【Okayama University】Hosts Special Lecture "Trends in Advanced Medical Research - Okayama University Cryo-FIB-SEM and Tomography Special Lecture in Shikata"
Key facts
- 【Okayama University】Hosts Special Lecture "Trends in Advanced Medical Research - Okayama University Cryo-FIB-SEM and Tomography Special Lecture in Shikata"
- On February 10, 2026, Okayama University held a special lecture titled "Trends in Advanced Medical Research" at its Shikata Campus as part of the J-PEAKS project. Professor Hitoshi Kurumizaka from the University of Tokyo delivered a lecture on the latest research findings regarding genome function regulation using cryo-electron microscopy, with a total of 74 participants attending both in-person and online. This event highlights the university's efforts to strengthen its function as a regional core research university by promoting the shared use of advanced equipment, such as the first cryo-electron microscope and cryo-FIB-SEM introduced in the Chugoku-Shikoku and Western Japan regions, respectively.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 1, 2026
Direct answer
On February 10, 2026, Okayama University held a special lecture titled "Trends in Advanced Medical Research" at its Shikata Campus as part of the J-PEAKS project. Professor Hitoshi Kurumizaka from the University of Tokyo delivered a lecture on the latest research findings regarding genome function regulation using cryo-electron microscopy, with a total of 74 participants attending both in-person and online. This event highlights the university's efforts to strengthen its function as a regional core research university by promoting the shared use of advanced equipment, such as the first cryo-electron microscope and cryo-FIB-SEM introduced in the Chugoku-Shikoku and Western Japan regions, respectively.
- Citation
- 【Okayama University】Hosts Special Lecture "Trends in Advanced Medical Research - Okayama University Cryo-FIB-SEM and Tomography Special Lecture in Shikata" (June 1, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 1, 2026
On February 10, 2026, Okayama University held a special lecture titled "Trends in Advanced Medical Research" at its Shikata Campus as part of the J-PEAKS project. Professor Hitoshi Kurumizaka from the University of Tokyo delivered a lecture on the latest research findings regarding genome function regulation using cryo-electron microscopy, with a total of 74 participants attending both in-person and online. This event highlights the university's efforts to strengthen its function as a regional core research university by promoting the shared use of advanced equipment, such as the first cryo-electron microscope and cryo-FIB-SEM introduced in the Chugoku-Shikoku and Western Japan regions, respectively.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 1, 2026 at 02:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 31, 2026 at 17:17
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 09:42 (40h 24m after Collected)
May 31, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Okayama University
◆ Overview
On February 10, 2026, the Medical Research and Development Strategy Committee of Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu) held a special lecture titled "Trends in Advanced Medical Research - Okayama University Cryo-FIB-SEM and Tomography Special Lecture in Shikata" at the Shikata-Kaikan Auditorium on the Shikata Campus. This event was part of the university's initiatives under the "Japan Program for Enhancing Research Universities with Regional Core and Distinctive Characteristics (J-PEAKS)." The "Trends in Advanced Medical Research" series provides a platform for lectures and opinion exchanges with world-leading researchers in cutting-edge medical fields. This time, a total of 74 people participated, both in-person and online.
The event began with opening remarks from Dr. Keiji Naruse, Dean of the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences. This was followed by an "Overview of Okayama University's J-PEAKS" by Dr. Masaki Koumoto, Vice Director of the Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, and an "Overview of the University's Cryo-Electron Microscope and Cryo-FIB-SEM" by Associate Professor Osataka Numoto of the International Center for Structural Biology, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science.
The special lecture, titled "Molecular Basis of Genome Function Regulation Governed by Chromatin Structure and Dynamics," was delivered by the invited speaker, Professor Hitoshi Kurumizaka from the Institute for Quantitative Biosciences at the University of Tokyo. Professor Kurumizaka is one of the world's leading researchers in the structural analysis of genomic DNA within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. In his lecture, he introduced the latest findings, including chromatin structure research using cryo-electron microscopy, and explained the molecular mechanisms and biological significance of how genome function is regulated in a multi-layered and dynamic manner. After the lecture, a lively Q&A and discussion session was held with participants, moderated by Dr. Jian-Ren Shen, Director of the Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, providing a valuable opportunity to engage with the forefront of genome science research.
As part of its J-PEAKS initiatives, Okayama University is promoting the enhancement and shared use of advanced analytical and measurement equipment and infrastructure. The university is sharing its cryo-electron microscope, the first to be introduced in the Chugoku-Shikoku region, and its cryo-FIB-SEM device, the first in Western Japan, thereby strengthening collaboration and networks with other institutions. Please look forward to the continued efforts of Okayama University as an open, regional core, and distinctive research university.
This information was released on May 31, 2026.
【Program】
16:00-16:05 Opening Remarks
Dr. Keiji Naruse, Dean, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
16:05-16:15 Overview of Okayama University J-PEAKS
Dr. Masaki Koumoto, Executive Vice Director, Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, Okayama University
16:15-16:30 Overview of Okayama University's Cryo-Electron Microscope and Cryo-FIB-SEM
Assoc. Prof. Osataka Numoto, International Center for Structural Biology, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University
16:30-18:00 Special Lecture
"Molecular Basis of Genome Function Regulation Governed by Chromatin Structure and Dynamics"
Prof. Hitoshi Kurumizaka, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo
Chair: Dr. Jian-Ren Shen, Director, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University
【Target Audience】
Undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, researchers, etc.
【Organizer】
Okayama University
【Co-organizers】
Okayama University Medical Research and Development Strategy Committee
Okayama University J-PEAKS
◆ Contact Information
Okayama University Medical Research and Development Strategy Committee (Admin: Hospital Research Promotion Division)
2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558, Japan (Okayama University Shikata Campus)
TEL: +81-86-235-7982
E-mail: kensui-soumu@adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
Okayama University
◆ Overview
On February 10, 2026, the Medical Research and Development Strategy Committee of Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Yasutomo Nasu) held a special lecture titled "Trends in Advanced Medical Research - Okayama University Cryo-FIB-SEM and Tomography Special Lecture in Shikata" at the Shikata-Kaikan Auditorium on the Shikata Campus. This event was part of the university's initiatives under the "Japan Program for Enhancing Research Universities with Regional Core and Distinctive Characteristics (J-PEAKS)." The "Trends in Advanced Medical Research" series provides a platform for lectures and opinion exchanges with world-leading researchers in cutting-edge medical fields. This time, a total of 74 people participated, both in-person and online.
The event began with opening remarks from Dr. Keiji Naruse, Dean of the Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences. This was followed by an "Overview of Okayama University's J-PEAKS" by Dr. Masaki Koumoto, Vice Director of the Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, and an "Overview of the University's Cryo-Electron Microscope and Cryo-FIB-SEM" by Associate Professor Osataka Numoto of the International Center for Structural Biology, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science.
The special lecture, titled "Molecular Basis of Genome Function Regulation Governed by Chromatin Structure and Dynamics," was delivered by the invited speaker, Professor Hitoshi Kurumizaka from the Institute for Quantitative Biosciences at the University of Tokyo. Professor Kurumizaka is one of the world's leading researchers in the structural analysis of genomic DNA within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. In his lecture, he introduced the latest findings, including chromatin structure research using cryo-electron microscopy, and explained the molecular mechanisms and biological significance of how genome function is regulated in a multi-layered and dynamic manner. After the lecture, a lively Q&A and discussion session was held with participants, moderated by Dr. Jian-Ren Shen, Director of the Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, providing a valuable opportunity to engage with the forefront of genome science research.
As part of its J-PEAKS initiatives, Okayama University is promoting the enhancement and shared use of advanced analytical and measurement equipment and infrastructure. The university is sharing its cryo-electron microscope, the first to be introduced in the Chugoku-Shikoku region, and its cryo-FIB-SEM device, the first in Western Japan, thereby strengthening collaboration and networks with other institutions. Please look forward to the continued efforts of Okayama University as an open, regional core, and distinctive research university.
This information was released on May 31, 2026.
【Program】
16:00-16:05 Opening Remarks
Dr. Keiji Naruse, Dean, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University
16:05-16:15 Overview of Okayama University J-PEAKS
Dr. Masaki Koumoto, Executive Vice Director, Organization for Research Promotion and Collaboration, Okayama University
16:15-16:30 Overview of Okayama University's Cryo-Electron Microscope and Cryo-FIB-SEM
Assoc. Prof. Osataka Numoto, International Center for Structural Biology, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University
16:30-18:00 Special Lecture
"Molecular Basis of Genome Function Regulation Governed by Chromatin Structure and Dynamics"
Prof. Hitoshi Kurumizaka, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo
Chair: Dr. Jian-Ren Shen, Director, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University
【Target Audience】
Undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, researchers, etc.
【Organizer】
Okayama University
【Co-organizers】
Okayama University Medical Research and Development Strategy Committee
Okayama University J-PEAKS
◆ Contact Information
Okayama University Medical Research and Development Strategy Committee (Admin: Hospital Research Promotion Division)
2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558, Japan (Okayama University Shikata Campus)
TEL: +81-86-235-7982
E-mail: kensui-soumu@adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
FAQ
In which region of Japan is Okayama University located?
It is a national university headquartered in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, in the Chugoku region of Japan.
Is the cryo-FIB-SEM device common in Okayama or Western Japan?
No, according to the article, the cryo-FIB-SEM device installed at Okayama University is the first of its kind in Western Japan. This highlights the university's advanced research capabilities.
What impact does this lecture have on the research community in Okayama?
By sharing insights from a world-leading researcher, it can inspire researchers in Okayama and the surrounding areas, potentially leading to new collaborations and innovations.