News in 2017

12. 11-12. 2017

20th Research and Presentation Meeting of the Society of Environmental Hormone Research

Participated in the 20th Research and Presentation Meeting of the Society of Environmental Hormone Research We participated in the 20th Research Presentation of the Society of Environmental Hormone Research held at Rokko Hall, Kobe University Centennial Hall. Ms. Nishimoto, a second-year master’s student, gave a poster presentation titled “Correlation Analysis of ERα-ERRα Cooperative Effects with the Number of Linker Bases Linking Estrogen Response Sequences. The venue, Kobe University, is located at the top of a hill, which gave our legs and backs a workout. Therefore, when I went outside after the symposium, which was held until late, I could see the whole night view of Kobe. Unfortunately, I did not win a poster award, but I received questions from many professors and students. It was good to be able to confirm the issues to be addressed in the future.

 

12. 6-9. 2017

The 2017 Joint Annual Meeting of Life Science Societies

The 2017 Joint Annual Meeting of Life Science Societies (the 40th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan and the 90th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Biochemical Society) was held at Port Island, Kobe. Ms. Sugiyama, a third-year doctoral student, presented a paper entitled “Bisphenol A exposure-induced hypoactivity symptoms in mice is associated with abnormal expression of circadian rhythm-transducing neuropeptide gene,” Mr. Masuya, a first-year master’s student, presented a paper entitled “Binding test of toxic chemicals and new-generation bisphenols to estrogen receptor β,” and Dr. Matsushima presented a paper entitled Dr. Matsushima gave a poster presentation entitled “Library Screening of New Generation Bisphenols, Environmental Chemicals Binding to Estrogen Receptor α”. This year, many life science societies gathered for their annual conferences, and I was surprised by the large number of participants. I learned about new experimental methods and data analysis. I will make use of them in my future experiments.

 

11. 20-22. 2017

The 54the Japanese Peptide Symposium

We participated in the 54th Peptide Symposium held at Nakamozu Campus, Osaka Prefecture University. Dr. Sugiyama, a third-year PhD student, gave a poster presentation entitled “Phe2715.39 of thrombin receptor PAR-1 is a specific target of Phe-2-phenyl group of its tethered ligand”. Prior to this, on November 19, Dr. Matsushima presented “Risk Science and Hormone Receptors in Modern Society” at the Peptide Citizen Forum 2017. I didn’t know how to read the name of Nakamozu station and had a hard time finding out how to get there, but I learned a lot from all the presentations. I will do my best to make another presentation next year.

 

7. 1. 2017

The 54th Joint Kyushu Meeting

As usual, the 54th Joint Kyushu Meeting of Chemistry-Related Chapters was held at the Kitakyushu International Conference Center. Mr. Masuya, a first-year master’s student, gave a poster presentation entitled “Correlation Analysis of Ligand Binding Ability and Activity Change by Three Point Mutation of Female Hormone Receptors. It was a great learning experience for me to hear about various fields of research that I am not usually able to see. Hearing the presentations of my classmates and friends who went on to other universities encouraged me in my future research activities.

 

5. 13-14. 2017

The Kyushu Branch Meeting of the Japanese Biochemical Societ in 2017

The 2009 annual meeting of the Kyushu Branch of the Japanese Biochemical Society was held at Miyazaki University. Along with Dr. Matsushima, Mr. Sugiyama, a third-year doctoral student, gave a poster presentation entitled “Expression analysis of autism-related genes in the brains of mice with bisphenol A exposure and hypoactive symptoms,” and Mr. Masuya, a first-year master’s student, gave his first oral presentation entitled “Ligand-binding changes in simultaneous mutants of three residues in the ligand-binding domain of the estrogen receptor. The first oral presentation was given by Mr. Masuya, a first-year master’s student. It took a bit of time to arrive by express bus, but it was a wonderful venue and I learned a lot.

 

4. 7. 2017.

A welcome party was held for the new lab members.

We held a welcome party for two new fourth-year students. We had chirashi-zushi made by Mr. Matsushima and authentic sui-gyoza (dumplings) brought by Dr. Liu, who had moved to a new position. The handmade dumplings were very delicious. This year, Dr. Matsushima and his 8 students will do their best. Thank you very much for your support.

 

3. 2-3. 2017

Fourth-year students Ms. Totoki and Mr. Masuya have completed their bachelor’s degree

The last class (and exam) of the year, the Bachelor Achievement Debriefing, is over. We presented the results of our year’s research in front of the Chemistry Department, with an 8-minute presentation and a 2-minute Q&A session, so much so that we didn’t have enough time for questions!　For the fourth-year students, the presentation at the Student Achievement Debriefing was their last credit. Both of them have finished their presentations and will surely be able to graduate successfully. Every year, a farewell party is held on the last day of the presentation. This is mainly organized by the first-year master’s committee members as a parting gift to the graduates. Everyone had a good time after the presentation.