text:
Programs organized by JBS
Late-Breaking Abstracts
Information for Chairs and Presenters
Abstract Browsing System
Talks(Oral Presentation from Poster)&Posters
Bio-industry Seminar(Luncheon Seminar)
PL1-1
Satoshi Ōmura (Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences, Kitasato University)
Date: September 24, 10:40-11:40
Place: Room 1 (Room A)
Masashi Yanagisawa (International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba)
Kazutoshi Mori (Depertment of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University)
List of Symposia
Session Theme
1S01m September 24 Room 1 (Room A) Elucidating chromatin dynamics and regulation with emerging technologies
1S02m September 24 Room 2 (B-1) Basic and dream of the next-generation lectin researches: toward clarification of novel life principle and medical application
1S03m September 24 Room 3 (B-2) Cell repositioning in tissue construction and repair: the mechanisms of cell movement involved in functional cellular arrangement
1S04m September 24 Room 4 (Room D) Comprehensive understanding of cancer metabolism: Beyond Warburg effect
1S05m September 24 Room 5 (Room E) Biology of cell component flow and cytoplasmic streaming
1S06m September 24 Room 6 (C-1) What is TOR?
1S07m September 24 Room 7 (C-2) Biology of teleost fish in the new genome era
1S08m September 24 Room 8 (Room 157) New aspects of lipid homeostasis: Regulation of cholesterol and plasmalogen homeostasis and physiological consequences
1S09m September 24 Room 9 (Room F) Renaissance of the "Mitochondria Word" unveiled by cutting-edge technologies
1S10m September 24 Room 10 (Room G) Diversified risks for Alzheimer's disease: at the forefront of personalized preemptive medicine
1S01a September 24 Room 1 (Room A) Robustness and flexibility of biological oscillators
1S02a September 24 Room 2 (B-1) Non-canonical protein functions: mechanisms and significance in oxygen biology
1S04a September 24 Room 4 (Room D) Stem cell dynamics in homeostasis, aging and cancer
1S05a September 24 Room 5 (Room E) New trends in the studies on intercellular communications during development
1S06a September 24 Room 6 (C-1) Advancement of proteostasis regulation by stress response
1S07a September 24 Room 7 (C-2) Tradition and innovation of analysis technology for life science
1S08a September 24 Room 8 (Room 157) Metabolism orchestrates development and aging in noncommunicable diseases
1S09a September 24 Room 9 (Room F) A tidal current of glycation research
1S10a September 24 Room 10 (Room G) Recent progress in studies on FABP involved in a novel fatty acid signaling
1S06p September 24 Room 6 (C-1) A new development on reactive sulfur species- from hydrogen sulfide to polysulfides-
1S07p September 24 Room 7 (C-2) Functional network of Japanese researchers to promote science and technology
1S01e September 24 Room 1 (Room A) Drug Discovery at Academia: Past, Present, and Future
1S02e September 24 Room 2 (B-1) Redox regulation in cells and organelles
1S03e September 24 Room 3 (B-2) Phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reaction and cancer
1S04e September 24 Room 4 (Room D) Regulation of immune responses
1S05e September 24 Room 5 (Room E) Novel mechanisms of sensory modalities in model organisms
1S06e September 24 Room 6 (C-1) A challenging step forward in the development of truly pre-emptive sugar chain information trajectory
1S07e September 24 Room 7 (C-2) New aspects of the biology of lipid oxidation
1S08e September 24 Room 8 (Room 157) Developmental neurobiology: emerging technologies and future directions
1S09e September 24 Room 9 (Room F) Young Researchers' Society for Biochemistry 60th Anniversary Memorial Symposium : The History of Life Sciences and Its Outlook for the Future
1S10e September 24 Room 10 (Room G) Understanding life based on physics, chemistry, and biology
2S01m September 25 Room 1 (Room A) Diverse function of ubiquitin-like modifiers: not only for degradation, not only in eukaryotes
2S02m September 25 Room 2 (B-1) Membrane phospholipid dynamics in physiology and disease
2S03m September 25 Room 3 (B-2) Advanced research of organelle
2S04m September 25 Room 4 (Room D) Fundamental principle for the acquisition of immune stealth
2S05m September 25 Room 5 (Room E) Disease formation by macrophage dysfunction
2S06m September 25 Room 6 (C-1) Integration of micro- and macro-scale biochemistry for elucidation of genome maintenance and inheritance mechanisms
2S07m September 25 Room 7 (C-2) Locomobiology: Towards Integrated Comprehensive Understanding of Vital Processes Supported by Bodily Movements
2S08m September 25 Room 8 (Room 157) New era of life science unraveled by innovative redox researches
2S09m September 25 Room 9 (Room F) Regulation of TGF-β/BMP signaling: Expanding modalities
2S10m September 25 Room 10 (Room G) Strategic mechanism on epidermis formation essential for barrier of body
2S01a September 25 Room 1 (Room A) New omics technology and biochemistry
2S02a September 25 Room 2 (B-1) New horizons toward prevention of amyloidosis on the basis of its molecular mechanism
2S03a September 25 Room 3 (B-2) Educational Seminar: How to master the databases and tools in life science
2S04a September 25 Room 4 (Room D) Dynalogy - A new trend of biomedical sciences revealing vivid dynamics of life
2S05a September 25 Room 5 (Room E) Biological phenomena and diseases caused by exosomes
2S06a September 25 Room 6 (C-1) New developments in lipid droplet biology --- exploring the generality from diversity
2S07a September 25 Room 7 (C-2) Sugar metabolism: A sweet spot of disease onset and progression
2S08a September 25 Room 8 (Room 157) New investigation for immune cell signaling
2S09a September 25 Room 9 (Room F) Crossroad of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry for Epigenetics
2S10a September 25 Room 10 (Room G) Biochemistry of Parasitism
2S06p September 25 Room 6 (C-1) How to educate bioethics and research integrity.
2S01e September 25 Room 1 (Room A) Mechanics of tissue remodeling
2S02e September 25 Room 2 (B-1) Novel therapeutic strategies targeting glycosylation for the treatment of refractory cancer
2S03e September 25 Room 3 (B-2) History and recent progress on lipid mediators
2S04e September 25 Room 4 (Room D) Extracellular matrix as a microenvironmental player that ensures tissue architechture and remodeling
2S05e September 25 Room 5 (Room E) Cutting-edge approaches to opening a new era of chromosome biology
2S06e September 25 Room 6 (C-1) Mechanism of membrane deformation
2S07e September 25 Room 7 (C-2) Retina research bridges biochemistry and sensory function
2S08e September 25 Room 8 (Room 157) Disease model and clinical application by modification of mitochondrial function
2S09e September 25 Room 9 (Room F) 50th anniversary of Thermus thermophilus discovery: Frontiers of thermophilic bacterial research
2S10e September 25 Room 10 (Room G) Challenge to elucidation of the principle to build elaborate systems
3S01m September 26 Room 1 (Room A) New dimensions of proteomics and interactomics
3S02m September 26 Room 2 (B-1) Dynamic behavior of cell membranes
3S03m September 26 Room 3 (B-2) Understanding biological systems from multi-order kinetics
3S04m September 26 Room 4 (Room D) Current update of Cancer Genomics
3S05m September 26 Room 5 (Room E) Brain protein aging and neurodegeneration
3S06m September 26 Room 6 (C-1) Dysregulation of reactive oxygen species-mediated signaling and aging/diseases
3S07m September 26 Room 7 (C-2) Basic studies as key seeds of translational researches
3S08m September 26 Room 8 (Room 157) Integrative research towards elucidating chromatin dynamics
3S09m September 26 Room 9 (Room F) Magical Power of Biometals and Its Scientific Frontier
3S10m September 26 Room 10 (Room G) Toward comprehensive understanding of non-systemic and systemic steroids
3S06p September 26 Room 6 (C-1) Frontiers of organelle research opened up by next generation scientists
3S01a September 26 Room 1 (Room A) Advances in genome editing technology and its applications in biomedical fields
3S02a September 26 Room 2 (B-1) Ultimate understanding of cell-cell communication ~ Cell Competition and Beyond
3S03a September 26 Room 3 (B-2) Elucidation of enzymatic and metabolic functions responsible for life activities
3S04a September 26 Room 4 (Room D) The autophagy system: mechanisms and diversity
3S05a September 26 Room 5 (Room E) Advances in research on cell signaling networks and diseases: Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding biological systems
3S06a September 26 Room 6 (C-1) Homeostasis of RNA methylation: Methylstat
3S07a September 26 Room 7 (C-2) Functions and physiological roles of lipid-transporting ABC proteins
3S08a September 26 Room 8 (Room 157) Hypoxic biology: From mitochondrial respiration, metabolism, gene regulation, cell differentiation / tissue regeneration to clinical application
3S09a September 26 Room 9 (Room F) Deepening research on membrane transport proteins spreading from biochemistry
3S10a September 26 Room 10 (Room G) Dynamic biological systems based on fluctuation and noise
▲List of Symposia
▲List of Program
<How to read the session numbers>
Date+ Abbreviation+ Room+ Time Slot*
Ex.) 1S02m: The 1st day/Symposium/Room 2/8:30-10:30
*Time slots of Symposia
Time slots of Symposium are shown as follows;
m: 8:30-10:30
a: 12:45-14:45 or 15:00-17:00
p: 14:50-16:50 or 12:50-14:50
e: 17:00-19:00
Day 1 (September 24)
1S01m
Date: September 24, 8:30-10:30Place: Room 1 (Room A)
Elucidating chromatin dynamics and regulation with emerging technologies
Organizers: Kazuhiko Igarashi (Tohoku University), Haruhiko Koseki (RIKEN)
Speakers / Outline: ▼
Speakers: Satoshi Tashiro (Hiroshima University), Kayo Hibino (National Institute of Genetics), Hiroshi Kimura (Tokyo Institute of Technology), Kazuo Yamagata (Kinki University), Chikashi Obuse (Osaka University), Takashi Nagano (Babraham Institute), Yuma Ito (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Outline: With new technologies, chromatin and its regulators are now being analyzed at single cell and/or single molecule levels. New aspects of chromatin such as dynamic structures during development, cell differentiation, and environmental perturbations are emerging. Invited speakers will present their new technologies for measuring and imaging of dynamic chromatin, and discuss new directions of epigenetics.
Date: September 24, 8:30-10:30Place: Room 2 (B-1)
Basic and dream of the next-generation lectin researches: toward clarification of novel life principle and medical application
Organizers: Hiroaki Tateno (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)), Kazuo Yamamoto (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Hiroaki Tateno (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)), Kazuhiko Yamasaki (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)), Daisuke Takahashi (Keio University), Hiroto Kawashima (Chiba University), Takashi Angata (Academia Sinica, Taiwan), Yoshiki Yamaguchi (RIKEN), Chihiro Motozono (Kyusyu University)
Outline: Lectins are major decoder molecules of glycans widely distributed from human to virus. Structurally, approx.50 protein scaffolds have been identified for lectins so far, and many lectins with novel scaffolds are remained to be discovered. Endogenous lectins mediate various functions such as immunity, development, and differentiation through recognition of glycans. Recently, endogenous lectins involved in immune regulation gain attention as therapeutic targets of diseases. Furthermore, lectins are important as probes to detect structural changes of glycans. The application of lectins is moving forward rapidly, such as quality control of stem cells used for regenerative medicine, diagnosis of diseases such as cancers, and drug discovery. In this workshop, world's leading and active researchers who have been studying about lectins toward clarification of novel life system and medical application, will have presentation. Based on these presentations, we will discuss the dream and subject of the next-generation lectin researches.
Cell repositioning in tissue construction and repair: the mechanisms of cell movement involved in functional cellular arrangement
Organizers: Akihiko Yoshimura (Keio University), Kazunobu Sawamoto (Nagoya City University)
Speakers: Ito Minako (Keio University), Kazunobu Sawamoto (Nagoya City University), Hiroaki Takagi (Nara Medical University), Koichi Nishiyama (International Research Centor for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University), Ayuko Sakane (Tokushima University), Shigetomo Fukuhara (Nippon Medical School)
Outline: Diverse types of cells establish functional tissues and organs by locating in the proper places in our body. The proper positioning of the cells is also important for efficient repair of damaged tissues. Therefore, by responding to signals from the environment and surrounding cells, cells move in our body using various modes of cell movement such as collective and single cell migration, thereby establishing functional cellular arrangement required for tissue construction and repair. In this symposium, we will invite leading scientists who study cell movement using various approaches to share recent progresses in understanding mechanisms of cell movement involved in making functional cellular arrangement in tissue construction and repair.
Date: September 24, 8:30-10:30Place: Room 4 (Room D)
Comprehensive understanding of cancer metabolism: Beyond Warburg effect
Organizers: Tomoyoshi Soga (Keio University), Keiichi Nakayama (Kyushu University)
Speakers: Tomoyoshi Soga (Keio University), Keiichi Nakayama (Kyusyu University), Hideyuki Saya (Keio University), Atsuo Sasaki (University of Cincinnati, USA)
Outline: Mammalian cells produce ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. However, cancer cells predominantly produce ATP by the glycolytic pathway rather than oxidative phosphorylation, even in the presence of adequate oxygen. This phenomenon is termed the Warburg effect. Recent combination of high-throughput omics technologies with cell biology techniques revealed that aerobic glycolysis provides most of the building blocks required for the synthesis of nucleotides, proteins and lipids. Further, it has found that cancer cells produce important metabolites via specific metabolic pathway such as glutaminolysis and One-carbon metabolism. Nowadays, scientist interests are directing to comprehensively understand the complicated molecular networks including amino acids, nucleotides and lipids as well as the underlying mechanisms that regulate cancer-specific metabolism. In this symposium, we will discuss these subjects with scientists that developed cutting-edge omics technologies or performed pioneering biological work in this area.
Date: September 24, 8:30-10:30Place: Room 5 (Room E)
Biology of cell component flow and cytoplasmic streaming
Organizers: Naoki Watanabe (Kyoto Univeristy), Kenji Kimura (National Institute of Genetics)
Speakers: Naoki Watanabe (Kyoto University), Kenji Kimura (National Institute of Genetics), Takaki Miyata (Nagoya University), Makito Miyazaki (Waseda University), Takashi Sasamura (Osaka University)
Outline: Cells often harbor massive cytoskeletal flow and cytoplasmic streaming in their interior. They include plant cytoplasmic streaming, cytoplasmic streaming in C. elegans and Drosophila oocytes, the retrograde actin flow at the periphery of cultured cells, actomyosin contraction deforming the cell surface and so on. These not only contribute to transport of materials but also drive the pattern formation of both 'force' and 'field', which would in turn play essential roles in the formation of polarity, tissue architecture and chirality of our body. This symposium introduces various studies employing imaging, mathematical modeling and in vitro reconstitution to elucidate how such massive co-migration of cellular structures can be generated and how massive motion might be utilized for the organism to confer biological processes. We will discuss recent progress and future perspective in this biology of large-scale cooperative motion of molecules, structures and cells.
Date: September 24, 8:30-10:30Place: Room 6 (C-1)
What is TOR?
Organizers: Takeshi Noda (Osaka University), Yoshiaki Kamada (National Institute for Basic Biology)
Speakers: Hirokazu Nakatsumi (Medical Institute for Bioregulation, Kyushu University), Riko Hatakeyama (University of Fribourg, Switzerland), Akira Matsuura (Chiba University), Yoshiaki Kamada (National Institute for Basic Biology), Takeshi Noda (Osaka University)
Outline: The growth of cells is determined according to the amount of nutrients like amino acids, and growth factors. Two complexes TORC1 and TORC2 containing the master protein kinase TOR control the various processes such as transcription, translation and intracellular degradation which sustain the cellular growth. As symbolized by the fact that the Lasker Award was awarded to Dr. Michael Hall, a discoverer of TOR, last year, TOR related biology is attracting a lot of attention, from molecular mechanisms such as amino acid sensing mechanism to overcoming TOR related diseases including cancer. At the same time, it should be emphasized that many questions are left for understanding the entity of TOR. This symposium invites domestic and foreign researchers who have led the TOR research from model organisms including yeast to mammals, and embodies the latest TOR image based on the results. We plan to discuss thoroughly what the TOR is together with the audience.
Biology of teleost fish in the new genome era
Organizers: Yoshihiro Omori (Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University), Koichi Kawakami (National Institute of Genetics)
Speakers: Yoshihiro Omori (Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University), Koichi Kawakami (National Institute of Genetics), Shinpei Kawaoka (Advanced Telecommunication Research International), Wataru Iwasaki (The University of Tokyo), Jun Kitano (National Institute of Genetics), Kazuki Ichikawa (The University of Tokyo)
Outline: Recent development of the next generation sequencing technologies facilitates the whole genome sequence analysis of non-model organisms. At the same time the advance of genome editing techniques makes it possible to study gene function in these non-model organisms. Teleost fish make up approximately half of the extant vertebrate species. They have been used for studies in the various research fields including basic, medical, and agricultural science. Teleost fish have a relatively high similarity in structure and physiology to mammals. In addition, because of low breeding cost and high frequency of orthologous genes, mutant fish have been used as human disease models. In this session, we focus on young researchers who study the biological system in cancer, evolution, neuroscience, and development using teleost fish models. We would like to discuss the new directions of research in these fields.
Date: September 24, 8:30-10:30Place: Room 8 (Room 157)
New aspects of lipid homeostasis: Regulation of cholesterol and plasmalogen homeostasis and physiological consequences
Organizers: Yukio Fujiki (Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University), Ryuichiro Sato (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Ryuichiro Sato (The University of Tokyo), Masanori Honsho (Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University), Andrew Brown (University of New South Wales, Australia), Yoshio Yamauchi (The University of Tokyo), Takehiko Fujino (The Japanese Plasmalogen Society), Tatsuhiko Kodama (Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo)
Outline: The homeostasis of lipids is maintained by anabolic and catabolic processes. Dysregulation of lipid homeostasis is tightly linked to a number of diseases, including aging, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive-decline and dementia. In this symposium, we will introduce the latest findings on the mechanisms underlying the regulation of lipid homeostasis including cholesterol and ether glycerophospholipids, plasmalogens, both of which play important roles in several physiological processes in mammals. We will also address how dysregulation of lipid homeostasis leads to the pathology of diseases such as hyperlipidemia and plasmalogen-deficiency disorders.
Date: September 24, 8:30-10:30Place: Room 9 (Room F)
Renaissance of the "Mitochondria Word" unveiled by cutting-edge technologies
Organizers: Satoshi Inoue (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology), Tomoaki Tanaka (Chiba University)
Speakers: Shin-ichi Arimura (The University of Tokyo), Yibo Wu (RIKEN), Toshimori Kitami (RIKEN), Yasushi Okazaki (Juntendo University), Satoshi Inoue (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology), Tomoaki Tanaka (Chiba University)
Outline: Mitochondria, as a result of continuing to adapt and evolve in the history of a long symbiosis life in eukaryotic cells, have developed and established high-order multi-functional organelles that could also be referred to as new biological systems. This system has its own unique central dogma, and as many as approximately 1,200 kinds of proteins weave complicated structures, therefore it integrates the diversity and multifaceted functions more than just generating the necessary energy. It is bonafide the "Mitochondria World". In this symposium, we took up advanced studies and researchers trying to reveal the mitochondrial world, particularly with focusing on biochemical approaches through innovative attempts including transomics analysis, molecular imaging, genome-editing technology and higher order protein complex analysis, from the viewpoint of a wide range of cross-sectional scientific fields such as medicine, biology and plant science. While introducing the latest findings, we would like to deepen the discussion with you about the new world being unveiled by these mitochondria studies.
Date: September 24, 8:30-10:30Place: Room 10 (Room G)
Diversified risks for Alzheimer's disease: at the forefront of personalized preemptive medicine
Organizers: Saori Hata (Hokkaido University), Takeshi Ikeuchi (Brain Research Institute, Niigata University)
Speakers: Saori Hata (Hokkaido University), Kensaku Kasuga (Brain Research Institute, Niigata University), Emi Hibino (Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science ), Koichi Iijima (National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology)
Outline: The number of demented patients is estimated to increase over 100 million by 2050 in the world. Although Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, the pathogenesis of this disease does not appear to be simple. Many factors may involve in the risk of developing AD, for example, gene polymorphisms, alterations of AD-related molecules in the brain, various type of amyloid beta oligomers. Standing on the financial point of view, it has been strongly expected to develop inexpensive general treatments for AD. In this symposium, we will discuss about the various molecular states of AD from the point of biomarker diagnosis and genetic analysis, show the latest research data of molecular mechanism which will be the trigger to the AD onset, and share the importance of biochemical research to overcome AD.
1S01a
Date: September 24, 12:45-14:45Place: Room 1 (Room A)
Robustness and flexibility of biological oscillators
Organizers: Hiroki R. Ueda (The University of Tokyo/RIKEN), Koji L. Ode (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Hiroki R. Ueda (The University of Tokyo), Koji L. Ode (The University of Tokyo), Shuji Akiyama (Institute for Molecular Science), Jae Kyoung Kim (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Korea)
Outline: Circadian clocks are conserved from unicellular organisms to human. The clocks control the rhythmic variation of many physiological processes at the earth's day-night period of 24 hours. Recent studies have identified major components composing the circadian oscillators, and further revealed specific biochemical reaction steps (e.g. ATP hydrolysis or protein phosphorylation) that determine the period of circadian clocks. The question lies in the unique features of circadian clocks—the period is robustly kept at the almost same 24 hours regardless of the environmental temperature, while the clock phase is flexibly adjusted upon a proper input such as a light signal. To gain an insight into how fundamental processes of biochemistry achieve the robustness and flexibility of circadian clocks, this symposium features studies aiming to connect circadian physiological outputs and elemental biochemical reactions of the circadian molecular oscillators.
Date: September 24, 12:45-14:45Place: Room 2 (B-1)
Non-canonical protein functions: mechanisms and significance in oxygen biology
Organizers: Yasuo Mori (Kyoto Univeristy), Hiroaki Miki (Osaka University)
Sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas: Oxygen Biology
Speakers: Tomohiro Sawa (Kumamoto University), Koji Uchida (The University of Tokyo), Motohiro Nishida (National Institute for Physiological Sciences), Hiroaki Miki (Osaka University), Yasuo Mori (Kyoto University)
Outline: Functions of newly identified proteins are nowadays predictable at high precision prior to their experimental biochemical evaluation, on the basis of genetic and structural information. However, recent biochemical analyses have revealed non-canonical protein functions far beyond our initial predictions, in terms of protein metabolites, adducts, reaction intermediates, and their moonlight functions. In this symposium, we will focus on such non-canonical protein functions that mediate the interface of environment and genetic information-controlled systems, and discuss their underlying molecular mechanisms and biological significance in oxygen biology.
Date: September 24, 12:45-14:45Place: Room 4 (Room D)
Stem cell dynamics in homeostasis, aging and cancer
Organizers: Toshiro Sato (Keio University), Keiyo Takubo (National Center for Global Health and Medicine)
Sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas: Stem Cell Aging
Speakers: Atsushi Iwama (Chiba University), Masayuki Fujii (Keio University), Aiko Sada (University of Tsukuba), Shugo Tohyama (Keio University), Yusuke Ono (Nagasaki University), Keiyo Takubo (National Center for Global Health and Medicine)
Outline: The tissue stem cells are derived from pluripotent stem cells, and serve to maintain the organ function throughout life. Depending on the tissues, the tissue stem cells behave differently during aging and regeneration, such as cells that constantly proliferate throughout life, initiate propagation only upon tissue injury, and cells that rarely divide and thus are lost by tissue injury. The different traits of stem cell dynamics are associated with a susceptibility to certain diseases with age. For example, constantly proliferating stem cells are prone to acquire cancer-related disease, while slow cycling stem cells are susceptible to diseases with tissue hypofunction. However, conventional stem cell researches have not fully revealed the mechanistic connection between stem cell dynamics and diseases. The recently emerged research technologies, such as imaging, single cell sequencing, metabolomics, and cell lineage tracing have enabled to advance the understanding of stem cell dynamics. In this symposium, we would like to showcase recent findings on stem cell dynamics in various tissue stem cells and try to integrate our understanding of how stem cells behave during homeostasis, aging, and cancer.
Date: September 24, 12:45-14:45Place: Room 5 (Room E)
New trends in the studies on intercellular communications during development
Organizers: Hiroshi Sasaki (Osaka University), Tohru Ishitani (Gunma University)
Speakers: Naoki Mochizuki (National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center), Masanori Taira (The University of Tokyo), Masayuki Oginuma (Harvard University, USA), Tohru Ishitani (Gunma University), Hiroshi Sasaki (Osaka University)
Outline: Our body consists of numerous number of cells. During development, various information controls cellular behaviors, e.g. differentiation, movement, proliferation, death etc., to coordinate their behaviors and to create a body properly. Intercellular communications play central roles in regulation of cellular behaviors, and numerous studies on the mechanisms and the roles of signal transductions have been done. In this symposium, we would like to discuss about the new trends in the studies on intercellular communications during development, which include regulatory mechanisms of diffusion of secreted signaling molecules, metabolic regulation of signal transductions, roles of physical forces in intercellular communications, and the roles of cell competition for fluctuations of signal transductions or cellular status.
Date: September 24, 12:45-14:45Place: Room 6 (C-1)
Advancement of proteostasis regulation by stress response
Organizers: Masafumi Yohda (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology), Akira Nakai (Yamaguchi University)
Speakers: Naoko Imamoto (RIKEN), Akira Kobayashi (Doshisha University), Shigeo Murata (The University of Tokyo), Harm Kampinga (University of Groningen, Netherlands), Akira Nakai (Yamaguchi University), Masafumi Yohda (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)
Outline: Proper expression, folding, transport, and clearance of proteins are critical for cell function and organismal health. Stress and aging challenge the function and network of proteins, and lead to diseases or death. The protein homeostasis, proteostasis, is maintained by molecular chaperones and protein degradation systems. Under stress conditions, expression of molecular chaperones and ubiquitin-proteasome system is induced to maintain the proteostasis. In this symposium, we will introduce the recent advancement in the studies on structure, function, localization and regulation of molecular chaperones and ubiquitin-proteasome system, and discuss proteostasis regulation by cell stresses and its relation with diseases caused by the failure of proteostasis.
Tradition and innovation of analysis technology for life science
Organizers: Naomi Hachiya (Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute), Nobuo Kanai (Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology)
Speakers: Nobuo Kanai (Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology), Mitsutoshi Setou (Hamamatsu University School of Medicine), Roumiana Tsenkova (Kobe University), Noriko Fujii (Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute), Katsuya Satoh (Nagasaki University), Kenta Nakai (The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo), Yuzo Kasuya (CellSeed Inc), Naomi Hachiya (Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Technology Research Institute)
Outline: Now that various technologies have evolved, analytical techniques of life science have also developed. Particularly, the creativity and originality of devices for the analysis of life science remarkably become precise since entering this century, as it is not unusual for us to manipulate even trace amounts of samples. Obviously, these developments have occurred at the bench of individual laboratories and matured independently. However, researchers did not have many chances to meet and talk to each other, in fact, horizontal relationship is non-existing. In this session, researchers who have developed cutting-edge analytical techniques in various fields, such as biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, etc., meet together for the first time to obtain further synergistic effects, and discuss the direction toward life science analysis.
Date: September 24, 12:45-14:45Place: Room 8 (Room 157)
Metabolism orchestrates development and aging in noncommunicable diseases
Organizers: Ichiro Manabe (Chiba University), Yuichi Oike (Kumamoto University)
Speakers: Shigeru Yanagi (Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science), Ippei Shimizu (Niigata University), Akiko Satoh (National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology), Mari Murakami (Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University), Tsuyoshi Kadomatsu (Kumamoto University), Ichiro Manabe (Chiba University)
Outline: Biological processes operate through continuous and dynamic metabolism of molecules. Metabolism is not only the basis for life but also actively controls biological processes. Alterations in metabolism at the body, tissue and cell levels can modulate cellular activity and promote pathology. For instance, obesity and aging can alter systemic metabolism, resulting in a chronic inflammatory state (inflammaging) and promotion of various noncommunicable diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, metabolic abnormality during fetal and childhood development can modulate homeostasis, and such changes in cellular responses may promote pathology of noncommunicable diseases even in old age. At the cell level, the regulatory mechanism of cellular metabolism is integral to the networks that responds to environmental cues and control gene expression and cellular function. In this symposium we will discuss the current progress in metabolism that controls homeostasis and pathological processes of age-related diseases.
Date: September 24, 12:45-14:45Place: Room 9 (Room F)
A tidal current of glycation research
Organizers: Yasuhiko Yamamoto (Kanazawa University), Reiko Inagi (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Ryoji Nagai (Tokai University), Yasuhiko Yamamoto (Kanazawa University), Mitsuru Saito (The Jikei University), Makoto Arai (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science)
Outline: Glycation is referred to as the reaction of proteins with reducing sugars and dicarbonyl products of their degradation, and is often termed as Maillard reaction. The glycation research was initiated by food and nutrition scientists. All living organisms are exposed to glycation throughout the life cycle and, therefore, glycation is known to be a ubiquitous non-enzymatic post-translational modification of biological macromolecules. Resulting advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) represent a highly heterogeneous group of compounds, deleterious in mammals due to their biological effects, and impact in pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, schizophrenia, cancer, osteoporosis, chronic kidney diseases and ageing. The active researchers from the Japan Maillard Reaction Society (JMARS) and the International Maillard Reaction Society (IMARS) will present their recent advances and discuss the current status and stream as well as future prospects of glycation researches.
Date: September 24, 12:45-14:45Place: Room 10 (Room G)
Recent progress in studies on FABP involved in a novel fatty acid signaling
Organizers: Hiroshi Fujii (Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University), Yuji Owada (Tohoku University)
Speakers: Hiroshi Fujii (Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University), Yuji Owada (Tohoku University), Chie Shimamoto (RIKEN Brain Science Institute), Masato Furuhashi (Sapporo Medical University), Motohiro Sekiya (University of Tsukuba), Kohji Fukunaga (Tohoku University)
Outline: The fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are a family of low-molecular weight, intracellular lipid-binding proteins consisting of ten isoforms (FABP1-FABP9 and FABP12). FABPs are involved in binding and storing hydrophobic ligands such as long-chain fatty acids, as well as transporting these ligands to the appropriate compartments in the cell. Furthermore, FABPs play an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism and cellular functions (cell growth and differentiation) in association with nuclear receptor signaling. Recent studies have suggested that tissue-specific expression of FABP would be useful for a novel diagnostic biomarker for various diseases such as infarction, inflammation, diabetes, obesity, cancer and neurological disorder. Furthermore, recent studies showed that some FABPs are secreted outside the cells to play an important role in regulating systemic metabolism and cellular signaling. Thus, since the expression of FABP has been highly associated with various metabolic diseases including cancer, they have been expected to be the promising biomarkers or therapeutic targets for these metabolic diseases. In this symposium, recent progress in studies on FABP involved in a novel fatty acid signaling will be discussed and overviewed.
1S06p
A new development on reactive sulfur species- from hydrogen sulfide to polysulfides-
Organizers: Hideo Kimura (National Insitute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry), Yuki Ogasawara (Meiji Pharmaceutical University)
Speakers: Hideo Kimura (National Insitute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry), Yuki Ogasawara (Meiji Pharmaceutical University), Noriyuki Nagahara (Nippon Medical School), Toshio Ohta (Tottori University), Maho Tsubota (Kinki University), Kenjiro Hanaoka (The University of Tokyo)
Outline: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and polysulfides (H2Sn), together with cysteine persulfide (Cys-SSH), glutathione persulfide (GSSH), and persulfurated proteins have been found to be involved in the cellular signaling as well as redox homeostasis. The production of these persulfurated molecules, activation of their target proteins, and the physiological reactions were analyzed by using LC-MS/MS, newly developed fluorescence probes, and mice defective in 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3MST) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channels. A recent progress in these studies will be focused in this session.
Functional network of Japanese researchers to promote science and technology
Organizers: Tadayuki Akagi (Kanazawa University), Kohei Homma (Keio University)
Speakers: Yuta Mishima (Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University), Naoya Sakamoto (Hiroshima University), Taruo Kuroda (Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd.), Saki Shimizu (Maverick Therapeutics), Akishige Hokugo (Department of Surgery, USA), Shuhei Furukawa (Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)), Atsuko Nakatsuka (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)), Tetsu Kawaguchi (Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)), Shuji Kitahara (Tokyo Women's Medical University)
Outline: United Japanese researchers Around the world (UJA) carried out questionnaires on 2013 and revealed that many investigators in Japan are interested in post-doc/PI position in foreign countries; however, they feel anxieties and risks for it. These anxieties and risks cause from lack of information about post-doc/PI life in foreign countries. We believe most of them should be solved when you obtain fresh information about post-doc/PI life in foreign countries. In the present symposium, several speakers those work as a research scientist, a university faculty, a company staff, a venture corporation staff, or a PI in the United States will talk about their carriers. Furthermore, support system from corporations and a university will be introduced. After that, we will discuss how to organize functional network which enhances activities of Japanese investigators in the world through panel discussion.
1S01e
Drug Discovery at Academia: Past, Present, and Future
Organizers: Masatoshi Hagiwara (Kyoto University), Hidenori Ichijo (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Toshio Miyata (Tohoku University), Takao Fujisawa (The University of Tokyo), Junya Toguchida (Kyoto University), Masatoshi Hagiwara (Kyoto University), Yutaka Hishiyama (Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development)
Outline: In addition to the innovative findings of life science such as iPS cells and autophagy, drug seeds such as Ivermectin and PD1 antibody were found in academia. However, most of them have been developed on abroad. For example, PD1, the famous target of cancer immunotherapy, was found by Professor Tasuku Honjo and his colleagues at Kyoto University in 1992, but more than 20 years have passed until the launch of Opdivo. To mitigate the time-loss in the drug development, significant effort to couple the curiosity-driven research in academia with rigorous preclinical drug discovery practices used in industry: Establishment of the support system for initial chemical screening, lead optimization, and translational research program at an institutional level, with the collaboration of different types of researcher and medical doctors. Here we will introduce the current examples of advanced academia drug discovery challenged from original ideas, and discuss the future way of academia to fulfill the function as the open innovation hub for drug discovery.
Redox regulation in cells and organelles
Organizers: Genji Kurisu (Osaka University), Toru Hisabori (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Speakers: Peter Geigenberger (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany), Guy Hanke (Queen Mary University of London, UK), Toru Hisabori (Tokyo Institute of Technology), Yoshitaka Nishiyama (Saitama University), Kenjabi Ina (Tohoku University), Genji Kurisu (Osaka University)
Outline: To maintain the biological activities in cells, many biological reactions occur simultaneously. However, each reaction is never driven independently but followed by each other to form a group of biological reactions. The redox reactions are one of the most important reactions in the cells. A system of redox reactions composes a highly ordered biological processes such as respiration or photosynthesis, but sometimes shows remarkable diversity in bacteria, plants and animals. In this symposium, leading scientists working on redox systems will focus on the redox regulation which tunes the functions of cells or organelles and present their recent topics of study ranging from structure to function. Then, we can discuss on the redox regulation mechanisms from molecularlevel to cellular functions.
Phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reaction and cancer
Organizers: Masanori Hatakeyama (The University of Tokyo), Akira Suzuki (Kobe University)
Speakers: Masanori Hatakeyama (The University of Tokyo), Takashi Matozaki (Kobe University), Hiroshi Shima (Miyagi Cancer Center), Reiko Sugiura (Kinki University), Masato Okada (Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University), Akira Suzuki (Kobe University)
Outline: Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of intra-cellular signaling molecules play core roles in regulation of various cell functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, metabolism, and adhesion. In addition to the kinases, recent discoveries indicate dysregulation of various phosphatases also be closely related to the pathogenesis of various disorders such as cancers. Moreover, new drugs, which are targeted specifically to the kinases or phosphatases, have been extensively developed against cancers.This workshop focuses on cancer-related signaling pathways primarily regulated by the phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle and features selected speakers giving exciting talks on recent progresses and future perspectives in the research field of kinase and phosphatase, including their roles in cancer development and their clinical applications for cancer treatment.
Regulation of immune responses
Organizers: Kiyoshi Takeda (Osaka University), Osamu Takeuchi (Kyoto University)
Speakers: Sho Yamasaki (Osaka University), Osamu Takeuchi (Kyoto University), Akihiko Yoshimura (Keio University), Hiroshi Takayanagi (The University of Tokyo), Kiyoshi Takeda (Osaka University)
Outline: The molecular mechanisms for activation of the immune system have been revealed. Accordingly, abnormal activation of the immune system has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of immune and inflammatory disorders. Therefore, the activity of the immune responses is finely regulated by several mechanisms. The regulatory mechanisms include the sophisticated transcriptional and post-transcriptional modulation of gene expression as well as spacio-temporal regulation of immune responses. In addition to the host factors, environmental factors such as intestinal microbiota have recently been shown to mediate the immune regulation. In this session, we will discuss recent advances in research on the regulation of the immune system.
Novel mechanisms of sensory modalities in model organisms
Organizers: Makoto Tominaga (National Institute for Physiological Sciences), Takaaki Sokabe (National Institute for Physiological Sciences)
Sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas: Thermal Biology
Speakers: Azusa Kamikouchi (Nagoya University), Atsushi Kuhara (Konan University), Koji Shibasaki (Gunma University), Kunihiro Shiomi (Shinshu University), Jianguo Gu (University of Alabama)
Outline: Sensory functions for environmental cues are crucial for survival, and a number of molecules (environmental sensors) have been identified especially in the last two decades. Those environmental sensors, however, are just pieces in whole sensory mechanisms and comprehensive understanding of processes of sensory modalities from periphery to central is one of the biggest tasks lying ahead of us. In addition to characterization of sensory molecules, multiple topics are included at multiple levels such as downstream signaling and the feedback mechanisms, upstream signaling that regulate sensory functions, functional correlation between membrane lipids and proteins, neural circuits and cell-cell associations, condition-dependent modulation of sensory molecules and neurons, and environmental adaptation at an animal level. In this symposium, we will discuss the latest topics of multiple sensory processes and their molecular mechanisms in various model organisms, putting a focus on temperature sensation and its physiological relevance.
A challenging step forward in the development of truly pre-emptive sugar chain information trajectory
Organizers: Makoto Arai (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science), Hideyuki Takeuchi (Nagoya University)
Speakers: Satomi Nadanaka (Kobe Pharmaceutical University), Akihiro Imura (Kyoto University), Yasuhiro Kajihara (Osaka University), Kazuhiro Aoki (Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, USA), Keisuke Kamimura (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science), Tetsuya Okajima (Nagoya University)
Outline: Sugar chains have extremely diverse structures, and are critical to many biological processes. For example, functional analyses conducted using model organisms have previously revealed the mechanisms by which various sugar chains regulate signal transduction and cell behavior. Nevertheless, many sugar chains appear, disappear, and/or undergo dynamic structural changes during development, maturation, aging, and/or the development of various disease pathologies; thus, they are very difficult to accurately characterize. In this workshop, we discuss the way of sugar chain information trajectory in which a multifaceted technical approach combining glycomics, synthetic chemistry, and bioinformatics with conventional biochemical and genetic methods can be used to accurately characterize spatiotemporal changes to sugar chain information.
New aspects of the biology of lipid oxidation
Organizers: Nozomu Kono (The University of Tokyo), Hirotaka Imai (Kitasato University)
Speakers: Nozomu Kono (The University of Tokyo), Hirotaka Imai (Kitasato University), Takahiro Shibata (Nagoya University), Ken-ichi Yamada (Kyushu University), Takayuki Kishi (Tohoku University)
Outline: Polyunsaturated fatty acids in biological membrane are readily oxidized enzymatically and non-enzymatically to form lipid oxidation products. Although lipid oxidation products have long been thought to be associated with pathology of various diseases, it remains unclear what species of lipid oxidation products are formed and how these lipid oxidation products are involved in the pathology. Recent advances in mass spectrometric and immunologic analysis of lipid oxidation products and manipulating systems of lipid oxidation products using transgenic animals/cells of oxidized lipid-metabolizing enzymes have revealed that structurally diverse lipid oxidation products are formed in vivo and that each has a distinct physiological/ pathophysiological actions. In this symposium, we will highlight recent topics on the biology of lipid oxidation revealed by various approaches including immunology, pharmacology, chemical biology and genetics.
Developmental neurobiology: emerging technologies and future directions
Organizers: Izumi Oinuma (University of Hyogo), Tatsumi Hirata (National Institute of Genetics)
Speakers: Akihiro Isomura (Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University), Masaki Ueno (Brain Research Institute, Niigata University), Izumi Oinuma (University of Hyogo), Hiroshi Kawasaki (Kanazawa University), Takaaki Kuwajima (University of Pittsburgh, USA), Tatsumi Hirata (National Institute of Genetics)
Outline: The nervous system is designed as the most complex tissue in the mammalian body, and the formation and maintenance of this amazing structure requires sophisticated mechanisms. Major and frequently observed disorders originate from defects during development. Therefore, it is of vital importance to obtain in depth knowledge of each step of neural development including neurogenesis, neuronal migration, neuronal differentiation, and circuit formation. This symposium bring together selected up-and-coming researchers in various fields of neuroscience will provide novel mechanistic insights, techniques, and future challenges for revealing neural function and dysfunction. Sharing their must-know current discoveries and future plans will develop your comprehensive understanding of a new era for developmental neurobiology.
Young Researchers' Society for Biochemistry 60th Anniversary Memorial Symposium : The History of Life Sciences and Its Outlook for the Future
Organizers: Ryosuke Nishimura (Tokushima University), Kenji Inagaki (Okayama University)
Speakers: Akihiko Yamagishi (Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences), Akira Kikuchi (Osaka University), Yuji Mishina (University of Michigan, USA), Kei Fujiwara (Keio University), Saeko Yanaka (Institute for Molecular Science)
Outline: Young Researchers' Society for Biochemistry, mainly organized by graduate students in various field in life sciences, promote exchange of young researchers through planning seminars and exchange meetings with support of the Japan Biochemical Society. It has been maintained for 60 years since it was founded in the 31st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Biochemical Society, held in Sapporo, 1958. This symposium aims commemorate 60th anniversary of the young researchers' society and to discuss the history and the future of life sciences through talks given by speakers in various generation and research field.
Understanding life based on physics, chemistry, and biology
Organizers: Toru Komatsu (The University of Tokyo), Rikiya Watanabe (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Kohki Okabe (The University of Tokyo), Yuichi Taniguchi (Quantitative Biology Center, RIKEN), Tomohide Saio (Hokkaido University), Rikiya Watanabe (The University of Tokyo), Shigeki Kiyonaka (Kyoto University), Yuki Goto (The University of Tokyo), Kosuke Dodo (RIKEN), Satoru Nagatoishi (The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo)
Outline: Physics and chemistry are both important pillars of sciences, and are keys to understand the behaviors of "molecules". Cells are composed of various bio-molecules, and physical or chemical viewpoint will offer new aspects to understand them deeply. In this symposium, we will have lectures from 8 leading scientists in the field of bio-physics and chemical biology, and try to encourage communications between biologists, physicists, and chemists, using "biochemistry" as a common language. Especially, we focus our topic on understanding the function of proteins, such as receptors, transporters, and enzymes, and introduce the techniques to "control" or "understand" their functions.
Diverse function of ubiquitin-like modifiers: not only for degradation, not only in eukaryotes
Organizers: Kazuhiro Iwai (Kyoto University), Noboru Mizushima (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Heran Darwin (New York University, USA), Chanarat Sittinan (Mahidol University, Thailand), Fumiaki Ohtake (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science), Tamotsu Kanai (Kyoto University), Noboru Mizushima (The University of Tokyo), Kazuhiro Iwai (Kyoto University)
Outline: Ubiquitin-like protein modifiers (UBLs) constitute one of the post-translational modification systems whereby UBLs are conjugated to proteins to regulate their function. UBLs are universally distributed across eukaryotic kingdoms and more than 10 UBLs exist in humans. Since ubiquitin, the prototype of UBL, functions in energy-dependent degradation by the proteasome, and ATG8, another UBL, is involved in the generation of autophagosomes, UBLs have been studied mostly in the context of protein degradation. However, UBLs play much more diverse roles than we expected. As it has been well-documented, ubiquitin has non-proteolytic functions. Moreover, the concept of the UBL has been expanded. For example, some UBLs modulate protein functions without conjugation, and even prokaryotes have UBLs. In this symposium, we'll discuss the diverse roles of UBLs while focusing on their reaction mechanisms and physiological functions.
Membrane phospholipid dynamics in physiology and disease
Organizers: Kiyoko Fukami (Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science), Takehiko Sasaki (Akita Unversity)
Speakers: Hideo Shindou (National Center for Global Health and Medicine), Katsumori Segawa (Osaka University), Kazuya Tsujita (Kobe University), Fubito Nakatsu (Niigata University), Yuji Hara (Kyoto University)
Outline: The phospholipid bilayer provides the common fluid structure of cell membrane, defines the boundaries of the cell, and maintains the different contents of each organelle and cytosol. Cell membranes are not uniform: they contain specialized domains of different lipid and protein compositions that is thought to underlie compartmentalized cellular processes. Lipid transfer proteins, flippases/floppases/scramblases, phospholipases, lysophospholipid acyltransferases, and lipid kinases/phosphatases are all regulators of the proper compositions of diverse lipids at cell membranes. This session will deal with current knowledge about the mechanisms of spatial dynamics and metabolism of membrane phospholipids, dysfunction of which leads to cellular abnormalities and diseases.
Advanced research of organelle
Organizers: Toyomasa Katagiri (Institute for Genome Research, Tokushima University), Hideki Nishitoh (University of Miyazaki)
Sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas: Organelle Zone
Speakers: Hideki Nishitoh (University of Miyazaki), Tadato Ban (Kurume University), Yukio Fujiki (Kyushu University), Akihiko Nakano (The University of Tokyo/RIKEN), Motoi Kanagawa (Kobe University), Toyomasa Katagiri (Tokushima University)
Outline: Organelles are specialized intracellular structures, which play important roles to regulate various cellular events in eukaryotic cells. Recently, it is demonstrating that each organelle structure is uneven, and specific regions ("organelle zones") are responsible for diverse biological functions without confusion. Furthermore, it is known that the dysfunction of organelle zone is involved in various diseases. In this symposium, we introduce the latest findings on new functional zones for organellar communications, formations, responses and vesicle transportation in mitochondria, Golgi apparatus body, endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisome, and would like to discuss the understanding of physiological and pathological significances of organelle functional zones.
Fundamental principle for the acquisition of immune stealth
Organizers: Junichi Takagi (Osaka University), Yoshiaki Kubota (Keio University )
Speakers: Gyohei Egawa (Kyoto University), Takeshi Miura (Kyusyu University), Yoshinori Fukui (Kyusyu University), Junichi Takagi (Osaka University), Yoshiaki Kubota (Keio University)
Outline: The immune system is a double-edged sword that protects organisms from pathological infection, but occasionally damages their own tissues. To avoid life-threatening impacts of the negative aspect of immunity, certain sites of the human body (e.g. brain and eyeball) have an ability called "Immune privilege" to tolerate the introduction of antigens without eliciting an inflammatory immune response. The concept of the immune privilege has been broadly recognized since more than sixty years ago, but its entity has not been elucidated to date. This symposium is aimed at bringing together active researchers from a number of different fields (anatomy, structural biology, metabolomics, mathematics etc.) to gain a novel insight to push forward our understanding of this biological system. This symposium is based on a viewpoint that certain cells, tissues, and organs avoid detection of immunological radars using a combination of micro- and macro- structures, cell-to-cell/matrix interaction, and specialized molecular signalings. To facilitate the multi-disciplinary research, we newly define this biological complex as "immune stealth".
Disease formation by macrophage dysfunction
Organizers: Kenichi Asano (Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science), Yasutaka Okabe (Kyoto University)
Speakers: Yumiko Oishi (Tokyo Medical and Dental University), Takashi Shichita (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science), Takuji Suzuki (Jichi Medical University), Michito Hamada (University of Tsukuba), Wai Kee Eddie Ip (Yale University, USA), Kenichi Asano (Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences)
Outline: Macrophages have been considered as "brave white soldiers" that phagocytose invading pathogens. Today, it is well established that macrophages play a key role in various disease formation such as cancer, ischemic organ injury, osteopetrosis and alveolar proteinosis. These findings are starting to convert the classical view of macrophages from mere inducers of acute inflammation to a cell type with essential functions in tissue homeostasis and organogenesis. Phenotypes of macrophages are dictated by cell type-specific gene-expression programs. However, macrophages switch their phenotype in adaptation to changing environment and epigenetic regulation. How these macrophage phenotypes are regulated is a question of clinical importance in developing organ-specific therapy. Aim of this symposium is to update the emerging views of macrophage biology from immunological, metabolic and developmental perspectives.
Integration of micro- and macro-scale biochemistry for elucidation of genome maintenance and inheritance mechanisms
Organizers: Hironori Kawakami (Kyushu University), Hisao Masai (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science)
Speakers: Hironori Kawakami (Kyushu University), Hiroyuki Araki (National Institute of Genetics), Asako Furukohri (Osaka University), Hisao Masai (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science), Keishi Shintomi (RIKEN), Wataru Kobayashi (Waseda University), Kaoru Sugasawa (Kobe University)
Outline: High-order protein-DNA interactions constitute the critical entity ensuring accurate and complete chromosomal DNA replication, recombination, and repair as well as segregation. Whereas individual reactions on DNA double helix during these processes have been extensively analyzed biochemically, integrated dynamics as the whole chromosomes are still elusive. This symposium session features talented biochemists tackling challenging problems on this topic by combining canonical biochemistry and other complementary approaches, and will address the cutting-edge of the complicated and sophisticated system underlying genome maintenance and inheritance.
Locomobiology: Towards Integrated Comprehensive Understanding of Vital Processes Supported by Bodily Movements
Organizers: Yasuhiro Sawada (Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities), Shin'ichi Takeda (National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry)
Speakers: Wataru Ogawa (Kobe University), Tatsushi Toda (The University of Tokyo), Masaaki Murakami (Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University), Teruaki Tozaki (Laboratory of Racing Chemistry), Toshimasa Yamauchi (The University of Tokyo), Yasuhiro Sawada (Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities), Shin'ichi Takeda (National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry)
Outline: Animals have evolved their motions at various levels, ranging from microscopic to macroscopic, for the sake of adaptation to the ever-changing external environments, which include food capture and evasion from enemies. Through this evolutional process, animals have also developed internal regulatory systems controlled by physical motions. As a result, bodily motion has become an essential element underpinning the physiological functions not only of locomotoriums but also of many other vital organs related to metabolic, immune and nervous systems. Motions are highly influential even in higher-order brain functions and mental controls. In this symposium, experts from diverse research fields will introduce their recent findings concerning physical motion-mediated organismal regulation, and discuss the possible approaches to integrated comprehensive understanding of the biological significance of bodily movements.
New era of life science unraveled by innovative redox researches
Organizers: Motohiro Nishida (National Institute for Physiological Sciences), Hozumi Motohashi (Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University)
Speakers: Hozumi Motohashi (Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University), Akira Nishimura (Tohoku University), Hideshi Ihara (Osaka Prefecture University), Yoshiro Saito (Doshisha University), Yasuo Watanabe (Showa Pharmaceutical University), Albert Van Der Vliet (University of Vermont, USA), Keisuke Wakasugi (The University of Tokyo)
Outline: A new concept of life sciences has been revealed by sulfur-based redox biology. Living systems use redox potential-based energy metabolism to produce ATP. Redox research has been developed by investigating pathophysiological roles of specific signaling pathways induced by chemical modification of intracellular molecules with oxygen-derived byproducts of energy metabolism, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and electrophiles. Recently, reactive sulfide species, represented by persulfide and polysulfide, have been revealed to function as endogenous nucleophile that can react with, metabolize, and eliminate electrophiles. These reactive sulfides are also found to participate in physiological energy metabolism coupling with electron transfer and formation of iron-sulfur clusters. This symposium will introduce cutting-edge researches on the molecular bases of sulfur-based redox signaling and their new biological roles in mammalian systems.
Regulation of TGF-β/BMP signaling: Expanding modalities
Organizers: Daizo Koinuma (The University of Tokyo), Keiji Miyazawa (University of Yamanashi)
Speakers: Daizo Koinuma (The University of Tokyo), Susumu Itoh (Showa Pharmaceutical University), Taku Saito (The University of Tokyo), Noritaka Yamaguchi (Chiba University), Yuka Itoh (University of Yamanashi), Mariko Ikuo (Hiroshima University)
Outline: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways are principally transduced by their specific transcription factors, Smads. In addition, numerous regulatory molecules have been identified in the signaling pathways, some of which are shared with other signaling pathways. These molecules account for context-specific signaling under various pathophysiological conditions, including osteoclastogenesis and cancer progression. Recently, roles of exosomes and lncRNAs have been unveiled in the regulatory networks for TGF-beta/BMP signaling. In this symposium, we will invite experts from different TGF-beta/BMP-related research fields to discuss future direction of the signal regulation research, focusing on how our expanding knowledge of signal regulation can be integrated.
Strategic mechanism on epidermis formation essential for barrier of body
Organizers: Kiyotaka Hitomi (Nagoya University), Akio Kihara (Hokkaido University)
Speakers: Kiyotaka Hitomi (Nagoya University), Akio Kihara (Hokkaido University), Masashi Akiyama (Nagoya University), Yoshikazu Nakamura (Tokyo University of Phamacy and Life Sciencens), Eleonora Candi (Tor Vergata, University of Roma, Italy)
Outline: The epidermis plays essential roles on barrier functions to protect human body from chemical stimulation, biological invasion and physical attack. In the epidermis, differentiating keratinocytes comprise four layers (cornified, granular, spinous and undifferentiated basal), where specific molecules responsible for the barrier functions are expressed. During keratinocyte differentiation, the functional molecules located in outside or inside of the cells are produced and their activities are regulated to provide epidermis efficient barrier function. In this symposium, commonly focusing on skin barrier functions, studies on the components of the molecules in the epidermis will be presented from the aspect of epidermal lipids, proteins and their related diseases.
New omics technology and biochemistry
Organizers: Itoshi Nikaido (RIKEN), Mari Miyamoto (Oxford Nanopore Technologies)
Speakers: Itoshi Nikaido (RIKEN), Mari Miyamoto (Oxford Nanopore Technologies), Yasuyuki Ohkawa (Kyushu University), Kazuharu Arakawa (Keio University), Ichiro Nakagawa (Kyoto University)
Outline: A breakthrough in genome science has always been led by a brand new development in biochemistry. There have been two recent revolutions in genome science. First, we can massively and reproducibly measure omics information in a single cell. The single cell is a fundamental operative unit in our body. Single-cell omics aims to reveal the healthy development and the breaking-up of tissue/organ at the single-cell level. Second, we can obtain long-read sequences using new generation sequencing technologies. Long reads have improved the de novo assembly of low-complexity sequences in de novo genome/transcriptome and metagenome sequencing. In particular, the nanopore sequencer is portable and easy-to-use at your desk or in the field.This symposium aims to introduce cutting-edge studies of various researchers who are energetically conducting studies on single-cell omics (single-cell RNA-seq/ChIP-seq) or long-read sequencing using Oxford Nanopore technologies. We will also discuss a novel biochemical development created in the genome science field.
New horizons toward prevention of amyloidosis on the basis of its molecular mechanism
Organizers: Yuji Goto (Osaka University), Hironobu Naiki (University of Fukui)
Speakers: Yuji Goto (Osaka University), Hironobu Naiki (University of Fukui), Keiichi Higuchi (Shinshu University), Hideki Mochizuki (Osaka University), Yoshiki Sekijima (Shinshu University)
Outline: On the basis of the combined efforts of protein science and medicines, our understanding of the molecular mechanism of amyloidosis (e.g. Alzheimer's disease) have advanced significantly in the last decade. In the area of protein science, studies on the structure and mechanism of formation showed that amyloid fibrillation is a crystal-like precipitation of denatured proteins. A series of basic findings have helped advances in medical researches of amyloidosis. One of the most impressive examples is the development of drugs to stabilize the precursor protein transthyretin and thus to prevent familial amyloid polyneuropathy. This symposium introduces the history of protein science with a focus on aggregation and current collaborations of protein science and medicine and discuss the importance of our continued collaborative efforts toward prevention and therapeutics of amyloidosis.
JBS-NBDC Joint Program
Educational Seminar: How to master the databases and tools in life science
Co-hosted by National Bioscience Database Center, JST
Speakers: Mari Minowa (JST/ROIS), Nobutaka Mitsuhashi (JST), Yasunori Yamamoto (ROIS), Hiromasa Ono (ROIS)
Outline: Along with the recent progress of analysis and measurement technologies in the life sciences field, the amount of data produced and related publications has explosively increased. It is essential to utilize various data/information in the database to perform one's research efficiently and effectively. NBDC promotes life science research through sharing and reuse of research data/information, and offers various search/analysis tools and several platforms for data sharing, and conducts research and development necessary for those services. In this educational seminar, we will introduce readily available databases, tools and services we have developed, such as for the exhaustive search for data/information, for analysis/interpretation of the data and for maximizing the value of data.
Dynalogy - A new trend of biomedical sciences revealing vivid dynamics of life
Organizers: Masaru Ishii (Osaka University), Hiroaki Wake (Kobe University)
Speakers: Junichi Kikuta (Osaka University), Kenji Kabashima (Kyoto University), Takaharu Okada (RIKEN), Ryo Yamada (Kyoto University), Hiroaki Wake (Kobe University)
Outline: During the last decade, advanced live imaging technology and mathematical analyses has launched a new era in the field of life sciences, where we can grasp in situ dynamics of a diversity of living cells intravitally within intact tissues and organs. In this symposium we will discuss the latest progresses and the future perspectives in medical sciences brought by the new trend.
Biological phenomena and diseases caused by exosomes
Organizers: Rikinari Hanayama (Kanazawa University), Ai Kotani (Tokai University)
Speakers: Rikinari Hanayama (Kanazawa University), Ai Kotani (Tokai University), Akiko Takahashi (Cancer Institute), Shunbun Kita (Osaka University), Toshihide Takeuchi (Osaka University)
Outline: Research on exosomes have been accelerated. For many years, exosomes have been thought to be involved in the elimination of unnecessary cellular components, but in recent years, it has been suggested that exosomes are also related to various physiological functions and pathophysiology as novel intercellular signal transmitters that carry lipids, proteins, RNAs in vivo. In addition, clinical applications and development of biomarkers using these functions and properties are rapidly developing. At this symposium, we would like to introduce the latest findings of exosomes in various research fields such as immunology, neurology, endocrinology and oncology, and discuss their biological significance and relationship with diseases.
New developments in lipid droplet biology --- exploring the generality from diversity
Organizers: Toyoshi Fujimoto (Nagoya University), Yasuyoshi Sakai (Kyoto University)
Speakers: Joel Goodman (UT Southwestern, USA), Chao-Wen Wang (Academia Sinica, Taiwan), Masahide Oku (Kyoto University), Yuki Ohsaki (Nagoya University), Takashi Shimada (Chiba University)
Outline: Lipid droplets were once thought as an inert depot of lipids, but recent research has changed the understanding drastically, and now they are recognized as one of intracellular organelles that are engaged in a variety of physiological phenomena. Accordingly, lipid droplets are being studied actively in many different fields; their relationship to various diseases, such as obesity, liver steatosis, and atherosclerosis, attracts much attention in medical science, whereas their industrial use for bioenergy production, utilizing green algae and other plants, is also pursued. Nevertheless, basic properties of lipid droplets, except for very basic physiology of lipid ester synthesis and lipolysis, are still largely unknown. In this symposium, we will invite researchers who are studying various aspects of lipid droplets using plants, yeasts, and animal cells, and will discuss lipid droplets' physiological functions and their molecular basis.
Sugar metabolism: A sweet spot of disease onset and progression
Organizers: Yoichiro Harada (Kagoshima University), Yasuhiko Kizuka (Center for Highly Advanced Integration of Nano and Life Sciences (G-CHAIN), Gifu University)
Speakers: Yoichiro Harada (Kagoshima University), Yasuhiko Kizuka (Center for Highly Advanced Integration of Nano and Life Sciences (G-CHAIN), Gifu University), Kazuki Nakajima (Center for Research Promotion and Support, Fujita Health University), Tatsuhiko Furukawa (Kagoshima University), Heiichiro Udono (Okayama University)
Outline: This symposium focuses on sugar metabolism to discuss its impact on diseases and biological phenomena. Sugar metabolism not only produces ATP as energy, but supplies building blocks of glycans and lipids. In addition, aberrant sugar metabolism is involved in diseases, such as diabetes and cancer. Here, we would like to discuss, in a single filed, disease mechanism, exosome biogenesis, glycan function, and immune response from a viewpoint of sugar metabolism. Although these biological phenomena have been discussed independently of each other, incorporating a viewpoint of the common core metabolic system will appear new concepts of disease mechanism. In this symposium, we will invite researchers who are actively studying on sugar metabolism to elucidate mechanisms underlying disease metabolism, cancer, and immune response. We would like to provide a sweet spot to share the new common concept of sugar metabolism in disease onset and progression.
New investigation for immune cell signaling
Organizers: Osamu Kaminuma (Center for Life Science Research, University of Yamanashi), Yoshihiko Tanaka (Fukuoka Dental College)
Speakers: Amnon Altman (La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, USA), Jiro Kitaura (Atopy (Allery) , esearch Center, Juntendo University), Keitaro Hayashi (Dokkyo Medical University), Yoshihiko Tanaka (Fukuoka Dental College), Osamu Kaminuma (Center for Life Science Research, University of Yamanashi)
Outline: For the regulation of pathophysiological responses mediated by immune cells, their intracellular signaling cascades have been investigated. Although it is difficult to apply high-molecular weight molecules such as antibody and to improve the specificity, drugs targeting tyrosine and Janus kinases have been generated for the treatment of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Considering the recent wave to target cell surface molecules including immune checkpoint inhibitors, intra- and inter-cellular signaling molecules are next candidates to develop innovative drugs. We would like to invite experts of "traditional and innovative" immune cell signaling molecules and ask them to demonstrate their recent exciting findings. We would be happy if this symposium could help to develop novel drugs for immune diseases.
Crossroad of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry for Epigenetics
Organizers: Toru Kawakami (Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University), Isao Suetake (Koshien University)
Speakers: Atsuya Nishiyama (The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo), Kyohei Arita (Yokohama City University), Mitsuko Hirosawa (The University of Tokyo), Yuya Asahina (Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University), Gosuke Hayashi (The University of Tokyo), Yuichiro Hori (Osaka University), Hiroshi Sugiyama (Kyoto University), Shoji Takada (Kyoto University), Isao Suetake (Koshien University)
Outline: The function of many proteins and nucleic acids is regulated by chemical modifications. These modifications are introduced into the biomolecules in a complex manner. In some cases, multiple hetero-modifications on one protein molecule is observed. In the research of biochemistry, specific monoclonal antibody is, for example, used for the study of such complex modifications. Recently synthetic chemistry and computational science are much progressed, and are ready to be applied for biochemical and medical researches. In the symposium, we focus on the function of chemical modifications of both nucleic acid and protein in epigenetics, and invite the scientists in the field of biochemistry, synthetic chemistry and computational science. The speakers and audience will discuss new techniques and future science, and the joint study will be started. It is indubitable that this collaboration will promote progress of the bio-science.
Biochemistry of Parasitism
Organizers: Tomoyoshi Nozaki (The University of Tokyo), Kiyoshi Kita (Nagasaki University)
Speakers: Miako Sakaguchi (Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University), Madoka Ichikawa-Seki (Iwate University), Kumiko Nakada-Tsukui (National Institute of Infectious Diseases), Eizo Takashima (Proteo Science Center, Ehime University), Taisei Kikuchi (University of Miyazaki), Shiroh Iwanaga (Tokyou Medical and Dental University)
Outline: Parasites rely on their host for nutrients and resident. They exploit elaborate strategies to evade host immune system and streamline metabolisms to adapt environmental niche in the host. Elucidation of underlining mechanisms of such strategies helps us to combat infectious agents, and also provides fundamental knowledge on basic biology, biochemistry, and evolution of life. Antigenic variation and RNA editing in Trypanosoma are only two of such great discoveries that were made from the studies on parasitic organisms, and exerted unmeasurable influence on other fields of life science. In this symposium, we highlight embryonic but ground breaking researches by world leading young and/or female scientists using protozoan and helminthic parasites.
How to educate bioethics and research integrity.
Organizers: Keiichiro Suzuki (Hyogo College of MedicineYoshito Ihar), Yoshito Ihara (Wakayama Medical University)
Speakers: Keiichiro Suzuki (Hyogo College of Medicine), Tsuyoshi Awaya (Okayama Shoka University), Noriko Osumi (Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine), Kroki Toshio (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)
Outline: All science as well as biochemistry is built upon a foundation of trust. But there have been incidents of research misconduct such as data fabrication, falsification and improper use of research funds. It is necessary for every scientist to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to conduct responsible research. Conventionally, it was thought that such knowledge and skills are acquired through instruction while a student at a research laboratory. But now even basic research is developed to improve the mobility of young scientists. Compared to the past, there is more need to consider using research methods and integrity that transcend one's field and nationality. So education of bioethics and research integrity for young scientists becomes very important. We will invite three famous researchers and discuss how to educate bioethics and research integrity using some incidents of research misconduct.
Mechanics of tissue remodeling
Organizers: Masatoshi Takeichi (RIKEN), Yusuke Toyama (National University of Singapore)
Speakers: Yusuke Toyama (National University of Singapore, Singapore), Keiko Nonomura (National Institute for Basic Biology), Erina Kuranaga (Tohoku University), Asako Shindo (Nagoya University), Hideru Togashi (Kobe University)
Outline: Animal cells assemble into tissues with the complex architecture. It remains largely elusive how cells can organize ordered multicellular structures, solely depending on their intrinsic ability to self-assemble. Adult tissue structures are stably maintained via homeostatic mechanisms, whereas, during various life events such as development, metamorphosis and cancer progression, cells are drastically rearranged to reorganize tissue structures. It is thus important to elucidate mechanisms underlying the remodeling of tissues with aims of understanding how the body forms and changes. Tissue construction is supported by various factors: At cellular levels, adhesion, polarity and movement of cells are crucial, and these cellular factors are regulated by a number of biochemical elements including cell adhesion molecules, cytoskeletal proteins and their regulators. Recent studies also emphasize the importance of mechanical forces in tissue remodeling. In this symposium, speakers talk about various examples of dynamic tissue remodeling as well as their molecular backgrounds. Through their presentations, we would like to foresee the future direction of this exciting field.
Novel therapeutic strategies targeting glycosylation for the treatment of refractory cancer
Organizers: Kenji Kadomatsu (Nagoya University), Koichi Honke (Kochi University)
Speakers: Tatsuya Oda (University of Tsukuba), Michiko Fukuda (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)), Hiroshi Kitagawa (Kobe Pharmaceutical University), Kazuaki Ohtsubo (Kumamoto University)
Outline: Modern views largely accept that proteins undergo posttranslational modification and glycosylation of proteins is one of the most common posttranslational modification, Protein-carbohydrate and carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions mediate various aspects of intercellular communication and serve as the basis of a variety of important biological phenomena, such as adhesion of infectious agents to host cells and cell adhesion in the immune system and tumor metastasis. Recently, the significance of glycans in clinical medicine is widely appreciated through the development of glycan biomarkers such as differentiation markers of the stem cells and diagnostic markers for diseases as well as glycan-based drugs for the treatment of influenza infection and glycomodified therapeutic proteins. As our understanding of glycobiology broadens to encompass more examples, new ideas for the application of this knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of disease will emerge one after another. In this symposium, novel therapeutic strategies targeting glycosylation for the treatment of refractory cancer will be discussed.
History and recent progress on lipid mediators
Organizers: Takehiko Yokomizo (Juntendo University), Makoto Murakami (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Kazuko Saeki (Juntendo University), Yoshitaka Taketomi (The University of Tokyo), Soken Tsuchiya (Kumamoto University), Makoto Arita (Keio University), Junken Aoki (Tohoku University), Tetsuya Hori (RIKEN)
Outline: Japanese researchers greatly contributed the lipid research. Most of the enzymes and receptors for lipid mediators were identified by Japanese researchers in Japan. Recent research using genetically-engineered animals have shown that lipid mediators have wider functions than ever imagined. Structures of lipid mediators ware identical among animal species and thus they are important drug targets, and crystal structures of enzymes and receptors have been clarified, accelerating the drug development. This symposium with young researchers will discuss the history, recent achievement and clinical application of lipid mediators.
Extracellular matrix as a microenvironmental player that ensures tissue architechture and remodeling
Organizers: Kiyotoshi Sekiguchi (Osaka University), Yuji Hiraki (Kyoto University)
Speakers: Hiromi Yanagisawa (University of Tsukuba), Hironobu Fujiwara (RIKEN), Akira Kudo (Tokyo Institute of Technology), Chisa Shukunami (Hiroshima University), Kiyotoshi Sekiguchi (Osaka University)
Outline: The interaction of cells with their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) ensures cell survival and regulates cell proliferation and differentiation. ECM proteins are capable of not only transmitting the signals that govern cell behavior through binding to the integrin family of cell adhesion receptors but also capturing the growth factors secreted from neighboring cells and thereby regulating their activities and tissue localization. Recently, the rigidity of the ECM has been shown to influence the fate determination of pluripotent stem cells. In this symposium, we aimed to introduce the ECM research initiated or significantly contributed by Japanese researchers as the examples illuminating the importance of the ECM as the microenvironment orchestrating tissue architecture and remodeling.
Cutting-edge approaches to opening a new era of chromosome biology
Organizers: Tatsuya Hirano (RIKEN), Tomoko Nishiyama (Nagoya University)
Speakers: Kazuhiro Maeshima (National Institute of Genetics), Ichiro Hiratani (RIKEN), Tatsuro Takahashi (Kyusyu University), Ryusuke Nozawa (The University of Edinburgh, UK), Tomoko Nishiyama (Nagoya University), Tatsuya Hirano (RIKEN)
Outline: Since the dynamic behavior of chromosomes was first described in the late 19th century, progress in our understanding of chromosome structure and function heavily depended on biochemical approaches. Major breakthroughs included the discovery of their structural components such as nucleosomes and chromosome architectural proteins, and of functional components required for DNA replication and repair. More recently, a number of technical innovations have diversified experimental approaches to studying chromosome biology, which enable us to dissect higher-order chromosome structure at high spatiotemporal resolutions and to address the crosstalk between mesoscale chromosome structure and function. In this symposium, we will introduce cutting-edge approaches to opening a new era of chromosome biology, and discuss latest progress in our understanding of multi-dimensional chromosome dynamics.
Mechanism of membrane deformation
Organizers: Hye-Won Shin (Kyoto University), Shiro Suetsugu (Nara Institute of Science and Technology)
Speakers: Shiro Suetsugu (Nara Institute of Science and Technology), Hiroshi Noguchi (Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo), Shiroh Futaki (Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University), Masashi Maekawa (Proteo-Science Center (PROS), Ehime University), Toshihide Kobayashi (University of Strasbourg, France), Hye-Won Shin (Kyoto University)
Outline: Biological membranes are composed of lipid bilayers and surround cells and subcellular compartment. Biological membranes change their shapes dynamically for intrinsic cellular functions and tissue homeostasis in addition to their roles as the places for biosynthesis, chemical reaction, and intra/inter cellular signaling. Growing evidence demonstrates that membrane shape is regulated dynamically by the coordinated actions of the cytoskeleton, membrane lipids, and the membrane-binding proteins, which are regulated by their interactions and mechanical forces. Various researchers from different disciplines but focusing on mechanism of membrane deformation will get together to discuss the regulation of membrane dynamics and the future directions of membrane studies in combinations of different disciplines.
Retina research bridges biochemistry and sensory function
Organizers: Takahisa Furukawa (Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University), Sumiko Watanabe (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Taro Chaya (Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University), Hiroshi Kuribayashi (The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo), Daisuke Kojima (The University of Tokyo), Akiko Maeda (Case Western Reserve University, USA), Misamitsu Shimazawa (Gifu Pharmaceutical University)
Outline: Retina provide an excellent model system and plays leading roles not only for analysis of visual transduction but also biochemical mechanisms underline physiological phenomenon. The photoreceptors of the retina receive light information from outside, and convert them to the electric signals followed by process of information. Finally, the signal reaches the brain, and during the process, various biochemical reactions including detection of light information, transmission, regulation by G protein, neurotransmitter receptor, organelle, protein movement, transcription, had been studies In this symposium, the latest knowledge of structure and function of retina will be presented, and we would like to discuss biochemistry and neuro physiology through retinal studies.
Disease model and clinical application by modification of mitochondrial function
Organizers: Shigeru Yanagi (Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences), Kazuto Nakada (University of Tsukuba)
Speakers: Kazuto Nakada (University of Tsukuba), Takaaki Abe (Tohoku University), Yuma Yamada (Hokkaido University), Takeshi Uchiumi (Kyushu University), Tomohisa Yoshimura (Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.)
Outline: Accumulating evidence indicates critical roles of mitochondria in homeostasis of almost all organs and tissues. In particular, series of studies about mitochondrial dynamics demonstrate the mitochondrial function as a signaling platform and physiological importance of microstructure such as MAM, ER-mitochondrial contact sites. These findings provide a new concept that mitochondria perform not only energy production, calcium regulation and lipid metabolism, but also higher functions including recognition and processing of various signals and information transmission. Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction are closely associated with a variety of diseases, including cancer, aging, cardiac dysfunction, immune diseases, diabetes mellitus etc. In this symposium, we focus on biology for mitochondrial-related diseases using model animal and clinical application by modification of mitochondrial function.
50th anniversary of Thermus thermophilus discovery: Frontiers of thermophilic bacterial research
Organizers: Yoshitaka Bessho (Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taiwan), Tairo Oshima (Institute of Environmental Microbiology, Kyowa-kako Co. Ltd.)
Speakers: Nils-Kare Birkeland (Universitetet i Bergen, Norway), Shih-Hsiung Wu (Academia Sinica, Taiwan), Jean Armengaud (CEA Institute of Biology and Technology Saclay, France), Akihiro Yamanaka (Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University), Seiki Kuramitsu (Osaka University), Mitsuhiro Itaya (Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University), Ken Yokoyama (Kyoto Sangyo University)
Outline: Thermus thermophilus is a bacterium discovered and isolated from a Japanese Mine-onsen hot spring on the Izu-Peninsula, Shizuoka prefecture, in 1968. This microorganism is viable even in a high temperature environment of 85 ℃. As a model organism of thermophilic bacteria that are genetically manipulable, this bacterium greatly contributed toward the clarification of basic life phenomena and the development of biochemistry. The advantage of Thermus thermophilus as biological experimental material is that its proteins are thermally resistant and stable. As heat-resistant biomolecules are very suitable materials for structural analyses, their functions have been predicted in structural-genome projects, and in many cases have been demonstrated by biochemical research. In various frontier fields, biomolecules of this species continue to contribute as useful bio-samples. The autumn of 2018 will be the milestone of 50 years since Thermus thermophilus was discovered in Japan. Thus, in this symposium, we will review the remarkable research performed with this microorganism, and discuss the future research in 10 and 20 years.
Challenge to elucidation of the principle to build elaborate systems
Organizers: Masami Horikoshi (Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo), Masayuki Seki (Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University)
Speakers: Yusuke Sato (Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo), Hiroki Kurihara (The University of Tokyo), Hiroshi Nishimasu (The University of Tokyo), Masami Horikoshi (The University of Tokyo), Masayuki Seki (Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Outline: Elaborate biological systems have been built through the interactions, enzymatic reactions and structural conformational changes of biological molecules. Biological activities are maintained by driving those systems. Biological reaction systems have been established on the base of the accumulation of chemical reaction systems and resulted in diversification of living organisms. The processes of establishment of complex biological systems are gradually elucidated by the analyses of biochemical reactions in the various fields. In this symposium those kinds of studies are introduced. We hope to seek what a unified principle to support the establishment of biological systems is.
New dimensions of proteomics and interactomics
Organizers: Tohru Natsume (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)), Nozomu Yachie (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Tohru Natsume (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)), Nozomu Yachie (The University of Tokyo), Edward Marcotte (Univeristy of Texas, USA), Masaki Matsumoto (Kyushu University), Naoki Goshima (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)), Sriram Kosuri (University of California, Los Angeles, USA)
Outline: The intracellular proteome is extremely complex. While the number of human coding genes is approximately 20,000, protein variants that are orders of magnitude higher in number can arise from spontaneous mutations, alternative splicing of RNA transcripts, and post-translational modifications. The interactions that occur between proteins of different "proteoforms" are numerous. Such protein–protein interactions transmit and branch extracellular signals to intracellular cascades, build cytoskeletons, and form many different molecular machines. Although various proteome technologies have enabled us to take snapshots of cellular proteomes, there is a continuous demand to develop new technologies to better understand both the global landscape of intracellular proteome dynamics and the functions of different protein machines. In this symposium, we have a great lineup of speakers whose work pushes current proteomics to new dimensions. The topics include (1) the power of the ORFeome resource for various proteomics studies, (2) a fractionation profiling approach with quantitative mass spectrometry to identify the evolutionary landscape of macromolecular complexes, (3) a high-throughput protein interactome technology coupled with molecular DNA barcodes and next-generation DNA sequencing, (4) a highly parallel gene synthesis-based broad mutational scanning to analyze protein functions and (5) precision proteomics with robotics and laboratory automation.
Dynamic behavior of cell membranes
Organizers: Junichi Ikenouchi (Kyushu University), Jun Suzuki (Kyoto University)
Speakers: Junichi Ikenouchi (Kyushu University), Jun Suzuki (Kyoto University), Osamu Kuge (Kyushu University), Toshiki Itoh (Kobe University), Noriyuki Kioka (Kyoto University), Tetsuo Mioka (Hokkaido University)
Outline: This symposium provides a wide range of topics on dynamic behavior of cell membranes, from macroscopic deformation of cell membranes to microscopic movement of lipid molecules constituting cell membranes. Various lipid molecules constituting the cell membrane not only move inside the cell and localize at an appropriate subcellular location but also move quickly between the inner layer and the outer layer of the lipid bilayer. In addition to the movement of such lipid molecules themselves, cell membranes composed of a large number of lipid molecules are also deformed dynamically. In this symposium, we introduce recent findings on mechanisms that control the movement of one lipid molecule and the mechanisms that control the deformation of the cell membrane and also discuss the physiological significance of membrane dynamics and the relationships between microscopic movement of lipid molecules and macroscopic cell membrane behavior.
Understanding biological systems from multi-order kinetics
Organizers: Mariko Okada (Osaka University), Yasushi Sako (RIKEN)
Speakers: James Ferrell (Stanford University, USA), Edwin Munro (University of Chicago, USA), Hidehiko Inomata (RIKEN), Satoshi Takahashi (Tohoku University), Hirotada Mori (Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)), Yasushi Okamura (Osaka University), Yasushi Sako (RIKEN), Mariko Okada (Osaka University)
Outline: Living organisms are time-developing systems. Whereas properties and behaviors of the living organisms may be defined by the genes and shapes specific to each organism, the maintenance of life is often regulated by similar mechanisms of time development. After enzyme kinetics theory has established in early to mid 1900's, biochemical theory has been transformed to describe cells and complex biological systems in 2000's. Over the boundaries between hierarchies of living systems, we often see common regulatory rules from molecules to organisms. In this symposium, we invite speakers from single molecule imaging, multi-omics, molecular dynamics simulation, molecular biology and systems biology studies who are trying to describe the living matter using kinetics. We review how biological theory has been changed after 50 years of enzyme kinetics theory and wish to discuss the fundamental regulatory principles we learned so far.
Current update of Cancer Genomics
Organizers: Hiroyuki Mano (National Cancer Center Research Institute), Tatsuhiro Shibata (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Yuuichi Shiraishi (The University of Tokyo), Keisuke Kataoka (National Cancer Center Research Institute), Jyunko Takita (The University of Tokyo), Akihiro Fujimoto (Kyoto University), Shinichi Yachida (Osaka University), Shinji Kohsaka (National Cancer Center Research Institute)
Outline: Large cancer genome sequencing projects such as TCGA and International Cancer Genome Consortium have provided comprehensive landscapes of driver genes in major cancer types, that would promote genome-based stratification of patients for optimized therapy, so-called precision medicine, in oncology. However, because these projects mainly focused on untreated tumors, further basic researches are required for clinical development in intractable cases especially metastatic or recurrent tumors and understanding molecular mechanisms in therapy resistance. We selected young and active researchers in the cancer genomics field as speakers in this session. We would like to share and intensively discuss about current status of this research area including novel driver gene discovery, new analytical methods and clinical application such as liquid biopsy.
Brain protein aging and neurodegeneration
Organizers: Gen Sobue (Nagoya University), Masato Hasegawa (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science)
Sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas: Brain protein aging and dementia control
Speakers: Masato Hasegawa (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science), Yoshitaka Nagai (Osaka University), Makoto Urushitani (Shiga University of Medical Science)
Outline: The study will take an interdisciplinary approach to analyze chronological changes of brain proteins and neuro-degeneration and from various angles of molecular to individual levels. In this symposium, we will focus on the molecular bases of brain aging, including 1)brain protein aging; its initiation, elimination, and propagation mechanism, 2)mechanism of protein aging and toxicity 3)anti-aged protein antibody therapy and ASO therapy for target molecule of neurodegeneration with outstanding researchers these fields. Finally, we would like to discuss the future directions of this area and share mutual knowledge and wisdom.
Dysregulation of reactive oxygen species-mediated signaling and aging/diseases
Organizers: Yosuke Funato (Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University), Atsushi Matsuzawa (Tohoku University)
Speakers: Yosuke Funato (Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University), Yusuke Hirata (Tohoku University), Akiyuki Nishimura (National Institute for Physiological Sciences), Reiko Inagi (The University of Tokyo), Masaharu Uno (Kyoto University)
Outline: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been recognized as mere byproducts of respiration, and damages various molecules in organisms. Indeed, excessive ROS are tightly linked to aging and various diseases. On the other hand, recent researches have clarified that ROS are actively produced in organisms, and mediate various signaling pathways. Numerous researchers have identified and clarified the role of ROS-producing enzymes and ROS sensor molecules, which responds to ROS and modulates the signaling pathways. From these advances, now we can reexamine various ROS-related diseases as phenomena triggered by the failure of ROS-mediated signaling, and in this symposium, we will introduce recent researches, especially from young scientists, focusing on this novel point of view.
Basic studies as key seeds of translational researches
Organizers: Akitada Ichinose (Yamagata University), Hisanori Horiuchi (Institute of Development, Aging, and Cancer, Tohoku University)
Speakers: Koji Eto (Center for iPS Research and Application, Kyoto University), Takahisa Kitawaza (Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), Masayoshi Souri (Yamagata University), Naoki Miyoshi (Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd), Tsukasa Ohmori (Jichi Medical University)
Outline: Thrombosis is the leading cause of death in Western countries (overall majority) and the 2nd prevalent cause next to cancer in Japan (1/3). Therefore, it is not too much to say that thrombosis is the Japanese national disease in this century. Patients with autoimmune coagulation factor deficiencies have been on the rise, as Japan becomes a super-aging society. To boost the fields of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet, we invite six excellent scientists from corporate laboratories and academia to introduce their outstanding basic studies' seeds of translational researches, including original ideas, key discoveries and current status. The topics are as follows: iPS cell-derived platelets (Dr. Eto), Gene Therapy for Hemophilia (Dr. Ohmori), bi-specific antibody mimicking Factor VIII (Dr. Kitazawa), human anti-Factor XIII autoantibodies (Dr. Souri), and Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (Dr. Miyoshi).
Integrative research towards elucidating chromatin dynamics
Organizers: Jun-ichi Nakayama (National Institute for Basic Biology), Hitoshi Kurumizaka (Waseda University)
Speakers: Hitoshi Kurumizaka (Waseda University), Yusuke Miyanari (Okazaki Institute for Integrative Bioscience), Hiroshi Ochiai (Japan Science and Technology Agency), Soya Shinkai (RIKEN Quantitative Biology Center), Jun-ichi Nakayama (National Institute for Basic Biology)
Outline: Chromatin, a complex of DNA and nuclear proteins found in eukaryotic cells, plays a pivotal role in controlling gene expression, and dynamic change of this chromatin structure provides molecular basis for epigenetic phenomena. Recent studies have identified a variety of histone modifications and those interacting proteins, and epigenome information has become available from massive genome-wide chromatin analyses. In addition, high-resolution imaging and 3D mapping technologies have uncovered nuclear structures and subdomains of chromatin. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying chromatin dynamics and how it contributes to form nuclear sub-chromatin domains remain elusive. In this symposium, we will integrate recent advances and try to provide comprehensive view for chromatin dynamics, as a functional basis for eukaryotic genome regulation.
Magical Power of Biometals and Its Scientific Frontier
Organizers: Koichiro Ishimori (Hokkaido University), Yoshitsugu Shiro (University of Hyogo)
Speakers: Hitomi Sawai (University of Hyogo), Tasuku Hirayama (Gifu Pharmaceutical University), Nobutaka Fujieda (Osaka Prefecture University), Miki Watanabe (Tohoku University), Izumi Yanatori (Stanford University, USA), Kiriko Kaneko (Iwate Medical University), Makoto Nakakido (The University of Tokyo)
Outline: "Magical Power of d-Block Transition Metals" was words of Prof. Negishi, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2010, who have developed new fields of the organic chemistry utilizing the transition metals. On the other hand, primitive life had already known the "Magical Power" of metals and they have utilized it for the evolution. It is, therefore, no exaggeration that life is maintained by the "Magical Power" of biometals. Based on the recent exhaustive studies in protein science, various metal ions have been found to dynamically and systematically function as key elements in many biological systems, and it has become evident that failure of the systems results in severe dysfunction of organs, which allows us to expect creation of new therapies and drug by controlling the "Magical Power". In this symposium, we will overview the frontier in "Magical Power" of biometals by lectures of young researchers working on cutting-edge biometal sciences.
Toward comprehensive understanding of non-systemic and systemic steroids
Organizers: Tadashi Ogishima (Kyushu University), Kuniaki Mukai (Keio University)
Speakers: Kaori Yasuda (Toyama Prefectural University), Takanori Hayashi (Fujita Health University), Mitsuhiro Kometani (Kanazawa University), Jyunpei Fujiki (Rakunou Gakuen University), Kuniaki Mukai (Keio University), Tadashi Ogishima (Kyushu University), Takashi Yazawa (Asahikawa Medical University)
Outline: Non-systemic steroids are synthesized in brains, muscles and pancreatic beta-cells, and so on exerting para/autocrine actions in significantly different modes from those of the classical endocrine or systemic steroids, which are synthesized and secreted into the systemic circulation by unique organs under the superior control machineries. Somatic mutation and epigenetic control in the steroidogenic enzyme genes leads to hyperproduction of corticoids without regulation from the superior factors. Non estrogen-convertible 11-ketotestosterone was found as a major androgen in female. Novel regulation and functions of steroids are also elucidated thus even in the systemic system. Development of analytical methods using LCMS and next-generation DNA sequencers also accelerate these studies. In this symposium, we pursue the new steroid world based on the hot research achievement and try to make a further development in the study.
Frontiers of organelle research opened up by next generation scientists
Organizers: Masayuki Kaneko (Hiroshima University), Yasushi Tamura (Yamagata University)
Speakers: Satoko Arakawa (Tokyo Medical and Dental University), Kunio Nakatsukasa (Nagoya City University), Hiroshi Hanafusa (Nagoya University), Eiji Morita (Hirosaki University), Yasushi Tamura (Yamagata University), Masayuki Kaneko (Hiroshima University)
Outline: Within eukaryotic cells, complex membrane structures called organelle harbor characteristic sets of proteins to exert specific functions. Despite the specificity of the organelle functions, recent studies have shown that distinct organelles physically connect and communicate with each other to maintain their functional integrity. In addition, it has become evident that each organelle is not functionally and morphologically uniform but is compartmentalized into sub-organelle regions where different enzymatic reactions are carried out. In this symposium, we will present and discuss a variety of biological events including lipid and protein transports, autophagy, signal transduction, protein degradation and immune response, all of which are mediated by such organelle-organelle interactions or in the specialized organelle regions.
Advances in genome editing technology and its applications in biomedical fields
Organizers: Takashi Yamamoto (Hiroshima University), Satoru Takahashi (University of Tsukuba)
Speakers: Takashi Yamamoto (Hiroshima University), Satoru Takahashi (University of Tsukuba), Masahito Ikawa (Osaka University), Yuichiro Miyaoka (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science), Tatsuo Miyamoto (Hiroshima University)
Outline: Since the development of the CRISPR-Cas9 system at 2012, genome editing technology with programmable site-specific nucleases has rapidly become an indispensible technology for all life science researchers. In this symposium, we will focus on the recent development of genome editing technologies and discuss future directions of the genome editing researches in the biomedical area.
Ultimate understanding of cell-cell communication ~ Cell Competition and Beyond
Organizers: Yasuyuki Fujita (Hokkaido University), Tatsushi Igaki (Kyoto University)
Sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas: Cell Compeeition
Speakers: Yasuyuki Fujita (Hokkaido University), Tatsushi Igaki (Kyoto University), Masayuki Miura (The University of Tokyo), Emi Nishimura (Tokyo Medical and Dental University), Toshiro Sato (Keio University), Yoichiro Tamori (National Institute of Genetics)
Outline: In an ecosystem, a variety of biological individuals compete with each other for the limited space, food and spouses. Consequently, the fittest will survive, a process known as 'the survival of the fittest'. Recent studies have revealed that comparable phenomenon also occurs in a multi-cellular community; the identical type of cells with different properties competes with each other for survival, a phenomenon named as 'cell competition'. It has become clear that cell competition is involved in various processes such as embryonic development, selection of the fittest stem cells, and elimination of precancerous cells. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed some of the molecular mechanisms of cell competition.However, for the ultimate understanding of cell-cell communication, elucidation of both cell competition and cell cooperation will be required. Moreover, the interaction between the same type of cells and between different types of cells should be comprehensively studied. In this symposium, the world-class scientists will present their latest findings on cell-cell communication, which would be a great opportunity to consider and discuss the future directions of this research area.
Elucidation of enzymatic and metabolic functions responsible for life activities
Organizers: Tatsuo Kurihara (Kyoto University), Michihiko Kobayashi (University of Tsukuba), Hiroshi Takagi (Nara Institute of Science and Technology)
Speakers: Hiroshi Takagi (Nara Institute of Science and Technology), Haruhiko Sakuraba (Kagawa University), Saori Kosono (The University of Tokyo), Seiji Takahashi (Tohoku University), Takuya Ogawa (Kyoto University)
Outline: Analysis of enzymatic and metabolic functions responsible for various activities of organisms is a research field in the origin of biochemistry and is the foundation of all life science research. Life activities such as synthesis/degradation/conversion of various compounds, energy acquisition, signal transduction, and biological defense are achieved by enzymatic and metabolic functions. Therefore, it is essential to elucidate their molecular functions to understand life phenomena precisely. Enzymes interact with various biological components in vivo and exert their native functions through such interactions. Their functionalization is achieved by interaction with various biological components such as cofactors and post-translational modification such as acylation. As for membrane-localized enzymes, interaction with lipid molecules and various membrane components is indispensable for their functionalization. Recently, studies on the physiological functions of enzymes based on the understanding of their in vivo conditions progressed significantly, and new molecular mechanisms for their functionalization and functional regulation are being revealed. In this symposium, researchers actively working in this field will introduce their latest research results, and the direction of this research field will be discussed.
The autophagy system: mechanisms and diversity
Organizers: Masaaki Komatsu (Niigata University), Miyuki Sato (Institute of Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University)
Speakers: Masaaki Komatsu (Niigata University), Miyuki Sato (Institute of Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University), Nobuo Noda (Institute of Microbial Chemistry), Tomoko Kawamata-Horie (Tokyo Institute of Technology), Hideaki Morishita (The University of Tokyo), Shuhei Nakamura (Osaka University)
Outline: The discovery of Autophagy-related genes (ATGs) by Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi opened the door to solve the molecular mechanisms of autophagy. But, the research on autophagy does not still mature, rather it contains a large number of issues that should be addressed. To date, a series of ATG genes has been identified, but working mechanism of each ATG gene product remains unclear. Moreover, while growing lines of evidence shed light on the importance of non-conceptual mode of autophagy such as selective autophagy, the role in our life course is still a mystery. Further, while autophagy is considered to be involved in various vital events such as cellular differentiation, stem cell homeostasis and anti-aging, those regulatory mechanisms through autophagy are still not clear. In this symposium, we show the cutting-edge of the autophagy-study and discuss about perspective of the research of autophagy-field.
Advances in research on cell signaling networks and diseases: Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding biological systems
Organizers: Mutsuhiro Takekawa (The University of Tokyo), Fuminori Tokunaga (Osaka City University)
Sponsored by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas: Integrative understanding of biological signaling networks based on mathematical science / Advanced Innovation powered by Mathematics Platform
Speakers: Mutsuhiro Takekawa (The University of Tokyo), Fuminori Tokunaga (Osaka City University), Jun-ichiro Inoue (The University of Tokyo), Takashi Suzuki (Osaka University), Kohsuke Takeda (Nagasaki University), Hiroshi Nishina (Tokyo Medical and Dental University), Ryuichiro Ishitani (The University of Tokyo)
Outline: Signal transduction pathways are fundamental biological systems that regulate cellular responses to a wide array of external stimuli and are therefore essential for the maintenance of physiological homeostasis of the human body. Perturbation of signal transduction networks is involved in a variety of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, auto-immune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore these systems are also of clinical importance. Recent technical advances have revealed that cellular signaling pathways are not simple linear reactions but are higher-order non-linear reactions that are intricately modulated by various biological factors and mechanisms. It is now appreciated that such dynamic nature of signal transduction networks in itself serves as the driving force to generate the diversity of biological outcomes. To comprehensively understand the spatiotemporal regulation of signal transduction networks and its failure in diseases, strategies based only on existing biochemical approaches are not sufficient. Advanced interdisciplinary alliances between various fields of sciences (e.g., mathematical science, structural biology, omics analysis, and molecular imaging) are clearly required. In this symposium, speakers from various fields of biology, including molecular, structural, and mathematical biology, will present recent advances in the understanding of critical signaling pathways that are involved in the etiology of human diseases. Furthermore, the use of an interdisciplinary approach to study signal transduction networks will be discussed.
Homeostasis of RNA methylation: Methylstat
Organizers: Akiyoshi Fukamizu (Life Science Center, TARA, University of Tsukuba), Kazuhito Tomizawa (Kumamoto University)
Speakers: Hiroki Shima (Tohoku University), Kazuhito Tomizawa (Kumamoto University), Akiyoshi Fukamizu (Life Science Center, TARA, University of Tsukuba), Jean-Michel Fustin (Kyoto University), Yuma Ishigami (The University of Tokyo)
Outline: The biological functions of DNA, RNA, and proteins are regulated by methylation. Although methylation-demethylation of DNA and histones play critical roles for chromatin functions, RNA methylation is recently revisited. For example, in 2017, it has been reported that the enzymes involved in methylation-demethylation of the 5' cap of mRNA are identified. Furthermore, enzymes that catalyze the methylation of tRNA and rRNA are found and their functions are illustrated. However, little is known regarding the following issues: is the engraved mark as methylation in tRNA and rRNA kept without demethylation?, is there demethylation?, or how are RNAs besides tRNA and rRNA methylated? In this symposium, we will discuss open questions related to homeostasis and its function of RNA methylation.
Functions and physiological roles of lipid-transporting ABC proteins
Organizers: Kazumitsu Ueda (Kyoto University), Alan Tall (Columbia University, Medical Center, USA)
Speakers: Wonhwa Cho (University of Illinois at Chicago, USA), Schuichi Koizumi (University of Yamanashi), Alan Tall (Columbia University, Medical Center, USA), Sanja Jelic (Columbia University, USA), Masamitsu Yamaguchi (Kyoto Institute of Technology), Kazumitsu Ueda (Kyoto University)
Outline: Protection against xenobiotics by exporting toxic compounds has been considered to be the main physiological role of eukaryote ABC proteins. However, many ABC proteins are involved in lipid transport. Furthermore, it is suggested that ABC proteins not only export lipid from cells but also translocate lipids in the plasma membrane and modulate cellular functions. In this symposium, functions of ABC proteins and their physiological roles in relation to various diseases, such as autism, acquired immunity, obstructive sleep apnea and phagocytic inclusions after ischemia, will be discussed.
Hypoxic biology: From mitochondrial respiration, metabolism, gene regulation, cell differentiation / tissue regeneration to clinical application
Organizers: Yoji Andrew Minamishima (Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University), Kazuya Yamagata (Kumamoto University)
Speakers: Yoshifumi Sato (Kumamoto University), Imari Mimura (The University of Tokyo), Wataru Kimura (RIKEN), Norio Suzuki (Tohoku University), Fumito Ichinose (Harvard Medical School, USA)
Outline: When the available oxygen becomes limited, "hypoxic response" is activated and serves as a defense system by regulating various cellular events including mitochondrial respiration, enzyme reactions, energy metabolism, gene expression, autophagy, cell differentiation, cell death and tissue regeneration. In addition, the cross-talk between molecular oxygen and other endogenously produced gaseous molecules such as nitric oxide (NO) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S) also regulate hypoxic response. Alteration of these responses are closely related with onset and/or progression of human diseases, indicating that hypoxic responses could be the therapeutic targets of certain diseases. Here we discuss over the canonical PHD-HIF-dependent hypoxic response pathway and recent findings in hypoxic response systems from basic biochemistry to clinical application.
Deepening research on membrane transport proteins spreading from biochemistry
Organizers: Shushi Nagamori (Nara Medical University), Haruo Ogawa (The University of Tokyo)
Speakers: Haruo Ogawa (The University of Tokyo), Takashi Kuromori (RIKEN), Yuki Katanosaka (Okayama University), Tomohiro Nizshizawa (The University of Tokyo), Shushi Nagamori (Nara Medical University), Kazuhiro Abe (Cellular and Structural Physiology Institute (CeSPI), Nagoya University)
Outline: Life uses concentration gradients of substances across membranes. The equilibrium means death. Membrane transport proteins enable the disequilibrium. They play pivotal roles in various organs/tissues, and are closely related to many diseases. Traditionally, biochemistry, such as fine transport assay, is the way to study them. Recently, 3D structures have already been indispensable and advancement of comprehensive "omics" researches has also been remarkable for the field. In addition, for the further expansion of "Makuyusoutai-gaku", it is necessary to observe the proteins from another fields such as physiology. Naturally, we need to know about the proteins in plants since the proteins are important in all life. In this symposium, we will assemble experts in animal and plant physiology with biochemists. All together with the speakers and the audiences, we aim to discuss for the future "Makuyusoutai-gaku".
Dynamic biological systems based on fluctuation and noise
Organizers: Tsuyoshi Ikura (Radiation Biology Center, Kyoto University), Tomonari Matsuda (Research Center for Environmental Quality Management, Kyoto University)
Speakers: Shinichi Tate (Hiroshima University), Masayo Inoue (Meiji University), Takuma Shiraki (Kindai University), Kanji Furuya (Radiation Biology Center, Kyoto University), Tsuyoshi Ikura (Radiation Biology Center, Kyoto University), Tomonari Matsuda (Research Center for Environmental Quality Management, Kyoto University)
Outline: Current understanding of cellular system in the modern biochemistry/molecular biology is mainly based on the deterministic analysis. Although this helped mechanical understanding of cellular processes such as cell growth or differentiation at molecular levels, actual these cellular systems are not rigid systems like a machine but produce unexpected stochastic behaviors; fluctuations or variations. This is uncovered along with the development of bio-imaging techniques. Now in these days, we encounter with the fact that cells actually accept and rather utilize these fluctuation/variations to survive and adapt under variable circumstances. In this symposium, we will discuss the future perspective of biochemical research, focusing on the dynamic stochastic behaviors in biological processes.
Talks (Oral Presentation from Poster) & Posters
The schedule and titles of the presentations are available on the "Program search / Abstract browsing system" in the website or "Program search / Abstract browsing Application".
Free papers accepted as oral presentation as well will be presented as both poster and oral presentations.
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e.g.:"2T01-01(2P-123)"
Oral Presentation number "2T01-01" represents: Day2, Room 1, 1st presenter
Poster Presentation number "2P-123" represents: Day2, Panel No. 123
The papers submitted as Late-breaking Abstracts are available on the "Program search / Abstract browsing system" on the website or "Program search / Abstract browsing App". (They are not included in the printed Program booklets.)
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ID and password to log in My Page are printed in the meeting badge.
Bio-industry Seminars
Access Program search / Abstract browsing system or use Program search / Abstract browsing App for detail information of Bio-industry Seminars or speakers.
The 91st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Biochemical Society Secretariat
Shin-osaka Grand Bldg 6F, 2-14-14, Miyahara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka 532-0003, JAPAN (c/o A & E Planning, Co., Ltd)
●Tel: +81-6-6350-7162 ●Fax: +81-6-6350-7164 ●E-mail: jbs2018@aeplan.co.jp