro Nomura, also in Department of Applied Biological Science and held a science school for elementary school students. We explained that the color of hydrangea flowers is determined by the acidity of the soil, and we conducted an experiment to show how fruit pigments change color depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. It was a good experience for us to be able to show elementary school students how science is familiar to them.
I was also asked by a senior to participate in providing study support to elementary and junior high school students in Fuchu City. This involved gathering children who wanted to study and attending a local NPO soccer school and tutoring them.

Part-time jobs included tutoring and cooking in the kitchen of a donut shop. At the part-time job at the fried chicken shop that I continue to work at, there is also a senior TUAT.
Until my fourth year, I worked part-time all day to do research on weekdays and earn a living on Saturdays and Sundays, but since April last year, I have been able to receive the Akira Endo Scholarship, and I have been able to reduce my part-time work hours more than before. Since I have more time to devote to research, I am able to pursue multiple research themes at the same time and gain more knowledge and experience. When I decided to become a researcher, I was worried about whether I would be able to balance my part-time job and research, but I am very grateful that I was selected as a scholarship recipient for the Akira Endo Scholarship and that they supported my decision to go on to a doctoral program. I would like to continue to deepen my knowledge and gain experience, and aim to become a researcher who can play an active role in the world like Professor Akira Endo.

You're from the countryside, how is it living alone?

I'm from Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Even though it is Tokyo, the area around TUAT is relaxed, unlike the city center, so I haven't been so shocked since I moved to Tokyo. The only thing that surprised me was that there was a charge for the bicycle parking near the station (laughs).

Living alone, I cook for myself, and cooking is a good way to relax when I'm busy with research. I prepare meat sauce in advance and store it in a safe place. My friends love it and sometimes ask me for the recipe.

Please give a message to prospective prospective students.

When I took the entrance exam for Department of Applied Biological Science, I was 200 points short of the passing mark, but I was able to pass by working hard for a year while studying for the exam. This experience of being able to achieve your goal if you work hard, no matter how difficult the situation, has been useful to me when I face difficulties after entering university. I know that studying is very difficult, but it will definitely be a good experience, so do your best. I'm rooting for you.

(Published on May 9, 2022)