Dr

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Ph.D., 1998 Doctoral Program in Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan

Thesis title: “Electrophysiological studies in acceleratory nervous regulation in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica.” Advisor: Dr. H. Yamagishi

B.Sc., 1993 College of Biological Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan

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Publications (*corresponding author):

1) Sakurai A, Newcomb JM, Lillvis JL and Katz PS* (2011) Different roles for homologous interneurons in species exhibiting similar thythmic behaviors. Curr Biol 21: 1036-1043. http://www.cell.com/current-biology/retrieve/pii/S0960982211004829

2) Sakurai A* and Katz PS (2009) Functional recovery after lesion of a central pattern generator. J Neurosci 29: 13115-13125. http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/29/42/13115

This paper was reviewed by Faculty of 1000 Biology (F1000 Factor 9.0). “Functional recovery of a structure such as the spinal cord after a lesion of the nervous system may depend on the re-establishment of axonal connections through regeneration/sprouting of descending pathways or else on plastic mechanisms within the spinal cord itself. Unfortunately, the cellular bases for the latter are lacking. This remarkable paper by Sakurai and Katz is a clear example of how simpler animal preparations (Tritonia diomedea) may shed light on mechanisms of the functional recovery of the swim escape behaviour that depends on plastic changes within such intrinsic circuitry after a central lesion.” by Serge Rossignol (8 Jan 2010) http://f1000biology.com/article/id/1383968/evaluation

3) Sakurai A* and Katz PS (2009) State-, timing-, and pattern-dependent neuromodulation of synaptic strength by a serotonergic interneuron. J Neusosci 29: 268-279. http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/29/1/268

4) Hill ES, Sakurai A, and Katz PS*. (2008) Transient enhancement of spike-evoked calcium signaling by a serotonergic interneuron. J Neurophysiol 100: 2919-2928. http://jn.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/100/5/2919

5) Clemens S, Calin-Jageman RJ, Sakurai A, and Katz PS* (2007) Altering cAMP levels within a central pattern generator modifies or disrupts rhythmic motor output. J Comp Physiol A 193: 1265-1271. http://www.springerlink.com/content/p5472p012502110p/?p=a0c09a32aa91489f85c286a1c80beff4&pi=8

6) Sakurai A*, Calin-Jageman R, and Katz PS (2007) Potentiation phase of spike timing dependent neuromodulation by a serotonergic interneuron involves an increase in the fraction of transmitter release. J Neurophysiol 98: 1975-1987. http://jn.physiology.org/cgi/content/short/98/4/1975

This paper was reviewed by Faculty of 1000 Biology (F1000 Factor 3.0). “This careful study provides evidence that the 5HT-induced potentiation phase of spike-timing-dependent neuromodulation of the synaptic output of ventral swim interneuron B in the mollusk Tritonia diomedea is caused by an increase in the fraction of transmitter release.” by John Hildebrand (27 Nov 2007) http://www.f1000biology.com/article/id/1096014/evaluation

7) Sakurai A (2007) Spike timing-dependent neuromodulation in the Tritonia swim central pattern generator. Jpn Soc Comp Physiol Biochem 24: 18-26.

8) Sakurai A*, Darghouth NR., Butera RJ., and Katz PS (2006) Serotonergic enhancement of a 4-AP-sensitive current mediates the synaptic depression phase of spike timing-dependent neuromodulation. J Neurosci 26: 2010-2021. http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/full/26/7/2010

9) Yamagishi H*, Miyamoto H, and Sakurai A (2004) Developmental changes in dopamine modulation of the heart in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica: Reversal of chronotropic effect. Zool Sci 21: .917-922. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/zsj/21/9/21_917/

10) Katz PS*, Sakurai A, Clemens S, and Davis D (2004) The cycle period of a network oscillator is independent of membrane potential and spiking activity in individual central pattern generator neurons. J Neurophysiol 92: 1904-1917. http://jn.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/92/3/1904

11) Sakurai A and Katz PS* (2003) Spike timing-dependent serotonergic neuromodulation of synaptic strength intrinsic to a central pattern generator circuit. J Neurosci 23: 10745-10755. http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/23/34/10745

This paper was reviewed by Faculty of 1000 Biology (F1000 Factor 6.0). “This paper shows that neuromodulation can be used to shape each oscillatory cycle of a pattern-generating circuit.” by William Kristan (15 Dec 2003) http://www.f1000biology.com/article/id/1016612/evaluation

12) Sakurai A* and Wilkens JL (2003) Tension sensitivity of the heart pacemaker neurons in the isopod crustacean Ligia pallasii. J Exp Biol 206: 105-115. http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/206/1/105

13) Sakurai A (2001) Neuromuscular transmission in the heart of crustacean Ligia exotica. Jpn Soc Comp Physiol Biochem 18: 36-42.

14) Sakurai A and Yamagishi H* (2000) Graded neuromuscular transmission in the heart of the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. J Exp Biol 203: 1447-1457. http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/203/9/1447

15) Sakurai A, Mori A, and Yamagishi H* (1999) Acceleratory nervous regulation of juvenile myogenic hearts in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Comp Biochem Physiol 124A: 575-580. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1095-6433(99)00152-X

16) Sakurai A, Mori A, and Yamagishi H* (1999) Cardioinhibitory neurons in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Zool Sci 16: 401-406. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/zsj/16/3/16_401/

17) Sakurai A (1998) Electrophysiological studies in acceleratory nervous regulation of the heart in the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Doctoral Thesis, University of Tsukuba.

18) Yamagishi H*, Sakurai A, and Mori A (1998) Isolation of neurogenic and myogenic activities by Joro spider toxin in the adult heart of the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Zool Sci 15: 673-676. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/zsj/15/5/15_673/

19) Sakurai A, Mori A, and Yamagishi H* (1998) Glutamatergic neuromuscular transmission in the heart of the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. J Exp Biol 201: 2833-2842. http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/abstract/201/20/2833

20) Sakurai A and Yamagishi H* (1998) Cardioacceleratory neurons in the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica: Visualization of peripheral projection onto the heart muscle. Zool Sci 15: 19-25. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/zsj/15/1/15_19/

21) Sakurai A and Yamagishi H* (1998) Identification of cardioacceleratory neurons in the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica and their effects on cardiac ganglion cells. J Comp Physiol A 182: 145-152. http://www.springerlink.com/openurl.asp?genre=article&issn=0340-7594&volume=182&issue=2&spage=145

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Awards:

2000 Yoshida Prize for Young Researchers, Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry

2003 Faculty of 1000 Biology evaluation (Sakurai and Katz, 2003) by William Kristan

2004 Best Poster Award, South East Nerve Net Meeting

2005 Society for Neuroscience Chapters Postdoctoral Travel Award

2007 Faculty of 1000 Biology evaluation (Sakurai et al., 2007) by John Hildebrand

2009 Faculty of 1000 Biology evaluation (Sakurai and Katz, 2009 poster at SfN meeting) by Ronald Calabrese

2010 Faculty of 1000 Biology evaluation (Sakurai and Katz, 2009b) by Serge Rossignol

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Professional Experiences:

July 2008-present

Research Scientist I, Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia

June 2004-June 2008

Research Scientist I, Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia

July 2001-May 2004

Research Associate, Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia

July 2000-May 2001

Research Assistant Professor, Section of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan

April 2000-July 2000

Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Department of Biology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan

May 1998-March 2000

Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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Research Experiences:

2001-presnet Research Associate (’01-’04), Research Scientist I (’04-present), Georgia State University.

Working in the laboratory of Dr. Paul Katz, I study the cellular mechanisms underlying the spike timing-dependent neuromodulation of synaptic strength in the central pattern generator (CPG) circuit. I found that the serotonergic interneuron in the Tritonia swim CPG can increase or decrease the efficacy of other neuron's synapses, depending on the relative timing of their spiking activities. Recently I found that the swim CPG exhibits functional recovery after a partial lesion of the circuit.

2000-2001 Research Assistant Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.

By in vivo recording of single unit activities in the midbrain of anesthetized guinea pigs, I found that changes in blood sugar level affect the threshold of the central rhythm generator activity involved in cortically-induced rhythmic jaw movements.

2000 JSPS Research Fellow, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan.

Working in the laboratory of Dr. K. Kuwasawa, I studied the development of axonal projection of the cardioregulatory neurons from the central nervous system to the heart during the embryonic development of crustaceans using basic histological techniques combined with immunohistochemical labeling of neuronal processes.

1998-2000 Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Calgary, Canada.

Working in the laboratory of Dr. J. L. Wilkens, I investigated the diversity in electrophysiological and mechanical properties of muscle fibers in crustacean heart. I also investigated the effects of muscle tension on heart pacemaker neurons and discovered that these neurons form “single-neuron reflex arc” inside the heart.

1992‑1998 Undergraduate Research and Thesis Research, University of Tsukuba, Japan.

My doctoral thesis, entitled, “Electrophysiological studies in acceleratory nervous regulation in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica”, was completed in the laboratory of Dr. H. Yamagishi. I identified two pairs of the cardioacceleratory neurons in the central nervous system of the isopod crustacean and determined their actions onto the heart pacemaker neurons and the heart muscle. I also found that the heart pacemaker neurons use glutamate as the neurotransmitter and that they exhibit both spike-mediated and graded synaptic transmission to the heart muscle.

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Funding:

2000-2001 Research Fellowship of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science for Young Scientists (A. Sakurai) “Development of cardioregulatory neural projection to the embryonic heart in the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica”

2001-2007 NIH/NINDS R01-NS35371 (PI: P.S. Katz) “Intrinsic neuromodulation of a small neuronal network” Role: Research associate

2008 Brains & Behavior Seed Grant, Georgia State University (PI: P.S. Katz) “A model for functional recovery without nerve regeneration” Role: Co-investigator

2008 Brains & Behavior Seed Grant, Georgia State University (PI: R. Clewley) “A data-driven model optimization strategy for synaptic plasticity” Role: Post-doc

2008-2012 NSF IOS-0814411 (PI: P.S. Katz) “Evolution of Neural Circuits for Locomotion” Role: Research Scientist

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Membership of Academic Societies:

Society for Neuroscience

Zoological Society of Japan

Physiological Society of Japan

Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry

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Invited Talks:

2000 (July) Invited Speaker, Yoshida Prize for Young Researchers Symposium, Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry

2006 (Oct) Invited Lecture, Hybrid Neural Microsystem, Georgia Institute of Technology

2009 (Nov) Invited Lecture, Biology (4970) Undergraduate Seminar, Georgia State University

2010 (Jul) Invited Lecture, Biology (8700) Graduate Seminar, Georgia State University

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Ad Hoc Referee:

2006, 2009 Journal of Neurophysiology

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Services:

1996-1998 Young researcher association organizer, Japanese Society for Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology,

1998-2000 Young researcher association committee, Japanese Society for Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology

2002-2004 Councilor, Japanese Society for Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology

2004 South East Nerve Net, Steering committee

2006 South East Nerve Net, Steering committee

2008 South East Nerve Net, Steering committee

2010- Councilor (elected), Japanese Society for Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology

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Presentations:

1) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2009). Synaptic properties predict individual susceptibility to and recovery from lesion of a central pattern generator. Soc Neurosci Abstr 35. 366.14.

This poster was reviewed by Faculty of 1000 Biology (F1000 Factor 6.0) “Animal-to-animal variability in synaptic properties within a motor network is given a functional significance by these surprising findings in this poster. It suggests that variation may not have functional consequences under normal conditions but may be critical when the system is challenged by injury.” by Ronald Calabrese (25 Nov 2009) http://f1000biology.com/article/id/1168323/evaluation

2) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2009). Neuromodulatory actions evoked by an identified serotonergic neuron are timing- and state-dependent. Molluscan Neuroscience Meeting (Feb 11-15), San Juan, Puerto Rico.

3) Jhara S, Sakurai A, Lillvis JL, Katz PS (2008). Serotonergic innervation of the Aplysia tail nerve. Soc Neurosci Abstr 34. 880.3.

4) Katz PS, Sakurai A, Hill ES, Gunaratne CA (2008). Interactions of state-dependent and state-independent neuromodulation account for spike-timing dependent neuromodulation. Soc Neurosci Abstr 34. 574.4.

5) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2008). A serotonergic interneuron evokes both state-dependent and state-independent neuromodulatory actions. Soc Neurosci Abstr 34. 574.3.

6) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2008). Adaptive plasticity underlies functional recovery following lesion of a central pattern generator. SENN Abstr 23.

7) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2007). Adaptive plasticity underlies functional recovery following lesion of a central pattern generator. Soc Neurosci Abstr 33. 188.12.

8) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2007). Activity-dependent heterosynaptic augmentation of synaptic transmission induced by a serotonergic interneuron in the Tritonia swim CPG. SENN Abstr 22.

9) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2006). Activity-dependent heterosynaptic augmentation of synaptic transmission caused by a serotonergic interneuron in the Tritonia swim CPG. Soc Neurosci Abstr 32. 350.4.

10) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2006). Activity-dependent heterosynaptic potentiation of synaptic transmission caused by a serotonergic interneuron in the Tritonia swim CPG. Proc of the 77^th meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan.

11) Sakurai A, Calin-Jageman RJ, Katz PS (2006). Bidirectional neuromodulation arising from opposing actions of synaptically-released serotonin. Neural Circuits: From Structure to Function. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Abstracts.

12) Sakurai A, Calin-Jageman RJ, Katz PS (2005). Serotonergic enhancement of transmitter release mediates the synaptic potentiation phase of spike timing-dependent neuromodulation. Soc Neurosci Abstr 31. 177.13.

13) Sakurai A, Darghouth NR, Butera RJ, Katz PS (2005). Use of dynamic clamp to explore A-current function. Georgia Tech Discussion on Real-Time Methods for Cellular Electrophysiology Experiments.

14) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2004). Serotonergic enhancement of a 4-AP sensitive current causes spike propagation failure in a Tritonia swim CPG neuron with multiple spike initiation zones. Soc Neurosci Abstr 30. 537.1.

15) Darghouth NR, Sakurai A, Katz PS, Butera RJ (2004). Computer simulations and dynamic clamp experiments support a role for a 4-AP-sensitive current in serotonin-induced spike narrowing leading to synaptic depression. Soc Neurosci Abstr 30. 420.2.

16) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2003). 4-AP and IBMX selectively block the depression phase of a biphasic neuromodulation of synaptic strength by serotonergic neurons in the Tritonia swim CPG. Soc Neurosci Abstr 29. 168.18.

17) Sakurai A, Katz PS (2002). Serotonergic interneurons in Tritonia evoke a biphasic neuromodulatory action. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr 28, 270.13.

18) Katz PS, Sakurai A, Clemens S, Davis D (2002). Cycle period regulation in the Tritonia escape swim. Soc Neurosci Abstr 28, 67.5.

19) Lynn-Bullock CP, Clemens S, Sakurai A, Katz PS (2002). Functional anatomy of the escape swim CPG in Tritonia. Soc Neurosci Abstr 28, 67.25.

20) Clemens S, Lynn-Bullock CP, Sakurai A, Katz PS (2002). Localization of function in Central Pattern Generator. European J Neurosci 16S.

21) Yamagishi H, Takano S, Sakurai A (2001). Developmental changes in inhibitory nervous regulation of the heart in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Comp Biochem Physiol A130, 876.

22) Nozaki S, Sakurai A (2001). Input-output properties of mesencephalic reticular formation involved in the feeding control in guinea pigs. Jpn J Physiol 51, S240.

23) Sakurai A, Wilkens JL (2000). Proprioception by pacemaker neurons in crustacean heart. Comp Biochem Physiol 127A, 381.

24) Sakurai A (2000). Neuromuscular transmission in crustacean heart. Comp Biochem Physiol 127A, 381.

25) Sakurai A, Wilkens JL (1999). Diversity of muscle fibers in crayfish heart. Comp Biochem Physiol 124A, 131.

26) Sakurai A, Mori A, Yamagishi H (1998). Developmental changes in nervous regulation of the heartbeat in the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. International Symposium on Cardiac Rhythms in Animals: Regulation, Development and Environmental Influences.

27) Sakurai A, Mori A, H Yamagishi (1997). Glutamatergic transmission at neuromuscular junctions in the heart of the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Proc of the 68^th meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan.

28) Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1997). Nonspiking neuromuscular transmission in the heart of the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Proc of the 8^th meeting of Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry.

29) Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1996). Blockage of excitatory neuromuscular transmission by Joro spider toxin in the heart of the isopod, Ligia exotica. Proc of the 67^th meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan.

30) Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1996). Central and peripheral projections of two cardio-acceleratory neurons in the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Proc of the 7^th meeting of Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry.

31) Yamagishi H, Sakurai A, Mori A (1995). Developmental changes in the effects of dopamine on the juvenile heart of the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Proc. of the 66^th meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan.

32) Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1995). Developmental changes in acceleratory nervous regulation in the heart of the isopod crustacean, Ligia exotica. Physiol Zool 68: 69.

33) Sakurai A, Yamaigishi H (1995). Acceleratory regulation of adult heart of the isopod Ligia exotica: Effects of two cardioacceleratory neurons on the cardiac ganglion. Proc of the 6^th meeting of Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry.

34) Sakurai A, Yamagishi H (1994). Development of acceleratory nervous regulation of the heart of the isopod Ligia exotica. Proc of the 65^th meeting of the Zoological Society of Japan.

35) Yamagishi H, Mori A, Sakurai A (1994). Developmental changes in the effects of serotonin on juvenile heart of the isopod crustacean Ligia exotica. Proc of the 5th meeting of Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry.