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Takanari Inoue, PhD
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAbout Takanari Inoue
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Cell Biology
Background
Dr. Takanari Inoue is a professor of Cell Biology Department and a director of Center for Cell Dynamics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
His research focuses on synthetic cell biology to dissect and reconstitute intricate signaling networks and dynamic cytoskeletal events.
The Inoue Lab develops a kind of actuator, converting energy to motion, at the molecular level with the high temporal and spatial precision to move and probe actions in live cells, such as chemotaxis, phagocytosis and degranulation, as well as the function of cilia, microtubules and stress granules.
The findings have implications in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and polycystic kidney diseases.
Dr. Inoue received both his undergraduate degree in chemical biology and his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical science from the University of Tokyo. He completed postdoctoral training in chemical and systems biology at Stanford University. He joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2008.
He is a member of the American Society for Cell Biology, the Biophysical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Centers and Institutes
Additional Academic Titles
Professor of Biological Chemistry, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Professor of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences
Contact for Research Inquiries
855 N. Wolfe Street
Rangos Building
Baltimore, MD 21205
Phone: (443) 287-7668
Research Interests
Synthetic cell biology
Lab Website
Inoue Lab - Lab Website
Synthetic cell biology: total synthesis of cellular functions such as neutrophil chemotaxis and ciliary mechano-sensation
Our research focuses on "synthetic cell biology" to dissect and reconstitute intricate signaling networks. In particular, we investigate positive-feedback mechanisms underlying the initiation of neutrophil chemotaxis (known as a symmetry breaking process), as well as spatio-temporally dynamic information processing at various compartments in living cells. In parallel, our lab also tries to understand how cell morphology affects biochemical functions. Ultimately, we will generate completely orthogonal nano-machinery in artificial cells that can achieve existing, and even novel, cellular functions.
Our research is conducted in an open lab style building that embodies a multidisciplinary research approach. Students who are enthusiastic about learning diverse disciplines, developing innovative techniques and challenging fundamental biological problems would enjoy the environment. Students are always welcomed to our lab for discussions about potential research projects.
Research Summary
Dr. Inoue and his lab have developed a series of chemical-molecular tools that allow for inducible, quick-onset and specific perturbation of various signaling molecules. Using this novel technique in conjunction with fluorescence imaging, microfabricated devices, quantitative analysis and computational modeling, the Inoue Lab is dissecting intricate signaling networks. They investigate positive-feedback mechanisms underlying the initiation of neutrophil chemotaxis (known as a symmetry breaking process), as well as spatio-temporally compartmentalized Ras signaling. In parallel, the lab also tries to understand how cell morphology affects biochemical functions in cells. Ultimately, the team’s research seeks to generate completely orthogonal nano-machinery in cells that can achieve existing, as well as novel, cellular functions.
PubMed
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Inoue%20T%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=23649661
Selected Publications
Deb Roy A, Gross EG, Pillai GS, Seetharaman S, Etienne-Manneville S, Inoue T Non-catalytic allostery in α-TAT1 by a phospho-switch drives dynamic microtubule acetylation Journal of Cell Biology 2022;221:11:e1-20
Nakamura H, Lee AA, Afshar AS, Watanabe S, Rho E, Razavi S, Suarez A, Lin YC, Tanigawa M, Huang B, DeRose R, Bobb D, Hong W, Gabelli SB, Goutsias J, Inoue T Intracellular production of hydrogels and synthetic RNA granules by multivalent molecular interactions Nature Materials 2018;17:79-89
Nihongaki Y, Matsubayashi HT, Inoue T. A molecular trap inside microtubules probes luminal access by soluble proteins Nature Chemical Biology 2021;17:888-895
Phua SC, Chiba S, Suzuki M, Su E, Roberson EC, Pusapati GV, Schurmans S, Setou M, Rohatgi R, Reiter JF, Ikegami K, Inoue T Dynamic Remodeling of Membrane Composition Drives Cell Cycle through Primary Cilia Excision. Cell 2017;168:264-279
Wu HD, Kikuchi M, Dagliyan O, Aragaki AK, Nakamura H, Dokholyan NV, Umehara T, Inoue T Rational design and implementation of a chemically inducible hetero-trimerization system Nature Methods 2020;17:928-936
Honors
- The Young Scientists' Prize, Commendation for Science and Technology by the Ministry of Education Science Sports and Culture, 1/1/14
- Young Investigator Award, American Association of Anatomists, 1/1/14
- PRESTO Investigator, Japanese Science and Technology, 1/1/13
- Award for Young Scientists, The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan, 1/1/13
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, Quantitative Chemical Biology Program, 1/1/04
Graduate Program Affiliations
Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program
Biological Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering
Memberships
- American Society for Cell Biology
- Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences
Additional Training
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 2008, Chemical and Systems Biology