MUROI Yoshikage Associate Professor

My DreamSolve the mystery of a mother

ThemeFocusing on various changes occurring in perinatal mothers, I study on the neural mechanisms involved in behavior control at the molecular, cellular and individual level.

Field

Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Molecular biology

Keyword

Brain, Neuron, Maternal behavior, Child abuse, Neglect
  • Laboratory of Pharmacology
Academic degree D. Vet.
License Veterinarian
Self introduction

I'm from Fukuoka, but I was “raised” at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. From the viewpoint of neuroscience, I aim to clarify inherent characteristics of animals and contribute to society as veterinarians.

Room addressGeneral Research Building I
Room numberS2105
Mail address muroi atmark obihiro.ac.jp

Belongs

Research Department/Department of Veterinary Medicine/Division of Veterinary Sciences/Section of Physiology and PharmacologyOffice for International Accreditation of Veterinary Education/Staff

Introduction

Parenting is essential for mammalian offspring. Since the child, especially before weaning, relies completely on breast milk for nutrition, he or she can't survive without parenting by the mother. Moreover, young have a less developed ability to live, such as less ability to control their body temperature, and mothers expend lots of energy not only producing milk but also caring for their young in other ways. Focusing on such characteristics of mothers, I work to clarify the structure whereby a mother rears her children and the special abilities that enable mothers to provide such rearing. I also work on the neuroscience of child abuse, which is a serious problem in human societies.

Furthermore, many industries relating to animal husbandry are viable thanks to the characteristics of mammals: birthing and breastfeeding their young. I apply myself to addressing various problems in veterinary medicine and animal husbandry, and I aim to contribute to the stable supply of food and the promotion of the food industry.

List of current research topics

  • Study of neuronal mechanism for maternal behavior
  • Study of neuronal mechanism for child abuse
  • Study of neuronal mechanism for stress coping in dams
Affiliated academic society The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science, The Japan Neuroscience Society, The Japanese Pharmacological society, Society for Neuroscience
Academic background 2003 BVSc, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
2007 Ph.D. in Veterinary Sciences, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University
2007-2009, Postdoctoral fellow, the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Tokyo
2009-2015, Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
2015-Present, Associate Professor, Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
2015-Present, Present, Associate Professor, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University