Tomohisa Toda honored with Joseph Altman Award
Tomohisa Toda, Professor of Neural Epigenetics at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and at the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin in Erlangen (MPZPM), is investigating how the physical nature of cell nuclei affects gene regulation and brain function. With his serial studies on the importance of long-lived cellular components to the ageing process, Toda is making a significant contribution to our understanding of brain plasticity and neurodegenerative diseases. Now, the scientist is being honored with the 9th Joseph Altman Award in Developmental Neuroscience. The Award is endowed with prize money of 10,000 USD.
Most nerve cells (neurons) in the adult human organism exist from birth. In the adult brain, only a few specific regions have the ability to generate new neurons. One of these is the hippocampus, the area mainly involved in memory formation. The formation of new neurons from adult neural stem cells is called adult neurogenesis. About 60 years ago, Dr Joseph Altman discovered adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus and there is increasing evidence that it is important for cognitive function and mood regulation. In old age, however, adult neurogenesis decreases gradually – the reasons for this are not yet fully understood.
Neuronal consistency as a risk of ageing
In order to understand how ageing affects adult neurogenesis and why, Toda examined long-lived cellular components. Most cellular components, such as RNA and proteins, turn over to maintain cellular homeostasis. Toda and others were able to show that some of these components do not turn over for years and that these stable proteins or RNAs are important for maintaining adult neural stem cells. Their low turnover rate could make them a target for cell ageing, as these long-lived cellular components could accumulate damage. Todas’ serial studies have identified the potential role of long-lived cellular components in brain plasticity and open new avenues of research into brain aging, plasticity and neurodegenerative diseases.
About the Joseph Altman Award
The Joseph Altman Award honors research in developmental neuroscience at the tissue and cellular levels. The scope of the Award is not limited to phenomena during fetal or developmental stages; it also includes adult neurogenesis and its biological significance and its changes resulting from aging and diseases.