Dr. Keiko Unno | Brain Function | Best Researcher Award
Doctorate and Tea Sciense Center, Japan
Dr. Keiko Unno is a renowned researcher in the field of pharmaceutical sciences with a particular focus on brain health and the impact of dietary compounds. With an educational background from Shizuoka College of Pharmacy and the University of Shizuoka, she has dedicated her career to exploring the beneficial effects of green tea and other compounds on brain function and aging. Her extensive research includes studying the impact of green tea on brain aging, the potential of dietary DNA to reduce stress, and the role of coffee polyphenols in preventing oxidative damage. Dr. Unno has been recognized for her contributions with several prestigious awards, including the Society of Tea Science Young Researcher’s Award and the World Green Tea Association’s O-CHA Pioneer Award. Currently, she serves as a Visiting Associate Professor at the Tea Science Center, University of Shizuoka, continuing her impactful research.
Dr. Keiko Unno obtained her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Shizuoka College of Pharmacy in 1976. She continued her academic journey and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Shizuoka in 1994, where her research focused on areas pertinent to pharmaceutical sciences.
Dr. Unno began her career as a Research Associate at Shizuoka College of Pharmacy in 1976, where she worked until 1987. Following this, she joined the University of Shizuoka’s School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, where she held various positions including Research Associate, Assistant Professor, and Associate Professor from 1987 to 2019. In 2019, she transitioned to her current role as a Visiting Associate Professor at the Tea Science Center, University of Shizuoka. Her professional trajectory highlights her extensive experience in pharmaceutical sciences and her specialization in the effects of tea and related compounds on health.
Research Interests
Dr. Unno’s research primarily focuses on:
- Prevention Against Brain Dysfunction with Aging: Investigating methods to mitigate cognitive decline associated with aging.
- Effect of Psychosocial Stress on Brain Function: Examining how stress impacts brain health and function.
Dr. Unno has authored several notable publications, reflecting her research contributions in the field:
- 2024: “DNA Mutagenicity of Hydroxyhydroquinone in Roasted Coffee Products and Its Suppression by Chlorogenic Acid, a Coffee Polyphenol, in Oxidative-Damage-Sensitive SAMP8 Mice” in International Journal of Molecular Sciences (25:720).
- 2023: “Stress Reduction Potential in Mice Ingesting DNA from Salmon Milt” in Biology (12:978).
- 2022: “Improvement of Depressed Mood with Green Tea Intake” in Nutrients (14:2949).
- 2021: “Green Tea Suppresses Brain Aging” in Molecules (26:4897).
Dr. Unno’s research has garnered attention in the academic community, as evidenced by her recent publications and the awards she has received for her work. Her contributions continue to advance the understanding of dietary impacts on brain health and aging.
Conclusion
Dr. Unno’s contributions to her field are marked by a dedication to advancing knowledge through rigorous research and a focus on the practical applications of her findings. Her continued work promises to provide valuable insights into the complex interactions between diet, stress, and brain health.
Publications Top Notes
- “Stress Reduction Potential in Mice Ingesting DNA from Salmon Milt”
- Journal: Biology
- Publication Date: July 10, 2023
- DOI: 10.3390/biology12070978
- “Enokitake Mushroom and Its Active Component, Adenosine, Which Restores Testosterone Production in Impaired and Fatigued Mouse Models”
- Journal: Nutrients
- Publication Date: April 29, 2023
- DOI: 10.3390/nu15092142
- “Mouse Models with SGLT2 Mutations: Toward Understanding the Role of SGLT2 beyond Glucose Reabsorption”
- Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Publication Date: March 27, 2023
- DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076278
- “Theanine, a Tea-Leaf-Specific Amino Acid, Alleviates Stress through Modulation of Npas4 Expression in Group-Housed Older Mice”
- Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Publication Date: February 16, 2023
- DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043983
- “Effects of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Matrix Metalloproteinases in Terms of Its Anticancer Activity”
- Journal: Molecules
- Publication Date: January 5, 2023
- DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020525