The three researchers of this study—from left, senior author Prof. Ichiro Masai, first author Dr. Swathy Babu, and coauthor Dr. Yuki Takeuchi.

Dr. Lecroq now spends her time in front of the computer, staring at magnified ant heads.

Foraminifera cover the gamut in shapes and sizes. Photo courtesy of Beatrice Lecroq

In the brain, dopamine helps regulate reward and body movement. As part of the reward pathway, dopamine is produced by neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and released in the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex, leading to the feeling of pleasure. Dopamine’s role in motor functions is linked to a separate pathway: first dopamine is produced in the substantia nigra and then it’s released in the striatum. While dopamine plays the same function in each case, malfunctions in the different pathways can cause vastly different diseases such as Parkinson’s and potentially schizophrenia. 

Dr. Naosuke Hoshina (left) and Professor Tasashi Yamamoto (right)

Mr. Hunt teaches how to write a good Statement of Purpose at OIST Café. OIST Café is intended for science majors interested in doing research in an international environment with communication in English. It allows participants to consider potential science careers and receive learning tips.