夏休みー学生さんを頻繁に見かける大学と異なり、理研などの研究所にいると夏休みなどの学休期間を実感することは少ないのですが、今年は節電の夏日本の夏の影響もあり、お盆から少しずらして３日間の一斉休業、仕事も実験もやらないでね、というお達し。半ば強制的に取らされた夏休みですが、またこういうときに限っていろいろ〆切を抱えていたりするものですが、せっかくですから羽を休めることも大切なことかと、、、
来週はいよいよ愛知県は大布で、RNA若手の会が開催されます。
いろいろな意味でこの会には大変にお世話になっていて、現在僕の研究室のプロジェクトの半分以上、いや、もしかしたら８割ぐらいが、この会がなければ無かった出会いによって支えられています。若手の会依存症か！とか突っ込まれそうですが、それだけこの会を最初に設立された方々の意思が高く、それだけの人が集まる会が続いている、ということに他ならないのでしょう。研究者は言ってみれば旅人で、多くの場合孤独な時間を過ごす訳ですが、砂漠の中のオアシスともいえる学会や研究会ででしばし羽を休め時間をともにし、また荒野に旅立っていくわけです。夏休み明けといえば、ある人は急に逞しくなっていたり、ある人は一体何があったのだろうとびっくりするぐらい大人びていたりして多くのサプライズがある訳ですが、多くの困難に出会った人ほど大きく変わるのは間違いありません。学生さんは脱皮を繰り返しながら成長して、学位を取ってポスドクというサナギになって、それからうまいこと羽化できれば晴れて研究者として羽ばたいてゆく訳ですが、中身をそっくり作り替えて一気に成長するサナギの期間、これは研究人生のなかで何回訪れるのでしょう？昆虫は人生で一回こっきりですが、願わくば何回もサナギになって（何回もポスドクをするという意味ではない）、大きなバージョンアップを続けていきたいものです。
中川
August 23, 2011
August 10, 2011
Outreach in Science - a follow up
Derek Goto (Hokkaido University)
I wrote previously about some of the outreach activities were are involved in, particular the "Future Scientists Training Program" program that provides select high school students the chance to conduct research in a University lab for almost a year (original post). The term for the student we had has just finished, so I thought I'd provide some follow up!
I was a bit worried at first since I decided to give the student his own project different to other research in the lab, rather than just work together with current lab members. The advantage was that he would get the chance to set up and optimise the experiments and discover something new on his own, rather than something where we already knew the outcome or just helping someone else in the lab. However, the worry was also that the experiments might not turn out at all and he could be left with either negative data or no usable data at all. Fortunately the project turned out to be successful in the end and he ended up getting some very nice preliminary data supporting the original hypothesis!
A few weeks ago was the final presentation, which was held in the lobby of Kinokuniya bookstore right in the middle of Sapporo. This is an extremely public place, with big glass windows so even everyone in the street walking past could see what was going on, a pretty big hurdle for a high school student, but they all handled it very well!
One of the things that was great to see, was how he developed confidence about the project and himself over the course of the year. Several months ago he gave a small mid-term presentation within the university where he did a good job preparing the slides but was obviously nervous and had trouble interacting with the audience, particularly during the question session. It was obvious he learnt from that experience and I was quite surprised by just how much he improved. I thought he gave a very good talk and did a great job conveying the logic of the problem, what the data was and meaning, and also answering questions from general public. Obviously I wasn't the only one who thought so, because he won the "Best Presentation Award" by vote!
I'd like to think that we have managed to contribute to a young student becoming more interested in pursuing science, it would be great to see him at a conference or publishing something in 5 yrs time! It is important to remember that this has also been a great experience for myself and my lab members - nothing forces you to think about communicating science more than to mentor a high school student project while training them to explain their research in a public forum!
Fortunately, this program is ongoing and a new group of high school students have already been selected to start next month. Our lab was invited to act as a possible host again, which we happily agreed to. I have just found out that one of the new students chose our lab to join, so we will have another high school student joining us soon - will keep you posted!
I wrote previously about some of the outreach activities were are involved in, particular the "Future Scientists Training Program" program that provides select high school students the chance to conduct research in a University lab for almost a year (original post). The term for the student we had has just finished, so I thought I'd provide some follow up!
I was a bit worried at first since I decided to give the student his own project different to other research in the lab, rather than just work together with current lab members. The advantage was that he would get the chance to set up and optimise the experiments and discover something new on his own, rather than something where we already knew the outcome or just helping someone else in the lab. However, the worry was also that the experiments might not turn out at all and he could be left with either negative data or no usable data at all. Fortunately the project turned out to be successful in the end and he ended up getting some very nice preliminary data supporting the original hypothesis!
A few weeks ago was the final presentation, which was held in the lobby of Kinokuniya bookstore right in the middle of Sapporo. This is an extremely public place, with big glass windows so even everyone in the street walking past could see what was going on, a pretty big hurdle for a high school student, but they all handled it very well!
One of the things that was great to see, was how he developed confidence about the project and himself over the course of the year. Several months ago he gave a small mid-term presentation within the university where he did a good job preparing the slides but was obviously nervous and had trouble interacting with the audience, particularly during the question session. It was obvious he learnt from that experience and I was quite surprised by just how much he improved. I thought he gave a very good talk and did a great job conveying the logic of the problem, what the data was and meaning, and also answering questions from general public. Obviously I wasn't the only one who thought so, because he won the "Best Presentation Award" by vote!
I'd like to think that we have managed to contribute to a young student becoming more interested in pursuing science, it would be great to see him at a conference or publishing something in 5 yrs time! It is important to remember that this has also been a great experience for myself and my lab members - nothing forces you to think about communicating science more than to mentor a high school student project while training them to explain their research in a public forum!
Fortunately, this program is ongoing and a new group of high school students have already been selected to start next month. Our lab was invited to act as a possible host again, which we happily agreed to. I have just found out that one of the new students chose our lab to join, so we will have another high school student joining us soon - will keep you posted!
thanks
Derek Goto (Hokkaido University)
I was originally going to write about a different topic today, but realised I also wanted to say some comments about the recent RNA meeting, so this will be the first of two posts today!
First, I really want to convey my thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in organisation of the recent 2011 RNA Meeting (Kyoto, 14-18 June 2011). I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting, not only did I learn so much new information, it was a great chance for informal and stimulating discussions about our research both with old friends and new friends made during the meeting.
There were two things I was really surprised about for various reasons:
1) How smooth everything actually ran. Of course I couldn't see all aspects and sessions of the meeting, but one of the impressive things was how there never seemed to be any confusion about where to go and there was an abundance of helpful staff to guide attendees and provide support. I am also not aware of any instance of computer trouble in a presentation - at your average meeting I think at least one person ends up having some kind of trouble, considering the number of presentations at the RNA meeting, this alone speaks about how smooth things ran! Sure, there may have been some murmurs about amount of food, but it is important to put this in context with the actual cost of the meeting - it was extremely cheap relative to other meetings of similar quality. Considering the quality of the English-competent support staff and meeting venue, the fact that there was even good quality lunch and dinner, the fantastic final night banquet, and the abundant opportunities for interaction, I rate both the cost and quality of the meeting excellent!
2) The large international attendance
I was also very surprised to see such a large international attendance, particularly in light of recent disaster in the Tohoku region and ongoing concerns about safety. I am sure the organisers had to deal with a deluge of requests for more information and sudden changes in planned schedules etc. Considering other international meetings were cancelled this year due to loss of international attendance, the organisers did a stunning job to keep this meeting running. I was expecting only small international attendance, and I am not sure of the actual numbers, but it felt like at least 60% of attendees were from overseas. I am very grateful to overseas RNA scientists who made the decision to continue through with coming to Japan and attending the meeting. I certainly benefited from meeting new overseas RNA researchers, and I am sure this was an invaluable experience for students in Japan who were able to attend.
The meeting also served as a timely reminder for me about the importance of interaction. I had some great stimulating conversations with scientists from the UK that provided very helpful ideas for our research. I met them almost by chance - I noticed one of them looking at my poster when I walked past the poster hall during a lunch break, so I went up to them to explain that this was my poster and would be happy to explain or answer any questions either then or later. Even though they work on a different topic, we ended up talking a lot during the meeting and it turns out we have a lot of colleagues in common - not only did I gain much helpful discussion I also consider that I made new friends to look forward to meet again in the future.
My only regret from the meeting was that my students weren't able to attend. Fortunately there seem to be many opportunities for RNA scientists to interact in Japan, such as the upcoming RNA Frontier Meeting 2011. One of my students will be attending that, so please say hello if you see him there!
I was originally going to write about a different topic today, but realised I also wanted to say some comments about the recent RNA meeting, so this will be the first of two posts today!
First, I really want to convey my thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in organisation of the recent 2011 RNA Meeting (Kyoto, 14-18 June 2011). I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting, not only did I learn so much new information, it was a great chance for informal and stimulating discussions about our research both with old friends and new friends made during the meeting.
There were two things I was really surprised about for various reasons:
1) How smooth everything actually ran. Of course I couldn't see all aspects and sessions of the meeting, but one of the impressive things was how there never seemed to be any confusion about where to go and there was an abundance of helpful staff to guide attendees and provide support. I am also not aware of any instance of computer trouble in a presentation - at your average meeting I think at least one person ends up having some kind of trouble, considering the number of presentations at the RNA meeting, this alone speaks about how smooth things ran! Sure, there may have been some murmurs about amount of food, but it is important to put this in context with the actual cost of the meeting - it was extremely cheap relative to other meetings of similar quality. Considering the quality of the English-competent support staff and meeting venue, the fact that there was even good quality lunch and dinner, the fantastic final night banquet, and the abundant opportunities for interaction, I rate both the cost and quality of the meeting excellent!
2) The large international attendance
I was also very surprised to see such a large international attendance, particularly in light of recent disaster in the Tohoku region and ongoing concerns about safety. I am sure the organisers had to deal with a deluge of requests for more information and sudden changes in planned schedules etc. Considering other international meetings were cancelled this year due to loss of international attendance, the organisers did a stunning job to keep this meeting running. I was expecting only small international attendance, and I am not sure of the actual numbers, but it felt like at least 60% of attendees were from overseas. I am very grateful to overseas RNA scientists who made the decision to continue through with coming to Japan and attending the meeting. I certainly benefited from meeting new overseas RNA researchers, and I am sure this was an invaluable experience for students in Japan who were able to attend.
The meeting also served as a timely reminder for me about the importance of interaction. I had some great stimulating conversations with scientists from the UK that provided very helpful ideas for our research. I met them almost by chance - I noticed one of them looking at my poster when I walked past the poster hall during a lunch break, so I went up to them to explain that this was my poster and would be happy to explain or answer any questions either then or later. Even though they work on a different topic, we ended up talking a lot during the meeting and it turns out we have a lot of colleagues in common - not only did I gain much helpful discussion I also consider that I made new friends to look forward to meet again in the future.
My only regret from the meeting was that my students weren't able to attend. Fortunately there seem to be many opportunities for RNA scientists to interact in Japan, such as the upcoming RNA Frontier Meeting 2011. One of my students will be attending that, so please say hello if you see him there!
August 5, 2011
カイコドラマチック(9)
こんばんは、河岡です。
さすがに書くほうもマンネリ化してきていますが、いつもコメントをくださる中川さん、影山さん、ありがとうございます。
続編を催促してくれた中條くん、キャッチャー木村くん、Dicerつつみくん、あたりがきっといつかコメントをくれる、そう信じての第9話です。
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
in vitro編で簡単に説明しましたが、piRNAの生合成に関しては、Siomi lab、そしてHannon labから提示されたモデルが有名です。
そのモデルでは、ひとたびpiRNA複合体がつくられると、「最初のpiRNA複合体」は標的RNAを切断し、その切断反応によって「新しいpiRNA複合体」がつくられます(in vitro編ではまさに、「最初のpiRNA複合体」がつくられるしくみを明らかにしたわけです)。
つまり、piRNA複合体による切断反応に依存してpiRNAがつくられる、というモデルであり、これはping-pong model、あるいはping-pong amplification loopなどと呼ばれています。
これは必ずしも正確ではありませんが、「最初のpiRNA複合体」に含まれるpiRNAは「トランスポゾンをやっつけるためのpiRNA」であり、それによって切断されてできる「新しいpiRNA複合体」に含まれるpiRNAは、「やっつけられたトランスポゾンの残骸」、と理解すると、今回のお話は分かり易くなります。
さて、生体における「最初のpiRNA複合体」は、まったく別の視点から定義することができます。
じつは、カイコ、ショウジョウバエの卵には、母親から受け継がれたpiRNA複合体が含まれているのです。
人生、もとい、虫生を通してみたときには、
「最初のpiRNA複合体」＝「母性的に受け継がれたpiRNA複合体」
ということになります。
さて、カイコの胚発生を通したpiRNAプロファイリングの結果についてです(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21628432)。
カイコの受精後0時間の卵に由来するpiRNAを調べてみると、その殆どが「トランスポゾンをやっつけるためのpiRNA」であることが分かりました。
カイコの受精後0時間から、その個体ではじめて転写が起こるまでの6時間のあいだでは、piRNAの組成はまるっきり変わらず、「新しいpiRNA複合体」がつくられている様子は認められませんでした。
ところが、面白いことに、受精後12-24時間になると、急に一群のpiRNAが増えてくるのです。
調べてみると、その一群のpiRNAは、ある種のいくつかのトランスポゾンに由来するもので、まさに、「やっつけられたトランスポゾンの残骸」タイプのpiRNAたちでした。
よくよく調べてみると、これらのpiRNAがまさに切断反応によってつくられたものである、ということが分かりました。
これはまさに、生体でpiRNAがつくられていくさまを、タイムコースに従って観察できた、ということになり、これまで提唱されていたモデルが生体で起こっていることを強力に支持します。
さて、なぜ決まった時間に「やっつけられたトランスポゾンの残骸」タイプのpiRNAができてくるのでしょうか？
その答えはかなりシンプルで、一群のトランスポゾンの発現が、受精後12-24時間で活性化する、というものでした。
やっつけられるために発現しているようなものです。
さてさて、piRNA生合成ではなく、トランスポゾンをやっつける、という観点からみると、この研究はこうまとめることもできます。
母性的に受け継がれた「トランスポゾンをやっつけるためのpiRNA」は、子のゲノムから新規なトランスポゾンの発現が起こるのをじっと「待って」いて、トランスポゾンが出てくるや否や、そいつらをずたずたにしている。
免疫みたいですね。
母は偉大なり。
子のゲノムから新規に発現してきたトランスポゾンに対するpiRNAが準備されていない場合にはいわゆる雑種不妊が起こります。
母性的に受け継がれるpiRNAと子ゲノムに含まれるトランスポゾン組成の関係が種分化の機構のひとつである、と考えるのはそう飛躍した話ではないでしょう。
もっとマニアックになりますが、タイムコースをとったこの実験から、ある時系列においてのみのプロファイリングで、あるトランスポゾンに由来するpiRNAの作られ方を論じることには危険がつきまとう、なんてことも言えます。
地味なお話ですが、カイコ生体の特徴を活かし、きちんとしたタイムコースをとって、piRNAがつくられていくさま、トランスポゾンがやっつけられていくさまを観察したこの論文、僕はお気に入りです。
(ちなみにこの論文、キイロショウジョウバエで観察されている現象がカイコでは観察されない、というパートも含んでいます。興味のある方はぜひご覧ください。)
次回は性染色体パートです。
(つづく)
さすがに書くほうもマンネリ化してきていますが、いつもコメントをくださる中川さん、影山さん、ありがとうございます。
続編を催促してくれた中條くん、キャッチャー木村くん、Dicerつつみくん、あたりがきっといつかコメントをくれる、そう信じての第9話です。
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
in vitro編で簡単に説明しましたが、piRNAの生合成に関しては、Siomi lab、そしてHannon labから提示されたモデルが有名です。
そのモデルでは、ひとたびpiRNA複合体がつくられると、「最初のpiRNA複合体」は標的RNAを切断し、その切断反応によって「新しいpiRNA複合体」がつくられます(in vitro編ではまさに、「最初のpiRNA複合体」がつくられるしくみを明らかにしたわけです)。
つまり、piRNA複合体による切断反応に依存してpiRNAがつくられる、というモデルであり、これはping-pong model、あるいはping-pong amplification loopなどと呼ばれています。
これは必ずしも正確ではありませんが、「最初のpiRNA複合体」に含まれるpiRNAは「トランスポゾンをやっつけるためのpiRNA」であり、それによって切断されてできる「新しいpiRNA複合体」に含まれるpiRNAは、「やっつけられたトランスポゾンの残骸」、と理解すると、今回のお話は分かり易くなります。
さて、生体における「最初のpiRNA複合体」は、まったく別の視点から定義することができます。
じつは、カイコ、ショウジョウバエの卵には、母親から受け継がれたpiRNA複合体が含まれているのです。
人生、もとい、虫生を通してみたときには、
「最初のpiRNA複合体」＝「母性的に受け継がれたpiRNA複合体」
ということになります。
さて、カイコの胚発生を通したpiRNAプロファイリングの結果についてです(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21628432)。
カイコの受精後0時間の卵に由来するpiRNAを調べてみると、その殆どが「トランスポゾンをやっつけるためのpiRNA」であることが分かりました。
カイコの受精後0時間から、その個体ではじめて転写が起こるまでの6時間のあいだでは、piRNAの組成はまるっきり変わらず、「新しいpiRNA複合体」がつくられている様子は認められませんでした。
ところが、面白いことに、受精後12-24時間になると、急に一群のpiRNAが増えてくるのです。
調べてみると、その一群のpiRNAは、ある種のいくつかのトランスポゾンに由来するもので、まさに、「やっつけられたトランスポゾンの残骸」タイプのpiRNAたちでした。
よくよく調べてみると、これらのpiRNAがまさに切断反応によってつくられたものである、ということが分かりました。
これはまさに、生体でpiRNAがつくられていくさまを、タイムコースに従って観察できた、ということになり、これまで提唱されていたモデルが生体で起こっていることを強力に支持します。
さて、なぜ決まった時間に「やっつけられたトランスポゾンの残骸」タイプのpiRNAができてくるのでしょうか？
その答えはかなりシンプルで、一群のトランスポゾンの発現が、受精後12-24時間で活性化する、というものでした。
やっつけられるために発現しているようなものです。
さてさて、piRNA生合成ではなく、トランスポゾンをやっつける、という観点からみると、この研究はこうまとめることもできます。
母性的に受け継がれた「トランスポゾンをやっつけるためのpiRNA」は、子のゲノムから新規なトランスポゾンの発現が起こるのをじっと「待って」いて、トランスポゾンが出てくるや否や、そいつらをずたずたにしている。
免疫みたいですね。
母は偉大なり。
子のゲノムから新規に発現してきたトランスポゾンに対するpiRNAが準備されていない場合にはいわゆる雑種不妊が起こります。
母性的に受け継がれるpiRNAと子ゲノムに含まれるトランスポゾン組成の関係が種分化の機構のひとつである、と考えるのはそう飛躍した話ではないでしょう。
もっとマニアックになりますが、タイムコースをとったこの実験から、ある時系列においてのみのプロファイリングで、あるトランスポゾンに由来するpiRNAの作られ方を論じることには危険がつきまとう、なんてことも言えます。
地味なお話ですが、カイコ生体の特徴を活かし、きちんとしたタイムコースをとって、piRNAがつくられていくさま、トランスポゾンがやっつけられていくさまを観察したこの論文、僕はお気に入りです。
(ちなみにこの論文、キイロショウジョウバエで観察されている現象がカイコでは観察されない、というパートも含んでいます。興味のある方はぜひご覧ください。)
次回は性染色体パートです。
(つづく)
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