Life sciences are entering uncharted territories through innovative measurement and analysis technologies. From single-cell multi-omics revealing precise molecular mechanisms to spatial transcriptomics enabling 3D tissue understanding, and AI-driven evolutionary engineering advancing molecular design, the field is at a historic turning point.This symposium unites emerging researchers who integrate cutting-edge technologies - single-cell analysis, spatial omics, multi-omics, synthetic biology, and AI - to tackle hierarchical biological systems. They'll present findings spanning molecular to organismal scales, aiming to engage young scientists and establish foundations for future advances.

Transposons have long been thought to account for approximately 40% of the human genome. However, the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium recently revealed that this proportion reaches 53%. This groundbreaking discovery highlights the “peculiar" symbiotic relationship between humans (and other host organisms) and transposons spanning hundreds of millions of years, heralding a new era of transposon research. What is the true purpose of transposons co-existing in the genome? How have we, as hosts, managed to accommodate, control, and even harness their selfish nature for our benefit? Could transposons hold the potential as a novel modality for drug discovery? In this symposium, researchers exploring transposons from diverse perspectives will come together to share cutting-edge insights and engage in discussions with the audience on these fascinating questions.

Multicellular systems possess "robustness," the ability to overcome various disturbances and reproducibly create structures with the same shape and function. This concept was proposed by Waddington in the 1940s, but mechanisms ensuring robustness at multicellular levels, which is necessary to understand development and disease prevention, remain unclear. This symposium will introduce the latest understanding on multicellular robustness and will also serve as an opportunity to reconsider robustness.

RNA modifications found in various RNA species, including mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA, add new chemical properties to nucleic acids. Disruptions in these modifications have been linked to diseases such as neurological disorders and cancer. In this symposium, we will collectively refer to these modifications as the "RNA epicode" and provide an overview of the latest advancements. Discussions will focus on key areas, including (i) regulatory mechanisms, (ii) roles in physiology and pathology, (iii) detection technologies, and (iv) nucleic acid chemistry and engineering. Through these discussions, we aim to explore new directions for future research.

During development, active cell proliferation and fate determination occur simultaneously, shaping the functional organism. While the molecular basis of signaling pathways regulating pluripotency and cell-fate determination has been extensively studied, the relationship between these processes and genome inheritance remains poorly understood. This symposium aims to bring together researchers from these fields to explore how genome maintenance is regulated during development, and to discuss the interaction of these processes.

Cells form collectives to create an individual organism, often clustering with the same type. While intercellular adhesion via adhesion molecules is well known for signal transduction, material transfer through cellular protrusions, tunneling nanotubes, and extracellular vesicles also play a key role. This symposium explores adhesion, morphogenesis, and signaling in collective cell behavior based on recent findings.

Multicellular organisms possess robust systems that enable them to flexibly and appropriately adapt to changes in nutritional conditions. In this symposium, researchers using a diverse range of model organisms, from insects to mammals, will share their latest findings on nutritional adaptation systems, aiming for an integrated understanding of the nutritional adaptation strategies in multicellular organisms.

The understanding of our genome has been rapidly advancing, covering genome diversity, epigenome, and transcriptome. This advancement is driven by cutting-edge technologies and foundational databases. We aim to discuss about the recent developments in this domain and the genomic insights derived from recent studies.

Eukaryotes adjust their growth and development to environments via multilayered regulatory steps, such as transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation and metabolism, then improve their fitness. Such growth strategies are sometimes species-specific; however, similar mechanisms can be found among phylogenetically distant species. Here, based on the talks from researchers using varied species as research materials, we will discuss the fundamentals of eukaryotic growth strategies, focusing on “programmed stress" as a core element of developmental and growth regulation deeply rooted in eukaryotes.

The symposium will broadly present research findings related to “changes in nuclear shape". In organisms undergoing closed mitosis, the nucleus exhibits dynamic shape changes throughout the cell cycle. Similarly, in organisms undergoing open mitosis, abnormalities in cell division have been shown to result in nuclear malformations. Furthermore, the nucleus is known to adopt various shapes during processes such as the differentiation of neurons, germ cells, and fertilized eggs, as well as during aging and cancer development. Accordingly, this symposium aims to enhance our understanding of "when nuclear shape changes occur" and "what happens when the nuclear shape changes" through presentations focused on nuclear shape.

This symposium explores "cell fate conversion" and its impact on biological phenomena such as development, differentiation, regenerative medicine, and genome editing. It focuses on neural, gustatory, digestive, and pancreatic endocrine cell differentiation, as well as metabolic cell fate determination. Key topics include organoid-based functional organ generation, in vivo gene therapies using cutting-edge genome editing, and the significance of cell-vascular interactions observed via advanced bioimaging. Discussions will cover innovative approaches in regenerative medicine and disease treatment, emphasizing future applications. Understanding cell fate conversion is crucial for novel therapeutic strategies, and this symposium aims to provide a multifaceted perspective, fostering interdisciplinary research and breakthrough advancements.

Advances in experimental approach at tissue and organismal levels have now revealed principles of multicellular community dynamics that challenge conventional understanding. Attention is increasingly focused on the mechanisms underlying morphogenesis and homeostasis mediated by inter-tissue interactions. This symposium highlights research on these interactions, discussing insights into multicellular systems and their disruption in diseases like cancer and degeneration.

Cellular homeostasis possesses both the remarkable robustness and adaptable flexibility unique to life, exhibiting seemingly contradictory multifaceted characteristics. This intricate complexity makes understanding life even more challenging. This symposium aims to clarify the multifaceted nature of cellular homeostasis by leveraging the latest technologies, such as proteomic analysis, high-resolution electron microscopy, and deep learning based on chemical parameters. We will integrate chemical parameters across multiple levels, from molecules to organisms, and discuss their applications in aging and disease research.

We aim to gain knowledge on stress responses in cells and in animals from perspectives of molecules, cells, animals and human disease.

Gene expression regulation in animals is governed by diverse mechanisms, including signaling pathways, transcription factors, chromatin regulation, transposable elements, and three-dimensional genome structures. These regulatory mechanisms are not only involved in biological processes such as embryogenesis, aging, and disease onset but also contribute to species-specific regulatory systems that have played a role in the evolution of life. This symposium brings together researchers employing in vitro and in vivo approaches to elucidate biological phenomena and understand pathologies caused by disruptions in regulatory mechanisms. The goal is to discuss the diversity of gene expression regulatory systems and explore future perspectives in this field.

Vascular endothelial cells constitute thin inside wall of blood vessels, while perivascular cells such as pericytes and fibroblasts are located the perivascular space. Vessels are thought to express organ specificity and physical strength through the elaborate regulation of ECM production and signaling molecules by perivascular cells; however, the mode of development and precise molecular signals of perivascular cells are still under debate. This symposium aims to introduce the state-of-the-art research on perivascular cells, to widely share the knowledges and deeply discuss with senior and young researchers.

Where is the boundary between health and disease? In an organism composed of countless cells, how do individual cells regenerate within organs, and how do they coordinate with other cells to sustain function? What exactly is disease? What defines it?Advancements in cutting-edge technologies—such as single-cell analysis, spatial omics, digital AI, imaging, genome editing, and modeling—have dramatically transformed life science research in recent years. By integrating these state-of-the-art approaches, we are now beginning to uncover the boundary between health and disease, offering new possibilities for controlling and treating diseases. At this symposium, leading researchers at the forefront of these technologies will come together to explore how we can manipulate the balance between health and disease. Join us as we discuss the future direction of life science research.

Development of microscopes enabled us to visualize numbers of “small materials." Electron microscopes are used to observe structure of proteins and nucleic acids, and optical microscopes for variety of subcellular activities. However, the structures around 10-100nm are difficult to observe precisely by current technology. In this symposium, we will discuss the methods to observe structure and formation of subcellular structure, named “meso-scale structure."

Aging signals and metabolic stress form intricate networks that extend beyond cellular senescence, shaping aging at organ and organismal levels and contributing to the onset and progression of various diseases. Homeostatic mechanisms within cells and molecules are closely tied to aging, immune responses, and cancer, and their failure underlies many pathological conditions. Advances in single-cell analysis, spatial transcriptomics, and proteomics now offer dynamic, multidimensional insights into these complex networks across cells and organs. This symposium convenes researchers investigating aging, disease, and life processes from neuroscience, metabolism, immunology, and genetics perspectives. By exploring innovative studies on the interactions between aging, disease progression, and homeostatic regulation, we aim to enhance our understanding of these interconnected phenomena.

Demand for gene knock-in technology, which accurately inserts a DNA fragment into a target gene locus, is extremely high, necessitating the development and improvement of methods that can perform this process simply and efficiently. This symposium will introduce a variety of approaches and related technologies for gene knock-in, from classical methods to the latest technologies. The speakers will discuss advantages, challenges and its application of the technology, as well as future prospects of each method.

Understanding the dynamics and localization proteins within cells is essential for uncovering the mechanisms underlying cellular functions. To this end, advanced live-imaging techniques with high spatial and temporal resolution and super-resolution microscopy techniques for simultaneous imaging of multiple proteins are necessary. In this symposium, we will explain the principles of such state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy techniques and discuss the potential future applications of these techniques in the field of molecular cell biology.

The chromosome must be properly compacted, duplicated, and segregated to the next generation in all life forms. Despite this universal task, the underlying mechanism appears to be diverse among bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. This symposium will present the latest research findings on chromosome dynamics in the three domain of life, discussing the universal principles and diversity underlying genetic systems.

Collective cell migration occurs during the processes of self-organization of cells, such as development, regeneration, and cancer metastasis. The order emerges in the collective cell migration through the spatiotemporal regulation of signal transduction, cell adhesion, and mechanical interactions, but the overall mechanism remains unclear. This symposium will present the latest findings from mathematical models and 3D imaging and discuss future research directions.

Metals, such as zinc, iron, copper and manganese, etc, play fundamental roles to regulate various proteins, and their homeostasis is controlled by metal transporters. Dysfunction of metal transporters causes human diseases, further highlighting metal transporters as important drug target molecules. In this symposium, we will discuss and share the recent advances of metal transporters from structures and functions, and their biological relevance in molecular basis.

Chromosomes are dynamically organized in three-dimensional space to allow the proper expression, repair and duplication of the genetic material. By introducing new insights from cutting-edge techniques such as genome-wide sequencing and single-molecule analyses, this symposium aims to shed light on the mechanisms controlling chromosome structure and their relationship with diseases.

This symposium will introduce the latest research utilizing C. elegans as a model organism for disease studies. C. elegans serves as a powerful tool in genetics, pharmacology, and molecular biology, providing crucial insights into lifespan, healthspan, and disease-related phenotypic analysis. Furthermore, integrating C. elegans research with studies in mice and humans accelerates the understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutics. This symposium will explore the advantages of C. elegans research and discuss its future prospects.

Traditionally viewed as structural support cells, fibroblasts have emerged as key players in diverse physiological and pathological processes, including stem cell niche maintenance, tissue repair, tumor microenvironment formation, and organ fibrosis progression. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms that regulate this multifunctional nature of fibroblasts represents a critical challenge for understanding homeostatic regulation and developing novel therapeutic strategies. This symposium brings together leading researchers to share cutting-edge findings on fibroblasts present in various tissues and those originating from different cellular lineages, aiming to deepen our fundamental understanding of these enigmatic cells and their complex regulatory networks.

The extracellular environment not only serves as a structural scaffold for cells but also regulates cell function and behavior, playing a crucial role in tissue homeostasis and repair. Changes in the ECM, secreted factors, and physical environment influence tissue remodeling and physiological functions through cell-cell interactions and signal transduction. These alterations are also implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation, fibrosis, and tumor progression. This symposium aims to examine the cellular and tissue-level effects of extracellular environment changes, providing a platform for sharing and discussing the latest research findings.

During evolution, organisms repurpose “junk" RNAs, forging novel molecular machinery surpassing protein-only capabilities. This symposium explores large-scale screening to uncover hidden functional lncRNAs, physiological studies using mutant mice to validate their roles, and structural analyses that reveal mechanistic detail—showcasing how RNA exaptation fuels groundbreaking molecular innovation.

Blood vessel functions as a network to integrate all tissues, such as maintaining homeostasis and organogenesis, and plays an important role in tissue regeneration. In this symposium, we will share the latest findings on tissue vascularization from the perspectives of developmental biology, material chemistry, engineering, and pathology by integrating the concepts of each field, and develop a broad discussion on the diverse biology governed by vascularization.

Sex differences, such as disease prevalence and organ size, are widely recognized. Recent studies have revealed that individual cells exhibit sex differences at multiple levels—including gene expression, protein profiles, and morphology—contributing collectively to the manifestation of broader sex differences. In this symposium, we will present the latest research uncovering the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these sex differences. We will also discuss the significance of investigating sex differences and explore future directions in this field.

The causes of neurodegenerative diseases are extremely complex. Although abnormalities in nucleic acids and proteins that lead to neurodegenerative diseases are reported, a critical treatment remain unexplored. This symposium aims to stimulate new ideas by introducing cutting-edge research, from basic research on abnormalities in nucleic acids and proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases to applied research to overcome these diseases.

Mammalian transosable elements include LINE, SINE, LTR retrotransposons and DNA transposons. While transposable elements create genetic diversity and promote evolutionary change, they can also cause disease. As transposable elements move in the host genome, they can reorganize the genome and also influence the regulation of gene expression and epigenetic changes. In this symposium, we would like to discuss the latest findings of phenomena involving genome regulation mediated by transposable elements.

The phenomenon of dormancy in multicellular tissues, exemplified by developmental diapause in mammalian embryos, nematode dormancy, cancer latency, and tissue stem cell quiescence, is observed across a wide range of biological processes. In previous studies, research on topics such as “developmental diapause," “tissue stem cell quiescence," and “cancer dormancy" has been conducted within distinct and specialized fields. This symposium aims to unite researchers from diverse areas of dormancy science and developers of innovative technologies to explore the commonalities and variations of dormancy in multicellular tissues from a holistic perspective.

DNA replication is a highly accurate process; nevertheless, it also enables evolution by "tolerating errors." This symposium will discuss how cells adapt to DNA replication stress derived from fluctuations in the chromatin environment and exhibit replication robustness by regulating repair and alternative replication systems. We will also focus on how replication robustness prioritizes replication completion and contributes to the "trade-off" between cell survival and genome/epigenome integrity under replication stress.

Post-transcriptional regulation, including mRNA translation and degradation, has long been considered essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. However, recent technological advances have challenged conventional views, uncovering novel RNA regulatory mechanisms that play crucial roles in biological processes and disease pathogenesis. The selective translation and degradation of specific mRNAs, as well as the functional roles of non-coding RNAs, have been identified as key factors in cancer, neurological disorders, and other diseases. This symposium will present recent findings on the molecular mechanisms and physiological functions of post-transcriptional regulation, discussing how its dysregulation contributes to disease onset and progression. Additionally, we will explore the potential of targeting RNA regulatory mechanisms for novel therapeutic strategies, aiming to deepen our understanding of RNA dysregulation in disease and its future applications in medicine.

To gain deeper insight into living organisms, reconstituting and analyzing selected aspects of biological systems in vitro is highly effective. By refining our preparation and assessment methods for these reconstituted components, we can reveal diverse phenomena across tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. In this symposium, we highlight engineering and optical methods that recapitulate and measure biological systems in vitro, and discuss prospects for advancing these analytical approaches.

With the emergence of new experimental technologies and the development of analytical methods, the environment surrounding life science research has always been drastically changing. Public databases play an important role in these changes, and have been responding to a variety of research needs. In this symposium, we will introduce new databases for spatial transcriptomics and long-read genomics, and discuss the frontiers of life science explored by research approaches utilizing these databases.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a groundbreaking technology that endows cells with new functionalities, bridging the fields of regenerative medicine and gene therapy to treat a variety of diseases. While regulatory authority-approved CAR-T therapies have shown dramatic effects, several challenges remain. This symposium will build upon the successes of CAR-T therapy, focusing on advancements in cell targeting techniques and the development of novel vectors. We will share and discuss the latest insights for clinical applications of next-generation technologies, aiming to accelerate the translation of molecular biology innovations into medical practice.

Development of technologies to control gut microbiota (The Gut Design) is expected because disturbances in the intestinal environment cause the onset of various diseases. Interdisciplinary research is necessary to manipulate gut microbiota, constituting a higher-order complex system. In this symposium, we will discuss the future of Gut Design by presenting state-of-the-art researchers in diverse fields such as gut microbiology and bacteriophage-based therapy, as well as systems biology and metabolism.

The DOHaD theory has become widely recognized, highlighting how early-life environments shape health and disease susceptibility. While the impact of unfavorable conditions is evident on offspring, the detailed mechanisms of transgenerational trait transmission remain unclear. Here, we discuss the molecular pathways linking environmental exposures and acquired trait inheritance across generations.

GTP is not just a fundamental energy molecule but, like a second messenger, actively regulates metabolic balance through its spacious-temporal concentration. GTP is also involved in inter-cellular and whole-body metabolism in higher organisms. Thus, the evolution of GTP metabolism seems to be strengthening life and has emerged as a drug-discovery target. This symposium will discuss the advances of GTP biology and associated technological developments.

Photobiology is the study of the relationship between light and life. The biological effects of different wavelengths of light are diverse, and it is well known that UV-induced genetic mutations can lead to skin cancer development. Recent technological advances have elucidated various cellular responses to visible light and UV radiation (DNA damage and repair, oxidative stress, gene expression, photoreception, signal transduction, inflammation, immunity, and effects on the cell cycle) at the molecular level. This symposium will present cutting-edge research on photobiology.

Recent quantitative analyses have revealed that innate social behaviors are profoundly shaped by external and internal environments, challenging the dichotomy between learned and instinctive behaviors. In this symposium, we explore the genetic and neural circuit mechanisms underlying these socio-environmental interactions through integrative approaches spanning molecular, cellular, and organismal levels across diverse animal species.

Synthetic Stem Cell Biology is an emerging field of life sciences research that utilizes stem cells and advanced bioengineering approaches to capture dynamic, multi-scale behaviors of cells and organs in the animal body. Stem cell-derived organs and developmental models have opened up new and exciting opportunities for studying and understanding the human body. The ability of such models to generate large-scale datasets aligns with the recent emergence of AI-based biology that interprets genomic programs. Our symposium will bring together leading national and international scientists in Synthetic Stem Cell Biology to discuss the latest developments in this exciting new field at the crossroads of many emerging technologies.

It is widely accepted that translation control plays an important role in a number of different biological processes and diseases. Recent advances in mRNA translation include cap-dependent translation, codon optimality, ribosome collision and translation termination.This workshop will focus on the role of translational control in a variety of areas related to biological processes such as development, integrated stress response, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases.

Perturbed regulation of cell division leads to structural or numerical changes in chromosomes. This resulting chromosomal diversity not only alters gene expression and disrupts the cell cycle but also drives the acquisition of novel cellular properties. This diversity contributes to cellular heterogeneity, aging, and cancer development cancer. In this symposium, we aim to comprehensively explore the impact of chromosomal diversity across cellular, tissue, and organismal levels, integrating the latest multifaceted research findings to discuss its biological significance.

RNA therapeutics are gaining attention as an innovative approach to treating diseases that have been challenging to address with conventional drugs. This symposium brings together leading researchers to discuss cutting-edge RNA biology research, challenges in practical implementation, and the latest clinical application outcomes. We will explore the full scope of this rapidly evolving field, including advancements in RNA drug design and delivery technologies, as well as the discovery of novel target diseases. Join us as we collectively investigate the future of medicine that RNA therapeutics are poised to unlock.

Tissue homeostasis undergoes various changes throughout life. While our tissues flexibly adapt to these changes, disruptions in homeostasis can lead to cancer, fibrosis, and aging. This symposium aims to discuss how tissues and cells respond to changes across different life stages from multiple perspectives.

Experiences with stress and reinforcing substances trigger neural plasticity, driving maladaptive behavioral changes linked to mood and substance use disorders. Emerging evidence highlights the role of transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in behavioral adaptations. This program will discuss cell type- and circuit-specific transcriptional alternations, chromatin accessibility, epigenetic regulators, and long-non-coding RNA-mediated mechanisms in stress and substance use disorders in preclinical model.

Coral reef ecosystems are maintained through symbiotic relationships between corals and a diverse array of microorganisms, yet many aspects of their molecular-level interactions remain unresolved. In this symposium, we will employ novel approaches—including environmental exosome analysis and environmental RNA to visualize RNA-seq data derived from marine organisms. Based on the insights gained, we will discuss predictions and strategies for coral reef conservation.

Just as the double-helix structure of DNA immediately predicted the semi-conservative nature of DNA replication, the relationship between DNA replication and genome/chromatin structure is inseparable. Recent studies have revealed that this relationship extends to chromatin domains on the megabase scale and is associated with diverse chromosomal functions. In this workshop, we will invite prominent speakers tackling this topic from various perspectives and scales to provide an overview of the current state of research.

Nowadays, as academia has become more prevalent in drug discovery, many seeds that are new to academia have been generated. However, it is also true that only about 1% of these seeds result in joint research. This gap is largely due to the awareness of both parties regarding drug discovery. In order to bridge this gap, attention is being paid to needs, i.e. the voice of patients. It will be difficult to overcome difficult diseases unless we build a system that is sensitive to needs, respects each other, and works together to advance development. This conference will deepen the discussion by focusing on pharmaceutical and technological development that focuses on medical needs, and explore the path to drug discovery that can be created jointly between academia and companies.

In old age and frailty, impaired "resilience" causes a gradual decline of daily activity and the incidence of multiple diseases. SASP derived from senescent cells that accumulate in old individuals induces a decrease in resilience. Senothrerapy is advocated for repairing resilience. Metabolic resilience is one of them, whose latest findings will be presented and discussed.

Advancements in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have enabled us to understand biological processes at the atomic level and design proteins not found in nature. This workshop will present and discuss cutting-edge research achievements, focusing on cryo-EM structural analysis of proteins and nucleic acids, and the development of novel proteins using these innovative technologies

The concept of "constitution," such as susceptibility to allergies or tendency to gain weight, is an ambiguous one, and its essence is still not fully understood. However, because constitution plays a key role in the development of diseases and is considered one of the factors contributing to their onset, understanding it has become an urgent issue. In recent years, the essence of constitution from a metabolic perspective has gradually begun to be clarified. This symposium will invite experts from various fields to present the latest research findings and deepen the understanding of constitution from multifaceted perspectives.

Peroxisomes are intracellular organelles that play essential roles in various metabolic processes, such as the β-oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids and the biosynthesis of ether phospholipids. Since the structure of peroxisomes was first discovered in 1954, the molecular basis of their biogenesis, metabolism, and degradation mechanisms has been successively elucidated, highlighting their physiological significances. In this symposium, leading researchers studying peroxisome will gather to present the latest findings and discuss future developments in this field.

Cells receive spatial information from mechanical and chemical signals in their environment and construct multicellular systems. Technologies that artificially manipulate the in-vitro environment are extremely useful in elucidating and reconstructing these systems. On the other hand, effective utilization of these techniques requires a thorough understanding of the systems and essential design and control of the environment. This symposium aims to explore new experimental systems by discussing technologies for manipulating environments, such as materials and devices, with molecular biology researchers.

Five years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the threat of viral infections. However, as the WHO and CDC have suggested, COVID-19 is not the last pandemic in human history. Experimental virology" using molecular and cellular biology is essential to prepare for the risks of the "next pandemic". In this symposium we would like to discuss the importance of viral research based on molecular biology, which is necessary to prepare for the "next pandemic".

Recent breakthroughs in omics and single-cell analysis reveals cellular heterogeneity and gene-expressional heterogeneity in various situation, including development, aging, and cancer. In this symposium, we will take a “quantitative" viewpoint of heterogeneity and approach the essence of the mechanism in heterogeneity. The regulation and dynamics of heterogeneity will be discussed from broad-based field including quantitative analysis of heterogeneity, single-cell analysis, and in vivo live imaging.

Extracellular vesicles, mainly exosomes, have been shown to play an important role in all life phenomena, and their amazing potential continues to be updated even now. As the global market for extracellular vesicles and exosomes expands, it is even more essential to elaborate on the fundamental understanding of these phenomena. In this session, we will discuss the appeal and future of extracellular vesicle research by bringing together cutting-edge knowledge from diverse academic fields.

Diabetes develops as a result of both impaired insulin secretion from β cells and insulin resistance in muscle, liver, and adipose. Here, emerging scientists will join to share latest findings from molecular biology-based mechanistic analysis as well as large-scale data science. We aim to gain new insights into novel mechanisms, drug targets, and future precision medicine approaches of diabetes.

During the progression of the cell cycle, the function and structure of chromosomes, microtubules, and cell membranes, as well as the modification states of proteins and nucleic acids, change rapidly and dynamically. Artificial manipulation of these processes is important not only to deepen our understanding of cell proliferation mechanisms, but also to open up new possibilities for drug discovery. This workshop will focus on cutting-edge research to elucidate the cell proliferation process using novel manipulation techniques utilizing “light" and “chemistry (compounds)". We aim to create a new platform for participants to share innovative approaches in the field and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration.

In the regulation of gene expression, transcription plays a very important role as the first step in the central dogma. However, recent studies have revealed that transcription regulates not only gene expression but also cellular functions other than gene expression. In this symposium, we would like to discuss the new regulation of cellular functions through such non-canonical transcription mechanisms with the latest findings.

RNA itself can disrupt biological homeostasis, as seen with exogenous RNA from viruses and self-derived endogenous RNA that triggers immune responses. However, how these RNAs cause harm, how the body recognizes and counters them, and, at times, utilizes them for survival remain unclear. This symposium will explore the "perturbing" RNAs, their physiological impacts, and co-option mechanisms across various disciplines.

Phase separation research has highlighted the functions of protein assemblies, but their collaboration with lipid assemblies has received less attention. In autophagy, protein assemblies dynamically interact with lipid assemblies at membrane interfaces, driving complex membrane dynamics. In this symposium, we will introduce the latest findings on how this “membrane interface molecular concerto" contributes to autophagy as well as wide range of biological phenomena.

The importance of diet in healthy longevity has been widely recognized. Recent advances in analytical techniques have revealed new roles and significance for nutrients and metabolites in aging and age-related diseases. In this symposium, we introduce the latest research in the fields of dietary macronutrient balance, fatty acids, amino acids, metabolic alterations, and aging-promoting molecules to promote health and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying aging and age-related diseases.

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are important organelles for cellular metabolism and energy production. Recent studies have revealed that their unique circular genomes, as well as prokaryotic ones, form non-chromatinized 'nucleoid' structures, and play regualtory roles in DNA replication, gene expression, and homeostasis. This symposium will bring together nucleoid research from various organisms to elucidate common principles.

Various protein complexes weave genomic DNA into chromosomes to regulate a variety of biological activities, including transcription, replication and chromosome segregation. While our molecular understanding of each factor has been accumulating for years, it has been emerged that these protein complexes exert physiological functions by forming supramolecular complexes through higher order interactions. In this symposium, we will discuss the supramolecular complexes underlying chromosome functions with researchers working in a wide range of chromosome fields.

Humans are also natural organisms that have adapted and evolved to maintain homeostasis in response to environmental factors (gravity, light, oxygen, etc.) that originated on the earth, but we are the only ones who can voluntarily change our behavior with the knowledge that we agree with. Stimuli (stress) that deviate from the homeostatic range within which the cellular-body system functions induce inflammation. In this symposium, we will explore the direction to improve the level of health by properly operating the total immune system and stress response system as preventive measures against diseases such as locomotive & metabolic syndrome, and cancer, in a spatiotemporal integrated manner, taking environmental factors into consideration

Advances in cryo-EM and AI-based structure prediction have advanced our understanding of neurotransmitter receptors at the atomic level. In addition, progress has been made in dynamic analysis, such as high-speed AFM, to complement such static structures. In addition, functional regulation methods including chemical biology have also advanced. In this symposium, we will discuss such current situations and their perspectives.

Animal skeletal systems exhibit remarkable diversity in shape across species. This diversity serves as the foundation for variation in body plans and behavioral patterns. However, how skeletal systems are formed and how such diversity arises remain largely unknown. This symposium aims to deepen our understanding of the origins of diverse skeletal systems by listening to the “melody of skeletogenesis" performed by a wide range of organisms, from mammals to invertebrates.

Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) provide a platform for molecular and cellular biological experiments of human life phenomena for which in vivo experiments are not possible, and also contribute to regenerative medicine and drug discovery. This symposium will introduce the front-line research on reprogramming, genome editing, epigenome, transcriptome, proteome, disease models, and therapeutic development using human PSCs, and provide an opportunity to consider the further development of PSC research.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which synthesizes approximately one-third of all proteins, deals with newly synthesized "immature proteins" to "unrequired proteins" that need to be degraded. To achieve this, it relies on highly precise and diverse molecular mechanisms. This session aims to bring together young researchers at the forefront of the field to provide a platform for in-depth discussions on the molecular mechanisms of the ER from multifaceted perspectives.

How did macroevolution occur? This important question, which has remained unanswered since Darwin, continues to be a mystery even now that many genomes have been decoded. Big transitions, like genome-level duplication, often result in little change in appearance of the organism. Instead, even small-scale but significant qualitative changes have brought about major evolutionary transitions. It is well-known that the genes involved in the birth of the eye are thought to have led to the dramatic diversification of multicellular organisms, for instance. In this symposium, we would like to propose active discussion on this kind of qualitative change, or "genome epochs."

Over 20 years have passed since the term “metabolome" became more widely known. During this time there have been numerous technological innovations centered around analytical chemistry, including greatly improved mass spectrometer sensitivity, and diversification and acceleration of analytical techniques. This session will explore the latest metabolomic analysis technologies and their applications in the field of molecular biology as well as the exciting future direction of metabolome research.

Transposable elements (TEs) including SINEs and LINEs occupy a large part of the mammalian genome showing distinct distribution patterns. SINE-mediated recruitment of CTCF and LINE-mediated liquid-liquid phase separation may synergistically promote 3D genome organization. In this workshop, we will introduce the latest research on the relationships between TEs and the 3D genome structure. The core concept that TE distribution constitutes a “TE code" to regulate the higher-order nuclear organization will be discussed.

Mammalian development is highly dependent on molecular interactions between the mother and the fetus, in addition to the fetus-autonomous mechanisms. Recent analyses of the feto-maternal crosstalk at the genetic, molecular, and cellular levels have revealed that the maternal environment during early development is deeply involved in the health of the offspring after birth through epigenomic regulation. In this symposium, we will discuss the molecular mechanisms of the bidirectional network involved in feto-maternal crosstalk.

Humanity continues to face the threat of infectious diseases, including pandemics, making their control a critical challenge. In recent years, advancements in nucleic acid-based diagnostic technologies and therapies have progressed rapidly, raising strong expectations for their application in the field of infectious diseases. Nucleic acids play a crucial role not only as the genetic information of pathogens but also as factors that regulate the host's immune response. This symposium aims to focus on the role of nucleic acids in infectious diseases and provide a platform to discuss new possibilities in nucleic acid and infectious disease research.

Unlike animals, plants do not flee from harsh environments, so each cell must adapt its own properties to cope with the stresses they face. This plasticity characterizes the 'plant way of life' across multiple dimensions, including responses, development, and evolution. In this symposium, researchers investigating these mechanisms at the molecular level will convene to explore 'plant cell plasticity' in greater depth.

Genome analysis of new model organisms is rapidly progressing along with the application of Bio-Digital Transformation (BioDX), driven especially by big data. However, BioDX expertise is not widely shared across fields. This symposium brings together researchers working on new model organisms to exchange insights and promote broader advances in molecular biology beyond classical model organisms.

Open Life Science facilitates the sharing of research data, technologies, and knowledge, improves research transparency, and accelerates scientific discoveries and solutions to social issues. In recent years, Open Life Science has entered a new era due to the growing scale and diversity of life science data, the increasingly detailed knowledge, and advances in AI and information and communication technologies. In this symposium, we will share the latest strategies of each organization leading open life sciences in Japan and discuss strategies for generating scientific and social outcomes, showing successful examples.

Recent advances have revealed the pivotal role of membraneless organelles formed by liquid-liquid phase separation and inter-organelle contact structures in regulating cellular processes. These dynamic structures respond to environmental cues, enabling precise modulation of organelle and cellular functions. This symposium will present cutting-edge research on the dynamics and molecular mechanisms underlying these structures, highlighting their contributions to cellular function. We will also discuss the impact of advanced technologies in uncovering novel mechanisms of cellular function regulation.

To understand the fundamental principles of life, simple case studies using specific model organisms or homogeneous cell populations are not sufficient. By analyzing a diverse range of model organisms, from animals to plants (and even non-model organisms), and making comparisons within the same model organism across different developmental stages and organ types, we can uncover species-, developmental stage-, and organ-specific regulatory mechanisms, or, conversely, regulatory processes that exhibit functional convergence or robust conservation. In this symposium, we will introduce various model studies from the perspectives of gene expression and chromosomal regulation, including comparisons between animals and plants, somatic and germ cells, and discuss future directions in biological research.

Although a fertilized egg establishes totipotency through gamete fertilization and subsequently advances along diverse developmental pathways under fate regulation, many aspects of this process remain unknown. The key to understanding these processes lies in the genetic functions and epigenetic mechanisms involved in the acquisition of totipotency and pluripotency. In this symposium, we will share the latest insights into these molecular bases and introduce new developments in totipotent fate control powered by emerging technologies, including synthetic biology-based in vitro embryonic modeling.

The kidney has the highest blood flow per unit weight in the body and serves vital roles beyond waste excretion, including blood pressure regulation and endocrine function. The pathophysiology of kidney diseases is complex, involving fluid dynamics, hypertension, and inflammation. Advances in single-cell omics and patient-derived iPS cells have clarified renal regeneration, and novel researches of mechanobiology and humoral regulation have advanced the understanding of hypertension. This symposium will share the latest findings and therapeutic prospects.

Most of nuclear-encoded genes are separated by intervening sequences, called as introns in higher eukaryotes. RNA splicing is required to produce mRNA by removing introns and ligating exons. Molecular mechanisms of RNA splicing have been investigated and well accepted how sophisticate it is. However, aberrant splicing often results in inherited diseases in human. In this workshop we will focus on importance of splicing by introducing recent findings in health and diseases.

Epigenome is essential for the formation of our bodies and plays important roles in various life phenomena. On the other hand, our epigenome is aberrantly re-written by various external factors, and the accumulation of such alterations leads to the development of diseases, such as cancers. In this symposium, we will focus on the epigenome and its regulators, and discuss the molecular mechanisms by which they are involved in the tissue development and disease onset.

Recent high-sensitivity mass spectrometry has revealed the presence of various long- and short-chain acylation derived from metabolites in Lys and Cys residues of proteins. It is becoming clear that such acylation is involved in the regulation of environmental responses and cell functions, but this is an unexplored field in both biochemistry and cell biology. Therefore, we will introduce the latest topics on protein acylation from various perspectives and discuss what is interesting about acylation and what are the bottlenecks.

Plants constantly move, although these motions are typically imperceptible to the human eye. These are subtle yet vital movements throughout developmental growth and in response to environmental stimuli. Plant movements are fundamentally distinct from animal ones in their timescales and driving mechanisms. In this symposium, leading researchers will present cutting-edge studies that explore the foundational mechanisms behind plant movement from various perspectives.

In nature, phenomena where the genetic information of one organism is interpreted to be expressed as the phenotype of another species are universally observed, especially in close biological interactions such as parasitism and endosymbiosis. These phenomena are typical examples of the "extended phenotype" proposed by Dawkins (1982). However, little progress has been made in understanding the specific molecular mechanisms behind these phenomena. This symposium aims to introduce the forefront of research using various organisms on the molecular mechanisms of the "extended phenotype".

The combination of long-read sequencing and Hi-C analysis has enabled high-quality chromosome-level genome assemblies, allowing single research group to obtain all chromosomal sequences of specific organisms. This technological innovation has led to the rapidly grown reports of chromosome-scale genome assemblies for diverse species. Consequently, life sciences are being advanced across diverse species from a "glocal" perspective, integrating gene function and chromosome-scale information. This symposium invites young researchers working with species that have unique characteristics, from mammals to invertebrates and plants, to discuss the current state and future directions of genome science through chromosome-scale genome analyses.

Understanding heart development, driven by dynamic cellular interactions among diverse cell types, remains a key challenge. To deepen our knowledge, a multidisciplinary approach to integrate cellular and tissue dynamics supported by both cell and non-cell autonomous principles is essential. This symposium will provide a platform for cross-disciplinary discussions on heart development, showcasing cutting-edge approaches such as spatial transcriptomics, biological imaging, and mathematical modeling.

It is estimated that approximately 10% of the global population suffers from chronic kidney disease, with over 2 million individuals relying on dialysis or kidney transplantation. However, no definitive cure currently exists, and there is a severe shortage of kidney donors. The idea of artificially creating kidneys, which have complex structures and functions, was once considered a far-off dream. However, the successful generation of kidney organoids in 2014 marked a turning point. Over the past decade, kidney organoids have begun to be utilized in reproducing the pathophysiology of hereditary kidney diseases. Nonetheless, current human organoids still lack the full structural complexity unique to kidneys as an organ and remain functionally immature.This symposium will highlight cutting-edge research aimed at developing next-generation kidney organoids with advanced structure, functionality, and maturity, paving the way for future transplantation therapies.

Mitochondria are essential organelles that act as centers of cellular homeostasis. In recent years, mitochondrial research has made remarkable progress as their novel functions have been revealed one after another. Here, we introduce the latest findings about mitochondrial basic biology mainly by young researchers. By discussing functions, structures and regulatory techniques of the molecules working in mitochondria, we aim to explore the roots of mitochondrial biology and a new vision of mitochondria.

RNA-binding protein (RBP) TLS/FUS involved in phase separation binds thousands of RNAs. TLS forms complex with RBPs also binding thousands of RNAs. Then, the TLS complex consists of divergent RBPs and vast numbers of RNAs. Binding of RBP to RNA has both non-specific and specific ones. The binding is precisely regulated with necessity and coincidence. We plan a session of active people working on principle of the complex system, and expect to have a unique debate.

Genetics and metabolism are fundamental to life, and our understanding of how they interact at the molecular level is advancing rapidly. Accurate gene expression is crucial for normal biological processes, and any disruption of this balance can lead to disease. We are making significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms that ensure the precision of gene expression through various quality control systems and in analyzing metabolic functions. This symposium will present recent findings on the molecular mechanisms regulating carbon and lipid metabolism, particularly aging and neuronal function.

Nuclear envelope (NE) plays important roles in inheritance, maintenance, repair and expression of genetic information as well as in chromatin architecture. Loss of NE integrity is known to be associated with premature aging and cancer. Repair mechanisms of NE damaged by mechanical stresses also emerge as an important issue. In this symposium, we will discuss latest development in molecular/cellular and genetic studies on mechanisms of NE integrity maintenance and in cellular and pathological outcomes of its failure. We plan to select abstracts from scientists actively working on biology of NE.