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Second Department of Physiology
Introduction
Features of the laboratory
As the name of the Nobel Prize is Physiology or Medicine, physiology is the link between basic science and medicine. Physiologists have and continue to elucidate through numerous experimental investigations how the separate organs coordinate to maintain the proper function and homeostasis to the physiological activity. Disease is a state of systemic failure in which the balance of functions is disturbed, and homeostasis is impaired. Further clarification of the mechanisms by which individual cells, tissues, and organs in the body integrate their functions into the systematical biological activities is required. The objective of our laboratory is to elucidate the mechanisms of biological responses, particularly by investigating the organ-to-organ networks between the brain and organs such as the pancreas, bones, muscles, reproductive organs, and thyroid gland.
Evolution of the laboratory
| （1945） | Founding of Wakayama Prefectural Medical College |
| （1959） | Establishment of Second Department of Physiology, |
| （1986） | The Second Professor, Shigekatsu Tsuji |
| （2000） | The Third Professor, Masanobu Maeda |
| （2018） | The Fourth professor, Masanori Nakata (to the present) |
Faculty and staff （As of February 2025）
| Title | Name | External link |
|---|---|---|
| Professor | Masanori Nakata, M.D., Ph.D. |  |
| Associate Professor | Moritoshi Hirono, Ph.D. | |
| Assistant Professor | Hidefumi Inaba, M.D., Ph.D. | |
| Assistant Professor | Daiki Hashimoto, Ph.D. | |
| Post-doctoral researcher | Toshiro Saito, M.D., Ph.D. （Professor of Hyogo Medical University） | |
| Graduate researcher | Toshiya Yamazaki | |
| Undergraduate researcher (M.D., PhD program) | Itsuki Nonaka | |
| Secretary | Chiaki Kajikawa | |
| Part-time lecturer | Yuji Tsubota, Ph.D.（Professor of Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University） |
Research activities
Previous basic research has primarily centered around hypothesis-driven studies within the framework of "medicine for populations." In contrast, modern clinical medicine has evolved towards "personalized medicine," which takes into account an individual's genetic background and past environmental factors. To appropriately interpret the data accumulated through "personalized medicine," the significance of basic medical research has become more critical than ever. We focus on the organ-to-organ network between the central and peripheral systems, aiming to create new knowledge for the elucidation of the following pathological conditions and their prevention and treatment.
Major research interests
- Regulation of energy metabolism by the hypothalamus and pancreas pancreatic β-cells.
- The correlation between cerebellar function and the regulation of feeding and pain.
- The developmental basis of the central nervous system and reproductive organs.
- Regulation of energy metabolism by skeletal muscle and bone, and elucidation of the pathophysiology of frailty due to its dysregulation.
- The immune mechanisms in the thyroid gland and endocrine organs and their role in cancer immunotherapy. In this manner, in addition to elucidating a wide range of diseases, we also focus on the significant challenges posed by an aging society, with the goal of further contributing to the advancement of "personalized medicine."
Educational activities
School of Medicine (Undergraduate School) (lectures: 100 hours and practice: 40 hours)
The objective of physiology education for medical students is to acquire the fundamental knowledge necessary to explain physiological functions. A comprehensive understanding of normal human body functions, based on physiology, is essential. Upon this foundation, it is crucial to acquire clinical medicine to effectively address diseases.
Our goal is to cultivate specialized knowledge through lectures, student practical, and basic research assignments on subjects including circulatory physiology, respiratory physiology, renal physiology, endocrine and metabolic physiology, reproductive physiology, and environmental physiology.
Graduate School of Medicine
In the postgraduate program, we are responsible for the fields of Structural and Functional Medicine, Morphological and Functional Medicine, and Integrative Molecular Physiology. We are committed to fostering research by encouraging and fostering original and innovative ideas based on intellectual curiosity. We look forward to the participation of many postgraduate students and MD-PhD program students.
Contact
Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, 811-1, Kimiidera, Wakayama City, 641-8509, Japan
Telephone +81-73-441-0623 (Office of Department)
Facsimile +81-73-441-0623 (Office of Department)