Aoi Otsuka, D4 student and SOKENDAI Special Researcher, in Genome Dynamics Laboratory, received the First-place Poster Award at the Physical Models of Living Matters – The 3rd Symposium of Physical Biology and Biological Physics held in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on August 30th – September 1^st, 2024.

Otsuka was supported by the Young Researcher Support Program of Genome modality consortium to attend the symposium.

Aoi Otsuka -san

• Awarded presentation title: Chromatin organization and behavior in HRAS-transformed mouse fibroblasts.
• Physical Models of Living Matters – The 3rd Symposium of Physical Biology and Biological Physics
• Genome Dynamics Laboratory

Professor Masato Kanemaki of Molecular Cell Engineering Laboratory has been awarded the 23rd Yamazaki-Teiichi Prize. This award, presented by Foundation for Promotion of Materials Science and Technology (MST), is given to individuals who have made outstanding creative achievements which lead to practical applications through the publication of technical papers, acquisition of patents, development of methods and technology. The prize is presented in four fields: “Materials,” “Semiconductors and Systems, Information, and Electronics,” “Measurement and Evaluation,” and “Bio and Medical Sciences.” In the fiscal year 2023, selection was conducted in the fields of “Measurement and Evaluation” and “Bio and Medical Sciences,” and Professor Kanemaki was selected as the recipient in the field of Bio and Medical Sciences.

https://www.mst.or.jp/Portals/0/prize/japanese/winners/newwinners.html
The prize ceremony and acceptance lecture were held on February 28, 2024, at The Japan Academy in Tokyo.

• Kanemaki Group • Molecular Cell Engineering Laboratory

Katsuhiko Minami, D5 student and JSPS Special Researcher in Genome Dynamics Laboratory, received the “Student Presentation Award” at the 61st Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan held in Nagoya, Japan, on November 14th – 16th. In addition, He also received the “wwPBD Student Award”, which is given to the best presenters of research related to protein / nucleic acid structural studies.

•  Awarded presentation title: Replication-dependent histone (Repli-Histo) labeling revealed that chromatin motion can determine DNA replication timing
• Student Presentation Award | The Biophysical Society of Japan
• The 61st Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan
• Genome Dynamics Laboratory

Dr. Harsha Somashekar of the Plant Cytogenetics Laboratory has received the 11th “SOKENDAI Award” of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI.

The SOKENDAI Award was established in (Academic Year) 2018 to recognize degree recipients who have conducted research worthy of commendation and reported their accomplishments in an outstanding doctoral thesis. Dr. Somashekar was presented with a certificate and a trophy by Dr. Nagata, President of SOKENDAI, on September 28, 2023 during the graduation ceremony. Dr. Somashekar has also been awarded the Genetics Program’s Morishima Award.

▶ thesis title : GLUCAN SYNTHASE-LIKE5 promotes anther callose deposition to maintain timely initiation and progression of meiosis in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Comment from Dr. Harsha Somashekar

I embarked on a journey at NIG in 2018 with a dream – to become an independent researcher, contribute to the world of knowledge, and address real-world challenges. Today, five years later, that dream stands fulfilled. This achievement owes itself to the unwavering support and guidance I have received from NIG, my nurturing parent institute of SOKENDAI University.

NIG is an extraordinary institution. It not only imparts knowledge but also instills in its students a unique perspective for tackling real-world issues. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned here is the art of creating new knowledge and doing science in a right way. Thanks to the high-quality training programs and courses provided at NIG, I have gained invaluable knowledge and skills in conducting research.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NIG for affording me this remarkable opportunity. I also want to recognize the immensely talented faculty members who have been my mentors and guides on this doctoral journey. Their enduring support and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping me as a researcher.

On September 12, 2023, Mr. Harsha Somashekar (Plant Cytogenetics Laboratory, Nonomura Laboratory) received the Morishima Award from the Genetics Program, SOKENDAI. The Morishima Award is given to students in the Genetics Program to honor their outstanding performances during PhD studies and to encourage further achievements.

・Harsha Somashekar (Plant Cytogenetics Laboratory)
thesis title : GLUCAN SYNTHASE-LIKE5 promotes anther callose deposition to maintain timely initiation and progression of meiosis in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

▶ The Morishima Award

▶ — Professor Emeritus — MORISHIMA, Hiroko

The Dean’s Award is given to students who complete the PhD program with research activities worthy of special recognition at each school of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI.
Ms. Piu Banerjee (Laboratory of Mammalian Neural Circuits, Iwasato Laboratory) received the School of Life Science Dean’s Award for the second semester of the 2022 academic year.

Piu Banerjee (Laboratory of Mammalian Neural Circuits, Iwasato Laboratory)
Thesis Title: Study of Spontaneous Activity in the Peripheral Structure of Developing Mouse Somatosensory System

　Ms. Piu Banerjee also received the Morishima Award from the Department of Genetics.

総合研究大学院大学 遺伝学専攻が独自に行っている「森島奨励賞」の選考が、2022年度後期の学位出願者に対して行われ、神経回路構築研究室 岩里研究室に所属する Piu Banerjeeさんが受賞しました。

・Piu Banerjee（神経回路構築研究室 岩里研究室）
　「Study of Spontaneous Activity in the Peripheral Structure of Developing Mouse Somatosensory System」

　授与式が2023年3月14日に行われ、花岡専攻長から賞状と研究奨励金が贈られました。

▶ 森島奨励賞とは

　総研大遺伝学専攻で優秀な研究成果を発表して学位を取得した学生に、その研究内容を称えるとともに今後のさらなる発展を促す目的で贈られます。

▶ 遺伝学の先達

　森島啓子名誉教授

Shiori Iida , D3 student and SOKENDAI Special Researcher in Genome Dynamics Laboratory, received the Student Presentation Award at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan held in Hakodate, Japan, on September 28 – 30.

▶ Awarded poster title:

　Single-nucleosome imaging reveals steady-state motion of interphase chromatin in living human cells

▶ Award Winners’ list

▶ The 60th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society of Japan

▶ Genome Dynamics Laboratory