Kaoru Natori

OIST has installed a marine observatory system in waters off the coast of Motobu, Okinawa, which enables real-time monitoring of biological and physical data.

The Marine Genomics Unit has decoded the genome of the algae Symbiodinium minutum. This is a major advance in understanding the complex ecology of coral reefs.

A research team including OIST's Prof. Noriyuki Satoh has discovered that mealybugs have a tripartite symbiosis dependent on genes from multiple diverse bacteria.

Prof. Hirotaka Sugawara, Distinguished Professor and Special Advisor to the OIST President was awarded on May 13 the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Government of Japan.

On March 27, 2012, OIST President Jonathan Dorfan signed a Cooperation Agreement with Commander Hiroshi Majima of the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters.

On February 25, Ms. Caroline Starzynski, a short-term student research assistant from Germany in the G0 Cell Unit, and a student in the OIST intermediate Japanese class, took part in the 29th Japanese Speech Contest for Foreigners in Naha City.