OHTSU MinaAssistant Professor
- Laboratory
- Laboratory of Plant Immunity
- Research Theme
- Mechanisms of plant tissue remodeling by parasitic nematodes / Visualizing plant–microbe interactions using unique microscopy techniques
- Research Keywords
Plant–microbe interactions, plant-parasitic nematodes, cyst nematodes, plant pathogens, microscopy, live imaging, 3D imaging, plant immunity, effectors, plant protection, plant pathology, plant molecular and physiological sciences, cell biology, molecular biology
Overview of Research
We study tiny worm-like parasites called cyst nematodes that infect plant roots. These parasites can make plant cells do unusual things—like fusing together—even though plant cells normally never fuse because of their tough cell walls.
By understanding how cyst nematodes pull off this rare trick, we can learn something really cool about plant biology and also find better ways to protect important crops.
Charge
- School of Science:
Biological Science course (Macromolecular Functions), Core Laboratories - Graduate School of Life Science:
Division of Life Science, Transdisciplinary Life Science Course, Functional Cellular Sciences
Message
Invisible microbes can trick, hijack, and even reshape plants much bigger than themselves—it’s a real giant-killing act!
Come join us as we explore the clever strategies these tiny organisms use.
Representative Publications
Ohtsu M* (2025) Effector-mediated Interactions between plants and plant-parasitic nematodes. BSJ-review 16:84-91
Ohtsu M, Jennings J, Johnston M, Breakspears A, Liu X, Stark K, Morris RJ, de Keijzer J and Faulkner C* (2024) Assaying effector cell-to-cell mobility in plant tissues identifies hypermobility and indirect manipulation of plasmodesmata. Mol. Plant-Microbe Intract. 37(2): 84-92
Ohtsu M* (2023) Toward to understand how cyst nematodes remodel host plant cells. BSJ-review 14:30-37
Bellandi A, Papp D, Breakspear A, Joyce J, Johnston MG, de Keijzer J, Raven EC, Ohtsu M, Vincent TR, Miller AJ, Sanders D, Hogenhout SA, Morris RJ, Faulkner C* (2022) Diffusion and bulk flow of amino acids mediate calcium waves in plants. Science advances 8(42) eabo6693
Ohtsu M*, Sato Y, Kurihara D, Suzaki T, Kawaguchi M, Maruyama D, Higashiyama T (2017) Spatiotemporal deep imaging of syncytium induced by the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines. Protoplasma 254: 2107-2115
Ohtsu M*, Kurihara D, Sato Y, Suzaki T, Kawaguchi M, Maruyama D, Higashiyama T (2017) Fluorescent labeling of the cyst nematode Heterodera glycines for deep tissue live imaging. Cytologia 82: 251-259
Ohtsu M, Shibata Y, Ojika M, Tamura K, Hara-Nishimura I, Mori H, Kawakita K, Takemoto D* (2014) Nucleoporin 75 is involved in the ethylene-mediated production of phytoalexin for the resistance of Nicotiana benthamiana to Phytophthora infestans. Mol. Plant-Microbe Intract. 12: 1318-1330
★Research map：https://researchmap.jp/mina_adachi-ohtsu
Note
<Office Hour>
– Time: Anytime during the lecture period
– Place: Science Bldg. No.2, 3F, #2-318
Please contact in advance by E-mail.
E-mail: mina.o[at]sci.hokudai.ac.jp
Affiliation
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Department of Functional Life Sciences, Cell Biological Science
- Frontier Research Center for Advanced Material and Life Science, Academia-Industry Collaboration Unit