I would like to share with you my research history. While attending graduate school at the University of Tokyo, I conducted studies on enzyme inhibitory substances in freshwater cyanobacteria, and was also engaged in the identification and structural characterization of many peptide compounds. Thereafter, I participated in the Research Development Corp. of Japan’s Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology “FUSETANI Biofouling Project” and isolated isonitrile group-containing terpenoids from sponges and sea lemons, which are used as anti-fouling substances against barnacle larvae. I then joined the Faculty of Agriculture of Utsunomiya University in October 1995 and continued my research on natural products in cyanobacteria. During my stay at the university, from September 1998 to August 2000, I conducted research at the Oregon State University, US, under Professor Gerwick and isolated a compound that controls the activity of sodium channels in marine cyanobacteria. I moved to Hokkaido University in September 2001 and since then have conducted research as described in our Laboratory website. Between April and September 2010, I conducted research at the Scripps Research Institute in the US under Professor Moore on vanadium-dependent bromoperoxidase in Actinomyces. Click here for my recent main publications.

I was born in Kyoto but grew up here in Sapporo and stayed here until I completed high school. In the past, I cited the fact that I grew up in Sapporo as an excuse for having been a poor swimmer. However, I eventually started enjoying water activities at the university and developed my interest in marine life through scuba diving. Despite being a clumsy skier by Hokkaido standards, I enjoyed skiing during my Tokyo days.

It has been a while since I moved Sapporo for the second time and I am getting a renewed feeling that Sapporo is really a good place to live in. By going a little further than during casual drives, you find yourself in famous sightseeing spots and skiing grounds, as well as many camp sites with different atmospheres. Sapporo is a very livable large city that allows you to come into contact with nature. Despite being situated very close to the city center, I can say that the peacefulness you feel in Hokkaido University’s leafy campus is second to none among Japan’s universities. Blessed with this great environment, we are considering taking a step into new research fields. I hope you, regardless of currently living in or outside Hokkaido, will consider spending your postgraduate time at our laboratory.

Contact

By email (okino (at) ees.hokudai.ac.jp) or telephone (011-706-4519)

Visitors are welcome

Room 23, Experimentation Building (Jikken-toh), Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University

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