RIKEN Science Lecture 2026: Wonders of Life Course at Miraikan, Odaiba

The RIKEN Science Lecture 2026, themed "Life Course: The Wonders of Life," will be held on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the National Museum of Nature and Science (Miraikan) in Odaiba, Tokyo. Organized by the RIKEN (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), this event aims to introduce research activities to junior high, high school, and university students, highlighting the mysteries of life and the excitement of science.

The lecture will focus on the journey of life, from its origins to growth and inheritance. RIKEN researchers will share their latest findings, driven by curiosity and the joy of discovery. The event will be held in a hybrid format, with both in-person attendance and online live streaming. Online participation does not require advance registration.

Lecture Program Highlights

• 13:00-13:05: Opening Remarks by Makoto Gonokami (President)
• 13:10-13:50: Lecture 1: "Epigenetic Marks on DNA: Connecting Life Across Generations"
  • Speaker: Azusa Inoue (RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences)
  • Explores how DNA "marks" passed from parents to offspring facilitate development.
• 14:00-14:40: Lecture 2: "Scientific Insights into 'Eating Just Enough' Using Fruit Flies"
  • Speaker: Fumiaki Obata (RIKEN Center for Bioscience Research)
  • Discusses the relationship between diet, health, and aging, studied through fruit fly models.
• 14:50-15:30: Lecture 3: "From a Single Cell to an Organism? Understanding Developmental Engineering"
  • Speaker: Kimiko Inoue (RIKEN Center for Bioscience Resources)
  • Introduces the fascinating techniques of developmental engineering that allow manipulation of microscopic mammalian eggs.
• 15:40-16:20: Panel Discussion and Q&A Session
  • A dedicated session for local attendees to ask questions directly to the researchers.
• 16:20-16:25: Closing Remarks by Kyoko Nozaki (Executive Director)

Registration and Attendance

Attendance at the venue requires advance registration on a first-come, first-served basis via the RIKEN website. The registration period is from June 24 to August 23, 2026. Online participation is free and does not require pre-registration.

Venue Information

• Venue: National Museum of Nature and Science (Miraikan), 7F Future Hall
• Address: 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
• Facilities: Miraikan is an indoor facility offering interactive exhibits. Dining options are available within the museum.

Access

• Nearest Stations: Yurikamome Tokyo Big Sight Station / Rinkai Line Kokusai-Tenjijo Station

Important details such as automatic confirmation emails upon registration and specific streaming instructions for the online broadcast will be provided on the official RIKEN website. Attendees at the venue will have the unique opportunity to engage directly with the researchers during the final Q&A session.