Katsuhiko Minami, a postdoctoral researcher in the Genome Dynamics Laboratory (Maeshima Lab), received the 21st Early Career Award in Biophysics at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan, held in Nara, Japan, on September 24–26, 2025. Additionally, he was presented with the IUPAB Award from the International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB), given to the most outstanding awardee.

▶ Awarded presentation title: Replication-dependent histone (Repli-Histo) labeling dissects the physical properties of euchromatin/heterochromatin in living human cells

▶  Early Career Award in Biophysics | The Biophysical Society of Japan

▶  The 63rd Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan

▶ Maeshima Group • Genome Dynamics Laboratory

Convergent losses of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in carnivorous plants

Héctor Montero, Matthias Freund, Kenji Fukushima

New Phytologist (2025) DOI:10.1111/nph.70544

Most land plants form the ancient arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis, while carnivory is a younger trait that evolved in several angiosperm orders. The two biotic interactions similarly help plants acquire mineral nutrients, raising the question of whether they can coexist. However, the mycorrhizal status of carnivorous plants has long remained speculative. We surveyed the occurrence of AM-associated genes across carnivorous plant lineages, performed AM fungal inoculation assays, and microscopically evaluated the patterns of colonization. We found convergent losses of the AM trait either coincident with or predating the emergence of carnivory. Exceptionally, the carnivorous plant Roridula gorgonias retains symbiosis-related genes and forms arbuscules. The youngest carnivorous lineage, Brocchinia reducta, showed signatures of the early stages of AM trait loss. An AM-associated CHITINASE gene encodes a digestive enzyme in the carnivorous plant Cephalotus, suggesting gene cooption. We uncovered a mutually exclusive trend of AM symbiosis and carnivory, with only rare instances of coexistence. These findings illuminate the largely unexplored processes by which plant nutritional strategies evolve and supplant one another over time.

Photo: Brocchinia reducta growing on Mt. Roraima in the Guiana Highlands (photo by Andreas Fleischmann)

Guideline for Additional Application for
2024 NIG-JOINT(Joint Researchi-(A))
(Application deadline: noon(12:00pm)
on Friday, May 31st, 2024)

Guideline for Additional Application for
2024 NIG-JOINT(Joint Researchi-(A))
(Application deadline: noon(12:00pm)
on Friday, May 31st, 2024)

Guideline for Additional Application for
2024 NIG-JOINT(Joint Researchi-(A))
(Application deadline: noon(12:00pm)
on Friday, May 31st, 2024)

Ms. Islam, Moutushi (Molecular Cell Engineering Laboratory, Kanemaki Laboratory)  received the Morishima Award from the Genetics Program at SOKENDAI. At the award ceremony held on September 19, 2025, Dr. Saito, Chair of the Genetics Program, presented them with certificates and a catalog of the research grant.

The Morishima Award is given to students in the Genetics Program to honor their outstanding performance during their PhD studies and to encourage further achievements.

・Islam, Moutushi (Molecular Cell Engineering Laboratory, Thesis Advisor: Kanemaki, Masato)
・thesis title :  Advancing the utility of AID2-based conditional protein knockdown

▶ The Morishima Award

▶ — Professor Emeritus — MORISHIMA, Hiroko

The genomics of discrete polymorphisms maintained by disruptive selection

Jun Kitano*, Kotaro Kagawa, Takashi Tsuchimatsu, Ryo Yamaguchi, Masato Yamamichi　*corresponding author

Trends in Ecology & Evolution (2025) 40   DOI:10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.003

Disruptive selection can lead to the evolution of discrete morphs. We show that particular genetic architectures, in terms of dominance, epistasis, and linkage, are likely to evolve to produce discrete morphs under disruptive selection. Recent genomic studies have revealed that causative mutations tend to cluster, sometimes as a result of chromosomal rearrangements, but we still know little about the molecular mechanisms of dominance and epistasis. Although disruptive selection can also lead to speciation, once an optimal genetic architecture has evolved, disruptive selection no longer promotes the evolution of assortative mating. For a better understanding of the conditions that promote or constrain speciation, it is necessary to address how fast such a genetic architecture can evolve.

Figure: Although they look different, they are all polymorphic forms within the same species.

　Our laboratory investigates the fundamental mechanisms of genome instability, gene amplification, and circular DNA in cancer. Gene amplification is a major driver of tumorigenesis and occurs as a consequence of genome instability. It was traditionally believed to occur on chromosomes. However, it is now clear that gene amplification also involves the formation and accumulation of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) —circular DNA derived from chromosomal fragments carrying oncogenes or drug-target genes. ecDNA has been found in approximately 17% of cancer patient samples and is increasingly recognized as a key factor promoting cancer development, progression, and therapy resistance. Importantly, despite its chromosomal origin, ecDNA acquires unique properties, including distinct chromatin structures, gene expression patterns, and unconventional segregation patterns. Nevertheless, many fundamental aspects of ecDNA biology remain poorly understood. Our laboratory aim to answer central questions such as:

• What molecular mechanisms drive the formation of ecDNA?
• What new properties does ecDNA acquire through circularization?
• (with particular focus on DNA replication, recombination, and repair)
• How does ecDNA evolve in cancer cells to promote tumor progression and therapy resistance?

By addressing these questions and by exploring applications that leverage ecDNA-driven gene amplification, we pursues both basic and translational research toward innovative cancer therapies. We also study other types of circular DNA present in eukaryotic cells to unravel the new biology driven by circular DNA. We are seeking postdoctoral researchers who have solid backgrounds in fields such as molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, biophysics, or genome biology.

National Institute of Genetics (NIG) is an internationally recognized research institute that attracts outstanding scientists worldwide. English is the primary language in seminars and discussions, world-leading scientists are frequently invited to give seminars, providing an excellent setting for developing a global network.

National Institute of Genetics (NIG) is an internationally recognized research institute that attracts outstanding scientists worldwide. English is the primary language in seminars and discussions, world-leading scientists are frequently invited to give seminars, providing an excellent setting for developing a global network.

We are looking for a talented, highly motivated, and enthusiastic posdoc. We welcome applicants who already have or are willing to obtain their own fellowships or research fundings in the future. Please also note that NIG holds an annual open call for its own postdoctoral fellowship program, although the application for the yeast of 2026 is now closed.

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Contract information

Duration: 2 years with annual evaluation at the end of fiscal year

Working time: full time

Benefits: according to NIG regulations

Location: Mishima city, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan

Please send CV, summary of your current research project (1–3 pages), letter of motivation, and at least 2 references to . Applicants may be later asked to submit a research proposal (although the research project that the applicant will actually work on will be decided after discussions).

The National Institute of Genetics (herein “NIG”) invites applications for Project Associate Professor positions who are able to carry out independent research based on the creative ideas. The research cycle of life science consists of several steps, including findings based on observation and measurement data, making of a new hypothesis, and empirical tests of the hypothesis. The NIGiRC (Integrated Research Core) is established for the purpose of accelerating and enhancing this research cycle, and NIG seeks for Project Associate Professors who can proceed with innovative research and contribute toward the goal of NIGiRC.
Application Guidelines：PDF  　　Application Materials：Brief summary of career(excel)  

１.　Recruiting: Project Associate Professor (2 qualified persons)

２.　Appointment Start Date: As soon as possible after the selection decision is made

３.　Term of Appointment: 5 years

４.　Qualifications:
(1) Young researchers who obtained Ph.D. within the last 13 years as of April 1, 2025 (For those who suspended their research activities due to life events, the suspension period is not included in the calculation of the total years after obtaining Ph.D.) and who are able to carry out research independently based on their own ideas. Any research field is acceptable.
(2) Those who can get basic funding for conducting their own research
(3) Each applicant must appoint one NIG Professor who has five or more years left until his/her retirement as of April 1. 2025 as a mentor (Please obtain his or her prior agreement to act as mentors).

５.　Background for Recruitment:
NIGiRC (Integrated Research Core) is newly established by integrating NIG’s three independently operated centers (“Genetic Resource Center”, “Phenotype Research Center” and “Advanced Genomics Center”). NIGiRC is going to be operated in collaboration with “BSI: BioData Science Initiative” which was installed within the Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research (ROIS-DS) in FY2022. The aim of establishment of NIGiRC is to accelerate the research cycle in life science across various fields in Japan. At the time of its establishment, NIG employs qualified researchers.

６.　Responsibilities:
Each appointed researcher is to carry out independent research under the mentoring of NIG Professor.

７.　Research environment and support:
Each appointed researcher will use the space and facilities of the laboratory of the mentor professor.
He or she will be additionally provided with an individual research room of approx. 19 ㎡. In addition to that, as an Inter-University Research Institute, NIG provides substantial common equipment and research infrastructure, and so appointed researchers can make best use of NIG’s resource on hand to conduct their research activities. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare all research equipment on their own from the start. Appointed researchers will receive research funds of about 1 million yen per year.

８.　Wages: Based on ROIS regulations

９.　Social Insurances: MEXT Mutual Society of Health Insurance / Worker’s Accident Compensation Insurance / Employment Insurance

１０.　Work hours: Discretionary Labor System (Deemed working hours: 7 hours 45 minutes/day)

１１.　Holiday: Saturday and Sunday, National Holidays, From December 29th to January 3rd (New Year’s Break), Summer Break

１２.　Application Deadline: Noon (Japan Time) on October 10, 2025

１３.　Application Materials:
I. Curriculum Vitae (Write in English or Japanese / Free form / Write years in Western calendar)
II. List of publications and grants (Write in English or Japanese / Free form / If there are multiple authors, briefly describe your contribution / Indicate a few most significant research papers / Regarding the research grants, describe whether you are PI or co-PI)
III. Summary of past and present research and future directions (Write in English or Japanese / Free form / Length is about three A4 pages / Include figures if necessary.)
IV. Names and contacts of three or more references and the name of the NIG Professor whom the applicant appoints as a mentor
V. Summary of career
VI. Your key papers (in PDF file / up to three papers)
*All the personal data in the application is handled in strict confidentiality, and used solely for recruitment purposes.

１４.　Submission:
Submit items I to VI listed above electronically as follows:
(a) The subject line should be “Application for Project Associate Professor positions in the NIGiRC”, which should be also noted in the e-mail body.
(b) Put items I to IV together in a single file by separating each item by page. E-mail the file as an attachment. The file format should be MS Word or PDF. Also attach item V (form can be downloaded from the NIG homepage) as a separate file.
(c) Send your key papers as PDF attachments. The file format should be PDF. If your key papers are available to access online, include a list of URLs in the e-mail body.

* We will notify you via e-mail upon receipt of your electronic application within two business days.

Based on gender equality, National Institute of Genetics has been actively promoting female scientists. In case of equivalent aptitude and achievements in research, education, and social contributions, preference will be given to female candidates.

The National Institute of Genetics is promoting safety and healthy working, including preventing passive smoking. (Indoor smoking is banned. / Smoking is allowed only in the designated outdoor areas.)

Send your application and inquiries to:
NIG Personnel Committee (Personnel Team)　E-mail:
Mailing Address: National Institute of Genetics
Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540 JAPAN
TEL: +81-55-981-6716 FAX: +81-55-981-6715
Homepage: https://www.nig.ac.jp/nig/
NIG Organization Chart: https://www.nig.ac.jp/nig/research/organization-top/organization

１５.　Selections:
(1) Preliminary Screening (Document Review)
Applicants will be shortlisted based on their submitted documents.
The selection result will be e-mailed directly to applicants by the beginning of November 2025.
Please contact the Personnel Team (Refer to 14. Submission) if you do not receive e-mail by that time.
(2) Secondary Screening (Interview)
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview. They are required to give a short presentation about their past research and future plan at our institute. Subsequently, a question and answer session will be carried out. Interviews will be carried out in November or December 2025. In principle, applicants in Japan are requested to attend an interview at NIG (Travel expenses will be provided). For those living overseas, interviews will be basically conducted online via Zoom, etc.

New assistant professor joins NIG as of September 1, 2025.

▶ NAKAJO, Haruna : Asakawa Group • Neurobiology and Pathology Laboratory