I am very honored to receive the prestigious Tokyo Tech Challenging Research Award and the Suematsu Challenging Research Award. I sincerely appreciate the tremendous support from Professor Hiroyuki Nakamura, assistant professors, staffs and students in our laboratory, and collaborators. The brain function, which shapes our minds and behaviors, is highly integrated by neural circuits consisting of 100 billion neurons. While the brain controls signal transductions by utilizing various neurotransmitters released from neurons, it is known that the identical neurotransmitter can exhibit entirely different functions depending on the neural circuits. To understand the brain function, it is therefore necessary not only to observe the activities of individual neurons but also to observe the dynamics of neurotransmitters throughout the entire brain, where neural circuits are formed. This research aims to develop a neuroimaging technique that visualizes the dynamics of neurotransmitters at the whole-brain level by utilizing MRI contrast agents as molecular probes, that are designed to change MRI contrast in response to specific neurotransmitters.

Award

2023 Tokyo Tech Challenging Research Award and the Suematsu Challenging Research Award

Award Ceremony Date

August 31st, 2023

Conferrer

The Office of Research and Innovation,Tokyo Institute of Technology

Award Winner

Assoc. Prof. Satoshi OKADA

Research topic

Development of Magnetic Probes for Molecular Whole-Brain Neuroimaging

Related information

■	Office of Research and Innovation		10 researchers won the 2023 Tokyo Tech Challenging Research Award.
■	Tokyo Tech News		2023 Tokyo Tech Challenging Research Award