プロボスト・レクチャー・シリーズ

2025

The Provost Lecture Series 20

Tsumoru Shintake

Date: Friday, September 12, 2025

Speaker: Professor Tsumoru Shintake, Quantum Wave Microscopy Unit

Title: OIST EUV Lithography invention makes mobile phone chip fabrication easier and faster

Abstract:
This is a good example: 'Classical optics works very well', which is the scope of B11 classes for students. This is applied science, not quantum mechanics. Today's advanced chips, like those in your mobile phone, use extreme ultraviolet light to print logic circuit patterns with nanometre resolution onto the wafer. Current ASML technology uses 1 megawatt of AC power and is extremely expensive. It costs around 200 million euros. The OIST invention is ten times more efficient, i.e. consuming less than 100 kW and costs less than 50 million euros. We are developing this technology, which will be tested at Lab5 soon.

Chair: Professor Matthias Wolf, Molecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 19

Sam Reiter

Date: Friday, April 25, 2025

Speaker: Professor Samuel Reiter, Computational Neuroethology Unit

Title: Contingency and convergence in brains and behavior

Abstract:
If you could rewind the tape of life 600 million years and played it again, would you see the same kinds of minds? Looking at octopus, cuttlefish, and squid I argue no... but yes.

Chair: Professor Timothy Ravasi, Marine Climate Change Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 18

Marco Edoardo Rosti

Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Speaker: Professor Marco Edoardo Rosti, Complex fluids and flows Unit

Title: Studying the multiscale nature of multiphase turbulence

Abstract:
Turbulent flows are ubiquitous in nature and industrial applications, but notoriously difficult to predict, owing to the non-linear and multiscale dynamics at play. The situation is further complicated when considering multiphase flows, where turbulent fluctuations can profoundly affect the dynamics of the dispersed phase, which in turn, can modulate the turbulent flow in complex and sometimes unpredictable ways. In the talk, I will discuss how we are advancing our understanding of multiphase turbulence.

Chair: Professor Pinaki Chakraborty, Fluid Mechanics Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 17

Shinobu Hikami

Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025

Speaker: Professor Shinobu Hikami, Mathematical and Theoretical Physics Unit

Title: Quantum chaos, knots and strings

Abstract:
The statistics for nature, in many case, finds universal quantum chaotic behaviors.
Entangled knots have a relation to string theory with BPS invariants created by Schwinger effect.
We discuss the relations between these three subjects with examples of phenomena in exotic materials.

Chair: Professor Reiko Toriumi, Gravity, Quantum Geometry and Field Theory Unit

2024

The Provost Lecture Series 16

Keshav Dani

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024

Speaker: Professor Keshav Dani, Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit

Title: Briefly in focus

Abstract:
I will discuss - in a way that’s accessible to the broader OIST community - the various fun and interesting scientific activities of the Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit over the past decade.

Chair: Professor Nic Shannon, Theory of Quantum Matter Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 15

Evan Economo

Date: July 16, 2024

Speaker: Professor Evan Economo, Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit

Title: Biodiversity in the era of big data: treasure maps, trap-jaws, and the Metaverse

Abstract:
The diversity of life on this planet is still poorly documented and understood, even as it is under serious threat. Nonetheless, emerging technologies are providing new opportunities to unveil biodiversity and track how it is changing in the Anthropocene.  In this talk, I overview several lines of research in our lab to develop big data approaches to biodiversity science, focusing on.  First, I discuss a project to resolve a species-level map of life for ants, and how this has illuminated both global patterns of diversification and important regions for conservation. Second, we need to monitor changes to populations and communities under anthropogenic stressors. I present work using community-collaborative observation networks to monitor ecological dynamics and track the spread of introduced species. Third, organisms are more than points on a map, and 3D X-ray tomography can capture big data to investigate organismal form and function across the tree of life.  As an example, I present work on the spectacular diversification of ant mandibles, including the repeated evolution of specialized ultrafast weapons. Finally, I offer some perspectives for how big data and immersive media technologies can change how we interact with biodiversity in the lab, at home, and in the field. These research lines grew along with—and benefited from—the interdisciplinary environment at OIST.

Chair: Professor Nic Shannon, Theory of Quantum Matter Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 14

Yoko Yazaki-Sugiyama

Date: March 25, 2024

Speaker: Professor Yoko Yazaki-Sugiyama, Neuronal Mechanism for Critical Period Unit

Title: Singing in the brain: learning to vocalize by communicating with others during development

Abstract:
Like humans learning to speak, songbirds learn to sing by socially communicating with tutors during their developmental period. Both types of learning do not require guidance, rewards or punishments, but are innate to each species and induced by hearing the vocalizations by adults of their own species. Our lab, Neuronal Mechanism for Critical Period unit, has been investigating cell, neuronal circuit and system mechanisms of innate songbird learning from auditory experience, including how birds detect their own species song, learn intensively with vocal communication, and learn exclusively during developmental critical periods. In this talk, I will present our lab recent works for understanding the underlying neuronal mechanism for memory formation of auditory experience of tutor singing and auditory memory guided vocal motor mimicking.

Chair: Professor Jeff Wickens, Neurobiology Research Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 13

Satoshi Mitarai

Date: March 21, 2024

Speaker: Professor Satoshi Mitarai, Marine Biophysics Unit

Title: Developing the Marine Biophysics Unit

Abstract:
The Marine Biophysics Unit (MBU) was established at OIST in 2009, because of Okinawa’s ideal geographic position and access to the outstanding research resources of OIST. Okinawa’s beautiful coral reefs lie at the northern boundary of the Pacific Ocean region with the highest marine biodiversity, exposed to large seasonal variations in water temperature. Okinawa is located close to hydrothermal vent fields that support ecosystems of endemic species that do not depend on photosynthesis. It is also situated in “Typhoon Alley”, the region with the most frequent and fully-developed tropical cyclones on Earth. The MBU takes advantage of these natural resources to study the interaction of physical and biological processes in the ocean. I will introduce some examples of the MBU research activities.

Chair: Professor Amy Shen, Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Provost

The Provost Lecture Series 12

Yasha Neiman

Date: February 22, 2024

Speaker: Professor Yasha Neiman, Quantum Gravity Unit

Title: Gravity just wants to spend more time with you.

Abstract:
This is a physics lecture for non-physicists. Our main goal will be to understand the familiar gravitational force as a consequence of time dilation. We will talk about:

1. How the reflection and refraction laws of geometric optics follow from Fermat's least-time principle.
2.  "Experienced time" vs. "coordinate time" in Special Relativity and the twins' paradox.
3. Inertia from a "most experienced time principle".
4. Newtonian gravity from a modification of the experienced-time formula.
5. The metric field of General Relativity.
6. Electromagnetism as an "extra" contribution to experienced time.
7. Mass, charge, action.

Chair: Professor Sam Reiter, Computational Neuroethology Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 11

Tomoyuki Takahashi

Date: February 1, 2024

Speaker: Professor Tomoyuki Takahashi, Cellular and Molecular Synaptic Function Unit

Title: Half Century with Synapse

Abstract:
Central synapses dynamically direct the flow of action potential signaling through neuronal circuits, thereby regulating brain functions. Synaptic transmission relies on chemical neurotransmitters, which are concentrated in presynaptic vesicles and released by exocytosis. To maintain neurotransmission, vesicles are continuously recycled and refilled with transmitter, a process that consumes most of the ATP provided to the brain. In the past half century, I have explored the fundamental regulatory mechanisms of synaptic transmission. Towards the terminal of my research track, I tackled the underlying causes of synaptic dysfunctions and luckily reached a promising platform, providing new possibilities for the treatment of brain diseases.

Chair: Professor Kenji Doya, Neural Computation Unit

2023

The Provost Lecture Series 10

Yabing Qi

Date: December 14, 2023

Speaker: Professor Yabing Qi, Energy Materials and Surface Sciences Unit

Title: Surface sciences and perovskite solar cells

Abstract:
Solar cells based on metal halide perovskite materials have emerged as a promising candidate for next-generation photovoltaic technology. In these solar cell devices, surfaces and interfaces play a pivotal role. In this talk, I will share our research results on surface science studies on perovskite materials. Also, I will show a few examples to demonstrate the solar cell applications of perovskite materials.

Chair: Professor Evan Economo, Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Dean of Faculty Affairs

The Provost Lecture Series 9

Hidetoshi Saze

Date: October 3, 2023

Title: Plant Genomics and Epigenomics

Speaker: Professor Hidetoshi Saze, Plant Epigenetics Unit

Abstract:
Genomes of higher eukaryotes, including plants, harbor a multitude of repetitive elements known as transposons. In this lecture, I will present our recent research focused on the epigenome regulation of genes and transposons, highlighting their significant role in plants' responses to environmental stimuli. Furthermore, I will introduce our collaborative research initiatives, which employ plant genomics approach to tackle pressing challenges within Okinawan society.

Chair: Professor Tadashi Yamamoto, Cell Signal Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 8

Christine Luscombe

Date: September 22, 2023

Speaker: Professor Christine Luscombe, pi-Conjugated Polymers Unit

Title: Making sense of the mess

Abstract:
Polymers, ubiquitous in both the synthetic and natural world, display fascinating structural diversity and applications. This structural diversity makes polymers messy and difficult to understand. One way to disentangle the mess is to synthesize them in a more controlled fashion. In this talk, I will present our work in developing the controlled synthesis of semiconducting polymers, which led to our 2022 Society of Polymer Science Japan Award.

Chair: Professor Gail Tripp, Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 7

Izumi Fukunaga

Date: April 20, 2023

Title: Smelling flexibly

Speaker: Professor Izumi Fukunaga, Sensory and Behavioural Neuroscience Unit

Abstract:
Adapting neural representations to rapidly changing behavioural demands is a powerful property of the nervous system. It is beneficial because an optimal representation of a stimulus depends on what the animal needs to do at a given moment. Accordingly, context-dependent modulation occurs throughout the sensory systems of the brain. Still, we are only beginning to understand the underlying mechanisms. I will share some of our attempts on this quest from our studies on the mouse olfactory system.

Chair: Professor Simone Pigolotti, Biological Complexity Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 6

Simone Pigolotti

Date: March 30, 2023

Title: On things that grow

Speaker: Professor Simone Pigolotti, Biological Complexity Unit

Abstract:
Thanks to progress in physics, we understand fairly well the behavior of inanimate matter at thermodynamic equilibrium. But can physics help us understand things that are out of equilibrium and alive? In this Lecture, using examples from our research, I will try to convince the audience that the answer is yes.

Chair: Professor Izumi Fukunaga, Sensory and Behavioural Neuroscience Unit

The Provost Lecture Series 5

Ulf Skoglund

Date: February 16, 2023

Title: A quest to enable viewing individual proteins at 1nm resolution

Speaker: Professor Ulf Skoglund, Structural Cellular Biology (SCB) Unit, Dean of the Graduate School

Abstract:
Three-dimensional (3D) visualization of individual, or clustered, protein conformations (e.g. movements, flexing and rotations) is one helpful way to understand protein behavior under various conditions. Using specimen recordings from a number of viewing angles in a transmission electron microscope, a 3D reconstruction of a selected volume containing the specimen can be calculated. Algorithms, that our research unit is developing at OIST, enable the 3D reconstructions to be calculated at sub-1-nm resolution for proteins as small as 35kD in fast-frozen buffer solutions. As a result, we can now establish the clustered conformational space distribution for a given macromolecule by analyzing snapshots of its various 3D conformations as they appear in a chosen buffer. This technology is useful for the pharmaceutical industries because they can view their molecules different conformational states as dependent on the buffers used.

Chair: Professor Amy Shen, Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Provost

The Provost Lecture Series 4

Paola Laurino

Date: January 24, 2023

Title: From so simple a beginning

Speaker: Professor Paola Laurino, Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit

Abstract:
From an empty space in September 2017, we built up the Protein Engineering and Evolution Unit. Thanks to OIST support in these last five years, we took over high-risk projects that led to significant discoveries. Among these projects, I will discuss a new system established in our laboratory that changes our view of enzyme performance in natural conditions.

Chair: Professor Simone Pigolotti, Biological Complexity Unit

2022

The Provost Lecture Series 3

Tom Bourguignon

Date: December 14, 2022

Title: A passion for little creatures with six legs

Speaker: Professor Tom Bourguignon, Evolutionary Genomics Unit

Abstract:
While many find insects repulsive, like many Japanese kids, I developed a passion for them. I first enjoyed collecting beetles until I settled to study cockroaches as an undergraduate student, especially their social forms, better known as termites. I brought this passion for bugs with me in Okinawa, and in this lecture, I will narrate the epic tale of termites. I will explain how they became one of the most abundant animal groups in terrestrial ecosystems and how their world is now threatened by human activities. I hope this lecture will convince you that cockroaches (and insects in general) are not creepy but wonderful little creatures.

Chair: Professor Amy Shen, Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Provost

The Provost Lecture Series 2

Mahesh Bandi

Date: November 15, 2022

Title: Not all those who wander are lost

Speaker: Professor Mahesh Bandi, Nonlinear and Non-equilibrium Physics Unit

Abstract:
People often find my research style confusing because they can’t bin me in a specific field. When asked about my specialty, I often joke that I work in “Doesn’t Matter Physics” as it chimes with Condensed Matter Physics. More seriously though, I see Physics as the Art of Approximations that provides a general bag of tools to think about many things beyond the field’s core questions. As an exemplar, I’ll discuss pandemic related experimental work when we manufactured N95 masks with cotton candy machines, or electrocharged them with homemade plasma sources, and if time permits, I'll go beyond these two. The talk will be accessible to a broad, even non-scientific audience. Intuition from everybody’s commonplace experience will guide us to the solutions with minimal reliance on theory.

Chair: Dr. Peter Gruss, President

The Provost Lecture Series 1

Ichiro Maruyama

Date: November 1, 2022

Title: My (perhaps too) challenging life in science and technology

Speaker: Professor Ichiro Maruyama, Information Processing Biology Unit

Abstract:
In this inaugural lecture of Provost Lecture Series initiated by Amy Shen, I will look back my life in science and technology, which I hope to give some (good and bad) hints for young people on how to spend their lives in science and technology.
As a founding member in four places in four different countries including in OIST, I have continued to challenge scientific dogmas with a number of brave colleagues.
In 1983, I started my career as a postdoc in MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK, where we discovered gene amplification in germline cells of multicellular organisms, which is still a rare example in the field.
When Sydney Brenner, a founding president of OIST, initiated MRC Molecular Genetics Unit in Cambridge, UK in 1986, I started to buy everything including benches, shelves and machines as one of two members including Sydney. There we developed a surface display vector based on bacteriophage lambda for the expression of foreign proteins. Using the vector, we observed single molecules for the first time in history according to US biophysical society.
Then I made a trans-Atlantic journey from Cambridge, UK to La Jolla in Southern California, where then The Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation changed its name to The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) by founding Department of Cell Biology. I was a founding member of the Department, and started a major challenge to a dogmatic model for mechanisms underlying activation of transmembrane cell-surface receptors.
I also made a trans-Pacific journey to Okinawa from California after spending three years at Biopolis in Singapore as a founding member of Genome Institute of Singapore.

Chair: Professor Ulf Skoglund, Structural Cellular Biology Unit

問合せ先: プロボストオフィス, Eメール: provost_office@oist.jp