More than a decade has passed since the launch of the small and exceptionally bright NanoLuc® luciferase, and it has since inspired a wide range of innovative applications. From reporter assays that can detect even low-expression promoters, to NanoBRET® and NanoLuc® Binary Technology (NanoBiT) for studying molecular interactions, and Lumit® assays transforming immunoassays—NanoLuc® has become a powerful foundation for exploring gene responses and protein dynamics at physiologically relevant levels.

In the first part of this seminar, we will take a comprehensive look at the NanoLuc® technology platform, highlighting its unique features and advantages. We will then showcase applications in GPCR research, a hot topic in drug discovery, with practical examples of receptor signaling analysis and screening. Finally, we will introduce Promega’s support program designed to encourage bold and innovative research using NanoLuc® technologies, specifically tailored for academic and start-up researchers.

Join us to discover the potential of NanoLuc® technologies and learn how Promega is helping to shape the future of research.

In this seminar, we are pleased to welcome Dr.Hiroaki Oishi (The Center for Advanced Omics Science, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University), who will present his cutting-edge research on transcriptional dynamics regulation at the single-cell level. Gene transcription is inherently dynamic, marked by stochastic transitions between active and inactive states. Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms that govern these dynamics requires single‑cell analysis. Fluorescence imaging offers a powerful approach: live‑cell imaging resolves the temporal dynamics of transcription, whereas spatial omics delineates its spatial relationships to the nuclear architectures in which it occurs. In this talk, he will present their work leveraging these modalities to interrogate transcriptional regulation at the single‑cell level. First, he will discuss regulatory mechanisms revealed by a method they developed that simultaneously visualizes transcriptional activity and the corresponding gene loci in living cells. Next, he will describe a spatial multi‑omics analysis based on sequential fluorescence imaging and the novel modes of transcriptional regulation it uncovers. Finally, he will introduce strategies for manipulating transcription that build on these advanced imaging capabilities together with our microscopy systems.
From Leica Microsystems, we will showcase how the fusion of high-speed imaging and AI-powered analysis accelerates the path to discovery in life science research. THUNDER enables fast and precise imaging, while AIVIA rapidly and accurately analyzes vast image datasets. By integrating these technologies, researchers can gain deeper insights from large-scale cellular and tissue data.

Illumina is driving the development of technologies that enable multi-omics analysis.
In this seminar, we will introduce key next-generation technologies and welcome Professor Koichi Matsuda from the University of Tokyo and Biobank Japan, who will present on “Comparative Analysis of Proteome Assays and Disease Biomarker Discovery Research.”
Abstract: In recent years, large-scale proteomic and metabolomic analyses have been increasingly implemented to facilitate genome-based drug discovery. Internationally, initiatives such as the UK Biobank have advanced analyses encompassing up to 500,000 participants. For proteome profiling, commercial platforms such as Somascan, which employs RNA aptamers coupled with array technology, and Olink HT, based on the proximity extension assay (PEA), have been widely utilized in large-scale biobanks. More recently, Illumina has developed a novel proteomic system (IPP) that incorporates barcode sequences attached to RNA aptamers. To enable cross-platform evaluation, we analyzed 75 identical plasma samples using a pre-commercial prototype of the IPP, in parallel with the Olink HT and Somascan systems. In this seminar, I will present the results of this comparative validation, and further highlight our ongoing biomarker discovery studies utilizing Biobank Japan samples, focusing on cancer and related underlying conditions.

The form of life originates from fleeting encounters and dynamic interactions among molecules, which in turn shape cellular behaviors and expand into the concerted movements of multicellular systems. In this talk, I will present how advanced live imaging — together with Zeiss technologies — enables us to capture molecular-scale dynamics and reveal how they contribute to the “morphogenesis” of cell collectives. By bridging scales from molecules to cells and to tissues, we aim to uncover the creative principles underlying multicellular life.

Zeiss introduces the new LSM990 confocal microscope, featuring Lightfield 4D imaging that redefines 3D imaging, the latest super-resolution imaging, ultra-multicolor imaging with over 13 colors, and molecular dynamics analysis—all in one comprehensive solution.

Genetically encoded intracellular antibodies are useful for visualizing and manipulating endogenous proteins. However, the development of such probes has not been straightforward, as many single-chain antibodies suffer from issues with folding and stability. Recently, advances in AI-based protein design have made it possible to improve stability, thereby enabling more efficient development of intracellular antibodies. In this seminar, we will introduce the development and applications of intracellular antibodies that recognize post-translational modifications such as those of histones.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an innovative analytical technology offering high throughput and speed, as well as reduced costs, compared to conventional Sanger sequencing. The techniques applied to whole-genome sequencing, exome sequencing, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, bisulfite sequencing, metagenomic analysis and targeted sequencing of specific gene panels.

However, NGS also has several challenges. The analysis generates vast amounts of data and requires substantial computing power, which often leads to high analysis costs. The data quality and accuracy, such as GC bias, high indel rates, sample contamination and PCR bias, can result in false positives and negatives. Furthermore, the incompleteness of reference genomes and databases, and the detection of structural variants, copy number variations (CNVs) and epigenetic modifications remain ongoing challenges.

In this seminar, we will focus on whole-genome and RNA-seq analysis, explain strategies for improving data accuracy through sample preparation and selection of analysis protocols. We will also present the results of validating NGS data combined with spatial transcriptomics and genome editing technologies with case studies of various diseases.

Takara Bio Inc., a frontier company in molecular biology research reagents and genome analysis services, has focused on next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of genomes and transcriptomes from ultra-low input samples. Recently, we have provided novel research solutions for single-cell analysis. In this session, though explaining the evolution of technology from the fundamental concepts of single-cell and spatial analysis, we will introduce analysis kits and services for true single-cell spatial mapping technology “Trekker”, which tags each nucleus within its native tissue with spatial DNA barcodes.

Variability in sample quality is a critical factor that greatly influences the reproducibility of proteome analysis. In particular, for clinical specimens and other valuable research materials, even subtle differences introduced during sample preparation or measurement can significantly affect the final analytical outcome. However, conventional sample QC in proteome analysis has largely been limited to confirming the total protein amount through protein quantification. In this seminar, we will highlight the advantages of an analysis workflow that begins with sample QC using the ProteoAnalyzer, which not only provides molecular weight profiling of proteins similar to SDS-PAGE but also enables absolute quantification based on signal intensity. In addition, we will present our highly reliable proteome analysis approaches that are built upon this QC approach.

In the fields of bio-life sciences and agriculture, career diversification is advancing to return research outcomes to society. The active roles of PhD holders in companies and startups demonstrate new possibilities for industry-academia collaboration. This initiative invites senior researchers who chose paths outside academia and are contributing to society by leveraging their research expertise. They will share the realities of their career development. Through diverse role models—including corporate researchers, startup founders, and those transitioning to different industries—we provide a space for young researchers to gain insights for envisioning their own futures.
In collaboration with the Career Path Committee of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan, we explore approaches to career support that bridge research and society.

Brain functions are supported by dynamic changes in networks composed of various types of cells. To capture the dynamic nature of the connectome, we have developed optical clearing techniques and multicolor labeling/imaging methods for fluorescence microscopy. In this talk, I will introduce the following technologies: SeeDB2, which enables high-resolution structural imaging of fixed cells; SeeDB-Live, which allows for non-invasive clearing and live imaging of the living brain tissues; and fluorescent barcoding, which facilitates multiplexed labeling and imaging of neuronal circuits. Additionally, I will share critical tips for successfully applying these new technologies.

We will introduce the support activities of four platforms that support the research of researchers in the field of life science who have obtained MEXT KAKENHI.

The importance of personalized medicine, tailored to each individual patient, is growing for establishing effective treatment strategies for various diseases, including cancer. However, conventional personalized medicine required known diagnostic markers and treatment outcomes based on large-scale data, making it difficult to address new cases, unknown pathologies, and rare diseases. Methods were needed to directly detect and analyze abnormal cells within tissues, their surrounding environment, and even the causative molecules. However, existing technologies could not capture the relationship between activated signaling pathways within tissues and cellular states with sufficient resolution. We developed a novel antibody, the “Precise Emission Canceling Antibody (PECAb).” Using PECAb enables the post-staining cancellation of fluorescent immunosignals, facilitating advanced analysis involving repeated staining and quenching in tissue samples. This has established a world-leading “spatial omics” analysis system capable of simultaneously detecting the expression of up to 206 different proteins, including signaling molecules, within the same tissue while preserving the spatial arrangement of cells. *The antibody name “PECAb” originates from the English baby game “Peek-a-boo,” reflecting its ability to hide and reveal stained signals. By analyzing the vast data obtained, we succeeded for the first time globally in reconstructing state changes exhibited by individual cells within tissue on a pseudo-temporal axis, enabling detailed estimation of the activation dynamics of various signaling pathways. Furthermore, applying this technology to actual cancer patient specimens enabled us to capture intermediate states during the acquisition of metastatic potential by cancer cells and successfully detect the signaling molecules inducing these states at the individual patient level. This groundbreaking achievement clarifies the pathway cancer cells take toward metastasis and holds potential for future application as a method to identify optimal therapeutic targets (intervention points) for each patient. This seminar will explain the results of this research and the current status of its development.

In recent years, one of the fundamental questions in life sciences—Can we construct a cell from molecules?—has been driving an accelerating wave of research. This seminar will highlight cutting-edge efforts aimed at building self-replicating and proliferating molecular systems as well as artificial cells. Professor Norikazu Ichihashi, a leading researcher in this field, will present state-of-the-art examples of how the essential functions of life—DNA replication, transcription, and translation—are being reconstituted in vitro, and how researchers are attempting to realize minimal systems capable of autonomous proliferation.
Alongside these pioneering studies, we will also introduce Twist Bioscience’s synthetic DNA tools that support advanced genetic design.

Conventional microscopy techniques face limitations in spatial and temporal resolution as well as signal intensity, making it difficult to clearly capture fleeting events inside cells. In this seminar, I will introduce “cryo-optical microscopy,” a method that allows cells to be rapidly frozen within a very short time during observation, preserving their instantaneous state for high-resolution and high-sensitivity imaging. This approach enables visualization of transient cellular behaviors while maintaining molecular distributions and states and further offers the advantages of reducing photodamage and detecting weak signals. Cryo-optical microscopy provides a new approach for studying cellular dynamics and molecular biology.

In in vitro drug screening, a wide range of human cell models—including human iPSC-derived differentiated cells, cancer cell lines, primary cells, and immortalized cell lines—are being actively utilized as promising alternatives to animal testing. To support drug evaluation using these models, efforts are underway to establish comprehensive and physiologically relevant assay systems, integrating cells, culture plates, and analytical instruments.
In this seminar, we will introduce examples of various assays and cell observation results obtained using high-content analysis instruments (such as confocal imaging cytometers). These observations were performed on cells cultured in cyclo olefin polymer (COP) microplates, which enable the rapid acquisition of high-quality, clear images.

Intracellular Protein and Transcriptomic Sequencing (InTraSeq) is a novel technology that identifies signaling pathways and reveals molecular mechanisms in disease development in a single experiment. It enables simultaneous detection of RNA as well as both intracellular and surface proteins in thousands of cells, allowing researchers to investigate signaling pathways with the transcriptome—all at a single-cell resolution. In this seminar, we will introduce the mechanism and advantages of InTraSeq 3' technology, which was developed and validated by CST.

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In this seminar, we will introduce GENEWIZ’s new technologies: PCR-EZ and single-cell analysis using CITE-Seq.

PCR-EZ is a long-read, NGS-based PCR sequencing service utilizing ONT sequencers. It enables rapid sequencing of purified or unpurified PCR products up to 25 kb. While traditional sequencing technologies, such as Sanger sequencing, are limited to sequences of up to 1,000 bp, PCR-EZ delivers comprehensive sequencing data with high throughput and short turnaround times. Sample submission guidelines and expected deliverables will also be presented.

Advancements in single-cell analysis now allow CITE-Seq to be performed not only on cell surface proteins but also on intracellular proteins. We support multiple protocols, and an example will be presented along with detailed sample requirements.

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Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) represents a third-generation PCR technology that enables absolute quantification and highly sensitive detection, remaining one of the most notable technologies in the field.
This seminar will present the latest trends in ddPCR technology and innovative applications in molecular biology research. We will provide detailed explanations of the high-precision quantitative analysis capabilities achieved through advances in ddPCR technology, as well as practical approaches for implementation.

Agarose gel electrophoresis is a technique utilized in various fields such as genotyping and genome editing. Shimadzu has fulfilled customer requests to “make electrophoresis easier, safer, and more accurate” through its MultiNA microchip electrophoresis system. The MultiNAⅡ, renewed last year, enables quick, easy, and low-cost confirmation of DNA/RNA presence and size, while its automated analysis workflow dramatically improves operational efficiency. This short seminar will introduce the MultiNAⅡ's extensive features and various application examples.

GENEWIZ offers a one-stop solution for antibody research and development, from antibody sequence acquisition to recombinant antibody (rAb) production. Our hybridoma analysis service utilizes NGS technology to accurately identify variable regions within mixed antibody gene populations. This enables high-sensitivity, high-resolution, and high-throughput profiling of antibody sequences.

In addition, under the “Gene-to-Antibody” concept, we can deliver high-quality recombinant antibodies in as little as three weeks. Projects can be customized to meet specific requirements, and we have extensive experience supporting a wide range of antibody formats. Technical support is provided by our antibody experts, and the service is ideal for confirming the functionality of AI-designed antibody sequences, improving physical properties through antibody engineering, and screening candidate antibodies.

In this seminar, we will present concrete processes and case studies demonstrating how these technologies and services can support antibody discovery through development.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a powerful technique for analyzing protein expression in tissues, but achieving reliable and reproducible results can be a significant challenge. This issue is often linked to the quality of the antibodies used. This seminar will focus on antibody validation as the critical solution for improving IHC reproducibility. We'll explore why validation is so important and break down the detailed processes involved.

Drawing from the comprehensive, multi-faceted validation process practiced by Cell Signaling Technology (CST), we will walk through the specific steps you can take to obtain reliable data. This includes confirming antibody specificity using tissue arrays and cell pellets, as well as managing quality from lot to lot. By the end of this seminar, you will have the knowledge needed to confidently select high-quality antibodies and significantly enhance the reliability of your IHC data.