The Hasebe laboratory (since 1997)
My research group explores the genetic networks of biological phenomena whose evolutionary processes are difficult to explain with our present knowledge. This work provides useful information for determining evolutionary mechanisms and processes. In the early part of the last 10 years, we focused on the genetic networks of well-studied model angiosperms, and inferred evolutionary processes (e.g., flower development) based on comparison with homologous genetic networks in other organisms. Using several land plants, including gymnosperms, pteridophytes, bryophytes, and charophytes, I noticed that the moss Physcomitrella patens was a potentially useful organism for exploring genetic networks that had been difficult to study using previously established angiosperm models. I became more interested in studying evolutionary processes with unexplored genetic networks. I believe that such studies using model organisms can provide fruitful evolutionary insights and contribute to comparative studies. For example, the discovery of homeotic gene networks in Drosophila contributed extensively to evolutionary biology before comparative studies began. This discovery, in turn, spurred progress in evolutionary developmental biology. Similar advances have been made in the case of flower development.
Therefore, I gradually changed our research focus to the genetic networks of biological phenomena that have not been well studied in angiosperm models but that are important and interesting from an evolutionary perspective, such as microtubule regulations; the initiation, maintenance, and regeneration of pluripotent stem cells; mimicry; sensory movement; and host race change. As usual in science, we have more closely evaluated those research results that were unexpected.
4. PHYSCObase (public database on the moss Physcomitrella patens)
5. Meeting Web page
b.MOSS 2001: An international meeting on moss biology (May 27-29, 2001 in Okazaki)
c.Evolution and Development (March 21-23, 2000 in Okazaki)