Yusuke Toyama

Yusuke Toyama is an Associate Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in the Department of Biological Sciences (Faculty of Science) and a Principal Investigator at the Mechanobiology Institute (MBI). His high-impact research earned him the Dean's Chair in the Faculty of Science in 2018.

Education:

• PhD in Engineering, Osaka University, Japan (2003)
• Undergraduate studies, Hokkaido University, Japan

Dr. Toyama investigates tissue mechanics and homeostasis, focusing on apoptotic cell extrusion from epithelial tissues. His lab discovered that actomyosin-driven cytoskeletal rearrangements in neighboring cells mechanically expel dying cells. Recent work reveals immune cells also provide critical mechanical force for apoptotic clearance. His interdisciplinary approach integrates super-resolution imaging, optogenetics, biophysical force measurements, and machine learning to decipher tissue dynamics.

His 2021-2025 publications demonstrate consistent focus on epithelial mechanics, neural stem cell reactivation, and cell junction dynamics. Key themes include F-actin's role in tissue integrity, force transmission at adherens junctions, and immune cell mechanics in homeostasis. Studies frequently employ Drosophila and mammalian models with advanced biophysical techniques to uncover conserved tissue organization principles.

Scientific Awards:

• Dean's Chair in the Faculty of Science, NUS (2018)

Dr. Toyama mentors six PhD students including Le Thuy Truc Anh (2024) and Vinod S/O Prabhakaran (2023). His research is funded by NUS and MBI, supporting investigations into tissue mechanobiology and apoptotic clearance mechanisms through interdisciplinary collaborations.

He leads the Mechanotransduction in Tissues Group at MBI, collaborating with the Ladoux Lab (cell adhesion), Kanchanawong Lab (super-resolution imaging), and Ravasio Lab (tissue mechanics). His team integrates physicists, biologists, and engineers to study mechanical regulation of tissue organization.