- Career Background - Professor Iwaki

D. in Mathematics and Department of Mathematical Sciences, Kyoto University, and Assistant Professor at Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences, Nagoya University before assuming his current position in 2020.

The square root of a number is the number that, when squared, equals the original value; the square root of 1 is 1 or -1, and in particular, 1 that is greater than or equal to 0 is defined as √1 in high school. Have you ever thought, "It seems unnatural to choose only 1 as √1 when both 1 and -1 are equal as solutions to the algebraic equation x^2=1? In fact, when the domain of the function √x is extended to complex numbers, the unfamiliar equality "√1=-1" can be derived. This is not a contradiction at all, but rather, it is thought that the extension of the domain to complex numbers has allowed us to capture "the original state of the function √x," which has 1 and -1 as equal values. Through these considerations, we will introduce you to a glimpse of the theory of complex functions and other mathematics that you will learn in college.

- Biography - Ph.

D. in Department of Physics and Astrophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University. D. in Science.

The properties of matter (conductivity, magnetism, etc.) are often determined by the behavior of the electrons contained in it. Normally, these electrons are in a state of equilibrium or close to it, a "settled" state, and it is not easy to achieve a state away from it. However, recent technological innovations have made it possible to realize and observe "non-equilibrium" states that are far from equilibrium. Non-equilibrium states have the potential to be the basis for future technologies that transcend conventional limits, since they can produce materials (room-temperature superconductivity, time crystals, etc.) that are difficult to achieve in equilibrium. In this lecture, I would like to introduce the state-of-the-art of such research.

- Biography

Completed the second half of the Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, and worked as a Project Researcher at the same Department of Biological Sciences before assuming her current position in 2022. D. in Science.

The human genome contains genetic information that is the blueprint of our bodies. The remaining 98% has long been thought to be a junk sequence that has no function, but in recent years it has become clear that it actually plays an important role in determining when and where genes work. In this lecture, we will discuss the mechanism of "RNA silencing," in which "small RNA," less than 1/100th the size of a gene, regulates the function of moving genes called "transposons.

- Biography - Professor Tomonori Toya

D. in Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo. After working as Research Associate at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, he has been in his current position since 2013. D. in Science.

From the standpoint of cosmology, which seeks to unify and clarify the birth of galaxies, stars, and planets in the universe that began with the Big Bang, the birth of the first life is still a difficult question that is shrouded in mystery. In this lecture, I would like to discuss the birth of primordial life from a cosmic perspective and consider from the standpoint of science what the problem is and how many life-bearing stars are expected to exist in the universe.

- Biography -.

D. in Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Project Researcher, Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Project Assistant Professor, Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, before assuming his current position in 2021. D. in Information Science and Technology.

Just as we humans are unique, cells are also unique. By looking at cells one by one, we can see these individualities. However, cells are only about one-tenth the size of the thickness of a hair, and furthermore, they exist in large numbers in the body of an organism. If we were to look at these small and numerous cells one by one with a microscope, we would lose days. So what should we do? We have created a technique that combines the design and fabrication of tiny channels with deep learning and optical technology. In the lecture, I will introduce this technique and the physics behind it, as well as the individuality of cells that this technique reveals.

- Biography - Assistant Professor, Department of Bioinformatics

After graduating from the Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, and working as a Project Researcher at the Department of Biological Sciences, he has been in his current position since 2020.

Viruses such as COVID-19 are currently having a major impact on our social lives. What defenses do we have as humans? In the course of evolution, humans have acquired various defense systems (immune responses) against viral infections. The virus is recognized by "innate immunity," an immune response in the early stages of infection, and then virus-infected cells are eliminated from the body. In this talk, I will explain how humans recognize viruses and how they inhibit viral replication at the molecular level.