Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology OIST

News

Panoramic photograph of a tall transmission line, with a wind farm in the background against a blue sky.

Risk of renewable power fluctuations made predictable

Giant dataset of electricity generation and weather conditions informs new physics-based framework that helps mitigate grid fluctuations and inform wind farm placements.

The lefthand side depicts a black and white image of a closed fist, while on the right hand side, the hand is open and holding a complex protein shape. The background is a mottled blue, and is darker on the right.

Research Update

Scientists reveal how dividing cells precisely trigger spindle formation

The newly found, step-by-step process ensures that a key protein needed to kickstart spindle formation only switches on at the right place and time.

A close-up photo of crystals of two different complexes, one shown in yellow and one in orange, on a grey background

Research Update

Capturing an elusive step in molecular sandwich making

First structural characterization of a double ring-slipped intermediate brings new possibilities for stimuli-responsive materials design

Graphical illustration of a black crystal together with arrows indicating spin.

Research Update

The complete evolution of spin glass from order to chaos

Seven years of refining black crystals have led to an experimentally confirmed definition of spin glass and set a new baseline for studying exotic materials.

A yellow and black wasp walks inside the pitcher-shaped modified leaf of a carnivorous pitcher plant.

Research Update

Carnivorous plants and wasps blur the line between friend and food

A new study on the chemical composition of pitcher plants and their wasp neighbors suggests that what was thought to be a purely predatory-prey relationship might benefit both sides.

Research and Faculty

OIST has no academic departments. Researchers from more than 50 countries collaborate across and combine scientific disciplines to pioneer new approaches to discovery and problem-solving.

Research at OIST

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Faculty and Research Units

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How to build a quantum computer

A beautiful gold machine with lots of wires in the foreground, at which a man in the background stares intently.

Quantum technology holds the potential to tackle complex problems across a wide range of applications. Yet today’s systems still face major limitations. Explore the fundamentals of quantum computing, the challenges for practical, large-scale quantum computing, and hear directly from the OIST experts developing the future of this field.

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Research Events

02 - 05 Jun 2026

OIST Workshops

Advances in Photoemission Techniques: Probing Space, Energy, Momentum, and Time

02 Jun 2026

Seminar

【Seminar】"How Circuits Learn: Projection Operators, Memory, and Computation in Analog Hardware" by Dr. Frank Barrows

03 Jun 2026

Seminar

2026 Analysis on Metric Space Seminar"Base Modulus for Matroid Truncation, Strength, and Fractional Arboricity" by Huy Truong, Kansas State University

03 Jun 2026

Seminar

[Seminar] "Convexity: from the Euclidean space to Riemannian and sub-Riemannian manifolds" by Prof. Federica Dragoni

03 Jun 2026

Research

Mini Course: Biophysical Principles of Regulation in Bacteria

03 Jun 2026

Seminar

Two Seminars "Controlling and Sensing Spin Systems with Free Space Electrons" by Prof. Philipp Haslinger, and "Electron-Photon Entanglement in Electron Microscopy" by Mr. Alexander Preimesberger, Vienna University of Technology

Study at OIST

Apply for our 5-year PhD program in Science. We also offer short-term Research Internships. Both programs are competitive, cross-disciplinary, fully funded, and taught entirely in English by world-class international faculty.

Science Without Boundaries

A university with no departments, OIST has no artificial barriers between people working in different fields, thus encouraging innovation. With a state-of-the-art research environment, OIST attracts outstanding students and faculty around the world.

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PhD and Research Internship Program

OIST offers an individualized, cross-disciplinary PhD program that funds students up to 5 years. The Research Internship program offers financial and travel support for 2 to 6 months of experience working in an OIST research lab under OIST faculty.

Student Life

OIST offers a first-class postgraduate experience – both inside and outside the classroom. A wide range of educational, recreational, social, and cultural activities provide many opportunities to explore your passions and master something new.

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Driving Innovation Toward Impact

OIST connects world-leading research and global business to co-create solutions to society’s most pressing challenges – attracting talent to Okinawa’s emerging innovation ecosystem.