We received a record number of submissions for the open call symposium. Thank you very much. After deliberation by the organizing committee, we have accepted almost all of them. However, due to the number of available venues and scheduling constraints, we have had to ask some proposals to shorten their presentation time or consider a forum session instead. Additionally, the originally planned “Science Pitch” session has unfortunately been canceled due to scheduling conflicts. We appreciate your understanding. Instead, we plan to present Poster Awards to students who give outstanding poster presentations. We are planning to kindly ask senior members of the society to serve as judges. It would be greatly appreciated if you could also offer advice and encouragement to the student presenters. For senior members who are willing to support us by participating in the judging, we will be providing a modest amount of travel support.

We are currently accepting applications for the Matching Event “Let’s gather here in Yokohama!” These can be anything suitable for the Molecular Biology Society, such as finding new research collaborators or consulting about your career path or research concerns, etc. We have spaces available ranging from small tables for five people to larger areas with projectors for dozens of participants. We encourage you to apply. We will not be holding a formal “Meet the Speaker” session this year. However, if there is a researcher you would like to connect with, please feel free to propose a “Who’s In?” session with their consent. For example, something like “Who wants to chat with Takehiko Kobayashi?” (Though I doubt anyone would show up…)

This winter, something in your life might change at the Molecular Biology Society meeting.

June 2025

Thanks to the dedication of Chair Hiroshi Kimura and all the organizing committee members, the 47th Annual Meeting (Fukuoka) successfully concluded at the end of last November. Despite the unfortunate weather, the event was filled with enthusiasm and turned out to be a wonderful gathering. During the final day’s public lecture, where I was asked to serve as the moderator, a large number of high school students gathered around the speakers (Dr. Kyoko Miura and Dr. Kosuke Fujishima) after the session ended, forming a long line of questions. Not only high school students but also a “super elementary school student” appeared, impressing the audience with sharp questions to the speakers.

Now, regarding the 48th Annual Meeting, it will be held in person only at Pacifico Yokohama. The theme this time is “Let’s gather here, in Yokohama!” In addition to presenting research results and exchanging information, we aim to foster new encounters that can lead to collaborative research and innovation. As part of this initiative, we will hold a “Matching Event” on the evenings of the first and second days. We invite participants to submit proposals for groups they would like to form. If more than five people express interest in a proposal in advance, it will be officially established, and a designated meeting space will be provided in the poster session area. The initiator will lead the introductions, and we encourage participants to engage in lively discussions. Since most attendees will be meeting for the first time, we encourage a thoughtful approach to expanding your network. The venue will be available until 8:30 PM, but participants are free to continue discussions at after-hours gatherings.

With this objective in mind, we have decided to hold this year’s event fully in person, without an online option. We appreciate your understanding. Beyond the Matching Event, we hope to support networking in various ways. Let’s enjoy making new connections together!

As for my own proposal, I plan to organize a group titled “Join if You Aspire to Win a Nobel Prize or Make a Groundbreaking Discovery!” I wonder if at least five people will gather?

February 2025