February 10, 2009
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

The “BLUE EARTH ‘09”
Presenting the Results of Researches Utilizing Research Vessels

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC: Yasuhiro Kato, President) is pleased to announce that the “BLUE EARTH ‘09” will be held as follows, which aims to present research results obtained by the use of JAMSTEC’s research vessels and vehicles such as MIRAI, NATSUSHIMA, KAIYO, YOKOSUKA, KAIREI and SHINKAI 6500.

The “Blue Earth ‘09” will offer researchers an occasion of information exchange across the border between each research field. And also, it will introduce research results for general public in an easy-understandable way to deepen their knowledge on marine-earth research.

In addition to the research presentations, the special lecture will be delivered by Dr. Tsuneyoshi Kuroiwa (Director and professor, Research Information Center of Extremophile, Rikkyo University) which is titled “Solving the riddle of the origin of eukaryotic cells and challenge to the climate change including global warming and desertification--- by genome and mass spectrometry science of Extremophiles”.

Description

Date and time:	Thursday, March 12 9:20-18:10 (Doors open at 9:00) Friday, March 13 9:30-17:30 (Doors open at 9:00)
Venue:	Ikebukuro Campus Bldg #7, Rikkyo University (Please refer to Appendix 1 – Japanese) Admission fees and pre-registration are not required.
Hosts:	Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology Rikkyo University
Program:	Please see Appendix 2 (Japanese) Please see Appendix 3 for the special lecture
Website:	http://www.jamstec.go.jp/jamstec-j/maritec/rvod/blue_earth/2009/ (Japanese)

Appendix-1

Appendix-2

Appendix-3

Special Lecture

Title:

“Solving the riddle of the origin of eukaryotic cells and challenging to the climate change including global warming and desertification--- by genome and mass spectrometry science of Extremophiles”

As well as approaching the mystery of eukaryotic cells’ origin, Dr. Kuroiwa will give a lecture on an application study, which is based on the research results obtained by clarifying genomic information of life forms inhabit extreme environments, to create a plant which is resistant to climate change aiming to realize sustainable human society.

Introduction of the speaker:
Tsuneyoshi Kuroiwa
(Director and professor, Research Information Center of Extremophile, Rikkyo University)

Dr. Kuroiwa completed Plant Science doctoral course, Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo in 1971. After he joined Tokyo Isotope Research Institute, Okayama University, Basic Biology of Okazaki National Research Institute and the University of Tokyo, he became a professor at the Rikkyo University. He is now a professor of Graduate School of the Rikkyo University. He elucidated the mechanism in “mitochondrial and plastid” division and inheritance which is energy conversion system in a cell, and that is the primary key of origin, existence and future of life forms (cells). His world’s first 100% genomic analysis of eukaryote that is the foundation to promote these researches was awarded Charles Reid Barnes Award (American Society of Plant Biologist), Toray Science and Technology Prize and Medal with Purple Ribbon.

Contacts:

(For “BLUE EARTH ‘09”)

Tetsuo Uchida
Group Leader, Planning Promotion Group,
Research Vessel Management and Operations Department,
Marine Technology Center (MARITEC)

(For Publication)

Mr. Noriyuki Murata, e-mail: press@jamstec.go.jp
Manager, Planning Department Press Office