Junichi Iwata
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
The University of Texas Health Science Center
United States of America
Biography
Dr. Junichi Iwata has graduated from LKyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan, during the period of 2004. He has received Postdoctoral Fellowship from University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, during the period of 2007-2013. Currently, he is working as Assistant Professor in University of Texas Medical School.
Research Interest
The aim of my laboratory is to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms in craniofacial birth defects and diseases such as cleft palate and xerostomia. Specifically, we are working to characterize the cell signaling network and metabolism that directs craniofacial disorders, using multidisciplinary approaches including mouse genetics, genomics, proteomics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The following research projects are ongoing in my laboratory. 1) Cellular metabolism in development and diseases 2) Autophagic machinery in development and diseases 3) Role of WNT signaling in muscle development 4) Role of microRNAs in midfacial development
Publications
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Iwata J, Suzuki A, Pelikan RC, Ho T-V, Sanchez-Lara PA, Chai Y. Modulation of lipid metabolic defects rescues cleft palate in Tgfbr2 mutant mice. Human Molecular Genetics [Internet]. Oxford University Press (OUP); 2013 Aug 23;23(1):182–93.
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Iwata J -i., Suzuki A, Pelikan RC, Ho T-V, Sanchez-Lara PA, Urata M, et al. Smad4-Irf6 genetic interaction and TGF -mediated IRF6 signaling cascade are crucial for palatal fusion in mice. Development [Internet]. The Company of Biologists; 2013 Feb 13;140(6):1220–30.
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Iwata J, Hacia JG, Suzuki A, Sanchez-Lara PA, Urata M, Chai Y. Modulation of noncanonical TGF-β signaling prevents cleft palate in Tgfbr2 mutant mice. Journal of Clinical Investigation [Internet]. American Society for Clinical Investigation; 2012 Mar 1;122(3):873–85.
