Faculty 2020

1919-1 TANCHA, ONNA-SON, KUNIGAMI-GUN, OKINAWA, JAPAN 904-0495 TEL 81-98-966-8711 (INTERNATIONAL) 098-966-8711 (WITHIN JAPAN) WWW.OIST.JP

APRIL 1, 2020 OIST President

OIST is one of the most interesting initiatives in world scientific research and education. It has very high ambitions to become established as one of the great research universities. The Introduction Japanese government has a clear vision for setting up an international, interdisciplinary university that will produce the to the future leaders for the rapidly changing needs of global research and business. Graduate I fully support the concept of OIST and am convinced that we University can succeed if we constantly strive for excellence in all our activities: excellence in research, excellence in education, and excellence in management, and excellence in industrial collaboration and development. Faculty My experience at the Max Planck Society, backed by research studies on the nature of creativity, show that certain factors are essential for success in research organizations and universities.

We must hire the best people in the world. Ultimately the reputation of a university is created by the excellence of its faculty, its students, and its staff and management. These professors must form research units that are reasonably small but that work in a larger context of support from the whole university. The research units must be helped to start independent research as soon as possible. Professors, researchers, and students must have the opportunity and encouragement to establish multidisciplinary contacts and subsequently collaborations. Clearly sufficient core and flexible external funding are a foundation for success, as is periodic peer review by world-class experts.

Measured by these criteria OIST has all the ingredients needed to make it into the top league of universities worldwide. This brochure shows that OIST has succeeded in attracting the very best professors from all around the world to carry out top-level research in Okinawa. There is strong evidence that the interdisciplinary ambition is now a reality with many units working on common projects. We have recently hired several new faculty, and we intend to have their units up and running in a very short time.

This is the fertile ground that I have inherited as OIST’s second president. I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead OIST, and I look forward to the future with great excitement.

Peter Gruss

1 Brain Mechanisms for Nonlinear and Evolutionary Genomics Unit Quantum Systems Unit Fluid Mechanics Unit Femtosecond Behaviour Unit Non-equilibrium Physics Unit Spectroscopy Unit

Professor Associate Professor Assistant Professor Professor Professor Associate Professor Gordon Arbuthnott Mahesh Bandi Tom Bourguignon Thomas Busch Pinaki Chakraborty Keshav Dani

BSc, PhD, The University of Aberdeen BEng, University of Madras Master in Biological Sciences and PhD, The University of Innsbruck BEng, The National Institute of BS, California Institute of Technology Formerly at The Karolinska Institute, MSc, PhD, The University of Pittsburgh Master of Advanced Studies in Sciences, Formerly at Konstanz University, Technology, Surat MA, PhD, The University of The University of Aberdeen, The University Formerly at The Los Alamos National PhD, Free University of Brussels The University of Innsbruck MS, PhD, The University of Illinois California, Berkeley of Edinburgh, and The University of Otago Laboratory, Harvard University, and Formerly at Hokkaido University, Aarhus University, Dublin Institute of Formerly at The University of Illinois Formerly at The Los Alamos National Brown University National University of Singapore Technology, and University College Cork Laboratory and The Lawrence Berkeley Currently at The University of Sydney National Laboratory The Brain Mechanisms for Behaviour and OIST The Fluid Mechanics Unit studies how Unit studies the over- or underpro- The Nonlinear and Non-equilibrium The Quantum Systems Unit investi- substances flow, be it the turbulent duction of dopamine, a reward chemical Physics Unit is an experimental group gates theoretical concepts of the churning of typhoons or oil streaming Using intense, ultrafast laser pulses, produced by certain neurons in the with broad interests in soft matter The Evolutionary Genomics Unit uses quantum world. Drawing from ultra- through a pipeline. The unit meticu- the Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit brain. Using techniques in physiology, physics, applied mathematics, next generation sequencing cold atomic gases and other natural lously analyzes motion through soap explores the optical properties of molecular genetics, and anatomy to mechanics, and their application to technologies to answer fundamental and synthetic quantum systems, their films and pipes to learn crucial details matter. Its members study graphene investigate dopamine’s role in neural biologically inspired problems. Unit questions in ecology and evolution. The aim is to devise models that explain of how energy disperses in two and and other two-dimensional materials systems, the unit studies the basic researchers work in the general area unit’s main research themes focus on quantum phenomena—such as a three dimensions. Modeling these for their potential in transparent, mechanisms of how animals, that concerns macroscopic, the evolution of symbiosis between particle being in two places at the phenomena can help predict motion, flexible electronics; research semi- including humans, interact with the non-relativistic matter and its insects and bacteria, the origin of same time—and develop methods to enhance our response to adverse conductors for photocatalytic and solar world. The results are relevant to interactions. Current interests include organism geographical distribution, and quantify, control, and engineer them. weather conditions, and improve the energy applications; and investigate diseases ranging from addiction to problems related to interfacial fluid the molecular evolution of insect management of oil-pipeline networks. applications of ultrafast laser pulses to Parkinson’s. dynamics, granular solids, and the defensive mechanisms. These research biology and medicine. biomechanics of the human foot. topics are investigated using a combination of molecular phylogenetics, genomics, and transcriptomics.

2 3 Computational Neural Computation Unit Biodiversity and Applied Topology Unit Electronic and Quantum Mathematics, Mechanics, and Neuroscience Unit Biocomplexity Unit Magnetism Unit Materials Unit

Professor Professor Assistant Professor Professor (Adjunct) Associate Professor Professor Erik De Schutter Kenji Doya Evan Economo Dmitry Yejun Feng Eliot Fried Feichtner-Kozlov

BMed, DMed, HabMed, The University BS, MS, and PhD, The University of Tokyo BSc, The University of Arizona MSc, Lund University BSc, Fudan University BA, University of California, Berkeley of Antwerp Formerly at The University of California, San PhD, The University of Texas PhD, Royal Institute of Technology, MA, The City College of New York MS, PhD, California Institute of Technology Formerly at The University of Antwerp Diego, The Salk Institute, and The ATR Formerly at The University of Michigan Stockholm MSc, PhD, The University of Washington Formerly at The University of Illinois Computational Neuroscience Laboratories Formerly at The Institute for Advanced Formerly at The University of Chicago Urbana-Champaign, McGill University, and Study, Princeton, The Royal Institute of Argonne National Laboratory, and The University of Washington The Computational Neuroscience Unit The Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Technology, and The Institute for Algebra, California Institute of Technology studies how neurons and microcircuits The Neural Computation Unit develops Unit explores how ecological and Geometry, Topology and their Applications, in the brain operate. Unit researchers algorithms that elucidate the brain’s evolutionary processes generate and The University of Bremen Research in the Mathematics, explore the influences of neuronal mor- mechanisms for robust and flexible sustain biodiversity across levels of The Electronic and Quantum Mechanics, and Materials Unit is phology and excitability on common learning. The unit focuses on how the biological organization. The unit’s Magnetism Unit explores fundamental focused on the formulation and neural functions such as synaptic brain processes reinforcement research on biodiversity integrates Applied Topology is an emerging field issues of correlations in electrons, analysis of mathematical models for plasticity and learning and determine learning, in which a biological or emerging theoretical, computational, in modern mathematics, which brings covering interest of both condensed novel systems in the mechanical and how molecular mechanisms enable artificial agent learns novel behaviors imaging, and informatics-based the classical techniques of algebraic matter physics and materials science. materials sciences. To derive these functions. Their studies focus in uncertain environments by approaches with field surveys and topology to applications in other fields This includes topics such as physically sound models, we rely on on the cerebellum as it has a relatively exploration and reward feedback. natural history collections. Current of mathematics, exact sciences as competition and evolution of charge the principles of statistical and simple anatomy, and the physiology Top-down computational approaches projects include the dynamics of ant well as computer science. The focus and magnetic orders, emergent continuum mechanics and of its main neurons is well known, are combined with bottom-up communities in the Pacific Islands, of our unit is on the applications of phenomena and fluctuation effects, thermodynamics. To extract insight allowing detailed modeling at many neurobiological approaches to achieve global ant diversity patterns and topological techniques to questions and frustration and disorder in from our models, we use tools from levels of complexity. these goals. conservation, the macroevolution of involving combinatorial structures, quantum magnets. Using differential and algebraic geometry, hyperdiverse ant radiations, the which may appear in geometry, temperature, pressure, and magnetic asymptotic analysis, bifurcation theory, evolution of organismal design, and combinatorics, or even distributed field as tuning methods and a wide and scientific computing. We also community-collaborative ecological computing. range of probes both locally and at design and perform experiments to monitoring of Okinawa’s ecosystems. international user facilities, we explore test predictions from, and guide macroscopic phenomena and their improvements to, our theories. microscopic origins.

4 5 Embodied Cognitive Science Unit Neural Coding and Brain Sensory and Behavioural Continuum Physics Unit Biological Systems Unit Mathematical and Theoretical Computing Unit Neuroscience Unit Physics Unit

Assistant Professor Professor Assistant Professor Professor Professor (Adjunct) Professor Tom Froese Tomoki Fukai Izumi Fukunaga Gustavo Gioia Igor Goryanin Shinobu Hikami

MEng, University of Reading BSc, MSc, PhD, Waseda University BSc, PhD, University College London Diploma in structural engineering, BSc, Moscow Engineering Physics Institute BSc, MSc, PhD, The University of Tokyo DPhil, University of Sussex Formerly at Tata Institute of Fundamental Formerly at The Max Planck Institute for University of Buenos Aires PhD, The Russian Academy of Science Formerly at The University of Tokyo Formerly at the University of Sussex, the Research, Brain Science Research Center, Medical Research and The Francis Crick MSc, Northwestern University Formerly at The Russian Academy of Science, University of Tokyo, and the National Tamagawa University, RIKEN Brain Science Institute PhD, Brown University University College London, The University Autonomous University of Mexico Institute, and The University of Tokyo Formerly at The University of Minnesota, of Edinburgh, and GlaxoSmithKline The Mathematical and Theoretical Rutgers University, and The University of Currently at The University of Edinburgh Physics Unit uses mathematical The Sensory and Behavioural Illinois Urbana-Champaign and OIST models, like random matrix theory, to The Embodied Cognitive Science Unit Cognitive functions of the brain, such Neuroscience Unit seeks to show that universal patterns can be investigates the hypothesis that as sensory perception, learning and understand how the brain processes observed in widely disparate systems, agent-environment interaction is an memory, and decision making emerge incoming sensory information from the Continuum Physics Unit members The Biological Systems Unit is working from theoretical systems in physics essential part of, rather than only a from computations by neural environment. We study how circuit carry out theoretical and experimental on devices in which microorganisms to concrete biological systems. product of, cognition. An agent’s mind networks. The advantages of mechanisms on different spatial and research in the mechanics of break down waste, releasing energy in is profoundly shaped by its biological neural computation in temporal scales underlie the sense of continuous media, including cellular the process. Key Okinawan industries embodiment and world, especially in comparison with machine smell using a variety of modern materials, granular materials, and such as awamori distilleries, pig and terms of social, cultural and computation reside in the way that the systems-neuroscience methods. We complex fluids with applications in chicken farms, sugar manufacturers, technological mediation. Using brain’s neural circuits implement seek to analyze the logic of local geophysics, materials science, and municipal wastewater treatment methods drawn from the intersection computation. To uncover neural code circuitry to understand how it is hydraulics, and structural engineering. facilities stand to benefit economically of computer science and complex and circuit mechanisms of brain ultimately used to guide behaviour and environmentally from this systems, the implications of this computing, the unit takes and how behaviorally-relevant signals approach. hypothesis are modeled and tested computational and theoretical across the brain shape the processing across scales from adaptive behavior approaches. The goal is to construct in olfactory sensory areas. to human thinking. Applications will a minimal yet effective description of advance our understanding of social powerful and flexible computation cognition, addiction, and implemented by the brain’s neural human-computer interaction. circuits.

6 7 Qubits and Spacetime Unit Evolution, Cell Biology and Immune Signal Unit Organic Optoelectronics Unit Coordination Chemistry and Integrated Open Systems Unit Symbiosis Unit Catalysis Unit

Assistant Professor (Adjunct) Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Professor (Adjunct) Philipp Höhn Filip Husnik Hiroki Ishikawa Ryota Kabe Julia Hiroaki Kitano Khusnutdinova

BSc, The Australian National University MSc, University of South Bohemia BSc, MSc, PhD, Nagoya University BS, Kansai University BSc, Kazan State University BA, International Christian University Diploma (equivalent), Humboldt Universität PhD, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy Formerly at Tohoku University and The MS, Osaka University PhD, University of Maryland, College Park PhD, Kyoto University zu Berlin of Sciences University of Miami PhD, Kyushu University Formerly at Washington University in St. Currently at Sony Computer Science PhD, Universiteit Utrecht Formerly at the University of British Formerly at Bowling Green State University, Louis and The Weizmann Institute Laboratories, The Systems Biology Institute, Formerly at the Perimeter Institute for Columbia The Max Plank Institute for Polymer of Science Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Theoretical Physics, the Institute for All animals and plants have an innate, Research and Kyushu University and OIST Quantum Optics and Quantum Information or non-specific, immune system of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and The Evolution, Cell Biology and to fight infection and disease. Unlike The Coordination Chemistry and University College London Symbiosis Unit studies major innate immune cells, cells in the The Organic Optoelectronics Unit Catalysis Unit focuses on designing Healthcare and sustainability are evolutionary transitions such as the adaptive immune system remember explores the optical and electrical new catalysts for reactions relevant to critical issues in the global agenda origin of the eukaryotic cell and its pathogens they have encountered. properties of organic molecules and renewable energy production, like that we are facing today. Both deal How do the structure and dynamics of endosymbiotic organelles, The Immune Signal Unit studies how their applications for optoelectronic electrochemically converting carbon with integrated open systems, such spacetime emerge from fundamental mitochondria and plastids. We explore cells in the adaptive immune system devices. The unit designs and dioxide into a liquid fuel, and in as biological systems and complex quantum building blocks and their how intracellular symbioses originate, are activated by the innate system synthesizes new organic molecules developing “green”, environmentally social systems, including energy and quantum laws? The Qubits and how they are maintained at the cellular and form memories of pathogens with based on computational calculations friendly methods for synthesizing transportation. They are highly Spacetime Unit studies this question level for up to hundreds of millions of the aim to design more and better and then discerns their excitonic organic compounds. The unit is also integrated, yet open-ended complex through an interplay of tools from years, and how the symbionts vaccines. dynamics. Controlling the exciton interested in studying the systems. The Integrated Open quantum information theory and eventually become either highly dynamics will enable the realization of electrochemical behavior of hybrid Systems Unit aims to understand gravitational physics. Our research lies integrated into their host cells or new optoelectronic devices. compounds consisting of organic the fundamental principles that at the interface of these fields and also extinct. parts and metallic parts and governopen complex systems and touches on the foundations of elucidating the relevant mechanisms apply such knowledge for real world physics. using spectroscopic methods. applications through a series of global activities such as the Garuda Alliance and sustainable living.

8 9 Cell Division Dynamics Unit Membranology Unit Quantum Dynamics Unit Optical Neuroimaging Unit Membrane Cooperativity Unit Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit

Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Professor Associate Professor Professor Professor Tomomi Kiyomitsu Keiko Kono Denis Bernd Kuhn Akihiro Kusumi Vincent Laudet Konstantinov

BS, MS, PhD, Kyoto University BS, MS, PhD, The University of Tokyo BSc, MSc, Moscow Institute of Physics Diploma, University of Ulm BSc, Kyoto University BSc, University of Strasbourg Formerly at Kyoto University, The Whitehead Formerly at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Technology Dr rer. nat., Technical University of Munich DSc, Kyoto University PhD, University of Lille I Institute for Biomedical Research – MIT, Harvard Medical Schoo,l and Nagoya City PhD, Brown University Formerly at The Max Planck Institute of Formerly at Kyoto University, The Medical Formerly at Institut Pasteur de Lille, the and Nagoya University University Formerly at The Institute of Physical and Biochemistry, The Max Planck Institute for College of Wisconsin, The University of École Normale Supérieure de Lyon and Chemical Research (RIKEN) and Brown Medical Research, and Princeton University Tokyo, Nagoya University, The ERATO Sorbonne University – Banyuls Sur Mer University and ICORP projects of Japan Science During the development of Cellular wounding and repair of local and Technology Agency (JST), and The Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit uses the multicellular organisms, cells divide plasma membranes occur constantly The Optical Neuroimaging Unit Kyoto University extraordinary diversity of coral reef fish to symmetrically or asymmetrically to in our bodies. Plasma membrane In the nanoscopic world, electrons develops novel techniques to better understand the role of hormones in create diverse tissues. The Cell damage can be induced by various can exist in many places at once—a investigate two fundamental questions the evolution of life history strategies by Division Dynamics Unit studies the triggers ranging from pathogen feature that, if harnessed to encode in neurobiology: how behavior arises The Membrane Cooperativity Unit strives integrating ecological, evolutionary and regulatory mechanisms of spindle invasion to muscle contraction. data, could revolutionize information from cellular activity and how the brain to understand how cellular plasma developmental components. We positioning that define division The Membranology Unit aims to processing. The Quantum Dynamics processes information. Kuhn, the unit membranes work at very fundamental particularly focus on specific traits that symmetry and asymmetry. By elucidate the molecular mechanisms Unit is exploring the behavior of head, has built two-photon laser levels. For this purpose, the unit is emerged during metamorphosis such as combining multiple advanced and physiological consequences of complex quantum systems, using high scanning microscopes that enable dedicated to developing unique pigmentation or behavior and how this technologies in cultured human plasma membrane repair. magnetic fields and ultra-low him to reconstruct 3D images of methodologies of single-molecule ultimately impacts the fitness of juveniles cells, stem cells and early fish A long-term scientific goal will be to temperatures to observe and control neurons with micron resolution and to observation-manipulation in living cells and adults. We also analyze how (Medaka) embryos, the unit further reveal the link between cancer/ electrons in certain conditions to find observe neuronal activity, both in and elucidating the mechanisms for the pollutants and endocrine disruptors affect advances our understanding of the senescence and the plasma how to regulate them for applications awake mice. plasma membrane organization and the action of hormones during the critical mechanisms and roles of spindle membrane. in quantum computing. function, enabled by cooperative step of larval recruitment. positioning, especially in relation to interactions of molecules in/on the plasma symmetric cell division. membrane, with particular emphases on signal transduction and neuronal network formation, by extensively using single-molecule technologies.

10 11 Protein Engineering and Genomics and Regulatory Information Processing Developmental Ecology and Evolution Unit Physics and Biology Unit Evolution Unit Systems Unit Biology Unit Neurobiology Unit

Assistant Professor Professor (Adjunct) Professor Professor Associate Professor (Adjunct) Professor Paola Laurino Nicholas Ichiro Maruyama Ichiro Masai Alexander Jonathan Miller Luscombe Mikheyev

MSc, Milan University BA, MA, The University of Cambridge PhD, The University of Tokyo BSc, MSc, PhD, The University of Tokyo BA, Cornell University BS, Yale University MPh, Leiden University PhD, University College London Formerly at National Institute of Genetics, Formerly at The University of Tokyo, MS, Florida State University PhD, The University of Cambridge PhD, ETH Zurich Formerly at Yale University, EMBL-European MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, King’s College London, PhD, The University of Texas (MRC LMB) Formerly at The Weizmann Institute Bioinformatics Institute, and The University The Scripps Research Institute, and The Institute of Physical and Currently at the Australian National PhD, California Institute of Technology of Science of Cambridge Molecular Sciences Institute, Chemical Research (RIKEN) University and OIST Formerly at Baylor College of Medicine, Currently at University College London, and Genome Institute of Singapore Princeton University, NEC Research Cancer Research UK, and OIST Institute, The University of Chicago, and Research in the Protein Engineering The Developmental Neurobiology Unit Evolution is the unifying principle of life Bell Laboratories and Evolution Unit applies chemical All life, from bacteria to humans, uses the zebrafish as a model system sciences. Recent technological approaches and protein engineering To function normally, organisms must senses and responds to its to study the mechanisms that control advances have revolutionized the way to study and manipulate protein ensure that genes are switched on environment in various ways. The cell development and tissue building. it is studied, providing new insights The Physics and Biology Unit functions. The unit is interested in and off at the right times and Information Processing Biology Unit OIST’s high-capacity aquarium system into historical questions. The Ecology develops physical science based tools exploring the evolution of cofactors/ locations. Gene expression control is explores how sensory organs detect houses some 200,000 fish in 4,800 and Evolution Unit utilizes cutting-edge aimed primarily at the study of substrates and their binding proteins, a complex process that requires the external information, how neurons tanks to maintain mutant and technology to address a wide range biological systems. Major interests and generating artificial enzymes. The coordinated action of many regulatory communicate, and how the brain transgenic lines of zebrafish for projects of research questions. The unit’s include genome evolution and unit also likes to apply synthetic biological molecules. Defects in the processes information at the molecular that investigate how the vertebrate investigations have included coevolution population genomics to obtain new biology tools for triggering cellular process can lead to many diseases, level. Results of this research can retina develops. of mutualists, landscape genetics of insight into how genetic variation responses and studying metabolic such as cancer. The Genomics and improve our understanding of the adaptation by herbivores to host couples natural selection and evolution. pathways and to explore challenging Regulatory Systems Unit combines mechanisms of cognitive diseases in plants, genomic changes in little fire chemical transformations. computational and experimental humans; help in drug design; and lead ant castes that influence invasiveness, methods to study principles of gene to better computers, sensors, and coevolution of leaf-cutting ants and regulation during early organismal other information processing devices. their cultivated fungi, and proteomics development. of pit viper venoms. Future projects will employ massive sequencing of environmental samples and museum collections to link major themes in ecology and evolution.

12 13 Marine Biophysics Unit Organic and Carbon Quantum Gravity Unit Light-Matter Interactions for Quantum Materials Science Unit Biological Complexity Unit Nanomaterials Unit Quantum Technologies Unit

Associate Professor Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Professor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Satoshi Mitarai Akimitsu Narita Yasha Neiman Síle Nic Chormaic Yoshinori Okada Simone Pigolotti

BS, MS, Osaka Prefecture University BSc, MSc, The University of Tokyo BA, Open University of Israel BSc, MSc, St. Patrick’s College, NUI BSc, PhD, Nagoya University BSc, University of Rome PhD, The University of Washington Dr rer nat, The Max Planck Institute for BSc, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev PhD, The University of Paris XIII Formerly at The Massachusetts Institute of PhD, The International School for Advanced Formerly at The University of California, Polymer Research and Johannes Gutenberg PhD, Tel Aviv University Formerly at The University of Innsbruck, Technology, Boston College, and Studies, Italy Santa Barbara University of Mainz Formerly at Pennsylvania State University The University of Melbourne, The Tohoku University Formerly at Niels Bohr Institute and Niels Currently at The Max Planck Institute for and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, Bohr International Academy, Universitat Polymer Research and OIST Physics and University College Cork Politècnica de Catalunya, and The Max The Marine Biophysics Unit examines The broad objective of the Quantum Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex how ocean currents affect the marine Materials Science Unit is to explore Systems life of hydrothermal vents and coral reefs The Organic and Carbon The Quantum Gravity Unit is a Interactions between light and matter novel physics in quantum materials, around Okinawa. Using buoy deploy- Nanomaterials Unit explores theoretical group driven by an interest occur all around us, from the lenses in which also leads to future ments, population genetics, computer syntheses of novel functional organic in the laws of nature. The group’s our eyes to photosynthesis. The nano-electronics and nano-spintronics The Biological Complexity Unit modeling, remotely and wave-operated materials and carbon-based work is at the interface of three pillars Light-Matter Interactions Unit isolates applications. Particularly, our unit studies how stochastic fluctuations vehicles, and physical oceanographic nanomaterials with perfectly defined of modern fundamental physics: and studies small numbers of particles focuses on topological materials, influence the dynamics of biological measurements, the unit is mapping structures, using the techniques of gravitation, particle physics, and as small as atoms using optical Dirac materials, 2D van der Waals systems and the strategies the Kuroshio current circulation, track- organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, cosmology. Using new models and nanofibers as an interface tool between materials, correlated systems, and implemented by biological systems ing larval dispersal, hunting for the and materials science. The unit aims theoretical tools, the group aims to light from lasers and the sample under high-Tc superconductors. to cope with these fluctuations. We source of an invasive coral-eating sea to elucidate the structure-property reconcile the conflicting lessons that investigation. The ultimate goal is to Our strength is the ability to combine aim at an understanding of these star, and monitoring plankton health. relationships of the nanomaterials as nature has taught us about the better understand photons, atoms, advanced material synthesis phenomena by means of theoretical well as their applications, ranging from structure of reality. Current work cells, and proteins—the building blocks techniques and ultra-high resolution methods and computational optoelectronics and nanoelectronics involves higher-spin theory, de Sitter of the world. single particle spectroscopies. This approaches typical of to spintronics and bioimaging. physics, holography, and black hole will allow us to design novel charge, non-equilibrium statistical physics. thermodynamics. spin, orbital, and/or phonon states in a variety of engineered quantum systems.

14 15 Energy Materials and Surface Marine Climate Change Unit Computational Neuroethology Molecular Genetics Unit Complex Fluids and Flows Unit Marine Genomics Unit Sciences Unit Unit

Professor Professor Assistant Professor Professor (Adjunct, Visiting) Assistant Professor Professor Yabing Qi Timothy Ravasi Sam Reiter Daniel Rokhsar Marco Edoardo Noriyuki Satoh Rosti

BSc, Nanjing University MSc, PhD, The University of Milan BS, Brown University AB, Princeton University BSc and MSc, Politecnico di Milano PhD, The University of Tokyo MPhil, The Hong Kong University of Science Formerly at The Scripps Research Institute PhD, NIH-Brown University Graduate MS, PhD, Cornell University PhD, University of London Formerly at Kyoto University and Technology (University of California, San Diego), Partnership Program Formerly at IBM TJ Watson Formerly at the KTH Royal Institute of PhD, The University of California, Berkeley RIKEN, The University of California, San Formerly at Brown University, National Research Center Technology and the University of Tokyo Formerly at Princeton University Diego and KAUST Institutes of Health, and The Max Planck Currently at The University of California, Sequencing the genomes of the major Institute for Brain Research Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National marine phyla helps explain relationships Laboratory, The US Department of Energy The Complex Fluids and Flows Unit between organisms, both in terms of The Energy Materials and Surface The Marine Climate Change Unit Joint Genome Institute, and OIST studies multiscale and multiphysics large-scale evolution and within their Sciences Unit is developing cost- studies the mechanisms of The Computational Neuroethology problems related to fluid dynamics ecosystems. The Marine Genomics efficient, large-area solar technology acclimation and adaptation of Unit seeks to uncover the principles by means of numerical simulations. Unit’s ability to quickly sequence large out of organic materials. These marine organisms to the governing animal behavior and its Work in the Molecular Genetics Unit Turbulence, non-Newtonian fluids, genomes has made the lab the first organic solar cells are lightweight, environment. We are particularly neural basis. To achieve this goal, combines comparative genomics, multiphase and fluid-solid interaction to decode the genetic sequences flexible, and can be printed roll-to-roll interested in looking at ecologically the unit combines novel methods for population genetic modeling, and problems are studied with the goal of a coral and a mollusk. The unit also like newsprint to cover windows, relevant issues in light of rapid high-resolution behavioral recording genetic mapping. The unit uses new of understanding the basic has found evidence of a common walls, and many other surfaces. They environmental changes, such as with systems neuroscience and approaches for sequencing and phenomena that govern the flows ancestor that links humans to sea stars. also use state-of-the-art ultrahigh climate change. Using the latest computational approaches. The unit analyzing genomes to investigate the and their application in more realistic vacuum instruments and a clean-room genomics approaches, we seek to currently focuses on coleoid evolution of morphological and scenarios in order to find practical device fabrication facility to investigate identify the molecular pathways cephalopods (cuttlefish, octopus, functional complexity among related ways to control and manipulate the properties of individual materials and responsible for the acclimation and and squid), a group of marine animals to be able to illuminate the flows. their interfaces to optimize the solar adaptation of tropical fish to rising invertebrates that evolved uniquely key transitions in their evolution. cell’s structure for better performance. ocean temperatures and large brains and complex behaviors. Current focus is on cephalopods acidification. – how their unique nervous system emerged independently of vertebrates and the genomic underpinnings of their capacity for complex behaviors.

16 17 Plant Epigenetics Unit Theory of Quantum Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit Quantum Wave Structural Cellular Nonlinear Analysis Unit Matter Unit Microscopy Unit Biology Unit

Associate Professor Professor Professor Professor Professor Associate Professor Hidetoshi Saze Nic Shannon Amy Shen Tsumoru Shintake Dean of Graduate School Daniel Spector Ulf Skoglund

BSc, MSc, Kyoto University BSc, The University of Birmingham PhD, University of Illinois at BSc, PhD, Kyushu University BSc, PhD, Stockholm University BS, Quincy University PhD, The University of Basel PhD, The University of Warwick Urbana-Champaign Formerly at The Institute of Physical and Formerly at The Karolinska Institute, MS, Southern Illinois University Carbondale Formerly at The National Institute Formerly at The University of Bristol, The Formerly at Harvard University and The Chemical Research (RIKEN) Stockholm University, and and Carnegie Mellon University of Genetics University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Washington Uppsala University PhD, Carnegie Mellon University The Max Planck Institute for the Physics Formerly at Zhejiang University, Technion of Complex Systems and Atomic The Quantum Wave Microscopy Unit’s – Israel Institute of Technology, and National Genes dictate many aspects of how Energy, and Alternative Energies Commission The Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit focuses newly assembled, low-energy electron The Structural Cellular Biology Unit Chiao Tung University living things look and act, but genes (CEA), Saclay on using complex fluids and complex microscope uses lensless technology combines microscopy and are also controlled. Epigenetics is the flows to create objects with morphology to construct crisp holograms of computation to visualize molecules study of mechanisms that determine and structure tailored precisely for protein and viruses. It is hoped that and cellular structures in 3D. A 300 Research in the Nonlinear Analysis whether a gene is active or not and Quantum materials are governed by applications in biotechnology, this new technology will yield keV transmission electron Unit is in theoretical mathematics, thus whether it has any effect on how their electrons interact. In metals, nanotechnology, and energy. The unit high-contrast single-molecule images microscope, Titan Krios, is used to where our broad goal is to refine, an organism. The Plant Epigenetics such as copper, electrons largely employs lab-on-a-chip platforms with at sub-nanometer resolution. A very understand the dynamics of develop, improve, and discover tools Unit studies epigenetic regulation in ignore one another, but in quantum analytical capacity to study the physics different project, called “The Wave macromolecules in situ and to to analyze and understand the world Arabidopsis and rice. It is also materials they have a “social life.” The of flow; the transport of mass, Energy Converter (WEC) Project,” investigate how they bind we live in. The basis of this improving traits of rice crops by Theory of Quantum Matter Unit’s main momentum, and energy; and reactive aims to generate electricity by placing and interact with each other. This investigation is the study of applying genomic information goal is to uncover new laws of physics processes at nano- and micron length turbines at key locations near the work has potential for drug delivery, as measurable quantities and the obtained by high- that explain interactions of electrons scales. Novel device designs have the shoreline, such as near tetrapods or it offers molecular details of protein relationships between them, while in throughput sequencing technology. in groups. potential to significantly enhance among coral reefs. Since 2018, the binding, virus structures, and receptor particular we are interested in the understanding of single-cell behavior, unit is testing the WEC prototypes in interactions in cell membranes. now classical paradigms developed developmental biology, and the Maldives. in the calculus of variations and neuroscience. These strategies can be partial differential equations and used to address challenges in drug especially in their connections with screening and the development of harmonic analysis and geometric bio- and chemical-sensors for disease, measure theory. security, and environmental monitoring.

18 19 Representation Theory and Biological Physics Experimental Quantum Cellular and Molecular Chemistry and Chemical Memory Research Unit Algebraic Combinatorics Unit Theory Unit Information Physics Unit Synaptic Function Unit Bioengineering Unit

Assistant Professor Assistant Professor (Adjunct) Assistant Professor Distinguished Professor (Fellow) Professor Assistant Professor Liron Speyer Greg Stephens Hiroki Takahashi Tomoyuki Takahashi Fujie Tanaka Kazumasa Z. Tanaka

MMath, University of Warwick BSc, Ohio University MS, PhD, The University of Tokyo MD, PhD, Tokyo Medical and BS, Gifu Pharmaceutical University BS, MS, Kitasato University PhD, Queen Mary University of London MSc, Syracuse University Formerly at the University of Sussex, the Dental University PhD, Kyoto University PhD, The University of California, Davis Formerly at the University of East Anglia, PhD, The University of Maryland University of Tokyo and Osaka University Formerly at Kyoto University, The University Formerly at The Scripps Research Institute Formerly at The RIKEN Center for Brain Osaka University and the University of Formerly at Princeton University and of Tokyo, and Doshisha University Science Virginia The Los Alamos National Laboratory Currently at VU University Amsterdam The Experimental Quantum The Chemistry and Chemical and OIST Information Physics Unit carries out In Cellular and Molecular Synaptic Bioengineering Unit develops methods The Memory Research Unit aims to Representation theory is a rich experimental studies on highly Function Unit, we investigate and strategies for the construction understand how memories are subject within algebra with controllable quantum systems. A mechanisms underlying the of organic molecules. The strategies encoded, retrieved and consolidated connections to many other areas of While physicists have long searched particular research emphasis is put maintenance of neurotransmission. that this unit investigates include in the brain. Extensive evidence and mathematics. Our unit is focused on for universal laws that explain the on the development of ion traps with As model preparations, we asymmetric synthetic methods and theoretical works suggest unique those parts of representation theory nature of matter and energy, until optical interfaces mediated by single developed rodent giant presynaptic organocatalytic methods. The roles of the hippocampus for these that generalize the study of recently the complexity of biological photons. A single atomic ion is terminals visualized in slices or molecules that this unit designs and processes and propose that it symmetric groups in several systems proved daunting. The trapped inside a high-Q optical culture, and human synapses newly creates include enzyme-like catalysts mnemonically processes external directions. In particular, for the Biological Physics Theory Unit micro-resonator such that it strongly formed in neuronal culture and functionalized small molecules. and internal information. algebras arising in our research, searches for simple, unifying principles interacts with photons. The unit differentiated from iPS cells. For Studies undertaken by this unit Nevertheless, its specific contribution algebraic combinatorics drives much in the brains and behavior of living investigates the novel physics of such functional analyses, we utilize contribute to the creation of molecules remains unclear. Our goal is to of the structure we study, which systems. Working closely with experi- strongly coupled quantum systems patch-clamp electrophysiology, live necessary to elucidate biological provide a comprehensive view on the largely centers around the mentalists, unit members combine and harnesses the ion-photon imaging and quantitative proteomics, mechanisms and the control of bio- hippocampal role in memory. To this philosophy of “decomposing quantitative biological measurements interaction to create a functional in combination. We aim at clarifying logical systems. end, we use in vivo electrophysiology representations”. with theoretical ideas drawn from quantum device for networked cellular and molecular mechanisms and Ca2+ imaging in freely moving statistical physics, information theory, quantum information processing. underlying dynamic brain functions, mice combined with genetic labeling, and dynamic systems. thereby obtaining effective manipulation, and tracing. therapeutic tools for neuronal diseases.

20 21 Cognitive Neurorobotics Molecular Neuroscience Unit Gravity, Quantum Geometry and Shocks, Solitons and Turbulence Human Developmental Quantum Machines Unit Research Unit Field Theory Unit Unit Neurobiology Unit

Professor Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Associate Professor Professor Professor (Adjunct) Jun Tani Marco Terenzio Reiko Toriumi Emile Touber Vice President for University Jason Twamley Community Services Gail Tripp

BSc, Waseda University MS, University of Padua BS, Indiana University Bloomington MSc, The University of Illinois BSc, PhD, PGDipClPs, The University BA, Trinity College Dublin MSc, The University of Michigan PhD, University College London PhD, University of California, Irvine Urbana-Champaign of Otago PhD, University of Alberta DrEng, Sophia University Formerly at Cancer Research UK, the Formerly at Centre de Physique Diplôme d’Ingénieur, Institut Supérieur de Formerly at The University of Otago Formerly at National University of Ireland Formerly at Sony Computer Science German Cancer Research Center and the Théorique de Luminy and Radboud Mécanique de Paris Maynooth and Macquarie University Laboratories Inc., RIKEN Brain Weizmann Institute of Science University Nijmegen PhD, University of Southampton Science Institute. and The Korean Advanced Formerly at GE Global Research in Munich The Human Developmental Institute of Science and Technology and Imperial College London Neurobiology Unit investigates the The Quantum Machines Unit The Molecular Neuroscience Unit The Gravity, Quantum Geometry and nature, causes, and management of develops, both theoretically and investigates how neurons regulate Field Theory Unit’s research interest ADHD. Unit members study why experimentally, devices that bring The Cognitive Neurorobotics Research Unit the flux of information from the lies in revealing the quantum nature of Shocks, solitons, and turbulence act children diagnosed with ADHD disparate types of individual quantum focuses on understanding brain-based periphery to the center. We look at spacetime. Geometrical aspects of to convert and redistribute kinetic respond differently to reinforcement, sub-systems together--to function mechanisms for recognition of the world by the mechanisms underlying the gravity, manifested in General energy across scales. We investigate and they work with colleagues collectively to perform useful tasks. conducting synthetic brain modeling studies correct localization of signaling Relativity, have been enjoyed by the theoretically and numerically such overseas conducting fMRI and drug Applications of quantum machines utilizing robotics experiment platforms. The complexes, endosomes, advancement in quantum gravity transfers to better understand natural studies to explore the disorder’s range from developing tomorrow’s essential research questions include how mitochondria and mRNP granules by approaches, such as matrix models, phenomena (e.g. space weather, underlying neurobiology. The unit is quantum computer networks to compositionality in cognition and actions can molecular transport and/or local tensor models, and lattice methods. penguin-huddle dynamics, and also studying the social problem creating ultra-precise magnetometers be developed by organizing hierarchy via protein synthesis and how this Quantum field theory is a solid vegetation dynamics) as well as solving skills of children with ADHD for biomedical imaging and inertial consolidative learning of behavioral affects neurodegeneration and modern tool in describing physical engineer them for transport (e.g. and developing a skills program for navigation. experiences, how novel actions and thoughts pathology. systems with many degrees of atmospheric entry, rocket propulsion, Japanese parents dealing with ADHD. can be generated with “free will,” and how freedom, letting us explore critical and self-driven cars), power social cognition can be developed to support phenomena and the scale generation (e.g. low-grade-heat use the spontaneous generation of cooperative dependence of physics through the and inertial confinement fusion), or behaviors with others. We investigate these renormalization group. We combine land management (e.g. soil problems by taking interdisciplinary these advanced tools to study decontamination using plant-fungi approaches. quantum gravity. dynamics).

22 23 Neuronal Rhythms in Movement Formation and Regulation Evolutionary Neurobiology Unit Neurobiology Research Unit Molecular Cryo-Electron Cell Signal Unit Unit of Neuronal Connectivity Microscopy Unit Research Unit

Assistant Professor Visiting Professor Assistant Professor Professor Associate Professor Professor Marylka Yoe David Van Vactor Hiroshi Watanabe Jeff Wickens Matthias Wolf Dean of Research Uusisaari Tadashi Yamamoto

MSc, PhD, Helsinki University BA, Johns Hopkins University BS, Tokai University BMedSc, MBChB, PhD, The University MPharm, The University of Innsbruck BSc, PhD, Osaka University Formerly at RIKEN Brain Science Institute, PhD, The University of California, MS, PhD, Tokyo Institute of Technology of Otago PhD, Brandeis University Formerly at The University of Tokyo and OIST, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Los Angeles Formerly at Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Formerly at The University of Otago Formerly at Harvard Medical School, Boston The National Institutes of Health and Erasmus MC Formerly at The University of California, Medical Science, Heidelberg Institute of Children’s Hospital, Brandeis University, and Berkeley, Harvard Medical School, Zoology, and The Centre for Organismal The University of Innsbruck Woods Hole Institute, and Cold Spring Studies (COS) at The University of Heidelberg The goal of the Neurobiology Using a mouse model, the Cell Signal The ultimate aim of the brain is to Harbor Laboratories Research Unit is to understand neural Unit explores the cause of various generate behaviour, virtually always Currently at Harvard Medical School mechanisms of learning in the brain. The Molecular Cryo-Electron diseases that include cancer, neuronal enacted through body movements and OIST Research projects of the Evolutionary The unit studies physical changes that Microscopy Unit investigates the disorders, immunological diseases, that are deliberate and well-timed. The Neurobiology Unit include (1) anatomical take place in synapses due to learning structure of macromolecular and diabetes/obesity at the molecular Neuronal Rhythms in Movement Unit and physiological dissections of the nervous experiences and how these changes complexes with an emphasis on level. Practically, the unit studies seeks to understand the “master The synapses in our brains communi- systems of basal metazoans, mainly on depend on dopamine, a chemical viruses, ion channels, and membrane biochemical reactions that cells use to clock” underlying the spatio-temporal cate via chemical signals billions diffused and regionally condensed nervous that plays a key role in motivation. This proteins. The unit seeks better respond to environmental cues with coordination of motor activity, through of times per second in order to sense systems of cnidarians, and (2) analysis of research has the forward goal of devel- understanding of macromolecular special emphasis on mechanisms by anatomical, electrophysiological, and respond to the world around genetic mechanisms underlying the oping better treatments for disorders functions that govern important which unneeded RNA copies are computational, and behavioural us. The Formation and Regulation of development of the regionalized such as Parkinson’s disease and processes such as infection and destroyed to silence gene expression. viewpoints, with a particular focus on Neuronal Connectivity Research Unit (semi-centralized) nervous system of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. cellular signaling, as well as improve- natural locomotion and the studies the assembly and mainten- cnidarians. The unit also carries out (3) a ments in specimen preparation and olivo-cerebellar system. ance of healthy synapses, using the comprehensive analysis of chemical image processing. In addition, the fruitfly model to explore the genetics neurotransmission among the basal unit explores novel techniques to regulating neural development. metazoan lineages. They combine obtain a detailed three-dimensional cutting-edge genetic, neuroscientific, and map of brain tissue at unprecedented neuroimaging techniques on cnidarians and resolutions. other basal metazoans and phylogenetic analysis to reconstruct the early evolutionary processes of the nervous system.

24 25 G0 Cell Unit Neuronal Mechanism for Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Neural Circuit Unit Bioinspired Soft Matter Unit Analysis on Metric Spaces Unit Critical Period Unit Engineering Unit

Professor Associate Professor Associate Professor Professor (Adjunct) Assistant Professor Assistant Professor (Adjunct) Mitsuhiro Yanagida Yoko Yohei Yokobayashi Yutaka Yoshida Ye Zhang Xiaodan Zhou Yazaki-Sugiyama

DrSci, The University of Tokyo BSc, Japan Women’s University BEng, MEng, The University of Tokyo BD, Keio University BS, Nankai University BS, Beijing Normal University Formerly at Kyoto University MSc, PhD, Sophia University PhD, The Scripps Research Institute PhD, University of Tokyo PhD, Hong Kong University of Science PhD, University of Pittsburgh Formerly at Sophia University, Duke Formerly at California Institute of Formerly at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Technology Formerly at Worcester Polytechnic Institute University, and The Institute of Physical Technology and The University of Medical Center Formerly at The University of Turin, Ecole The G0 Cell Unit investigates molecular and Chemical Research (RIKEN) California, Davis Currently at Burke Neurological Institute/ Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne mechanisms of cell regulations in Weill Cornell Medicine and OIST (EPFL), and Brandeis University The Analysis on Metric Spaces Unit division, called the vegetative cell cycle, explores analytic and geometric and arrest, known as the G0 phase, When we are young, our brains adapt Nucleic acids DNA and RNA are problems arising in diverse spaces, using post-genomic methods in at the whim of our sensory environ- fundamental building blocks of life. Neural Circuit Unit studies motor Nature designs materials as hierarchical especially those with no priori smooth combination with genetic approaches. ments. The Neuronal Mechanism for These biomolecules display circuits controlling locomotor and architectures with complex composite structures. Our research focuses on The unit is also investigating the Critical Period Unit studies how this remarkable chemical functions such skilled movements using various structures spanning the nano to partial differential equations, nonlinear health benefits of Okinawan produce “critical period” of malleability in the as information storage, catalysis, and techniques such as molecular biology, near-macro length scales to create potential theory and geometric and the origins of Okinawan longevity. young is orchestrated within the brain. molecular recognition. The Nucleic mouse genetics, trans-synaptic unique combinations of properties function theory on various metric Zebra finches, the unit’s model Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit’s viruses, optogenetic, and that are often difficult to achieve with spaces including sub-Riemannian organism of choice, learn to sing from goal is to harness the versatile chemogenetic tools. Among motor synthetic materials. The task of the manifolds. The tools applied in our their auditory experiences as young chemistry of nucleic acids to design circuits, we focus on sensory-motor Bioinspired Soft Matter Unit is to research include first-order analysis on birds, allowing researchers to explore and engineer functional nucleic acids and corticospinal circuits. Moreover, understand such amazing PI spaces, viscosity solution theory, what is happening during this (DNA, RNA, and their synthetic we are also interested in mechanisms and develop new sub-Riemannian geometry, nonlinear marvelous period. analogs) that operate in test tubes, understanding how we could promote man-made materials to mimic the potential theory, control/game theory, devices, and living cells. regeneration of motor circuits after structure, properties, or performance etc. This general framework provides injuries. of natural materials or living matters. a unified approach to problems arising in different fields of mathematics.

26 27 Other Faculty

Professor Executive Vice President for Technology Development and Innovation Robert Baughman

BA, New College MA, PhD, Harvard University Formerly at Harvard Medical School and NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Prof. Baughman was a neurobiologist at Harvard Medical School and an associate director in a division of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, part of the US National Institutes of Health. In 2007 he joined OIST as Vice President and Executive Director of the OIST Promotion Corporation, where he guided OIST’s development from the arrival of the first staff to full accreditation as a graduate university in November 2011. Baughman is now OIST’s Executive Vice President for Technology Development and Innovation.

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