The Subgroup support system of the Biophysical Society of Japan

An essential role of the Biophysical Society of Japan (BSJ) is to provide a place for academic exchanges among members. However, there is often not enough time for a thorough discussion due to time constraints inherent to the annual meeting.
Therefore, BSJ have established the “subgroup" support system in 2021 to activate thorough discussion by supporting small- to medium-sized group activities and meetings, including those held online (up to 50,000 yen per meeting). Candidate meetings and activities include those that i) promote deep discussion on individual specialties (specialty groups), ii) promote the emergence of new academic fields (new academic field groups), or iii) promote the exchange of research ideas by young researchers who will lead the next generation (young researcher groups). The requested expenses are used for fees of online meeting tools and conference facilities, banquet (only for invited speakers) and food/beverage expenses, part-time work expenses, and travel support for speakers. If you have any questions, please contact the secretariat. In each year, we set the deadline on March 31st for submission, and application will be announced by the News in this website. Please refer to the support system regulations for details. We look forward to your applications.

Application form
Regulations of the Subgroup System

Place of submission︓
Secretariat
bsj@nacos.com

Name of the group, Chairperson, the number of group member

	Subgroup name	Representative	The number of people	Point (e.g. of a statement)
1	Biomolecular simulation and modeling	TAKEFUMI YAMASHITA	33	We would like to hold a regular meeting where diverse researchers working on simulations and modeling of biomolecular systems—including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipid membranes—can come together for in-depth discussions and exchanges. The scope includes structural modeling and simulation of biomolecular systems, mathematical modeling that fuses simulations with experimental data, structure and function prediction, and design. In recent years, new technologies such as machine learning have been introduced, and thus rapid information sharing is crucial for the advancement of this field.
2	Mechanobiology	HIROMI MIYOSHI	22	Mechanobiology has developed as a discipline that aims to elucidate mechanisms of the sensing and response to physical stimuli in our body at different scales. Since the field covers perspectives and experimental approaches on trans-scales, from the molecular to the cellular and tissue levels, further development of mechanobiology needs a subgroup where multidisciplinary researchers can discuss their ideas closely. We will contribute to enhancing the presence of the Biophysical Society of Japan through joint activities with other biophysical societies worldwide, exchanges with the field of medical biology, and future collaboration with private companies.
3	Cryo-EM Workshop in Chugoku-Shikoku Branch of The Society of Young Scientists in Biophysics	TEPPEI YAMADA	15	Have you ever felt that a particular technique was essential for your research, yet had to give up on it due to a lack of equipment? Cryo-electron microscopy for structural analysis is a prime example. Recently, Okayama University introduced the only cryo-electron microscope in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, attracting significant interest among young researchers in the Biophysics Chugoku-Shikoku community. However, many find it difficult to imagine how to actually use the equipment, making it challenging to take the first step toward utilization. Therefore, we are planning to offer an opportunity for young researchers in the neighboring areas to visit the facility, attend lectures, and observe the equipment firsthand. Through these activities, participants will learn about sample preparation conditions, practical usage procedures, and actual analysis examples. This initiative aims to promote research advancement through the introduction of new technologies while also fostering networking and interaction among young researchers in the region.
4	Artificial Cell Model & Molecular Robotics	KAITO SEO	92	Peering into the molecular mechanisms of life has long attracted researchers from all over the world. As more discoveries have been made into the inner workings of living systems, we not only gain understanding but also an ability to utilize this knowledge and play with the building blocks of life. As research into artificial cells and molecular robotics is trending, we have established this subgroup to connect and foster an international research community for discussions that incorporate a wide range of research fields which intersect with this topic. Last year, we organized a highly successful symposium on bottom-up synthetic biology (more than 100 registered participants), a seasonal seminar series, and lunch seminars in which the first authors introduced their very recent publications. Our research community has attracted considerable interest from young researchers, including postdocs in their early careers, PhD students, and even undergraduates. In our annual seminar, we provide exciting opportunities for these young scientists to share their work, as well as invited lectures from established researchers. We hope that the continuation of the subgroup will highly encourage researchers with diverse expertise, which should accelerate the related science and increase Japan's presence in this field.
5	Phase separation biophysics	TOMOSHI KAMEDA	11	Liquid-liquid and liquid-solid phase separation brings together biomolecules and produces diverse biological functions as a group. Recently, phase separation phenomena have been measured in detail using biophysical methods such as NMR, Raman spectroscopy, pressure, single molecule measurements, and molecular dynamics simulations, and the understanding of these phenomena has rapidly increased. In addition, tools utilizing phase separation phenomena have been developed and applied to artificial cells. However, opportunities to present and discuss these latest results are limited, and we will continue the subgroup on “Phase Separation Biophysics” established three years ago to provide opportunities to present and discuss the latest results in depth.
6	Hikari-juku, a society for young and ambitious researchers using microscopy	RYO IIZUKA	14	Imaging technologies using microscopy are extremely useful for elucidating biological phenomena. It is important to communicate with ambitious young researchers who aim to elucidate biological phenomena, create a forum for discussion, information sharing, and personal interaction to form the seeds of collaborative research, resolve imaging-related concerns, and promote new research developments. With this aim in mind, the “Hikari-Juku” has been held in various locations throughout Japan every year since 2009, with an average of 30 participants each year all presenting their research and contributing to the development of related research. In 2024, experts in the field of image generation using artificial intelligence were added to the group, creating a forum where the diversity of imaging technology and its application and development were discussed. We hope to continue this activity and contribute to the development and promotion of the field of imaging using electromagnetic waves and quantum phenomena in addition to light.
7	The Society of Young Scientists in Biophysics	KENTA TAKEMORI	13	The national exchange of the Society is the annual summer school, but the number of participants is limited due to financial and time constraints. The present exchange meeting is an online research exchange meeting that enables free exchange in a virtual space. It is expected that young researchers will be exposed to a wide range of research fields centred on biophysics and will further develop their own research by adopting methods and ideas from different fields. All participants of the last year's research exchange meeting were satisfied. This year's meeting will build on the experience of the previous one and provide a forum for even more active research exchange among young researchers.
8	Genome Biophysics	TETSUYA YAMAMOTO	10	On genomic DNA, diverse biological phenomena such as replication,transcription, and repair occur simultaneously. These phenomena areintricately regulated by the three-dimensional structure of the genome.  To understand the principles of genome structure formation and structure/function relationships using a biophysical approach, it is essential for researchers from diverse fields to interact with each other, transcending experimental and theoretical frameworks and methodological boundaries. The purpose of this subgroup is to provide a place for interaction.
9	Next generation NMR working group in Japan Biophysical Society	HAJIME TAMAKI	52	Next generation NMR working group aims to realize a future where NMR techniques are creatively utilized as more accessible tools. Through activities such as workshops on the latest NMR analysis methods, casual online seminars (Friday Spin-off Meetings) for open information exchange, and sharing research tips via online tools like Slack, we hope to create a future where people can say, “Let’s try using NMR for it.”
10	SSTB – Spring School for Theoretical Biology	NAOKI HONDA	11	This Spring School is dedicated to advancing the field by promoting the synergy between experimental investigation and Theoretical Biology. Our primary goal is to enable discoveries that are often intractable through singular approaches alone, and critically, to cultivate the next generation of researchers adept at bridging these domains. We bring together distinguished experimentalists and theoretical biologists, whose expertise covers a diverse range of phenomena from micro to macro scales. This school features lectures and interactive group work sessions (conducted in Japanese), led by leading scientists actively shaping various frontiers of biological research. Participants will be introduced to cutting-edge mathematical and physical methodologies central to Theoretical Biology, while also gaining crucial insights into the conceptual frameworks and perspectives necessary for their effective application. The overarching objective is to equip attendees with a comprehensive, theoretically-informed perspective on biology, enabling them to navigate complexities from fundamental mechanisms to higher-order systems. To further facilitate scholarly interaction and in-depth discussion, we actively solicit poster presentations from participants, creating valuable opportunities for presenting research and networking. Our previous iteration (the 3rd School, held last fiscal year) successfully gathered approximately 85 participants from across Japan, fostering vibrant discussions throughout the program and demonstrating its significant value and appeal. Building on this success and continuing from Fiscal Year 2024, we aim to attract a substantial number of participants this upcoming fiscal year. We aspire for this school to serve as a key event that significantly energizes and advances the field of Theoretical Biology and its integration within the broader life sciences community. Information regarding the program for the upcoming 2025 session (activities planned during FY2024) can be found at the following link: https://sites.google.com/view/sstb2025/