Biography
Toshiro Hara received his B.S. from Osaka University, Japan, and his Ph.D. in Life Sciences from the University of Tokyo for studies on the metabolic regulation of macrophages. He then joined the laboratory of Dr. Inder Verma, later of Dr. Tony Hunter, at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla. He initiated his postdoctoral work on intratumoral heterogeneity in glioblastoma. In 2019, he then, as a research fellow, joined Dr. Mario Suva’s laboratory in the Department of Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School (HMS), and the Broad Institute. His postdoctoral studies delineated cellular states and plasticity in human glioblastoma and uncovered their molecular and cellular determinants. In July 2023, Dr. Hara joined the faculty at the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery.
Research Interests
Cell-cell interactions play essential roles in determining cell identity and function important for the malignant properties of human tumors. Our laboratory focuses on understanding how cells interact and communicate with their surrounding microenvironment in the complex tumor ecosystem and how cells process environmental inputs to exert functions. With our ability to measure (e.g., scRNA-seq), model (e.g., mouse models, spheroids, co-cultures), and manipulate (e.g., CRISPR) the complex process of cellular communications, our goal is to ascertain the mechanisms of cellular diversity and connection and leverage this knowledge to develop effective and precise therapies for intractable brain tumors, such as glioblastoma.
Research Opportunities for Rotating Students
Our lab is currently recruiting rotating PIBS students for the following projects: 1) developing co-culture assays to dissect the brain tumor microenvironment, 2) generating Purturb-seq (CRISPR screen with a single-cell RNA-seq readout) platform.
Other Info
Office Location
- NCRC Building 10-A152
Lab Location
- NCRC Building 20-326W