School of Science The University of

2019 School of Science

Closing in on the Mystery of Life through Science

Message What is Science? Science is a study that unravels the mysteries Open New Paths, of the universe. It strives to create new knowledge Equipped with the by understanding nature. This begins by approaching nature Power of Science with a simple question in mind: “Why?” This pamphlet will present some of the activities carried out by the School of Science at the University of Tokyo, which aim to cultivate skilled and knowledgeable members of society through exploring nature.

Faculty of Science 10 undergraduate departments dedicated to studying science

Mathematics／Information Science Physics／Astronomy Earth and Planetary Physics Earth and Planetary Environmental Science Chemistry／Biophysics and Biochemistry Biological Sciences Bioinformatics and Systems Biology

Graduate School of Science 5 graduate departments dedicated to gaining a deeper understanding of science

Physics／Astronomy Earth and Planetary Science Chemistry／Biological Sciences

Science is driven by the simple quest to understand the world around us. It is fueled by the joy of finding out, as a result of that quest, something we did not understand before, and the many new mysteries that emerge as individual discoveries are made. The never-ending desire to unravel these mysteries moves science forward a step at a time, opening up horizons on new knowledge.

The objects of science are many and varied. They extend from the broad spectrum of natural phenomena to the abstract concepts behind them, including mathematics and information. The University of Tokyo School of Science brings together scientists active at the forefront of a diverse range of academic fields. Contents Dean of the School of Science, Science requires the ability to The University of Tokyo Crossing Borders in the Pursuit of Science 01 employ the force of logic, and the International Programs at the School of Science 03 creativity and adventurous spirit to Hiroyuki Takeda take on new challenges, going where Departments in the Faculty of Science 04 1985, Doctor of Science (Faculty of no one has gone before. These are Science, University of Tokyo) Explorers of the Field of Science 06 abilities needed not only in science but Appointed Professor of Department of History of the School of Science 10 for a variety of situations in society. Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science in 2001 after serving as an Column Marine life and terrestrial plants 11 The School of Science is thoroughly Assistant at the School of Science, focused on polishing these abilities, so The University of Tokyo Department Chairs in the Faculty of Science 12 Science, The University of Tokyo; that students can go on to play active Researcher at RIKEN; Assistant roles in society, in a broad range of Professor at the School of Science, Nagoya University; and Professor at Editing, interviews, and writing: Masatsugu Kayahara fields. Whatever path you take after the National Institute of Genetics. Photography: Junichi Kaizuka; KOJI OKUMURA（Forward Stroke） Design: Mitsunobu Hosoyamada and Azusa Suzuki（ Hosoyamada Design Office） graduation, the science skills you Has also served as Dean of the School Writing and editorial supervision: Office of Communication, School of Science, acquire will serve as powerful tools. of Science since April 2017. The University of Tokyo Crossing Borders in the Pursuit of Science 01 The School of Science draws a variety of students from different countries around the world.

What motivated them to make the journey to to study at the University of Tokyo’s School of Science? Pursuit of Science Crossing Borders in the

and I wanted to broaden my horizons by Studying chemistry seeing the world. in English at the historical | | Why did you choose the University of Singapore University of Tokyo Tokyo? I chose this university because the Raffles Institution

| | Could you tell us about your academic life School of Science’s Department of at the School of Science? Chemistry provides an educational I study chemistry systematically and in environment where I can study its entirety, such as organic chemistry, chemistry in English in a country I have Department of inorganic chemistry and physical always wanted to go to. The Chemistry, chemistry, by going to lectures in the Department's emphasis on basic research morning and attending student and the University of Tokyo's history and School of Science laboratories and discussions on academic tradition were also very appealing to me. articles in the afternoon. The curriculum I came to Japan as a Japanese in the Department of Chemistry is entirely Government (MEXT) Scholarship in English, even for Japanese students, student and spent one year taking which is a huge strength as I want to be preparatory courses in Japanese language able to work anywhere in the world. and basic academic skills at the Japanese Third year student, There are also many professors in the Language Center for International Department of Chemistry, department who are doing Students, Tokyo University of Foreign School of Science interdisciplinary research and my interests Studies, before entering UTokyo. are now expanding beyond the world of | | How are you finding life in Japan? Goh Jin Lin Sarah elements to that of chemistry related to I have no trouble in my daily life when Born in Singapore. Graduated biology, such as molecular biology and it comes to using Japanese since I from Raffles Institution in 2014. natural product synthesis. continued studying the language through Came to Japan in 2015 as a Japanese

| | Why did you decide to study abroad? classes offered by the College of Arts and Government (MEXT) scholarship student and studied Japanese I’ve liked Japanese food and culture Sciences after I became a student here. language at the Japanese Language ever since I was in elementary school, and The staff at UTokyo also provide us with Center for International Students, in junior high school I chose to study a lot of support, so I can easily speak with Tokyo University of Foreign Japanese as my third language. This is why them about anything. Studies, before entering the when it came time to choose a university, I In my spare time, I work part-time University of Tokyo's College of Arts and Sciences in 2016. Enrolled knew immediately that I wanted to study teaching business English after school. in the School of Science in 2018. abroad. Singapore has developed greatly; Overall, my university and personal life however, it is a small and young country, in Japan are very fulfilling.

Making scientific and beings and ourselves. | | What research opportunities have you had at Shanghai, China self-discoveries the School of Science? at the School of Science At the moment, I am doing research on Kongjiang genomic variations in different human

| | Why did you choose the School of Science at populations in the Ohashi Laboratory. Assoc. High School the University of Tokyo? Prof. Ohashi has collected many human DNA Ever since I was in high school, I wanted to samples from Southeast Asia. Analyzing these attend the University of Tokyo because of its genomic data with the help of other public Department of unique education system. Undergraduate human genome resources could reveal many students study at the University of Tokyo's mysteries of human evolution. Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences for two years I also went to the Karolinska Institute in where they explore various academic Stockholm, Sweden, under the Study and Visit School of Science disciplines and then choose a specialization for Abroad Program (SVAP) where I did research their third and fourth years. I also liked on RNA-seq data and protein-protein biology from a very young age and the interaction. The group leader and other University of Tokyo has many faculties where members were very interested in my work and you can study biological sciences. I entered the wanted me to help them with several other Senior, Department of College of Arts and Sciences and when it came projects even after I returned to Japan.

Biological Sciences, time to choose my specialization in my second | | What are your plans following graduation? School of Science year, I found that the School of Science suited After graduating, I will go to another Ohashi Laboratory me best as it focuses on pure science and national university in Japan for medical school. understanding the mechanisms of nature I believe that my experiences in the School of Qintong Zhang rather than immediate application. Science helped me to reach this decision, Originally from Shanghai, China. What’s more is that the Department of especially the anthropology course and study After graduating from high school Biological Sciences has a special course called abroad opportunities like SVAP. Each decision in China, studied for two years at a the Anthropology Course, which I found very is a turning point filled with dreams and Japanese language school in Tokyo interesting as it is one of the few anthropology conflicts, which sometimes can be annoying before entering the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of courses in Japan where you can study and confusing, but these various experiences Tokyo in 2015. Became a student at anthropology from a scientific perspective. As helped me to know more about myself and the School of Science in 2017 and this course includes basic biology, basic realize that it's most important to be true to participated in SVAP in 2018. Will medicine, histology, history, culture, genome yourself. UTokyo provides many opportunities, attend medical school in Japan science and also archeology fieldwork and so there are limitless possibilities as to what from Spring 2019. primate observations, it allows us to gain a you can accomplish. comprehensive understanding of human

01 Connecting academia 01 and industry Brazil

| | What kind of work are you doing? Colégio Etapa

Crossing Borders in the Pursuit of Science Crossing Borders in the I am developing next generation adhesives (Etapa High School) for automobiles in the corporate research laboratory division of 3M Japan Limited, which is a subsidiary of 3M, a global chemical company that was founded in America. By Department of Chemistry, using adhesives instead of screws and bolts, the School of Science body of a car can be made lighter and more fuel-efficient. As we are now transitioning from gasoline cars to electric cars, the demand for adhesives is expected to increase. I am usually at 3M Japan Limited’s Sagamihara office in , where the research and development division is based, but at times go on customer visits and overseas business trips. In the three and a half years that I've been at this company, I’ve spent several months at the 3M headquarters in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, as well as the 3M branch in Germany.

| | What research did you do in undergraduate and graduate school? Research & Development, I conducted research on nanocarbons in Corporate Research Laboratory, Professor Eiichi Nakamura’s* laboratory in 3M Japan Limited the Department of Chemistry and had two Ricardo Mizoguchi main projects. The first involved investigating individual Gorgoll organic molecules by using carbon nanotubes. Born in Brazil. After graduating I examined the movements of molecules and high school in 2004, came to Japan chemical reactions through an electron in 2005 as a Japanese Government microscope and discovered that the molecules (MEXT) scholarship student and studied at the Center for Japanese changed into more stable structures. Language and Culture at the Osaka My other research project focused on University of Foreign Studies before fullerene, a spherical carbon molecule. entering the University of Tokyo's College of Arts and Sciences in 2006. Professor Nakamura was developing Entered the Department of technology to create bilayer structures by Chemistry of the Faculty of Science joining many fullerenes together. Lipid bilayers in 2008. Graduated in March 2015 with a Ph.D. from the Department are also found in cell membranes but a of Chemistry, Graduate School of fullerene bilayer is 10,000 times less permeable Science, and assumed his current to water than the lipid bilayer of a cell. By position at 3M Japan Limited in utilizing this property, I conducted research on April that same year. the development of new materials and their applications to drug delivery.

| | Why did you decide to enter industry, specifically 3M, after completing your Ph.D.? to produce something new; however, also has an outstanding reputation and is I decided to work in industry as I was companies are limited in terms of what they recognized worldwide.

looking for a change in my life. I wanted a job can do. Provided this, I want to eventually | | Could you please give a message to students who with a chemical company where I could be become a bridge to connect academia and are thinking of studying abroad in Japan? active globally while based in Japan. There industry. There is no reason to worry about living in

were several reasons for this. I like chemistry | | What influenced your decision to study in Japan. Japanese people are kind and will look so I wanted to remain involved in the field. Japan and at the University of Tokyo? after you when it comes to your daily life. I've Professor Nakamura's laboratory also had I wanted to study in Japan as it is a leading lived in Japan for 13 years and found that people from various countries and it was very country in the field of chemistry. I have been Japanese people always try to understand my enjoyable to work with them, so I wanted to interested in chemistry since I was a child and situation whenever I'm in trouble. Their continue doing research in that kind of often played with chemistry sets. My warmth has left a strong impression on me, international environment. On the other hand, grandparents are also Japanese so I had a especially in comparison to my short-term having lived in Japan for 10 years, I grew to strong interest in Japanese culture. study abroad experiences in university and love Japanese culture and enjoyed living in At the time, I could not speak any Japanese; long-term international business trips after I Japan. however, under the Japanese Government started working. 3M had everything I was looking for. The (MEXT) Scholarship Program, students could When I was a student, I received thorough company was also developing a wide range of receive preparatory education in the Japanese guidance from professors and senior students, businesses, which was a huge strength. language and other subjects before entering a and I was able to ask for advice from my Research in academia is difficult to apply university in Japan. Therefore, I decided to laboratory members when I had trouble with directly to industry, but I felt that I could find study abroad in Japan after I received the my research or daily life. I also learned opportunities at 3M. scholarship. business etiquette, which was very useful Now that I am working on the research and I chose the University of Tokyo because when it came time to search for a job. development of next-generation technology, I another scholarship student from Brazil If there is any kind of research you want to can see the importance of basic research. It is strongly recommended UTokyo, a top do in Japan, you should come without essential to accumulate basic research in order university in Japan, to study science. UTokyo hesitation.

02 *Molecular Technology Innovation Presidential Endowed Chair International Programs at the School of Science 02 The School of Science offers both short-term and long-term options for students abroad who are interested in broadening their scientific knowledge in an international environment. of Science School the Programs at International

01 Global Science Course（ GSC）

GSC is an all-English undergraduate transfer program. It was established to enhance cross-cultural interactions among young minds from around the world and to help develop their potential for scientific research. Selected students from abroad are accepted into the third year of undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Science and provided a monthly scholarship as well as accommodation with fully supported monthly rent. Upon completing two years in GSC, they will be awarded with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tokyo. https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/GSC/

02 Global Science Graduate Course（ GSGC）

GSGC is an international graduate program that welcomes excellent graduates from universities all over the world to study at the Graduate School of Science. It aims to foster world-class science professionals and standardizes a five-year integrated education scheme in which students attend both the Master’s program and the Doctoral program in sequence. Students on GSGC are also provided with a monthly scholarship during their time on the program. https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/GSGC/

03 The University of Tokyo Research Internship Program（ UTRIP）

UTRIP is an intensive summer research program targeted at undergraduates who are interested in pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in the future. During the program, participants receive intensive instruction and guidance on conducting research from renowned faculty members. UTRIP is open to students who are enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program anywhere outside of Japan, and are majoring in a natural science or related field. Participants will be granted financial support and can take part in cultural activities and excursions to learn more about Japan. https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/utrip/

04 Study and Visit Abroad Program（ SVAP）

SVAP is a program that provides funding for undergraduate students enrolled in the School of Science to build their own study abroad experience by pursuing either a research internship or attending a short-term course of their own choosing at a university or research institute outside of Japan. www.facebook.com/UTokyo.SVAP/ [Activity Reports]

05 Undergraduate Research Abroad in Science Program（ UGRASP） & Graduate Research Abroad in Science Program（ GRASP）

UGRASP is a short-term research program for fourth-year undergraduate students in the School of Science and GRASP is for graduate students. These programs provide support for students to engage in collaborative scientific research at a university or research institute outside of Japan. UGRASP: https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ja/offices/ilo/ugrasp/application.html [in Japanese] GRASP: https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ja/offices/ilo/grasp/application.html [in Japanese]

03 03

Departments in the Faculty of Science Faculty in the Departments Departments in the Faculty of Science Explore our world-class education and research at the undergraduate-level

Mathematics 01 Information Science 02

The Department of Information Science aims to approach the essence of information processing through our education and The Department of Mathematics focuses on the interdependence research in areas such as fundamental theory of computation, between mathematics and natural science. Mathematics is a programming languages, visual information, computer architecture, fundamental and continuously evolving discipline that dates back to and bioinformatics. We are the only department at the University of early history. By clearly explaining a variety of phenomena through Tokyo where students can create computers from scratch, from the formulas, it has a wide range of applications and plays an important design and implementation of computer hardware to implementing role in not only natural science but also in engineering, economics, a compiler and developing application programs. In order to and even sociology and linguistics. Provided this, students in the cultivate students who will develop sophisticated and highly- Department undertake seminars and coursework that deepens their functional computer systems in the future, we offer seminars and understanding of the main trends in modern mathematics and lectures that help students build a strong foundation in the basic develops their problem-solving and data collection skills, which can principles and theories of computing and develop abstract thinking be applied to various other fields in the future. and technological skills.

Physics 03 Astronomy 04

The Department of Physics has the longest history among Japanese The Department of Astronomy is one of the few departments in universities for education and research in physics and is one of the Japan that focuses on the study of the universe, from celestial bodies highest ranked in the world, with internationally recognized faculty and astronomical phenomena to the universe as a whole. Our major members and four Nobel Laureates. The Department covers almost research areas include optical and infrared astronomy, theoretical all of the frontier areas of modern physics, including condensed astronomy, radio astronomy and space astronomy. In terms of matter physics, astrophysics and cosmology, elementary particle education, we provide students with fundamental knowledge in physics, nuclear physics, atomic and molecular physics, quantum astronomy through lectures, seminars, and practical training in information, biophysics, and plasma physics. Students engage in the astronomical observations using instruments such as the Schmidt systematic study of physics through lectures and training as well as telescope at the Kiso Observatory. As astronomy is closely linked student laboratories in order to build a basic foundation that can with physics, our students also acquire a strong foundation in physics then be applied to other fields. Seminars boast small class sizes and in and take classes alongside students in the Department of Physics. laboratories, students conduct specialized research and refine their After finishing their undergraduate studies, a majority of our experimental and theoretical research skills through one-to-one students advance to the Graduate Department of Astronomy where guidance. Students also have access to our affiliated institutes where they conduct research using various facilities at the Department of they can use large-scale facilities such as particle accelerators, deep Astronomy, Institute of Astronomy (IoA), National Astronomical space telescopes, and equipment simulating extreme conditions to Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), and Institute of Space and conduct diverse and advanced research. Astronautical Science (ISAS).

04 Earth and 05 Earth and Planetary 06 Planetary Physics Environmental Science

The Department of Earth and Planetary Environmental Science specializes in the study of phenomena on the surface of the Earth The Department of Earth and Planetary Physics examines various and other planets from an environmental perspective. Our research phenomena occurring on Earth and other planets in the solar system includes clarifying the origins of nature from surveying geology and and even beyond from a physics standpoint. Our research areas topography, and deepening our understanding of the solar system include the interior of solid Earth, earthquake occurrence and through planetary exploration and meteorite analysis in order to propagation of seismic waves, atmospheric and oceanic circulations, elucidate the mystery of evolution and the origins of life. We also climate change prediction, the evolution of the solar system and tackle environmental problems that have affected us in the past and planets, and space plasmas. Many different approaches have been will have an influence on us in the future, such as climate change utilized to tackle the broad range of topics covered by the and resource management. Students build a foundation in this field Department. Therefore, our curriculum includes physics and through lectures and practical training in chemical analysis, gene mathematics for theoretical backgrounds, field observations, analysis and numerical simulation, as well as through fieldwork in laboratory experiments, as well as computer programming for data both Japan and abroad to study rocks, minerals, geological analysis and numerical simulations. Students are also split into small formations and fossils. Students also learn how to examine groups and engage in scientific discussion on selected topics in specific atmospheric, oceanic and planetary systems from various fields and then conduct independent research in their final year. perspectives by conducting independent research.

Chemistry 07 Biophysics and 08 Biochemistry

The Department of Chemistry investigates atoms and molecules that The Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry uses an constitute nature in order to elucidate fundamental questions about interdisciplinary approach to elucidate the fundamental principles of their underlying mechanisms, create new substances and biological phenomena and understand the underlying mechanisms at technologies, and discover novel phenomena. For more than 150 a molecular level. In living organisms, molecules mutually interact years, we have helped students who possess an intellectual curiosity in accordance with the principles of physics and chemistry while to elucidate nature cultivate their academic and experimental skills creating various kinds of life, from simple organisms to complex through systematic lectures as well as student laboratories. Education ones. The field of biophysics and biochemistry examines this breadth in the Department focuses on developing leaders who have an of biological phenomena, from the shape and behavior of a single international perspective, which is why all lectures for molecule to brain function and animal behavior. Our students undergraduate students are delivered in English, creating a unique conduct experiments and attend lectures that merge theory from environment where Japanese students and students from abroad can mathematics, information science, and physical chemistry with learn alongside one another. Following graduation, our students biochemistry and molecular biology experimentation in order to pursue graduate studies or find employment in a broad range of understand the relationship between molecules and understand fields in the public or private sector. biological phenomena.

Biological Sciences 09 Bioinformatics 10 and Systems Biology

The Department of Biological Sciences studies the biological The Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology aims at mechanisms and phenomena of the myriad of organisms that have exploring a new, cutting-edge academic field that merges approaches appeared and evolved on Earth over the past four billion years. in biological and computational sciences. Unlike traditional biological Students in the Department specialize in flora, fauna, or sciences that attempt to study each gene or protein separately, anthropology, and take special lectures such as taxonomy workshops bioinformatics and systems biology use a dual-faceted approach that at the University's affiliated botanical gardens and Yakushima Island clarifies life principles as systems by developing new ideas and (flora), experiments and workshops related to marine organisms at utilizing advanced technologies. Our students are expected to master the University's Misaki Marine Biological Station (fauna), both biology and informatics in order to conduct experiments and archaeological excavations in Hokkaido (anthropology), and the handle enormous quantities of data. As only a few universities observation of primate behavior in Nagano's Jigokudani Monkey around the world offer specialized undergraduate programs in Park (anthropology). Through this, students gain knowledge bioinformatics and systems biology, our graduates are expected to through first-hand experiences with animals and plants in their successfully develop their careers in various areas such as natural environment. government, industry, and academia.

05 Challenging the mysteries of biological Explorers of the Field of Science evolution by opening a treasure trove 04 of intriguing marine creatures

Explorers of the Field of Science Field Explorers of the Closing in on the mystery of life On some mornings, the first thing Professor Miura does after arriving at his laboratory is What is life? put on his wet suit and dive into the sea. His This question was asked by Schrödinger, laboratory is based in the Misaki Marine Biological Station (MMBS), The University of a physicist who looked at life from the perspective Tokyo, which is located at the tip of the Miura of physics in the mid-20th century. Peninsula (in Kanagawa Prefecture), which Now researchers from various fields are tackling divides from . His research theme is “phenotypic plasticity” the great mystery of life. in animals. Phenotype is the observable characteristics or traits of an organism. While the phenotype is largely determined by the genome, genetic information is not the only determinant of the phenotype, which in many cases is influenced by environmental factors as well. Phenotypic plasticity refers to the ability of an organism to plastically change its phenotype depending on the environment. “Many insects change their phenotype Clues for solving according to the season they undergo ecdysis or metamorphosis. A typical example is how some the mystery of evolution butterflies can change the shape and color of their wings depending on the season. Another example is social insects such as ants, bees and Why is life so termites. They have different castes within their colony, and the queen, king, soldiers and diverse? workers each show distinct traits even though their genomes are nearly identical. I study the Great discoveries in the life sciences, such mechanism of this phenotypic plasticity and its as Darwin’s theory of evolution and significance in evolution.” Mendel's law of inheritance, were made Professor Miura dives into the sea to catch by closely observing various living things. and study marine organisms with phenotypic From the diverse organisms in the forests plasticity. The sea area around MMBS is at the border of Tokyo Bay and Sagami Bay, blessed and seas, we can explore the origins of with rich marine biodiversity. “I often catch evolution. weird creatures that are hardly studied by anybody,” he said, smiling like a boy who has Toru Miura found a treasure chest.

06 molts, while other workers remain as workers adventure and learn about insects at the same Different traits expressed throughout their lives. time, which is why I decided to advance to from the same genome “Termites live in colonies born from the graduate school. I joined a lab doing field same parents. Although all the individuals in a work in the tropics; however, it's not that easy One of the marine animals that Professor colony have nearly identical genomes, they to find unicorn beetles and stag beetles. I Miura is focusing on right now is the Syllidae, express different traits depending on their started studying termites because they could a family of worms closely related to caste. Caste differentiation is determined by be found everywhere in the rainforests and sandworms (see bottom left and right photos hormone concentrations in the individual's they were easy to handle.” below). This worm attaches itself to rocks or bloodstream, but we do not know yet what Since then, his research focused primarily the sea bottom where it matures. As it matures, regulates that hormone concentration. When on social insects, so why has he started it gradually develops an ovary or testis at the certain castes such as the reproductive caste or studying marine animals in addition to posterior end of its body. When the worm is soldiers are removed from a colony, other insects? fully mature, the posterior end breaks off and individuals differentiate into those castes to “Insects are taxonomically classified as starts swimming on its own to spawn eggs or fill in the gap. This implies that the Insecta, a very large group within the sperm. This spawning individual is called a reproductive caste and soldiers are emitting arthropod phylum. We have learned a lot stolon, which also has its own head and eyes. some sort of pheromones that regulates about insects, but there are even more diverse The stolon is a clone that has the same genome hormone concentration in other individuals.” creatures in the sea, many of which are as its parent. The stolon dies when it completes positioned nearer to the root of the its mission of spawning eggs or sperm, but the Science can accommodate the phylogenetic tree or the tree of evolution. parent worm remains on the seabed and grows interests and persistence of a lifetime These creatures exhibit various phenomena a new posterior end (another stolon), which that cannot be explained by our common will be released again for another round of “I wanted to become an adventurer when I understanding of insects or arthropods. If we spawning. was a student,” answered Professor Miura can clearly understand their biology and the “Although the stolon is a clone of the parent when I asked him how he came to be a mechanism of their development and worm, it expresses a different set of traits from biologist. “I used to love unicorn beetles and differentiation, we will be able to come closer its parent. We are now working to find out the stag beetles as a kid so I decided to major in to the origins of evolution.” secrets of what environmental factors induce biology. However, biology was a popular Professor Miura is also studying acoels, the formation of a stolon and how the posterior subject at the School of Science and I needed which are considered to have been the first end turns into a stolon.” good grades in order to advance to the biology animals that came to have a symmetrical Professor Miura started to study marine course in my junior year. So, I voluntarily morphology in the process of biological organisms in earnest when he was assigned to repeated my sophomore year and studied evolution. He says that research on acoels will MMBS in 2017. Until then, his research focused harder than when I was preparing for the “provide important clues for understanding on mainly social insects, namely termites and university entrance exam.” the evolution of symmetric animals, including aphids (see top left and top right photos He took many language classes to raise his humans.” below). overall grades in foreign language, including He consistently had a joyful smile on his Termites have several castes (i.e., classes Indonesian. face as he talked about his research. with different morphology and roles) in their “I was also a Boy Scout as a child. I was “I enjoy research so much that even now I colony: the reproductive caste (queens and fascinated when I visited Iriomote Island in feel like I’m on summer vacation. I hope kings), soldiers, and workers. In Hodotermopsis Okinawa and felt like I was on an adventure. students will stick to what they find sjostedti (a termite species), which Professor Eager to see real tropical rainforests, I also interesting until they get to the very bottom Miura has been studying for a long time, some traveled to Borneo Island in Indonesia. I of it as I believe that science is broad and deep workers differentiate into reproductive thought that if I studied insects that inhabit enough to accommodate the interests and individuals and soldiers through a series of tropical rainforests, I would be able to enjoy persistence of a lifetime.”

Professor, Misaki Marine Biological Station, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo Toru Miura

Graduated from the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo in 1994. Completed his PhD at the Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo in 1999. Became a postdoctoral fellow of JSPS that same year. Held positions such as an assistant professor at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, (Top left) Hodotermopsis sjostedti kept in the lab. Those with large brown jaws are the The University of Tokyo and at the Graduate School of soldiers. The white ones are the workers. (Top right) Aphids gathered on the back of a Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, leaf that was found on the premise of MMBS. (Bottom left and right) Images of a Syllidae before assuming his current position as a professor at worm seen through a microscope. In the bottom right image, the longer body on the right the Misaki Marine Biological Station, Graduate School is the parent worm and the shorter body on the left is the stolon. of Science, The University of Tokyo in 2017.

07 What are the universal principles of life? 04 Searching for the essence of life through physics

Explorers of the Field of Science Field Explorers of the The ultimate goal of physics is to explain everything in nature by applying universal laws, even when it comes to explaining life.

Biology has been advancing at a remarkable frequently. Cell division and intracellular phenomena.” pace since the late 20th century. This has been vesicle transportation are also powered by Elucidating a universal mechanism of propelled by new techniques developed in the molecular motors. intracellular molecular movement is expected fields of molecular biology and biophysics, the As such, molecules within cells are to help uncover the essence of life or pave the most notable ones being genome analysis and controlled by a motor mechanism that differs way for new treatment for diseases. measurement of cell function, respectively. from the one that enables our daily lives. Fascinated by muscle movement and A number of complex biological phenomena “In the macro world, an object in motion structure, Professor Higuchi has long are being elucidated at the molecular level. stays in motion for a while even after the force researched molecular motors, affiliated with a Nevertheless, humanity has yet to find a that had set it in motion is removed because of range of faculties over the years. After definitive answer to the fundamental question the law of inertia,” said Professor Higuchi. “In studying the fundamentals of physics and of “What is life?” because individual research contrast, nanoscale molecular motors move biophysics at a faculty of physics, he obtained findings exist separately from each other. when energy is input, but stop immediately a research position at a school of medicine, Given this, Professor Higuchi is searching for when energy ceases to be applied due to the followed by working for a school of the universality underlying a rich diversity of viscosity of water providing massive engineering and a medical research life phenomena, the key to which is physics. resistance. I examined in detail the ways in organization with the aim of applying “Biophysics is a discipline aimed at finding which various kinds of molecular motors findings from his single-molecule research to fundamental laws and principles in complex move forward by repeating this stop-and- biomaterials and medicine. living systems,” he explained. “Advances in restart cycle, resulting in the discovery of a “Knowledge has no boundaries,” he physics and chemistry have led to an enormous universal principle of how they move.” declared with a gentle smile. “All that matters volume of quantitative data being accumulated The Higuchi Laboratory utilizes a is what you do, not which faculty or in the life sciences. In order to gain a better single-molecule technique, a tool that allows a department you study at. Having said that, I understanding, this wealth of knowledge needs single molecule's movement to be visually strongly encourage those who wish to choose to be integrated into one theory by utilizing monitored and its function to be quantified. academia as a career to study at a school of physics and mathematics. This is becoming While a group of molecules move intricately, a science first. I have been able to continue my feasible now that a mountain of data has been single molecule moves straightforwardly. research beyond the boundaries of faculties amassed.” “Single is a notion we physicists prefer. A and schools thanks to the principles of natural Professor Higuchi is working to identify a good example of this is our exploration of the science that I learned. A correct universal mechanism of molecular motors that nature of a single particle or electron,” he understanding of these principles enables you power movements within cells. Muscle cells, pointed out. “The single-molecule technique to comprehend a variety of phenomena, immune cells, and cancer cells all move is the result of applying this notion to life providing the basis for application as well.”

Professor, Biophysics, Department of Physics Director, Universal Biological Institute, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo Hideo Higuchi

Completed a master’s degree in science and engineering at Waseda University and joined the Jikei University School of Medicine as a research assistant in 1983. From 1992, he worked for the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as a group leader of Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO). In 1997, he moved to Tohoku University, serving first as an associate professor at the Department of Metallurgy of the Graduate School of Engineering, then as a professor at Tohoku University Biomedical Engineering Research Organization (TUBERO) from 2004. He assumed his current position in 2008.

08 Analytical chemistry is the analysis of vibrational frequency, analysis of the spectral identify GPCR inhibitors. certain materials to gain an understanding of information in the scattering light will allow Another example is a technology born from their chemical components and their us to identify what kinds of molecules are an innovative concept going far beyond the quantities. Advances in analytical chemistry, present in what amounts in a given space. boundaries of conventional analytical such as gene analysis using a DNA sequencer Professor Ozawa is committed to the chemistry. The basic idea is to control the and protein analysis by mass spectrometry, development of this Raman imaging activity of enzymes (proteins) in the cell by have brought significant breakthroughs to life technique. using light. By connecting the target enzyme sciences. “We have gained quite a lot of information with a plant-originated protein that responds Professor Ozawa of the Analytical about who the ‘actors’ are; that is, what to light, enzyme activity can be switched on Chemistry Lab has devoted more than twenty molecules are active within the cell. Our next or off in response to light stimulus. Using this years of research to in vivo molecular imaging step is to learn more about how these actors technology, it will be possible to closely to directly visualize the dynamics of interact with each other to be able to observe the reactions an enzyme induces in biomolecules within the living cell. His first quantitatively describe the molecular network the cell. encounter with this research was in 1997 when and reactions. The movements of proteins and “The technologies we have today will he was a doctoral student. calcium ions can be captured with fluorescent sooner or later be replaced with new “I was fascinated by the GFP imaging imaging, while lipids, hormones, and technologies in the future,” Professor Ozawa technique, a technique to label calcium ions metabolic products within the cell can be said when looking back on his past work. with green fluorescent protein (GFP) to identified with Raman imaging. I believe we “What really counts is to develop a new observe how the ions work spatiotemporally will be able to elucidate the interactions concept. A fundamental concept will be passed within the cell. I will never forget the between various molecules by using both down, leaving a mark in history. This is the excitement I felt when I first saw those cells techniques at the same time.” best part about science. The desire to glowing in green under the microscope. They Professor Ozawa is also working to develop understand the origins of natural phenomena looked like stars shining in the sky, and I could new technologies by applying these is what led me to a career in science and what also clearly see the motions of the molecules.” intracellular visualization techniques. One continues to fascinate me even now.” Ever since, fluorescent imaging using GFP such technology is a protein identification by has become an important part of his research. library screening. Receptors on the cell In addition, he has been working on developing membrane called G-protein coupled receptors a new visualization technique in recent years. (GPCR) are associated with various diseases When light is radiated on a material, it and researchers are searching for chemicals interacts with the molecules and scatters as that will inhibit their function as potential light with a different wavelength from the candidates for drug development. Building on original incident light. This is called Raman intracellular visualization techniques, he has scattering. Since each molecule has a unique developed a unique technology to efficiently

To what extent can life be described in molecular words? The truths of life as described by analytical chemistry Advances in analytical chemistry have pushed forward the frontiers of life sciences. Now that the actors within the cell are becoming revealed, analytical chemistry will step into a new realm.

Professor, Department of Chemistry Professor, Department of Biological Sciences (joint appointment) Takeaki Ozawa

Graduated from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo in 1993. After completing his PhD at the Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo in 1998, he served as a research associate (1998-2002) and lecturer (2002-2005) at the Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo. In 2005, he was appointed as an associate professor at the Department of Molecular Structure, Institute of Molecular Science. He has held his current position as a professor at the Department of Chemistry, School of Science since 2007. In 2014, he was jointly appointed as a professor of the Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science.

09 History of the School of Science 05 In 2017, the School of Science at the University of Tokyo celebrated its 140th anniversary. In commemoration, we look back over its history. History of the School of Science School of the History

founder of Japanese physics,” and Dr. Joji graduated from the School of Science, and Science in Japan and its Origins Sakurai (1858-1939), who is referred to as the among these graduates are recipients of globally “father of modern chemistry in Japan.” Among prestigious awards. The first alum to enjoy The School of Science was founded Dr. Yamakawa’s students was Dr. Hantaro international success was Dr. Kunihiko Kodaira alongside the University of Tokyo in 1877, but Nagaoka (1865-1950), who created the (1915-1997), who in 1954 became the first its origins can be traced back to the 17th century. “Saturnian model of the atom” in 1903. In Japanese person to be awarded a Fields Medal In 1684, the Tokugawa government formed addition, one of Dr. Sakurai’s students was Dr. for his achievements in the theory of complex the Astronomy Agency (Tenmonkata) to Kikunae Ikeda (1864-1936), who in 1907 manifolds. In 1973, Dr. Leo Esaki became the compile calendars. The technology used for discovered Umami. first alum to win the Nobel Prize in Physics for astronomical observation, as well as the his discovery of tunneling phenomena in Agency’s accumulated knowledge, were The School of Science in a semiconductors. Three other graduates have inherited by what would later become the Global Context gone on to make significant achievements in School of Science. That same year, the the field of elementary particle physics and Tokugawa government also established the The School of Science has pioneered new win a Nobel Prize in Physics: Dr. Masatoshi Koishikawa Medicinal Herb Garden (presently fields of study in various eras. The Great Kanto Koshiba in 2002 for the detection of cosmic known as Koishikawa Botanical Garden), Earthquake in 1923 led to the establishment of neutrinos, Dr. Yoichiro Nambu (1921-2015) in which became part of the School of Science in the Department of Seismology that same year. 2008 for the discovery of the mechanism of 1877. In 1860, the Seirenkata (Department of The department was renamed to the Department spontaneous broken symmetry in subatomic Refining), which was the predecessor of the of Geophysics in 1941, and then became the physics, and Professor Takaaki Kajita in 2015 Department of Chemistry, was formed by the present Department of Earth and Planetary for the discovery of neutrino oscillations. Tokugawa government as part of the Bansho Physics. In the 1940s, the field of molecular In 2016, another graduate from the School Shirabesho (Institute for the Study of biology underwent rapid advances, particularly of Science, Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi, won the Barbarian Books). in the United States. In response, the Department Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his The School of Science consisted of five of Biophysics and Biochemistry was established discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy. departments when it was first established: in 1958, which was the first university department Throughout its history, the School of Science Mathematical Physics and Astrology, Geology in Japan to specialize in molecular biology. has played an integral role in the global field. and Mining, Chemistry, Biology, and In 1975, around when computers started to Engineering. The Department of Mathematical become more prevalent in society, the Department Kunihiko Kodaira Physics and Astrology separated into what are of Information Science was established with Graduated from the Department now the Departments of Mathematics, Physics, the aim to both teach and conduct research in of Mathematics in 1938 and Astronomy. The Department of Geology the field of Information Science. Developments Former Dean of the School of and Mining would later become the in information science significantly Science ©Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences, Department of Earth Science, and eventually transformed approaches to science, especially The University of Tokyo the current Department of Earth and Planetary in life science. This resulted in the formation Environmental Science. (The Department of of a bioinformatics research program in 2001 Takaaki Kajita Special University Professor, Engineering would later separate from the that focused on examining life as information. The University of Tokyo School of Science and become the predecessor The program was then expanded to become the ©Institute for Cosmic Ray of the School of Engineering.) Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Research, The University of Tokyo Faculty at the time included Dr. Kenjiro Biology in 2007. Yamakawa (1854-1931), who is known as “the Over the past 140 years, many students have

The 140-year History of the School of Science The University of The University of Tokyo Imperial University was renamed to Tokyo was founded became Imperial University Tokyo Imperial University

1684 1860 1877 1880 1881 1886 1893 ’97 1901 ’02 ’07 ’19 ’23 ’39

Tokugawa The College of Science The Department The Seismology The Department The Department of The Department of government was established of Mathematical Course was of Geology was Theoretical Physics Anthropology was established Physics and and the Department established • The Department of set up as part of divided into the Tenmonkata Astrology was of Experimental Mathematical Physics the Department Department divided into Physics reintegrated and Astrology of Physics of Geology and the Department into the Department • The Department of the Department of Mathematics, of Physics Geology and Mining of Mineralogy the Department Tokugawa • The Department of of Physics, and The Department of The Department government Chemistry The Department of the Department Biology branched of Physics was established • The Department of Astrology was of Astrology into the Department divided into the Koishikawa Biology of Zoology and the Department renamed to Medicinal Herb Department of of Theoretical the Department of Garden Astronomy Koishikawa Medicinal Botany Physics and the Department of The Seismology Herb Garden became part The Marine course became the Experimental The Department of the University of Tokyo Laboratory was Department of Tokugawa government of Geography was (commonly known as established Physics Seismology in established Seirenkata as Koishikawa Botanical established response to the Great part of Bansho Shirabesho Garden) Kanto Earthquake The Department of Geology and Mining Nikko Branch The College of was divided into the Department Botanical Garden Science renamed to of Geology and the Department of Mining was established the School (The Department of Mining later became of Science due to 10 part of the Department of Engineering) a legal amendment Column Marine life and terrestrial plants Two affiliated facilities in the Graduate School of Science dedicated to the study of diverse living things

Japanese government that a mountain plants that are difficult Misaki Marine Biological Station permanent station be built. Botanical Gardens to grow in Tokyo. A historic facility founded Misaki is also known as a place (Koishikawa and Nikko) The Koishikawa Botanical that revolutionized the global The birthplace of modern Garden is also known as the in part through the efforts jewelry industry through the birthplace of modern botany in of Edward S. Morse founding of Mikimoto, an botany in Japan Japan because the nation’s first internationally acclaimed brand for epoch-making discovery in the pearls. MMBS was deeply involved history of global botany was made The Misaki Marine Biological in the process, as its proprietary The main botanical garden of there, which was the 1896 Station (MMBS) is situated on the pearl farming technology was the Graduate School of Science is discovery of sperm of a ginkgo tree southwestern tip of the Miura adopted by the company’s founder, situated in Koishikawa, a district by Sakugoro Hirase, an assistant Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture. Kokichi Mikimoto, to lay the neighboring the university’s Hongo professor of the Department of The word “Misaki” is derived from groundwork for today’s pearl Campus. This place, commonly Botany at the School of Science. its location in Misaki Town of industry. known as Koishikawa Botanical As ginkgoes are gymnosperms, Miura City. On the Miura In the early 20th century, Garden and designated as a Historic Hirase’s discovery has served as an Peninsula, which faces Tokyo Bay MMBS shut down its research on Site and Place of Scenic Beauty in important key to elucidating the to the east and Sagami Bay to the pearl farming. However, after Japan, is in essence a facility to evolutionary process of plants by west, MMBS is placed at the point around 100 years, it resumed promote botanical research and linking mosses and ferns that where the two bays intersect. This interacting with Mikimoto in 2008, education. produce sperm to angiosperms that location affords opportunities to inspired by the symposium jointly Koishikawa Botanical Garden is do not. observe some of the world's most held by the company and the Japan’s, and one of the world’s, This ginkgo tree still stands, diverse fauna in the surrounding University of Tokyo to commemorate oldest botanical gardens. Its history alive and majestic, near the center waters. the 150th anniversary of the birth dates back to 1684 when its earliest of the garden. It is estimated to be MMBS is engaged in cutting- of Kokichi Mikimoto. predecessor, the Koishikawa 300 years old with a trunk edge life science research on rich Since then, in cooperation with Medicinal Herb Garden, was circumference of 4.9 meters. and diverse marine life and covers Mikimoto, Corporation and established by the Tokugawa a wide range of research fields local high schools, the university shogunate. Upon the founding of including developmental biology, has been running the Miura Pearl the University of Tokyo in 1877, the cell biology, molecular biology, Project to revive the pearl farming garden became part of the animal taxonomy and evolutionary industry that existed briefly in the university, and has been open to biology. city after World War II. Joint efforts the public ever since. Dating back to 1886, this are now underway to make the The garden is topographically world-renowned marine biological Miura Peninsula sparkle with diverse, consisting of plateaus, station with a proud history was pearls again. slopes, and ponds, and has made possible by Edward S. Morse, approximately 4,000 species of who laid the foundation for the plants. Furthermore, the facility is study of anthropology and visited by numerous botanists both archaeology in Japan. Dr. Morse in and outside the university who came to Japan in 1877, the year in access its collection of more than which the University of Tokyo was 600,000 plant specimens and founded, and became the first around 20,000 botany-related professor of the Department of books. Zoology in the university’s School Its satellite garden, called Nikko of Science. Immediately thereafter, The cultured pearls donated to the Botanical Garden, is located in The majestic ginkgo standing near the university by Kokichi Mikimoto in center of the Koishikawa Botanical he established a temporary marine 1925, along with a handwritten memo Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. It was Garden. By studying this tree, biological station in Kanagawa from Seitaro Goto, a professor at the created in 1902 for the purpose of Sakugoro Hirase discovered that the Prefecture, recommending to the School of Science. research and education on ginkgo produces sperm.

Tokyo Imperial The University of Tokyo was University was renamed to reorganized under the the University of Tokyo new education system

1941 ’47 ’49 1958 1964 ’67 1970 ’74 ’75 ’76 ’78 1983 ’84 1990 ’99 2001 ’05 ’06 ’07

The Department The Geophysical The Department of The Meson Science The Research The Department of of Seismology Observatory was Physics was divided Laboratory was Center for the Earth Science was became established into the Department established Early Universe renamed to the the Department of Physics, (Exists today as the was established Department of Center for Nuclear Study) of Geophysics The Department Department of Earth and Planetary of Biophysics Astronomy, and the Environmental Department of Science and The Center for The Department of Biochemistry Geophysics Spectrochemistry was Geophysics and its was established established affiliated Geophysics The Bioinformatics (Exists today as the Research Research Laboratory and Systems Center for Spectrochemistry) were combined to Biology The Bioinformatics The Departments of form the Department Program for and Systems Biology The Information Science Physics, Astronomy of Earth and Undergraduate Program for The Geophysical Research Laboratory became and Geophysics Planetary Physics Education was Undergraduate Observatory became the Department of integrated into the established Education became the the Geophysical Information Science Department of Physics Research Facility Department of The Institute of The Actuary and Bioinformatics and The Departments of The High Energy Physics Astronomy was Statistics Program Systems Biology Zoology, Botany, and Laboratory was established established was established Anthropology were (Exists today as the International Center for Elementary Particle Physics) integrated into the Undergraduate Program for Bioinformatics The Molecular Genetics Department of Biology and System Biology was established The Information Science Research Research Laboratory was 11 Laboratory was established established 06 Members of our society have been responsible for science Training the Next throughout the ages. Department Chairs in the Faculty of Science Faculty Chairs in the Department Generation The passion to unravel the mysteries of nature motivates us to conduct in-depth research. of Scientists This passion then becomes a driving force that is passed down to others, strengthening and further developing Department Chairs in the research. Faculty of Science These ceaseless efforts to transmit knowledge to the next generation aim to both advance science and lay the foundation for a better society. Each generation of scientists will continue to devote themselves to achieving this goal.

Mathematical Sciences Information Science Mikio Furuta Masami Hagiya

Return to the If you are dissatisfied fundamental principles of with the information phenomena, and you will technology before your see a scene nobody knows. eyes, join the Department of Information Science.

Physics Astronomy Satoshi Tomonori Totani Yamamoto

Have a big dream and the Approach, and then feel power to do science with the mystery of the great a little courage! universe by the power of science.

12 Earth & Planetary Physics Earth & Planetary Environmental Science Satoshi Ide Yoshio Takahashi

From the wonder of Foster future-oriented space and planets to human resources by the reality of weather learning about the past and earthquakes. and present of the Earth, the environment, and other planets.

Chemistry Biophysics & Biochemistry Kaoru Osamu Nureki Yamanouchi

Explore together the With only one lifetime to frontiers of chemistry. live, the wise approach is to follow your chosen path with wholehearted commitment.

Biological Sciences Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Tetsuji Kakutani Shinya Kuroda

Living organisms Life cannot be are rich sources of understood without wisdom and the power of astonishment. information.

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