Aug. 12, 2025
Mouse models of the brain breaking down
Tra Thi Huong Dinh, Research and Development Scientist
Describe your role at RIKEN.
I use genome editing technology to develop mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases. Currently, I’m involved in the production of models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
Briefly describe your current research.
My objective is to establish a streamlined pipeline to investigate the causes and characteristics of ALS. At present, I’m working on expanding my ability to conduct experiments on ALS mouse models, while comparing our results with databases on human ALS pathology.
How did you become interested in your field?
Before coming to Japan, I graduated from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, majoring in traditional medicine. Afterwards, I worked for two years as a doctor and as a lecturer at the university. Initially, I believed that interacting directly with patients would be more interesting than working in a laboratory. I eventually became aware that research could lead to a cure for patients, which motivated me to switch my focus.
When did you join RIKEN?
I came to Japan to study as part of a PhD program in human biology at the University of Tsukuba, a program for leading graduate schools administered by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). During this time, I gained a deeper understanding of the role of certain genes in disease. After graduation, I worked at the Laboratory Animal Resource Center in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tsukuba, before joining the RIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC) in 2022.
What RIKEN resources do you use?
The first stage of my research is to create genetically modified mice using genome editing technology based on ALS patient genomes and variant information. Then we look for genetic evidence and observable traits associated with the disease in these mouse models. To understand how the disease manifests in mice, we receive support from the Japan Mouse Clinic at the BRC, which provides information on groups of mouse characteristics, or phenotypes, using more than 700 mouse traits. We then work closely with clinical researchers to harness the most representative mouse models of a disease to evaluate therapeutics and conduct detailed assessments on the causes and consequences of a disease.
How do you balance family life with your work at RIKEN?
My family is one of my most important supports. My three daughters—who were all born in Japan—are now in elementary school and preschool. To refresh ourselves, we spend time sightseeing and going on camping trips. So far, we have been to many places in Japan, from mountainous Gunma prefecture to some of the more coastal parts of Shizuoka prefecture.
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