Introducing new member of Bio2Q

We are excited to welcome Dr. Keiko Matsuda as a Jr. PI at Bio-2 Core of Bio2Q.

“Hello everyone! I’m truly delighted to join Bio2Q as a new member.

In our bodies, information from various organs is transmitted to the central nervous system—including the brain and spinal cord—via sensory nerves and afferent autonomic nerves. The central nervous system receives this input and helps maintain homeostasis by regulating organ function through the efferent autonomic nervous system, as well as through metabolic and immune pathways.

Until now, my research has focused on unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying synapse formation in the central nervous system. However, much remains unknown about how synapses are formed in the peripheral nervous system, and I’m excited to begin exploring these unanswered questions.

When approaching a big scientific question, I believe it’s important to break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces and build our understanding step by step. To understand how neural circuits function, I’m currently working to elucidate—at the molecular level—how neurons navigate the vast environment of the body to find and recognize their target cells, how they establish synaptic connections as sites of communication, and how these connections are functionally regulated. Through this research, I hope to gain deeper insight into how the nervous system mediates communication between organs.

Just as the organic connections between neurons form the foundation of life-sustaining systems, I hope to value and cultivate meaningful connections with members of Bio2Q and contribute to our shared vision as part of the team. ”

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