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Neuroscience Laboratories

Laboratory of functional genomics for human evolution

Prof. SUZUKI K. Ikuo Prof. SUZUKI K. Ikuo

Keywords：

Human evolution, Brain, Organoid, Human-specific genes, Brain tumors, Neurodevelopmental disorders, Genomics

Investigate evolutionary and developmental mechanisms of human-specific features

Our research integrates evolutionary genomics and stem cell technology to experimentally elucidate the 'origins of human uniqueness' at the molecular and cellular levels. While humans have acquired enlarged brains and high cognitive abilities, we also bear an evolutionary trade-off: increased susceptibility to psychiatric and neurological disorders, as well as cancer. We identify genetic regions that have uniquely changed during human evolution through comparative genomic analyses with primates. Furthermore, by leveraging human iPSC-derived brain organoids and advanced genome editing technologies to verify their functions, we aim to uncover the fundamental principles shared between human evolution and disease pathogenesis.

Throughout evolution, humans have dramatically expanded their brains and acquired complex neural circuits that support high cognitive functions. We aim to elucidate the mechanisms of this brain evolution—specifically how human-specific genetic changes have altered developmental programs—by integrating analyses across genomic, cellular, and organismal levels.

Members

　　　　　
Ikuo K. Suzuki (Professor) suzuki.ikuo.fbs[at]osaka-u.ac.jp
Yuki Y. Yamauchi (Assistant Professor) yamauchi.yuki.h2x[at]osaka-u.ac.jp

You could probably reach more information of individual researchers by Research Map and Researcher Directory of the University of Osaka.

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Q＆A

What is your hot research topic?
Innovation of genomic research with AI
Have you had any breakthroughs or significant research progress in the last 5 years?
We have demonstrated the importance of developmental timing in generating the diversity of mammalian cerebral cortical structures
What kind of background do your lab members have?
Biological Sciences (Science), Applied Biological Science (Science and Engineering), Life Science, and Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Do you collaborate with other institutions and universities?
Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, The University of Tokyo, Yale University, and Shenzhen Bay Laboratory
What kind of careers do your lab's alumni go on to?
Research Scientist at a pharmaceutical company
How do you develop your research?
Steadily advancing our research to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying human uniqueness

Research Highlights

Publications (Research Articles, Reviews, Books)

2026

Zhuo Li, Navjot Kaur, Gabriel Santpere, Sydney K. Muchnik, Suvimal Kumar Sindhu, Cai Qi, Mikihito Shibata, Olivier Clement, Thomas S. Klaric, Xabier de Martin, Victor Luria, Hyesun Cho, Mingfeng Li, Akemi Shibata, Andrew T. N. Tebbenkamp, Shaojie Ma, Wenqi Han, Suel-Kee Kim, Sirisha Pochareddy, Phan Q. Duy, Xiaojun Xing, Yunhua Bao, Xuming Xu, Ivan Enghian Gladwyn-Ng, Hayley Daniella Cullen, Annalisa Paolino, Laura R. Fenlon, Peter Kozulin, Rodrigo Suarez, Ryan D. Risgaard, Forrest O. Gulden, Amir Karger, Ikuo K. Suzuki, Tatsumi Hirata, Kevin T. Gobeske, Linda J. Richards, Andre M. M. Sousa, Julian I. Heng, Nenad Sestan

Adaptive Evolution of Gene Regulatory Networks in Mammalian Neocortical Neurons

Nature   2026 （ DOI：10.1038/s41586-026-10226-y）

Zi Chao Ngiam, Kyosuke Wada, Jun Hatakeyama, Yuki Y. Yamauchi, Takuya Kaneko, Pauline Rouillard, Haruka Sato, Masahiko Hibi, Ikuo K. Suzuki, Carina Hanashima, Chiaki Ohtaka-Maruyama, Takuma Kumamoto

Expanded iOn switch toolkit enables flexible clonal labeling and dynamic imaging in model and non-model animals

Communications Biololgy   2026 （ DOI：10.1038/s42003-026-09907-1）

2025

Riina Ishiwatari, Xuanhao D. Sheu, Rintaro Amano, Yuki Y. Yamauchi, Pauline Rouillard, Takuma Kumamoto, Yusuke Kishi, Kazuo Emoto, Ikuo K. Suzuki

Human-specific NOTCH2NL promotes astrogenesis by expanding proliferative glial progenitor states

bioRxiv   2025 （ DOI：10.64898/2025.12.16.694764）

Xuanhao D. Zhou, Yuki Yamauchi, Kazuo Emoto, Ikuo K. Suzuki

Orthogonal Modes of Gene Expression Evolution Shape Human Neocortical Development and Disease Vulnerability

bioRxiv   2025 （ DOI：10.64898/2025.12.11.693619）

Yuki Yamauchi, Xuanhao D Zhou, Rafat Tarfder, Pauline Rouillard, Merve Bilgic, Shuto Deguchi, Tomonori Nakamura, Yusuke Kishi, Kazuo Emoto, Ikuo K Suzuki

Heterochronic scaling of neurogenesis for species-specific dosing of cortical excitatory subtypes

bioRxiv   2025 （ DOI：10.1101/2025.04.10.648214）

2022

Ikuo K. Suzuki

Evolutionary innovations of human cerebral cortex viewed through the lens of high-throughput sequencing

Developmental Neurobiology 82(6):476-494  2022 （PMID：35765158 DOI：10.1002/dneu.22893）

2019

Ikuo K. Suzuki

Molecular drivers of human cerebral cortical evolution

Neuroscience Research 151:1-14  2019 （PMID：31175883 DOI：10.1016/j.neures.2019.05.007）

2018

Ikuo K Suzuki, David Gacquer, Roxane Van Heurck, Devesh Kumar, Marta Wojno, Angeline Bilheu, Adele Herpoel, Nelle Lambert, Julian Cheron, Franck Polleux, Vincent Detours, Pierre Vanderhaeghen

Human-specific NOTCH2NL genes expand cortical neurogenesis through Delta/Notch regulation

Cell 173(6):1370-1384  2018 （PMID：29856955 DOI：10.1016/j.cell.2018.03.067）

2012

Ikuo K. Suzuki, Takahiko Kawasaki, Takashi Gojobori, Tatsumi Hirata

The Temporal Sequence of the Mammalian Neocortical Neurogenetic Program Drives Mediolateral Pattern in the Chick Pallium

Developmental Cell 22(4):863-870  2012 （PMID：22424929 DOI：10.1016/j.devcel.2012.01.004）

Our ideal candidate (as a graduate student)

Someone who steadily works toward their own goals with a curious mind, and who can cherish the curiosity of their teammates

Contact

Laboratory of functional genomics for human evolution,
Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences,
The University of Osaka
1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
TEL: +81-6-6879-9795
E-mail: suzuki.ikuo.fbs[at]osaka-u.ac.jp (Prof. Ikuo Suzuki)

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