Nami Tajima, PhD
Assistant Professor · School of Medicine · Case Western Reserve University
Quick answer: Nami Tajima, PhD is Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University. Nami Tajima, PhD shows an active PhD hiring signal as of 2026-09-11.
⭐ The Tajima lab is currently seeing a postdoctoral fellow. Specialty in electrophysiology, cryo-EM, cellular biology, neuroscience, or biochemistry/biophysics is desirable. This position offers a significant opportunity for learning molecular and cellular biology and career growth in academia. To apply, please send a cover letter describing your research interests, a CV, and contact information for
Research interests
Synaptic transmission is an essential cellular event underlying learning and memory. Neuroreceptors, transporters, and ion channels mediate synaptic transmission, and their dysfunction is frequently implicated in brain diseases.
Changes in receptor expression, number, subunit composition, post-translational modifications, and accessory proteins can all regulate the neuroreceptor functions and localizations, and thus support cellular forms of learning. Our laboratory is pursuing molecular mechanisms of neuroreceptors and co-factors expressed in the brain. We are specifically interested in understanding the physiological roles of neuroreceptors and their protein networks.
Current areas of interest within the lab include the following:
(1) dissecting the protein-protein/lipid interactions that are required for synaptic signal transduction in the brain.
(2) elucidating the structure and function of neuroreceptor signaling complexes.
(3) developing new therapeutic drugs and antibodies targeting neuroreceptor complexes.
We use a wide variety of techniques, including single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, biochemical and biophysical techniques, and electrophysiology, to characterize the signaling complexes.
Selected publications (since 2023)
Zhou, C.*, Segura-Covarrubias, G.* & Tajima, N. Structural insights into kainate receptor desensitization. BioRxiv (2025). https://doi.org:10.1101/2025.03.27.645769
Segura-Covarrubias, G.*, Zhou, C.*, Bogdanović, N.*, Zhang, L. & Tajima, N. Structural basis of GluK2 kainate receptor activation by a partial agonist. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2025), In press. *: equal contribution
Zhou C, Tajima N. Structural insights into NMDA receptor pharmacology. Biochem Soc Trans. 2023 Jul 11; BST20230122. doi: 10.1042/BST20230122.
Tajima N*, Simorowski, N*, Yovanno RA*, Regan MC, Michalski K, Gómez R, Lau AY, and Furukawa H. Development and characterization of functional antibodies targeting NMDA receptors, Nat Commun. 2022 Feb 17; 13(1):923. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-28559-3. * These auth
Frequently asked questions
Is Nami Tajima, PhD hiring PhD students at Case Western Reserve University?
Yes. As of 2026-09-11, Nami Tajima, PhD's faculty page shows a PhD hiring signal: The Tajima lab is currently seeing a postdoctoral fellow. Specialty in electrophysiology, cryo-EM, cellular biology, neuroscience, or biochemistry/biophysics is desirable. This position offers a signi.
What does Nami Tajima, PhD research?
Synaptic transmission is an essential cellular event underlying learning and memory. Neuroreceptors, transporters, and ion channels mediate synaptic transmission, and their dysfunction is frequently implicated in brain diseases.
Changes in receptor expression, number, subunit composition, post-tran
Data last updated: 2026-09-11 · Source: phd-match.com faculty database.
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