DATE2024.04.09 #Awards & Prizes

Professor Mikiko Siomi receives the 2024 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Disclaimer: machine translated by DeepL which may contain errors.

Professor Mikiko Siomi

Professor Mikiko Siomi of Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science has received the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. We extend our congratulations to her.
The theme of the award is "Research on Molecular Mechanisms of piRNA Mechanisms Essential for the Maintenance of Fertility.

DNA is the main body of genes and has a longer history of research as "genetics" than RNA. In fact, however, DNA is merely a recording device for genetic information. In comparison, RNA has been discovering new functions one after another since the discovery of "small RNA. In particular, "RNA silencing," in which RNA suppresses the function of genes, is very important for biological functions. In this hot field, Professor Siomi continues to be a top runner.
RNA silencing is a mechanism that suppresses gene expression triggered by RNA as small as 20 to 30 nucleotides in length. A typical example is RNA interference, which functions as an "immune mechanism" to protect the body against viral infections.
Professor Siomi and his colleagues have elucidated the function of small RNA molecules (piRNAs) that repress transposons specifically in reproductive tissues and protect the genome from being destroyed. piRNAs are essential for maintaining fertility.

This research is important because it may contribute to the development of new drugs and diagnostic systems that are expected to be effective in the treatment of infertility, as well as to solving the problem of declining birthrates that Japan is facing.

2024 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/houdou/mext_01364.html

(Responsibility: Professor Takehiko Kobayashi, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences)