Yo Sasaki
Papers
2
Total Citations
74
H-Index
2
About
Yo Sasaki is a neuroscientist whose work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of how neurons degenerate. His research centers on the molecular mechanisms of axonal degeneration—the self-destruction program that severs compromised nerve fibers in injury and disease. In his landmark 2011 study, Sasaki pioneered an innovative image-based screening approach, combining robotic liquid handling with automated microscopy to systematically identify kinases that regulate this process. His discovery that IκB kinase and glycogen synthase kinase 3 play critical roles in axonal breakdown opened new therapeutic avenues for conditions ranging from traumatic nerve injury to neurodegenerative disorders. This highly influential work, cited nearly 70 times, established Sasaki as a leading figure in the field of programmed axon degeneration. His contributions have provided the conceptual framework for understanding how neurons actively dismantle their own axons, challenging the long-held view that this process is merely passive. Sasaki’s research continues to illuminate the molecular machinery underlying neuronal self-destruction, offering hope for developing treatments that could preserve neural function after injury.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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