【Okayama University】Hosts Special Lecture "Trends in Advanced Medical Research - Okayama University Cryo-FIB-SEM and Tomography Special Lecture in Shikata"

May 31, 2026 (Reiwa 8) Okayama University

◆ Overview

On February 10, 2026, the Medical Research and Development Strategy Committee of Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu) held a special lecture titled "Trends in Advanced Medical Research - Okayama University Cryo-FIB-SEM and Tomography Special Lecture in Shikata" at the Shikata-Kaikan Auditorium on the Shikata Campus. This event was part of the university's initiatives under the "Japan Program for Enhancing Research Universities with Regional Core and Distinctive Characteristics (J-PEAKS)." The "Trends in Advanced Medical Research" series provides a platform for lectures and opinion exchanges with world-leading researchers in cutting-edge medical fields. This time, a total of 74 people participated, both in-person and online.

The event began with opening remarks from Dr. Keiji Naruse, Dean of the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences. This was followed by an "Overview of Okayama University's J-PEAKS" by Dr. Masaki Koumoto, Vice Director of the Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, and an "Overview of the University's Cryo-Electron Microscope and Cryo-FIB-SEM" by Associate Professor Osataka Numoto of the International Center for Structural Biology, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science.

The special lecture, titled "Molecular Basis of Genome Function Regulation Governed by Chromatin Structure and Dynamics," was delivered by the invited speaker, Professor Hitoshi Kurumizaka from the Institute for Quantitative Biosciences at the University of Tokyo. Professor Kurumizaka is one of the world's leading researchers in the structural analysis of genomic DNA within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. In his lecture, he introduced the latest findings, including chromatin structure research using cryo-electron microscopy, and explained the molecular mechanisms and biological significance of how genome function is regulated in a multi-layered and dynamic manner. After the lecture, a lively Q&A and discussion session was held with participants, moderated by Dr. Jian-Ren Shen, Director of the Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, providing a valuable opportunity to engage with the forefront of genome science research.

As part of its J-PEAKS initiatives, Okayama University is promoting the enhancement and shared use of advanced analytical and measurement equipment and infrastructure. The university is sharing its cryo-electron microscope, the first to be introduced in the Chugoku-Shikoku region, and its cryo-FIB-SEM device, the first in Western Japan, thereby strengthening collaboration and networks with other institutions. Please look forward to the continued efforts of Okayama University as an open, regional core, and distinctive research university.

This information was released on May 31, 2026.

【Program】 16:00-16:05 Opening Remarks Dr. Keiji Naruse, Dean, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University 16:05-16:15 Overview of Okayama University J-PEAKS Dr. Masaki Koumoto, Executive Vice Director, Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, Okayama University 16:15-16:30 Overview of Okayama University's Cryo-Electron Microscope and Cryo-FIB-SEM Assoc. Prof. Osataka Numoto, International Center for Structural Biology, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University 16:30-18:00 Special Lecture "Molecular Basis of Genome Function Regulation Governed by Chromatin Structure and Dynamics" Prof. Hitoshi Kurumizaka, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo Chair: Dr. Jian-Ren Shen, Director, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University

【Target Audience】 Undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, researchers, etc.

【Organizer】 Okayama University

【Co-organizers】 Okayama University Medical Research and Development Strategy Committee Okayama University J-PEAKS

◆ Contact Information Okayama University Medical Research and Development Strategy Committee (Admin: Hospital Research Promotion Division) 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558, Japan (Okayama University Shikata Campus) TEL: +81-86-235-7982 E-mail: [email protected]