Takehiro G. Kusakabe

Antenna cells of ascidian larvae are gravity-sensing neurons

This study identifies antenna cells in ascidian larvae as gravity-sensing neurons by ablating them and observing loss of upward swimming behavior.

Establishing genetically controlled, closed 1 colonies of an ascidian

The paper establishes and maintains genetically controlled, closed ascidian colonies to improve experimental reproducibility in non-model organisms.

Spatial transcriptomic landscape of the Ciona adult brain: functional zonalisation and cellular composition in a sessile chordate brain and a novel insight into neural gland function

This study generates the first spatial transcriptomic atlas of the adult Ciona neural complex, revealing molecular zonation and functional roles of key regions like the neural gland.

How opsins diversified after the teleost whole-genome duplication: Insights from two parietopsins of the red piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri

The paper examines opsin diversification after the teleost whole-genome duplication by analyzing parietopsin paralogs in red piranha and other species, finding slight spectral differences and co-expression patterns.

Gamete release in Ciona robusta: roles of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and the photoreception system

This study identifies distinct roles of GnRH1 and GnRH2 in gamete release and ovarian function in Ciona robusta, revealing the OPO as a photoreceptive organ involved in reproductive regulation.

Comparative single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals putative differentiation drivers and potential origin of vertebrate retina

The paper compares single-cell transcriptomes across four vertebrate species to identify conserved regulatory patterns and differentiation drivers in retinal cells.

A single motor neuron determines the rhythm of early motor behaviour in Ciona

The paper identifies a single pair of motor neurons in Ciona that generates rhythmic motor behavior through calcium oscillations and controls tail muscle contractions.

Cellular identity and Ca2+ signaling activity of the non-reproductive GnRH system in the Ciona larva

The paper investigates the cellular identity and calcium signaling activity of gnrh2-expressing cells in Ciona larva, identifying their roles in motor control and neuroendocrine signaling in glia cells.