1. 細胞老化研究が導く生命科学の理解
Understanding Life Sciences Through Cellular Senescence Research

オーガナイザー：高橋 暁子（がん研究会）、小林 武彦（東京大学）

Organismal aging is an unavoidable fate that humanity has faced since ancient times, and it remains a mystery that continues to fascinate many researchers. In recent years, the importance of cellular senescence as a fundamental mechanism of organismal aging has been revealed, and its connection to age-related diseases and functional decline is gradually becoming clearer. In this symposium, we will discuss the latest topics in cellular senescence research with scientists who are striving to understand life sciences through the advancement of research in cellular senescence.

2. 個体発生・疾患におけるエンハンサー研究の最前線
Enhancer function in development and disease

オーガナイザー：斉藤 典子（がん研究会）、深谷 雄志（東京大学）

Enhancers are non-coding regulatory DNA elements that control the temporal and spatial specificity of gene transcription in development. Recent whole genome studies suggest that enhancer polymorphism is highly associated with phenotypic variations and disease risks among populations. Therefore, addressing the question of how enhancers function in development and disease has become increasingly important. In this symposium, we will discuss emerging models of transcriptional regulation by enhancers.

3. 細胞分化の観点から探る神経系の進化
Evo-devo of the nervous system from a cellular perspective

オーガナイザー：平田 たつみ（国立遺伝学研究所）、Yan Zhu（国立遺伝学研究所）

Researchers have long studied nervous system cells, initially focusing on morphology and function, and later on molecular characteristics. Recent advancement in genomics, especially high-throughput single-cell genomics, open the door to addressing fundamental questions on the development and evolution of the nervous system, such as the origin of the first neuron, and the conservation and the diversification of cell types. At this symposium, experts will share their findings on these topics, combining insights from developmental and evolutionary biology, studying non-model organisms, and using single-cell technologies and comparative genomics with new computational methods.

4. ヒトの脳発生と機能研究の最前線
Frontier Research on mechanisms underlying the evolution of human brain

オーガナイザー：鈴木 郁夫（東京大学）、岩田 亮平（VIB-KU Leuven）

Humans have evolved outstanding cognitive abilities by enlarging and complexifying their cerebral cortex. In this symposium, we will invite leading scientists who utilize state-of-the-art technologies in the field to approach human brain evolution. Through sharing recent findings and discussing with international experts, we aim to enhance our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive human brain evolution.

5. 生命の萌芽の構築と理解
Build and See: Toward Understanding the Nascence of Life

オーガナイザー：林 克彦（大阪大学）、斎藤 通紀（京都大学）

Recent advances in technologies for in vitro culture systems, genome editing, and live imaging are leading us to new horizons in developmental biology and medicine. This symposium will highlight how these advances, particularly through approaches involving the reconstitution of biological processes followed by investigation, are deepening our understanding of germline formation and early embryogenesis.

6. 多細胞的に振る舞う単細胞生物の巧妙な戦略―細胞間コミュニケーションと生存のメカニズム
Multicellular behavior through intraspecies cell-cell communication in unicellular microorganisms

オーガナイザー：八代田 陽子（理化学研究所）、沖 昌也（福井大学）

Unicellular organisms have been conventionally thought to conduct their life activities independently within each cell. However, there have been many reports of their multicellular behavior due to cell-cell communication mediated by various substances. This symposium will explore collective behavior of the unicellular microorganism yeast, driven by intraspecies cell-cell communication, and present techniques for metabolite and single-cell analysis to uncover the underlying mechanisms. We will also discuss the survival strategies of unicellular organisms.

7. メカノバイオロジー劇場：力学的なシグナルの舞台裏
The Mechanobiology Theater: Behind the Scenes of Mechanical Signals

オーガナイザー：茂木 文夫（北海道大学）、倉永 英里奈（京都大学）

This symposium delves into the forefront of mechanobiology, examining how cells and tissues sense and respond to mechanical forces. The speakers will present diverse perspectives on topics such as cellular mechanosensing, tissue morphogenesis, and cell movement. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of mechanical signals into cellular processes, including cell fate decisions, polarity, and tissue development. Insights from plants, animals, and cutting-edge live imaging will be discussed, shedding light on the role of mechanical forces across different biological systems.

8. 進化の限界と可能性
Limitation in Evolution and its Evolvability

オーガナイザー：入江 直樹（総合研究大学院大学）、土松 隆志（東京大学）

Evolution does not occur freely in any direction, but it is always biased and constrained. What explains these phenomena? These limitations arise not only from external factors such as natural selection, but also from intrinsic factors, such as the developmental system. In this symposium, we will be overviewing potential factors and mechanisms behind the limited evolution in various organisms including plants and animals. Understanding the mechanism of this limited evolution may pave the way to introducing a predictive aspect to modern evolutionary theory.

9. 超階層生物学：新しいモデル生物を用いた新展開
Trans-Scale Biology: Exploring New Frontiers with Novel Model Organisms

オーガナイザー：重信 秀治（基礎生物学研究所）、佐竹 暁子（九州大学）

Recent advances, such as genome editing, sequencing, omics, and imaging, have enabled biologists to explore life science at multiple scales—from molecules and cells to organs, individuals, and ecosystems— through an approach termed as "Trans-Scale Biology." This approach now extends to the use of non-traditional model organisms.This symposium aims to promote the exchange of ideas and discoveries across species and research disciplines, highlighting the potential of Trans-Scale Biology.

10. 細胞運命決定を担うクロマチンのエピコードの解読
Deciphering the epicode of chromatin controling cell fate decisions

オーガナイザー：立花 誠（大阪大学）、中山 潤一（基礎生物学研究所）

Chromatin plays a key role in the regulation of gene expression. However, it is unclear how gene expression during development and differentiation is regulated through chromatin structure to determine the cell fate. A higher-order chromatin structure organized by multiple regulatory layers in specific cell types can be an acquired code, or “epicode”. We are aiming to reveal how epicode is established and defines the cell fate.