Osaka University Distinguished Professor

Professor and Head, Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Department of Neuro-Medical Science,
Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University (adjunct)
WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University (adjunct)

Toshihide Yamashita is the Osaka University Distinguished Professor and the Head of Department of Molecular Neuroscience and Department of Neuro-Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University. He graduated from Osaka University Medical School in 1990 and had a clinical training as a neurosurgeon.
His research has focused on restoration and regeneration of the injured or degenerated central nervous system (CNS). In the field of central nervous regeneration inhibition signaling, he has discovered novel regeneration inhibitors, identified their receptors, elucidated intracellular key signals, and successfully repaired damaged axons in vivo. These basic research results have had a great impact by answering the question of why the central nervous circuits are difficult to repair once damaged. Regarding his achievements thus far, he published more than two hundred international original research papers. He has held international conferences, become a symposist who oversees this field, and has also received Ameritec Prize (US), for the first time in Japan in 2005. The prize is awarded to researchers in the field of nerve regeneration. He also received the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Award in 2010, Osaka Science Award in 2011, and the Science and Technology Award from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2014. A drug developed by him based on the basic research results is currently undergoing clinical trials for spinal cord injury in Japan, the United States and Canada, and for HTLV-1-associated myelopathy.
The current trend in research has been to clarify the link between the nervous system cells by considering the CNS an independent organ. Regarding how to control the damage and repair of neural circuits by considering the CNS an organ in a biological system, is still research in progress. His recent findings have been published in leading scientific journals such as Nat. Med., Nat. Neurosci., Neuron, Nat. Aging, Dev. Cell, Mol. Psychiatry, J. Clin. Invest., and J. Exp. Med. He is leading the research field by demonstrating leadership, for example, by hosting the 1st RGM International Conference. This research will clarify the mechanisms and significance of a series of reactions, considering damaged neural circuits and the subsequent biological responses in the process of disease progression and will create a new trend in life science.

Education
1994.4 – 1996.4 Graduate Student, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University (withdrawn from a graduate course to become a Research Associate in Osaka University)
1990.3 Graduated from Osaka University Medical School

Degrees and Licenses
1997, Ph.D. (Osaka University)
1990, M.D. (Osaka University)
Medical License (1990~)

Professional Experience
2018.7–present Professor and Head, Department of Neuro-Medical Science, Grad. Sch. Med., Osaka University
2017–present Osaka University Distinguished Professor
2017–present PI, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University
2007.12–present Professor and Head, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Grad. Sch. Med., Osaka University
Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University (adjunct)
2003.11–2007.11 Professor and Head, Department of Neurobiology, Grad. Sch. Med., Chiba University
2001.2 – 2003.10 Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Grad. Sch. Med., Osaka University
1998.7 – 2000.9 Research Fellow, Department of Neurobiochemistry, Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology
1997.11 – 2001.1 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Grad. Sch. Med., Osaka University
1996.5 – 1997.10 Research Associate, Department of Molecular Brain System, Grad. Sch. Med., Osaka University
1993.7 – 1994.3 Medical staff in Department of Neurosurgery, Minoh City Hospital
1992.7 – 1993.6 Medical staff in Department of Neurosurgery, Wakakusa Daiichi Hospital
1991.12 – 1992.6 Medical staff in Department of Psychiatry, Asakayama Hospital
1991.5 – 1991.11 Internship in Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Hospital
1990.6 – 1991.5 Internship in Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka Koseinenkin Hospital

Awards
2005 Ameritec Prize (USA); 2010 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Prize (Japan); 2011 Osaka Science Prize (Japan); 2014 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology