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Yutaka IMOKAWA (Associate Professor)

BA in Biology (Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 1984);
MA in Medical Science (Osaka University, Osaka, 1987);
PhD in Biology (Nagoya University, Nagoya, 1992).

I, Yutaka Imokawa, had got into Kanazawa University, because the University was located in a wonderful Japanese old castle, 'Kanazawa-jo', one of the only two universities located in the historical castles in the world, and one of the most famous gardens, 'Kenroku-en', was in front of the entrance of both Castle and University. I also lived in Higashiyama where it used to be entertainment area 'Yukaku' in Edo-period. After graduation, I wanted to study molecular neuroscience and moved to Osaka University. At that time, my interest had been changed for Developmental Biology, specially Regenerative Biology. So I moved to the National Institute of Basic Biology (NIBB) at Okazaki where one of the most famous Shoguns ' Ieyasu Tokugawa' was born and got a PhD there, supervised by Prof. Eguchi, previous president of Kumamoto University, and the institute president Prof. Okada, who got the Order of Cultural Merits in 2007. After my PhD, I became a group leader in ERATO, JST and worked for Prof. Yoshizato, ex vice-president of Hiroshima University. After that project, I went abroad and had worked as a senior researcher for Prof. Brockes, the British Royal Academy Members, for more than 5 years. I came back to Japan to join the big national project for 'practical regenerative medicine', and came to FPU as an associated professor at 2005
Courses
  1. Biology:
    This is a class mainly for first-year students of all departments in FPU and serves the opportunity to learn the general mechanisms of biological phenomena and the mystery of life science.
  2. Biochemistry:
    This class is for first-year students of Nursing School and the students are able to learn basic biochemical words and biochemical mechanisms which could be related to a lot of diseases and important for their career.
  3. Genetics:
    This class is for all students of Nursing School and would serve the opportunity to study the molecular biology, genetical diseases, and the mechanisms.
  4. Chemistry:
    This is mainly organic chemistry, in order to approach to biochemical studies in future. This class would start by the story of the universe oddly and interestingly.
  5. Anatomy, Pathology, Biochemistry, and physiology (Practical):
    This is a class mainly for first- and second-year students of Nursing School in FPU and give a chance for practical studies before the students have the more practical lessons outside, for example at hospitals.
  6. Graduation seminar:
    In the 4th-year, students should have some of professional seminars by small group with their supervisor.
  7. Graduation thesis:
    In the 4th-year, students have an opportunity to perform a piece of original research and write a graduation thesis.
  8. Progress of Japanese Science:
    This lecture is for an international student who registers in FPU and is an omnibus style by some lecturers. This class introduces recent progresses of Japanese Sciences, including both humanities and science course.
Academic Interests
  • Regenerative Biology and Medicine:
    My interests are in the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying regeneration in salamanders, specifically newts. A major focus is on lens regeneration, but there is also some activity on limb regeneration. I work on the initiation of limb regeneration and lens regeneration, the identification of triggering molecules which would be able to induce mammalian regeneration, for example, regenerative medicine on human.
  • Developmental Biology:
    The primary aim of my research is to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie patterning of the vertebrate appendages, limb, tail, and eye. I would like to know how limbs and eyes acquire their positional identities during embryonic development and how they establish whole functional organs
  • Bacteriology:
    Microorganisms are central to the pathogenesis of the major orofacial and dermatological diseases, are important in surgical, implant and mucosal infections, and are implicated in serious systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease. The activities on my research are original developments of health care techniques and disease- examining methods.
Other Information

I like to go outsides rather than to do something, staying and sitting inside. I like to play tennis, and to climb mountains to look for a beautiful plants, wonderful animals, and spectacular views. I also love to take hot springs and make beautiful orchid flowers open.


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