Sugie Lab

Our laboratory uses the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), a simple and well-established model organism, to study mechanisms that maintain the nervous system and to investigate the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. Our research centers on two main themes.

Molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration

We examine how neurons form and maintain highly organized networks, and how these networks become disrupted during aging or under stressful conditions. Through analyses spanning from the molecular level to the whole-organism level, we aim to identify fundamental principles underlying neurodegeneration.

Functional analysis of disease-associated variants for diagnostic support

We conduct functional analyses of gene variants of uncertain significance (VUS) identified through next-generation sequencing and related approaches, using Drosophila as an experimental system. In close collaboration with clinical researchers, we model and analyze patient-derived variants in vivo to generate fundamental data that support the interpretation of disease mechanisms and aid diagnosis.

In addition, our laboratory is involved in the operation of the Drosophila Stock Center (https://kyotofly.kit.jp/cgi-bin/stocks/index.cgi), which offers access to a wide range of genetically modified strains and efficient screening platforms. By building on fundamental biological research and promoting reverse translational studies that connect basic science with clinical investigation, we aim to contribute to advances in medicine and life sciences.