How do chromosomes divide?
In a body, every single cell has the same number of chromosomes. This is because when a cell divides, the replicated chromatids are equally segregated into daughter cells. But, the first meiotic division is a clear exception. This division segregates maternal and paternal chromosomes for production of eggs and sperms, which are the origin of a new life. What is the story behind this division?
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News
3 September, 2025
Summer School of Life Science
Miho Sakuma attended the 65th Summer School of Life Science held in Koto-ku, Tokyo from 29 to 31 August, 2025 and gave a poster presentation.
3 September, 2025
Congress of Japan Society of Fertilization and Implantation
Tomoya Kitajima and Kohei Asai attended the 43rd Congress of Japan Society of Fertilization and Implantation held in Nagoya from 28 to 29 August, 2025 and gave oral presentations.
26 August, 2025
BDR Summer School
BDR summer internship program for undergraduate students was held from August 18-22. Kitajima Lab welcomed 3 students. They had the opportunity to carry out experiments using live-imaging of mouse oocytes and presented their results to the other internship participants.
25 August, 2025
Spatial challenges of chromosomes in eggs
Chromosome segregation requires spindle bipolarization and chromosome biorientation. In this paper, using mouse oocytes as a model, we show that the haploinsufficiency of the antiparallel microtubule motor KIF11 causes incomplete spindle bipolarization. Chromosomes in the outer region of the metaphase plate require more KIF11 to achieve biorientation. This study may contribute to the understanding and prediction of infertility.
Mishina T, Courtois A, Yoshida S, Asai K, Kiyonari H, Kitajima TS, "Kif11-haploinsufficient oocytes reveal spatially differential requirements for chromosome biorientation", EMBO Reports, doi: 10.1038/s44319-025-00539-w
30 July, 2025
Cell Division Workshop 2025
Miho Sakuma attended Cell Division Workshop 2025 held in Mishima from 24 to 25 July, 2025 and gave a poster presentation.
Please contact Tomoya Kitajima if you are
interested in joining the lab as
a postdoc or a PhD student.
・Job opportunities
Upcoming Events
15 September - 17 September, 2025
24 September - 26 September, 2025
The 63rd Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan
3 November - 5 November, 2025
The 98th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Biochemical Society
3 December - 5 December, 2025
The 48th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan (MBSJ 2025)