Motoki Tominaga

Motoki Tominaga is a Professor at Waseda University's Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, where he researches plant molecular biology, cytoplasmic streaming, and cytoskeleton dynamics. He holds a Ph.D. in Life Science from Himeji Institute of Technology and has held key positions at RIKEN and JST PRESTO.

His research focuses on:

• Molecular mechanisms of cytoplasmic streaming driven by myosin XI motors
• Role of actin-myosin systems in plant growth and development
• Engineering chimeric myosins to manipulate plant size and biomass
• Calcium-regulated myosin light chain functions

Recent publications (2018-2024) emphasize myosin light chains, structural analyses of motor proteins, and applied biotechnology for crop enhancement. Trends include advanced biophysical techniques (optical trapping, X-ray crystallography) and transgenic approaches to study organelle transport.

Awards:

• JSPS Research Fellowship for Young Scientists (2003-2005)
• JST PRESTO Researcher (2011-2015)