Applied Animal Genetics
Our lab investigates the genetic factors underlying human and animal diseases by analyzing genes responsible for hereditary diseases in experimental animals and livestock. We mainly focus on the functions of genes involved in reproductive function and bone growth by utilizing mutant mice and genetically modified mice/rats through genome editing. For industrial animals, we explore favorable and unfavorable genetic variants and evaluate genetic diversity from genome sequences, with the aim of utilizing these genetic characteristics.
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Reproduction and growth are important traits that need to be regulated to understand infertility and dwarfism in humans, and are also important traits that need to be improved in livestock. In my research, I have identified several causative genes that are important for bone growth in mice that have both infertility and dwarfism. Some of these genes were found to be involved in oocyte meiosis and are essential for normal oocyte formation. These results are expected to be used in the elucidation of human diseases and in the genetic improvement of livestock.
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In order to improve the productivity of livestock, it is necessary to elucidate the brain mechanisms that control reproductive functions in mammals. To this end, we have created rats with modified genes related to reproduction and are conducting analysis of the rats. In addition, with the aim of treating genetic diseases in livestock, we are conducting research to establish a method to restore disease-causing genetic mutations to normal sequences using genome editing technology.