For both plants and animals, genomes of a given species tend to be highly diverse. Variations in human genomes contribute to differences in our appearances, while in crops such diversities determine their qualities, and drive the development of new strains. In order to study the such genomic diversities, I developed the technique “allele-specific single-nucleotide substitution One-SHOT” to induce single-nucleotide variations (SNV) in genomes, and I’m interested in applying this technique to improve crop plants.

One of my research topics is the extension of fruit shelf life. Fruit ripening is known to be induced by the hormone ethylene. In particular, fruits like melon, peach and banana possess self-amplifying ethylene signaling pathways such that they ripen especially fast. These fruits are known to release charismatic fragrances when ripened, however they aren’t suited for long-distance transports due to their exceptionally short shelf life.

My laboratory aims to delay the ripening process of these fruits by modifying their ethylene signaling pathways, thereby extend their shelf life. This breakthrough can potentially expand the regions where domestic produce can be shipped internationally.

1992.03: PhD, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University.
1992.04 - 1993.03: JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists, Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Leprosy, Tohoku University.
1993.04 - 1998.03: Research assistant, Department of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University.
1998.04 - 2000.05: JSPS Overseas Research Fellowships, Harvard Medical School.
2000.06 - 2011.03: Professor, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University.
2011.04 - 2014.10: Specially appointed professor, Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University.
2014.11 - 2020.09: Professor, Department of Research for Pluripotent Stem Cells (endowed program), Fukushima Medical University.
2020.10 - 2024.03: Senior scientist, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University.
2024.04 - present: Specially appointed professor, International Research Center for Agricultural & Environmental Biology, Kumamoto University.

Tel:
(+81) 096-342-3558

Email: yokouchy(at)kumamoto-u.ac.jp

Address:
2-39-1 Kurokami, Chuo-ku,
Kumamoto, 860-8555 JAPAN
Kurokami South campus
Academic Commons Kurokami Building 2, Room 403.