[Updated on March 15]
We created a Q&A page (in Japanese) to answer some of the questions sent for the ELSI Annual Public Lecture 2021. Those questions are submitted prior to the event (through the campaign called 'Ask a Scientist a Question at the ELSI Public Lecture 2021 and Win a Prize') as well as during the event (via YouTube Chat).
To see Q&A, please click here.
Please note that many questions were sent after audience heard lectures. We recommend everyone to watch the Public Lecture movies, that are available on ELSI YouTube Channel, before reading the Q&A.
To view the lecture by Tomohiro Mochizuki (ELSI) 'Viruses in Extreme Environments Illustrate Origin and Evolution of Early Life', click here
To view the lecture by Arisa Nishihara (The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) 'Hidden Hot Spring Reveals History of Nitrogen-fixing Microorganisms', click here
*****Registration is closed*****
ELSI Annual Public Lecture 2021 will be held on Wednesday, January 27. The event will feature two leading young scientists from Japan and it will be held in Japanese.
THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD IN JAPANESE
Date and time: January 27, 2021 (Wednesday), 19:00-20:30
Participation: Live stream (limited number of tickets for on-site participation; first come, first served) * Nov. 18: Due to COVID-19 infection condition, we decided to cancel the on-site participation. And only allow online participation.
Lecture theme: Science in the Wild
Organiser: Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI)
Lectures and lecturers:
Tomohiro Mochizuki (ELSI)
Arisa Nishihara (The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology)
Moderator: Ryuhei Nakamura (ELSI)
Fee: Free (prior registration required)
Registration deadline: January 22, 2021 (Fri) ＊Jan 23: Registration is closed
Registration：https://elsi-public-lecture-20210127.peatix.com/
Contact: pr@elsi.jp
Lecture 1
Viruses in Extreme Environments Illustrate Origin and Evolution of Early Life
Tomohiro Mochizuki (ELSI)
Abstract:
Unicellular microbes exist in almost every environment of this planet, including extreme environments. However, viruses easily outnumber cellular particles. I will first present about various viruses that infect hyperthermophilic Archaea, found in boiling hot springs worldwide, with bizarre morphologies such as lemon, bottle, and spring shapes. In the second part, I will describe how a virological approach can provide an alternative perspective to studying the origin and evolution of life.
Bio:
After graduating from Kyoto University, faculty of Agriculture, Tomohiro Mochizuki obtained his PhD in 2012 from Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie (UPMC) and Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. After working at JAMSTEC and completing his postdoc, he joined ELSI in 2014. Since his time in Kyoto, he has been searching for new viruses from various hot springs infecting hyperthermophilic Archaea, which grow close to boiling temperature. In the long run, he wishes to solve the LUCA-era virosphere.
Lecture 2:
Hidden Hot Spring Reveals History of Nitrogen-fixing Microorganisms
Arisa Nishihara (The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology)
Abstract:
Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms can convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds. They may have appeared as early as 3.2 billion years ago and diversified, thriving in a wide range of environments. What were the properties of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in the early stages of evolution and how have they evolved since then? In this lecture, I will introduce the history of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms that have been revealed through field experiments in hot springs.
Bio:
After receiving her PhD in 2018 from the School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Arisa Nishihara worked as a part-time assistant professor at the University Education Center of the same university and has been engaged in research at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology since January 2019. She is investigating the diversity, physiology, and ecology of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms to reveal their evolutionary history.
Moderator
Ryuhei Nakamura (ELSI)
ELSI Annual Public Lecture 2021 Flyer
(To download PDF of the flyer, please click here)
Dec. 16: The question acceptance period for [Ask a Scientist a Question at the ELSI Public Lecture 2021 and Win a Prize] is over. Thank you to all who submitted questions. Please look forward to the day of the lecture!
[Ask a Scientist a Question at the ELSI Public Lecture 2021 and Win a Prize]
Submit your questions by Dec 15 (Tue.)
(The question should be in Japanese)
Do you have a question about how scientists collect data from field and run analysis in the lab? Or wondering how viruses in extreme environments could help us to understand early life? Send in your question to lecturers using the form (click here - the form is in Japanese). If your question is selected to be asked during the public lecture, you will receive ELSI novelty items (either A or B below). Please submit only one question. The deadline is December 15 (Tue.). If your question is selected, we will contact you via email when the event is concluded.
【ELSI Novelties】
A. An ELSI notebook and a sticker
A5 size notebook with plain cream color note papers. Both notebook and sticker show the illustration image of ELSI’s research environment and fields. The front and back cover of the notebook creates one image.
B. Computer wallpaper
The computer wallpaper based on the official ELSI Public Lecture 2021 poster image designed by Lucy Kwok.