Shu Nakao

College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan UniversityAssistant Professor*Profile is at the time of the award.

2018Inamori Research GrantsBiology & Life sciences

Research topics
Molecular basis of arrhythmias induced by exercise training: involvement of clock genes
Keyword
Summary
Cardiac arrhythmias causing dizziness and syncope are prone to competitive athletes, and those symptoms are frequently observed at night rather than daytime. Various physiological functions including blood pressure, body temperature, and digestion and absorption of nutrient are positively and negatively regulated by the peripheral clock in each organ. There is also circadian rhythm in the heart. We are focusing on the regulation of heart rate by the peripheral clock in the cardiac pacemaker tissue, and hypothesized that impairment of the pacemaker clock may result in arrhythmias particularly in athletes.

Message from recipient

I took the chance to send my original but raw research idea for consideration. I received an acceptance notice soon after returning home from overseas research, which did not take place in the best research environment. The grant greatly helped me to advance my research, for which I am grateful. At the presentation ceremony, I was truly humbled by the comments from the members of the selection committee. I will remain faithful to my beliefs as a researcher without becoming conceited, so that I can make discoveries that I hope will prove to be the centerpiece of my professional career.

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Biology & Life sciences