Life's Mysteries Symposium Public Viewing at Nagoya City Science Museum

The Nagoya City Science Museum will host a public viewing of the "Open the Door to Science! Dear WONDER (42nd National Institutes of Natural Sciences Symposium) - Thinking About the Mysteries of Life: More Than Living, Less Than Life" on Sunday, September 27, 2026. This event offers a valuable opportunity to watch the symposium proceedings, held at the Minato City Science Museum in Tokyo, via live broadcast from the Nagoya venue.

Engaging Lectures Exploring the Boundaries of Life

Under the theme "More Than Living, Less Than Life," this symposium delves deeply into the definition and mysteries of life. The distinguished speakers will approach the subject from their respective fields, exploring the boundaries between life and non-life, attempts to recreate biological characteristics in inanimate matter, and the enigmas of unique organisms like ctenophores.

Specifically, Dr. Kei Shirokura from the Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules will lecture on "Unraveling the Mystery of Iridescent Ctenophores: The Enigma of Movement Without a Brain and Connected Bodies." Professor Muneyuki Matsuo from Hiroshima University's Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences will present on the provocative topic "Creating Biological Characteristics with Non-Living Matter." Additionally, Associate Professor Maho Yagi from Nagoya City University's Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences will discuss "Exploring the Boundary Between Life and Matter Through Tardigrades." These lectures promise to offer a fresh perspective on the concept of "life," which we often take for granted.

Participation and Venue Information

The public viewing will take place in the Information Resource Room on the 1st floor of the Science and Engineering Building at the Nagoya City Science Museum. Approximately 10 people can attend, and no prior application is required; participation is free on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition to viewing the symposium, attendees can submit questions at the Nagoya venue. While the event itself is free, admission to the Nagoya City Science Museum requires a separate viewing fee. Please check the official website of the Nagoya City Science Museum for details on admission fees.

Event Overview

• Event Title: "Open the Door to Science! Dear WONDER (42nd National Institutes of Natural Sciences Symposium) - Thinking About the Mysteries of Life: More Than Living, Less Than Life" Public Viewing
• Date & Time: September 27, 2026 (Sunday), 13:00 - 16:40
• Venue: Information Resource Room, 1st Floor, Science and Engineering Building, Nagoya City Science Museum (2-17-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi)
• Admission Fee: Free (Museum admission fee required separately)
• Capacity: Approximately 10 people (No prior application needed)
• URL: https://www.ncsm.city.nagoya.jp/visit/attraction/event/2026/dear_wonder42.html

Access

• Venue: Nagoya City Science Museum (2-17-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi)
• Nearest Station: JR Nagoya Station / Subway Sakae Station

We invite you to the Nagoya City Science Museum to explore fundamental questions about life. For the latest information on the event and museum admission fees, please visit the official website.