Noriko Osumi

Professor of developmental neuroscience

Noriko Osumi (大隅典子, Ōsumi Noriko) is a Japanese neuroscientist. She was appointed as the Vice-president of Tohoku University in 2018, a Professor of Developmental Neuroscience,^[1] and the Director of the Core Center for Neuroscience at that university. Osumi also presided at the Molecular Biology Society of Japan, 2013-2014.^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

Biography

Background

Noriko Osumi is from Kanagawa Prefecture. She graduated from the School of Dentistry at Tokyo Medical and Dental University in 1985, and from the Graduate School at that institution in 1989.

Family

Her parents were biologists, consisting of Seiji Osumi, a cetologist, and Masako Osumi, an electron microscopist. The environment has aroused her interest in living things and led her to read all the pictorial books at home. She loved books and read biographies on a regular basis in elementary school.

Junior high and high school years

Osumi admired an architect and an editor in junior high school. However, she selected a faculty of dentistry after respecting the profession to cure patients. She described that she did not select a medical school because she could not determine to be a physician who bears the responsibility of human lives.

Undergraduate years

After enrolling in the university, She spent balanced college days by attending to tennis club faithfully and obtaining grades to pass all examinations. She initiated tennis in university as a beginner which developed strategic thinking skills. In addition, she claims that tennis profoundly influenced her future plan.

Graduate years

Osumi planned to be admitted to the graduate school as no resident internship was provided. Female researchers were, however, a minority at that time. In the end, she enrolled in the graduate school after being assisted by Prof. Kazuhiro Eto, her senior of the tennis club, who established a new laboratory with open environment.

In the laboratory, she researched the development of the face and neural crest cells. This field was only studied in that laboratory in Japan and even less than ten in the world. The research was realized in Tokyo Medical and Dental University, which is a comparatively small college, not one of the former imperial universities. This selection of a resistance dealing defined further directions of her research.

Career

After her graduate studies, Osumi initiated her career as a research associate in faculty of dentistry at her alma mater of Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

After engaging in a research associate for several years, Dr. Akira Kakizuka indicated that she had contributed our study as an assistant for a long period. Hence, Osumi resolved to be an independent researcher, moving to the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry as a section chief of the National Institute of Neuroscience in 1996. In this period, it was revealed that PAX6 gene acted to develop the brain in addition to the face, especially the eyes, that led her to research on the development of the brain. In 1998, she moved to Tohoku University as a first female professor at the graduate school of medicine. Furthermore, she was assigned to be a special advisor for gender equality in 2006, and served as a distinguished professor from 2008 to 2010 at Tohoku University. In 2018, she was appointed a vice president for public relations and promotion of diversity and a chief librarian of Tohoku University Library.

Current research topics

Osumi specializes in neuroscience (neuroembryology, developmental neuroscience) to reveal the scheme of human mind in terms of brain development. She retains a keen interest in psychiatric disorder, especially issues related to depression and autism. This motive is derived from suicide of her friend, Dr. Kazuhiko Umesono, which enhanced her desire to discover effective strategies to support, save or strengthen human mind.

Notes

Noriko Osumi is not a relative of Yoshinori Ohsumi, the Nobel prize winner, but because of the similar family name, she is often misunderstood as his child or his wife.

Publications

Life Science columns on Diamond Weekly

Osumi has contributed life science articles for Japanese general readers on a popular weekly news magazine, starting in February 2015 and running for three years. The series was called "the Cutting-edge science for adults".

Osumi, Noriko (February 2015). "#5 Mystery of cells to "initialize", while having lost the ability to become anything". Diamond Weekly. 103 (6). DIAMOND, Inc.: 68–69.^[6]

Journal articles

Osumi-Yamashita Noriko; Kuratani, Shigeru; Ninomiya, Youichirou; Aoki, Kaori; Iseki, Sachiko; Chareonvit, Suconta; Doi, Hirofumi; Fujiwara, Michio; Watanabe, Tadashi; Eto, Kazuhiro (February 1997). "Cranial anomaly of homozygous rSey rat is associated with a defect in the migration pathway of midbrain crest cells". Development, Growth & Differentiation. 39 (1). Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists: 53–67. doi:10.1046/j.1440-169X.1997.00007.x. ISSN 0012-1592. PMID 9079035. S2CID 22888418.
Ohsumi, Noriko (2006). "Toward a mutual communication between public and scientists". Trends in the Sciences (Gakujutsu No Doko: JSC News). 11 (2). Japan Science Support Foundation: 24–27. doi:10.5363/tits.11.2_24. ISSN 1342-3363.
Osumi, Noriko (May 2007). "Universities'initiatives for promoting gender-equal participation: developing career paths for female researchers". Japanese Scientific Monthly. 60 (5). Japan Society for the Promotion of Science: 280–282. ISSN 0387-2440.
Takahashi, Masafumi; Osumi, Noriko (March 2008). "Brain patterning: region-specific gene expression and compartment/boundary formation". Protein, Nucleic Acid and Enzyme. 53 (4). Kyoritsu Shuppan Co., Ltd.: 350–357. ISSN 0039-9450. PMID 21089303.
Matsumoto, Yoko; Osumi, Noriko (April 2008). "The role of Pax6 in the developing central nervous system". Brain and Nerve. 60 (4). ja:IGAKU-SHOIN: 365–374. ISSN 1881-6096. PMID 18421978.
Osumi, Noriko (2008). "Expression study of cadherin 7 and cadherin 20 in the embryonic and adult rat central nervous system". BMC Developmental Biology. 8 (8). BioMed Central: 87. doi:10.1186/1471-213X-8-87. ISSN 1471-213X. PMC 2564927. PMID 18801203.
Osumi, Noriko (2008). "Human resources in science and technology fields in Japan: various projects for raising the next generation". Trends in the Sciences. 13 (9). Japan Science Support Foundation: 56–59. doi:10.5363/tits.13.9_56. ISSN 1342-3363.
OSUMI, Noriko (April 2009). "Fly High!: Toward the Next Stage for Encouraging Female Researchers". 高分子. 58 (4): 209. ISSN 0454-1138.
Sakayori, Nobuyuki; Osumi, Noriko (June 2009). "Neural stem cells for neural development". The Medical Frontline. 64. 最新医学社: 1259–1273. ISSN 0370-8241.
Matumata, Miho; Osumi, Noriko (December 2009). "Possible involvement of postnatal neurogenesis in pathogenesis of mental diseases and application of polyunsaturated fatty acids to increase neurogenesis". Igaku No Ayumi. 231 (10). Ishiyaku Publishers, Inc.: 978–985. ISSN 0039-2359.
OSUMI, Noriko (2009). "Activating Intrinsic Neural Stem Cells in the Brain". Trends in the Sciences. 14 (8). Japan Science Support Foundation: 30–35. doi:10.5363/tits.14.8_30. ISSN 1342-3363.
Osumi, Noriko (2009). "Study for the mechanism of postnatal hippocamapal neurogenesis: Molecular mechanisms governed by Pax6 and its downstream factors". Granted Research Report, the Asahi Glass Foundation. The Asahi Glass Foundation: 1–5. ISSN 1882-0069.
Osumi, Noriko (January 2010). "Rodent models for schizophrenia and related psychiatric disorders". Seitai-no-Kagaku. 61 (1). The Ichiro Kanehara Foundation for the Promotion of Medical Sciences and Medical Care: 71–78. ISSN 0370-9531.
Takashima, Kenta; Seki, Tatsunori; Osumi, Noriko (February 2010). "Regeneration in the central nervous system". Sogo Rehabilitation. 38 (2). IGAKU-SHOIN: 107–113. ISSN 0386-9822.
OSUMI, Noriko (June 2010). "Fatty acid signal, neurogenesis, and psychiatric disorders". Japanese Journal of Psychopharmacology. 30 (3): 141–148. ISSN 1340-2544. PMID 20666146.
Yoshizaki, Kaichi; Osumi, Noriko (2011). "Neurogenesis in the Brain Predicts Our Mind(Symposium/A Vital Problems of Medical and Biological Sciences in Comimg 50 years: How to Elucidate the Problem of the Mind-brain Interaction)". Japanese Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine. 51 (1). Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine: 19–27. doi:10.15064/jjpm.51.1_19. ISSN 0385-0307.
OSUMI, Noriko (2011). "Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Fatty Acid Binding Protein Involvements in Neurogenesis". Oleoscience. 11 (10). Japan Oil Chemists' Society: 359–363. doi:10.5650/oleoscience.11.359. ISSN 1345-8949.
Sakayori, Nobuyuki; OSUMI, Noriko (January 2011). "The function of fatty acid signals in neurogenesis". Japanese Journal of Psychopharmacology. 31 (3): 111–116. ISSN 1340-2544. PMID 21800701.
Osumi, Noriko (November 2011). "Pax6 mutant as a potential model for neurodevelopmental disorders". Igaku No Ayumi. 239 (6). Ishiyaku Publishers, Inc.: 663–668. ISSN 0039-2359.
OSUMI, Noriko (February 2013). "Nurturing Future Life Scientists". Trends in the Sciences. 18 (2). Japan Science Support Foundation: 17–21. doi:10.5363/tits.18.2_17. ISSN 1342-3363.
Tsunekawa, Yuji; Osumi, Noriko (November 2013). "Control of asymmetry distribution and the differentiation fate of Cyclin D2 in the nerve trunk cell". Seitai No Kagaku. 64 (6). The Ichiro Kanehara Foundation for the Promotion of Medical Sciences and Medical Care: 621–625. ISSN 0370-9531.
Osumi, Noriko (April 2014). "Prospects and Large-Scale Plans in the Field of Basic Medical Research". Trends in the Sciences: SCJ Forum. 19 (6). Japan Science Support Foundation: 30–33. doi:10.5363/tits.19.6_30. ISSN 1342-3363.
Kikkawa, Takako; Osumi, Noriko (December 2014). "Pax6 is a neural/stem progenitor cell fate determinant". Igaku No Ayumi. 251 (12). Ishiyaku Publishers, Inc.: 1118–1122. ISSN 0039-2359.
OSUMI, Noriko (2014). "Prospects and Large-Scale Plans in the Field of Basic Medical Research". Trends in the Sciences. 19 (6). Japan Science Support Foundation: 6_30–6_33. doi:10.5363/tits.19.6_30. ISSN 1342-3363.
Osumi, Noriko (2014). "Regulation of expression of FMRP, or autism related factor, and its significance". Research Report on the Uehara Memorial Foundation. 28. The Uehara Memorial Foundation: 1–3.
Sakayori, Nobuyuki; OSUMI, Noriko (2016). "Lipids for Healthy Brain Development". Trends in the Sciences. 21 (4). Japan Science Support Foundation: 4_59–4_62. doi:10.5363/tits.21.4_59. ISSN 1342-3363.
Osumi, Noriko (2016). "Functional analysis of fatty acid signals in brain development". Reports of Research Assisted by the Asahi Glass Foundation. Asahi Glass Foundation: 1–10. ISSN 1882-0069.
Kuriyama, Shinichi; Hashizume, Hiroaki; Tamiya, Gen; Kawame, Hiroshi; Suzuki, Kichiya; Hozawa, Atsushi; Nakaya, Naoki; Kikuya, Masahiro; Tanaka, Hiroshi; Osumi, Noriko (2016). "The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project: Design and Mission". Journal of Epidemiology. 26 (9). Japan Epidemiological Association: 493–511. doi:10.2188/jea.JE20150268. ISSN 0917-5040. PMC 5008970. PMID 27374138.
Hosaka, Masako; Kurata, Shoichiro; Yamauchi, Noriko; Osumi, Noriko; Tanaka, Mami; Yonenaga, Ichiro (November 2017). "The Program for Women Graduate Students in Sciences: Aiming for the Development of Next Generation Scientists". Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan. 81 (1). Chemical Engineering of Japan: 20–23. ISSN 0375-9253.
Osumi, Noriko (February 2017). "Japanese Author: Jihei supekutoramu-shō kenkyū kara 'kosei' no tankyū e" [From autism spectrum research to the search for "individuality"]. Nature Digest. 14 (2). NATURE Japan; 2010-: 20–22. ISSN 2189-7778.
Sakayori, Nobuyuki; Osumi, Noriko (2017). "The role of docosahexaenoic acid in brain development". Vitamins. 91 (9). The Vitamin Society of Japan: 547–554. doi:10.20632/vso.91.9_547. ISSN 0006-386X.
Osumi, Noriko (2017). "Postnatal Neurogenesis: Its Mechanisms and Significance as a Potential Target for Therapeutics and Intervention for Psychiatric Diseases". Japanese Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine. 57 (7). Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine: 702–709. doi:10.15064/jjpm.57.7_702. ISSN 0385-0307.
Sakayori, Nobuyuki; Osumi, Noriko (2018). "The role of essential fatty acids in brain development". Journal of Lipid Nutrition. 27 (1). Japan Society for Lipid Nutrition: 14–20. doi:10.4010/jln.27.14. ISSN 1343-4594.

References

^ Tohoku University page for Noriko Osumi
^ "Molecular Biology Society of Japan website". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
^ Osumi, Noriko. "Dai 18-ki riji-chō aisatsu" [Greetings from the 18th Executive Director] (in Japanese). Molecular Biology Society of Japan. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018.
^ Osumi, Noriko (12 June 2013). "President's Report" (PDF). Molecular Biology Society of Japan. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 9, 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ Osumi, Noriko (4 July 2014). "Statement by the President of MBSJ Regarding Response to STAP Cell Research Papers (Third Statement)" (PDF). Molecular Biology Society of Japan. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 5, 2016. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ Osumi, Noriko (November 2018). "#190: Not just Opusibo! The achievement of the Nobel lauriate Dr. Tasuku Honjo, the legend in the history of immunology". Diamond Weekly. 106 (43). DIAMOND, Inc.: 72–73.