Nakamichi has been studying molecular mechanism underlying plant circadian clock. He found that plant specific transcriptional repressors named PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATORs (PRRs) act in the clock genetic circuit. By using a high-throughput DNA sequence technology (ChIP-seq) combined with genome-wide gene expression, he found that PRRs directly regulate not only clock-associated genes, but also some key genes involved in clock out-put pathways. At ITbM, he has been studying unique small molecules controlling the plant circadian clock, collaborating with the groups of Itami, Ooi, Yoshimura, Kay, and the Chemical Library Center.

Research Highlights

• Plant's morning calls to prepare for the night ~Discovery of clock genes in plants that regulate the circadian rhythm~