Mamiko Ozaki, Ph.D.

Professor, Division of Biomolecular Organization, Molecular Physiology

Masaru Hojo, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Division of Biomolecular Organization, Molecular Physiology

Research Interests

 My Research Interests are; 1) Chemical communication of social insects, especially molecular and neuronal bases of nestmate discrimination and social aggression in ants; 2) Feeding regulation in the fly via olfactory and gustatory sensing of foods and/or internal conditions plus memory.

Research Focus

1. Pheromone reception inducing social aggressive behavior in the ant.
2. Gene cloning of chemosensory receptors and identification of those for the nestmate recognition use.
3. Feeding regulation in the fly via olfactory and gustatory information integrated in the brain.
4. Drosophila mutants on feeding behavior, locomotion and rhythm.

Recent Publication

  • Ida T, Takahashi T, Tominaga H, Sato T, Sano H, Kume K, Ozaki M, Hiraguchi T, Shiotani H, Terajima S, Nakamura Y, Mori K, Yoshida M, Kato J, Murakami N, Miyazato M, Kangawa K, Kojima M.
    Isolation of the bioactive peptides CCHamide-1 and CCHamide-2 from Drosophila and their putative role in appetite regulation as ligands for G protein-coupled receptors.
    Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 3:177. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00177(2012)
  • Kidokoro-Kobayashi M, Iwakura M, Fujiwara-Tsujii N, Fujiwara S, Sakura M, Sakamoto H, Higashi S, Hefetz A, Ozaki M.
    Chemical discrimination and aggressiveness via cuticular hydrocarbons in a supercolony-forming ant, Formica yessensis.
    PLoS One. 7(10):e46840(2012)
  • Nishimura A, Ishida Y, Takahashi A, Okamoto H, Sakabe M, Itoh M, Takano-Shimizu T, Ozaki M.
    Starvation-induced elevation of taste responsiveness and expression of a sugar taste receptor gene in Drosophila melanogaster.
    J Neurogenet. 26:206-15 (2012).
  • Ishida Y, Ozaki M
    A putative octopamine/tyramine receptor mediating appetite in a hungry fly.
    Naturwissenschaften. 98:635-638 (2011)
  • Fujikawa K, Takahashi A, Nishimura A, Itoh M, Takano-Shimizu T, Ozaki M.
    Characteristics of genes up-regulated and down-regulated after 24 h starvation in the head of Drosophila.
    Gene. 446:11-7 (2009)
  • Ozaki M, Nakamura T.
    Chemosensory regulation of feeding in the blowfly: several studies after 'the Hungry Fly'.
    SEB Exp Biol Ser.;63:77-101 (2009)
  • Hojo MK, Wada-Katsumata A, Akino T, Yamaguchi S, Ozaki M, Yamaoka R.  
    Chemical disguise as particular caste of host ants in the ant inquiline parasite Niphanda fusca (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).
    Proc Biol Sci. 276:551-558 (2009)
  • Ozaki M, Ozaki K.
    Insect proteins transporting hydrophobic substances.
    Tanpakushitsu Kakusan Koso. 53:101-103 (2008)
  • Nisimura T, Seto A, Nakamura K, Miyama M, Nagao T, Tamotsu S, Yamaoka R, Ozaki M.
    Experiential effects of appetitive and nonappetitive odors on feeding behavior in the blowfly, Phormia regina: a putative role for tyramine in appetite regulation.
    J Neurosci. 25:7507-7516 (2005)
  • Ozaki M, Wada-Katsumata A, Fujikawa K, Iwasaki M, Yokohari F, Satoji Y, Nisimura T, Yamaoka R.
    Ant nestmate and non-nestmate discrimination by a chemosensory sensillum.
    Science 309:311-4 (2005)

Contact

Office: Bldg C, Room 602

Tel&Fax: +81-78-803-5718

E-mail: mamiko@port.kobe-u.ac.jp (M. O.), m.k.hojo@people.kobe-u.ac.jp (M. H.)