# An open chat with… Koji Yamanaka

## TL;DR

This interview with Koji Yamanaka discusses recent developments in neurobiology related to motor neuron diseases and Alzheimer's, and the role of editors in shaping academic culture.

## Contribution

The paper provides insights into recent findings in neurobiology and the evolving research environment in Japan.

## Key findings

- Recent findings in neurobiology have implications for understanding and treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
- The role of glial cells in Alzheimer's disease neuroinflammation is a key area of ongoing research.
- Editors can use their positions to positively influence academic culture and research practices.

## Abstract

Koji Yamanaka is a Professor at the Research Institute of Environmental Medicine at Nagoya University of Japan. His research interests lie in understanding the mechanism of onset and progression of motor neuron disease as well as the role of glial cells in Alzheimer's disease neuroinflammation. Koji has been serving on the FEBS Open Bio Editorial Board since 2013. In this interview, he explains the implications of recent findings in neurobiology for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, provides updates on the research environment in Japan and discusses how editors might use their position to positively influence academic culture.

Koji Yamanaka is a professor at the Research Institute of Environmental Medicine of Nagoya University and a member of the FEBS Open Bio Editorial Board. Here, he explains the implications of recent findings in neurobiology for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, provides updates on the research environment in Japan and discusses how editors might use their position to positively influence academic culture.