Celebrating Japanese Molecular Neuroscience

Japan has long been recognized as a global leader in basic and translational neuroscience, making significant discoveries that have shaped our molecular understanding of the brain and nervous system. This Research Topic aims to spotlight the groundbreaking contributions to molecular neuroscience inspired by research teams, institutes, and universities across Japan.

This Topic will collect and highlight current, innovative, and impactful studies in molecular neuroscience originating from Japanese laboratories. We seek to celebrate Japan's rich history of scientific excellence, identify key advances of the past decade, address current challenges facing the molecular neuroscience community, and provide insight into future research directions. As some of the most pressing questions in molecular neuroscience are being unraveled by Japanese researchers, this Research Topic will serve as an international platform to disseminate and discuss these achievements.

We encourage the submission of original research reports, reviews, and perspective articles spanning the breadth of molecular neuroscience. Submissions on significant methodological advances, technical innovations, and emerging conceptual theories are also welcome. Both established and early-career scientists are invited to contribute, reflecting the diverse and dynamic landscape of neuroscience research in Japan.

Suggested areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
o Molecular mechanisms of neural development and plasticity
o Molecular underpinnings of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders
o Molecular and cellular mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system in health or in neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and pain disorders
o Interactions between the autonomic and central nervous systems at the molecular level
o Interaction between glia and neurons at the molecular level
o Synaptic transmission and intracellular signaling
o Sensory and motor system molecular neuroscience
o Advances in neurogenetics and epigenetics
o Breakthroughs in single-cell and omics approaches in neuroscience
o Novel neuroimaging and molecular brain mapping techniques
o Technology development for molecular neuroscience research

We hope this collection will serve as a comprehensive resource, not only showcasing the significant contributions from Japan, but also fostering global collaborations and inspiring future generations of molecular neuroscientists.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Neuroplasticity, Epigenetics, Glia-Neuron Interaction, Brain Mapping, Single-cell Omics, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Synaptic Transmission

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.