Institute Profile: Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba

The Shimoda Marine Research Center (SMRC) is an institute in the University of Tsukuba (Japan) that provides education and research about marine biology and related academic fields (Fig. 1). The SMRC is located on the south coast of the Izu peninsula on the main island of Japan, in an area of rich biodiversity near the biogeographic boundary between subtropical and temperate ecosystems. Led by Director Yasunori Sasakura, the center is home to 11 Faculty members and their associated research groups. The marine biological research and education performed at the SMRC predominantly falls into two key areas: (1) basic biology: covering genetics, cell biology, developmental biology, neurophysiology, phylogeny, and evolution; and (2) marine ecosystems: covering ecophysiology, ecology, biogeochemistry, and the impacts of anthropogenic stressors. SMRC actively promotes cooperation among marine scientists, both nationally and internationally, with the aim of enhancing multidisciplinary research collaborations. The research infrastructure for studying marine organisms at the SMRC includes a wide variety of laboratory facilities that supports implementation of diverse techniques, thereby enabling research support across various projects. Research projects within the SMRC include work on the molecular mechanisms of metamorphosis and development (including neurogenesis) using model organisms, such as the ascidian Ciona intestinalis or the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, with applications of transgenic and genome editing techniques, as well as single cell transcriptomics (Fig. 2). This work forms part of the National BioResource Project, with the SMRC able to provide transgenic and mutant lines of the ascidian to other researchers for cellular and molecular research, with another project (HPBase) providing a database of sequenced genomes for sea urchins. Facilities are also available for high-speed and high-resolution imaging of cell activity in marine organisms. A particular research focus within the center is on the locomotion of marine organisms by focusing on the structure, function, and evolution of their cilia and flagella. These advanced bioimaging techniques are facilitated through technical expertise within the research groups. In addition to the research on cellular activity at gene and protein levels, research is also performed on the evolution and phylogeny of nonmodel organisms, such as Xenoturbella spp. and placozoa. The biogeographic location of the SMRC means it is home to both temperate kelp forests and subtropical corals, making it ideal for investigating a wide range of communities and ecosystems. Given the importance of such habitat-forming species for biodiversity and the livelihood of coastal communities, the second major area of research activity in the SMRC is understanding the structure of these key ecosystems and how they will respond to anthropogenic drivers, including climate change, ocean acidification, marine heatwaves, and microplastics. This research uses lab-based molecular, physiological, and biogeochemical techniques; field-based ecological surveys and manipulative experiments using SCUBA diving and remotely operated vehicle (ROV); as well as theoretical and modeling approaches. Understanding such ecological responses will allow us to better predict the fate and consequences of marine ecosystems in a changing ocean. Field research is facilitated by our research vessel, RV Tsukuba II (Fig. 3), which is capable of various coastal survey techniques and allows us to conduct ecological and oceanographic research. A major focus of the climate change and ocean acidification research involves the use of a CO2 seep on nearby Shikine Island (Fig. 3), a natural analogue for end-of-the-century ocean acidification conditions. There, a field station provides accommodation and laboratory space to promote research using this system. This research is further complemented by our state-of-the-art incubation system for manipulative experiments based at the SMRC (Fig. 3), which has 128 tanks (20L) with access to natural seawater and that can individually monitor and control pH and temperature conditions. Various analytical machines are also available, including nutrient and elemental analyzers, mass spectrometer, confocal laser scanning microscopes, and electron microscopes. To facilitate cooperation and collaboration within the Japanese marine biology research community, the SMRC helped to initiate a research association between the national universities' marine stations in 2009 called the “Japanese Association for Marine Biology” (JAMBIO). This network continues to provide research support, field access, and a wide variety of laboratory facilities across the marine stations (including SMRC). JAMBIO is further integrated into a global network, World Association of Marine Stations, to ensure continued information sharing and collaboration. The SMRC is also involved in other international research networks, such as the recently formed “International CO2 & Natural Analogues Network” (ICONA) between Japan, Italy, and France, which facilitates innovative research on the ecosystem-level effects of ocean acidification using natural analogues. Education remains an important part of our activities at the SMRC. Teaching activities take advantage of the history and unique location of the center, as well as the wide range of research expertise. Much of our teaching is done through field courses, which provides our university students with a more hands-on learning experience. We additionally host further field courses that are open to undergraduate and graduate students from other universities in Japan, as well as courses for high school students, nature observation for smaller children, and public lectures. Through these various outreach activities, the center aims to evoke general interest in biology, as well as to increase awareness of the different environmental problems that threaten marine ecosystems and biodiversity. The SMRC will continue to welcome collaborations as it has done in the past and welcomes prospective researchers and postdoctoral visitors funded by international programs, such as Japan Society for the Promotion of Science grants. The SMRC also hosts international students within the frameworks listed above for short-term periods through its “SMRC International Internship Program in Marine Biology.” To know more about the research and facilities at SMRC, please visit our website: Shimoda Marine Research Center: https://www.shimoda.tsukuba.ac.jp/