- Touro University, California

Dr. Murakami received his Ph.D. from Kyoto University, Japan. He then worked at the University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Louisville, among others. His expertise includes aging, stress resistance, age-related memory impairment (AMI) and dementia in basic and medical sciences. The most significant findings may be the roles of the insulin/IGF-1 pathway and the serotonin pathway in aging, stress resistance and cognitive functions. In fact, the work has been widely accepted and referred in major medical textbooks (including Harrison’s Internal Medicine; Hazzard's Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology). His outreach internship program provides summer course related to the work and has been repeatedly highlighted in the media news. He has been actively mentoring students in research (10+ students per year at TUC). His areas of teaching include Med Biochemistry, Genetics, Nutrition, Pathophysiology and a broad range of related areas, including Gerontology and Geriatrics (see Teaching). They fit well to his background of training (Biochem, Molec Biol, and Genetics/Genomics) with clinical exposure. His educational role has been progressively expanding to bridge basic sciences to clinical and patients through Gerontological Society of America, NBOME (National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners) and his educational, service and research activities.

Current research interest is to understand the transition of aging processes from normal aging to disease (including Alzheimer’s disease, AD), using semi-automated imaging systems (Machino et al., 2014) and big data analysis of dementia genes in humans and C. elegans (Vahdati et al., 2017). He has formulated the multiplex stress resistance theory of aging, which has now been extended to the middle-life crisis theory of aging. Importantly, the middle-life crisis theory predicted the outcome of one or more clinical trials in the Alzheimer's disease. Service commitment includes not limited to 7 Editorial Board/Advisory Board, 4 Executive Committees, Grant/Manuscript Reviewer and NBOME National Faculty. He is a founding organizer/director of the outreach program, Biotech Academy Touro Summer Internship, which is designed for high school and college students. The internship uses an innovative educational approach to introducing osteopathic medicine, global health and research. It has been repeatedly highlighted by media since it has been started. Modified from http://www.frontiersin.org/people/ShinMurakami_1/43210/profile

Recently he accepted new national leadership roles, including Public Policy Representative of BS Section Executive Committee (Gerontology Society of America); and Committee and Task Force/New Comprehensive Foundational Sciences Examination (NBOME).

Significance to TUC initiatives/strategic plan:

Metabolism and Nutrition:
Our AD genes are involved in metabolism (glucose, lipid, and cholesterol metabolism) and in diabetes. The genes should reveal the role of the metabolism and diabetes genes in dementia. We include patients to obtain feedback to our research.

Community Outreach and Inclusion:
The Biotech Academy Touro Summer Internship has 94% of the intern students from the underrepresented group. It motivates students to osteopathic medicine and other areas taught at TUC.

Recent news about the internship:

VALLEJO TEENS HELP WITH TOURO RESEARCH ON ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
http://www.tu.edu/news/vth_alzheimersresearch.html

VALLEJO, AMERICAN CANYON STUDENTS FINISH BIOTECH INTERNSHIP AT TOURO UNIVERSITY
http://www.tu.edu/news/vth_murakami_063014.html

Recent Book and Paper:

1. Murakami, S. Editor (2017) Research Topic: Biology of cognitive aging: model systems, technologies and beyond. Publisher: Frontiers Media SA. ISBN: 9782889451449 eBook
http://www.frontiersin.org/books/Biology_of_Cognitive_Aging_Model_Systems_Technologies_and_beyond/1167

Highlight: This covers various model systems from nematodes, fruit flies, bees, snails, fishes, rodents and beyond. It has an emphasis on research toward the benefit of patients.

2. Vahdati Nia B, Kang C, Tran MG, Lee D, Murakami, S. (2017) Meta Analysis of Human AlzGene Database: Benefits and Limitations of using C. elegans for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease and Co-Morbid Conditions. Front. Genet. 8:55. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2017.00055
https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2017.00055

Highlight: This is the first comprehensive validation of Alzheimer's disease genes. The work provides the genetic basis of AD that shows the complex comorbidities and explains why the diagnosis of AD is often difficult. The work significantly increases the number of C. elegans AD genes from 17 to more than 400 genes.

3. Murakami, S. and Halperin, SA. (2014) Alzheimer’s patient feedback to complement research model systems using cognitive impairments. Frontiers in Genetics of Aging. Front. Genet. 5:269. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00269
http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fgene.2014.00269/full

Highlight: This is the first paper co-authored with an AD patient in the field of model systems.

4. Machino, K., Link C., Wang S., Murakami, H., and Murakami, S. (2014) A semi-automated analysis of age-related memory impairment in C. elegans. Front. Genet. 5:202. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00202
http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fgene.2014.00202/abstract

Highlight: Motor deficits were not well described in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The work provides a clear evidence for motor deficits in AD model systems with neural amyloid deposits.

Ref request:
Due to the high volume of requests, please contact Dr. Murakami a few weeks in advance unless urgent.

Subjects:
Aging/Gerontology, Genetics, Biochem, Molec and Cell Biology, Pathophys, Clinical research, and related areas.

Classes:
Fundamentals of Osteopathic Medicine (Medical Biochemistry and Genetics, Molecular Biology, Neoplasia, Serum Protein/Anemia/Blood Biochem)
Integrated Systems: GI (GI Biochem and Nutrition)
Integrated Systems: CVRR (Course Director) (Lipoprotein metab and COAR-Cardio/Osteopathic/Anatomy/Reno-Resp)
Medical Biochemistry (Course Director)
Intro to Research and Research Internship (Aging and dementia)
Clinical Distinction/Geriatrics Speciality Track (OMS3)
Clinical Rotation/Gerontology-Geriatrics Research Track (OMS4)
Clinical Integration

Clinical Research Basics (Course director)
Ph.D. Qualifying Exam (Director)

Topics:
Genetics and Epigenetics of Aging
Role of metabolism genes in AMI (Age-related Memory Impairment) and Dementia
Midlife Crisis Theory of Aging (described in Murakami et al., 2011; Murakami, 2012)
Outreach and Bridge Program for Higher Education

Grant has been approved for Wall to Wall College and Career Academy Initiative (Advisor/Collaborator). Others include NIH R15 Grant (PI, $423,410, Pending). AACOM Mini Grant (Collaborator), Intramural grant (PI), among others.

Research, Education, and Community Contribution:
Biotech Academy Touro Internship (for College and High School Students)
Developing Aging-Osteopathic Consortium
90 students/staffs mentored for research (10+ students per year at TUC as of July 2014).

Service:
1. National Scientific Advisory Council, AFAR (American Federation for Aging Research)
2. Public Policy Committee and BS Section Executive Committee (Gerontology Society of America)
3. National Faculty and Task Force/New Comprehensive Foundational Sciences Examination (NBOME)
4. 7 Editorial Boards, Review Board and Advisory Board, Frontiers in Genetics of Aging, Open Longevity Science (Formerly, The Open Aging Journal and Open Aging Review), WebmedCentral, among others.
5. University committees served include, admission committee, faculty search committee, staff search committee, research committee, graduate executive committee, program executive committee, FS executive committee, among others.
6. Advisory Board and TaskForce/STREAM, Vallejo City Unified School District, Vallejo, CA.
7. Reviewer for AFAR, AOA (American Osteopathic Association), NSF (National Science Foundation), and peer-reviewed journals.

Murakami lab website (under construction)

Special Issue (Peer-reviewed)

Murakami, S. Editor (2017) Research Topic: Biology of cognitive aging: model systems, technologies and beyond. Publisher: Frontiers Media SA. ISBN: 9782889451449 eBook
See the first page. Another link is:
http://journal.frontiersin.org/researchtopic/1759/biology-of-cognitive-aging-model-systems-technologies-and-beyond

Publications (Selected out of 42 Peer-Reviewed papers, Reviews and Book Chapters)

1. Vahdati Nia B, Kang C, Tran MG, Lee D, Murakami, S. (2017) Meta Analysis of Human AlzGene Database: Benefits and Limitations of using C. elegans for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease and Co-Morbid Conditions. Front. Genet. In Press.

2. Murakami S (2016) Editorial: Biology of Cognitive Aging: Model Systems, Technologies, and Beyond. Front. Genet. 6:366. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00366 Epub 2015

3. Murakami, S. (2014) Diet and Exercise in Cognitive Function and Neurological Diseases, Farooqui, T. Farooqui, A. (Eds.) Wiley BlackWell, New York.

4. Murakami, S. and Halperin, SA. (2014) Alzheimer’s patient feedback to complement research model systems using cognitive impairments. Frontiers in Genetics of Aging. Front. Genet. 5:269. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00269
http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fgene.2014.00269/full

5. Machino, K., Link C., Wang S., Murakami, H., and Murakami, S. (2014) A semi-automated analysis of age-related memory impairment in C. elegans. Front. Genet. 5:202. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00202
http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fgene.2014.00202/abstract

6. Murakami, S. (2013) Age-dependent modulation of learning and memory in C. elegans. In Menzel R and Benjamin P.R. (Eds.) Invertebrate Learning and Memory; Handbook of Behavioral Neuroscience. Elsevier/Academic Press. Ch.12, Pages 140-150. Book Chapter.

Highlight: The manuscript clarifies misunderstandings in the field of AMI and describes more details of the “middle-life crisis theory of aging.”

7. Murakami, S., Cabana, K., Anderson, D. (2011) Current advances in the study of oxidative stress and age-related memory impairment in C. elegans. In Farooqui, T. Farooqui, A. (Ed.) Molecular aspects of oxidative stress on cell signaling in vertebrates and invertebrates, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ. Ch 25, Pages 347-360. Book Chapter.

Highlight: The manuscript describes roles of oxidative stress in memory impairment and describes the “middle-life crisis theory of aging.”

8. Murakami, H., Bessinger, K., Hellmann, J. Luerman, G.C., Murakami, S. (2008) Serotonin as a cause of behavioral aging in C. elegans. Neurobiology of Aging. 29(7):1093-100.

Highlight: Together with Murakami and Murakami 2007, this is the first evidence for alterations in serotonin signal as a cause of early phase of aging.

9. Murakami, H., Murakami, S. (2007) Serotonin receptors antagonistically modulate C. elegans longevity. Aging Cell. 6:483-8.

Highlight: Together with Murakami et al., 2008, this is the first evidence for alterations in serotonin signal as a cause of early phase of aging.

10. Murakami, S. (2007) C. elegans as a model system to study aging of learning and memory. Molecular Neurobiology. 35: 85-94. Review.

11. Murakami, S. (2006) Stress resistance in long-lived mice. Special Issue of Genetic Analysis of Aging. Experimental Gerontology, 41:1014-9. Review.

12. Murakami, H., Bessinger, K., Hellmann, J., Murakami, S. (2005) Aging-dependent and independent regulation of learning by insulin/IGF-1 signal in C. elegans.J. Neurosci. 25:10894-904.

13. Murakami, S. and Murakami, H. (2005) The effects of aging and oxidative stress on learning behavior in C. elegans. Neurobiology of Aging. 26:899-905.

14. Salmon, A.B., Murakami, S., Bartke, A., Kopchick, J., Yasumura, K., Miller, R.A. (2005) Fibroblast cell lines from young adult mice of long-lived mutant strains are resistant to multiple forms of stress. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab.289: E23-9.

15. Murakami, S., Salomon, A., and Miller, R.A. (2003) Multiplex stress resistance in cells in long-lived Dwarf mice. FASEB J. 17:1565-1566.

16. Murakami S. and Johnson T.E. (2003) Molecular genetics of longevity and stress resistance in model organisms. Current Genomics 4:63-74. Review.

17. Johnson, TE, Henderson, S., Murakami, S., de Castro, E., de Castro, S.H., Cypser, J., Rikke, B., Tedesco, P., Link, C. (2002) Longevity genes in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans also mediate increased resistance to stress and prevent disease. J Inherit Metab Dis 25:197-206. Review.

18. Murakami, S. and Johnson T.E. (2001) The OLD-1 positive regulator of longevity and stress resistance is under DAF-16 regulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Current Biology. 11:1517-1523.

19. Johnson, T.E., Cypser, J., de Castro, E., Henderson, S., Murakami, S., Rikke, B., Tedesco, P. and Link, C. (2000) Gerontogenes mediate health and longevity in nematodes through increasing resistance to environmental toxins and stressors. Exp. Geront. 35:687-694. Review.

20. Murakami, S., Tedesco, P., Cypser, J., and Johnson, T.E. (2000) Molecular mechanism and genetic manipulation of longevity in C. elegans. Annals of NY Acad. Sci., 908:40-49. Review.

21. Rikke, B., Murakami, S., and Johnson, T. E. (2000) Molecular phylogenetics of tyrosine kinase that can extend nematode life span. Journal of Molecular Evolution.17:671-683.

22. Murakami, S. and Johnson T. E. (1998) Life extension and stress resistance modulated by the old-1 receptor tyrosine kinase gene. Current Biology. 8:1091-1094.

23. Johnson T.E., Murakami, S. Shook, D.R., Duhon, S. and Tedesco, P.M. (1997) Identifying and cloning longevity determining genes in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. In J.-M. Robine, J. Vaupel, Jeune and Allard (Eds.); Longevity: To the limits and beyond. Heiderberg, Springer-Verlag, pp155-163. Book Chapter.

24. Johnson, T. E., Lithgow, G. J. and Murakami, S. (1996) Hypothesis: Interventions that increase the response to stress offer the potential for effective life prolongation and increased health. J. Gerontology 51A:B392-B395.

25. Johnson, T. E., Lithgow, G. J., Murakami, S. and Shook, D. R. (1996) Genetics. In Encyclopedia of Gerontology, Academic Press, p577-586. Book Chapter.

26. Johnson, T. E., Lithgow, G. J., Murakami, S., Duhon, S. A. and Shook, D. R. (1996) Genetics of aging and longevity in lower organisms. In Holbrook, N. and Martin, G. R. (Eds.); Aging and Cell Death: Series on Modern Cell Biology, pp1-17. Book Chapter.

27. Duhon, S. A., Murakami, S. and Johnson, T. E. (1996) Direct isolation of longevity mutants in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Dev. Genet. 18:144-153.

28. Murakami, S. and Johnson T. E. (1996) A genetic pathway conferring life extension and resistance to UV stress in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics. 143:1207-1218.

29. Murakami, S., and Niwa, O. (1995) Fission yeast sta mutations that stabilize an unstable minichromosome are novel cdc2 interacting suppressers and are involved in spindle dynamics. Mol. Gen. Genet. 249:391-399.

30. Murakami, S., Yanagida, M., and Niwa, O. (1995) A large circular minichromosome of Schizosaccaromyces pombe requires a high dose of type II DNA topoisomerase for its stabilization. Mol. Gen. Genet 246:671-679.

31. Takahashi, K., Murakami, S., Chikashige, Y., Funabiki, H., Niwa, O., and Yanagida, M. (1992) A low copy number central sequence with strict symmetry and unusual chromatin structure in fission yeast centromere. Molecular Biology of the Cell 3:819-835.

32. Takahashi, K., Murakami, S., Chikashige, Y., Niwa, O., and Yanagida, M. (1991) A large number of tRNA genes are symmetrically located in fission yeast centromere. Journal of Molecular Biology 218:13-17.

33. Murakami, S., Matsumoto, T., Niwa, O., and Yanagida, M. (1991) Structure of the fission yeast centromere cen3: direct analysis of the reiterated inverted region. Chromosoma 101:214-221.

34. Matsumoto, T., Murakami, S., Niwa, O., and Yanagida, M. (1990) Construction and characterization of centromeric circular and acentric linear chromosomes in fission yeast. Current Genetics 18:323-330.

35. Chikashige, Y., Kinoshita, N., Nakaseko, Y., Matsumoto, T., Murakami, S., Niwa, O., and Yanagida, M. (1989) Composite motifs and repeat symmetry in S.pombe centromeres: direct analysis by integration of Not I restriction sites. Cell 57:739-751.

College of Osteopathic Medicine (Faulty)

Master of Sciences in Medical Health Sciences/COM (Founding faculty)

Biotech Academy Touro Internship Program (Founding organizer/Director)

Program in the news: http://www.tu.edu/news/vth_alzheimersresearch.html

Associations/Initiatives:

Alzheimer's Association

Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative

Gerontology Society of America

Genetics Society of America

ResearchersAgainstAlzheimers.org

Faculty & Staff at TUC

Shin Murakami