In collaboration with Derek Moulton at Mathematical Institute in Oxford and Nathanael Aubert-Kato at Ochanomizu University, we demonstrated a proof-of-concept approach to a multi-scale modeling of horn shape in a mollusk species ‘Sazae’ which shows a large phenotypic plasticity in presence and absence of horns within a single species. Sazae shows an amazing phenotypic plasticity – within one species, some grow large horns but the other do not, and even during an individual life, making horns or not switches. It has been hypothesized that this is because of ocean environment, such as degree of wave. Our model combining molecular scale and mechanical, morphological scale explains different horn shape from different … Continue reading →

How parental stress will impact on the variation in development of the next generation? ‘Bet-hedging’ hypothesis, in that between-sibling variation increases after parental exposure to environmental stress, has been widely discussed in evolutionary biology. However, contrary to the prediction of bet-hedging hypothesis, we found that variation in the maternal mRNAs decreases after maternal embryonic thermal stress in Ciona intestinalis. In a small number of mRNAs encoding signaling molecules, we found increase in maternal mRNA in the egg from stressed mothers. The results is published in BMC Ecology and Evolution 24: 21 (2024) https://bmcecolevol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12862-024-02203-8

Daniel Čapek (University of Constance, Germany) and I will organize a symposium at EuroEvoDevo 2024 Helsinki. The symposium aims at forming a new community of research on canalization, integrating mathematics, physics and biology. It will provide a great opportunity to build novel collaborations. Invited Speakers: Marie-Anne Felix, CNRS, Paris Hitoyoshi Yasuo, Villefranche-sur-mer, France (available except for 28th June) Timothy Saunders, University of Warwick, England Daniel Čapek, University of Constance, Germany Anybody who is working on environmental impact on development using diverse research tools are welcome to present your work! Please submit your abstract by 15 February 2024: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/conferences/euroevodevo-2024/registration-and-deadlines Thanks to the Company of Biologists (https://www.biologists.com/), we have some funding available … Continue reading →

If you are interested in joining Atsuko lab for your graduate study, please contact me via email with the following documents either in Japanese or in English. 1. Cover letter stating what you are/were working on, your major expertise and any past experience in molecular work and/or computational work, when and which degree you are supposed to obtain as a Master degree (if you are a prospective student for PhD), or undergraduate degree (if you are a prospective student for Master), how many years of research experience, expected starting date of your graduate study (either April 2024 or October 2024), your financial plan to support your study and your career … Continue reading →

The Journal Genesis has organized a ‘Woman in Tunicate’ special issue to disseminate contributions of female scientists in the tunicate research community. Atsuko wrote how she met Ciona and how she developed her research, in a hope of inspiring future scientists. Please check it out! Sato, A*. (2023) Two sister species of Ciona are not just complex but wonderful: a study of maternal mRNA to safeguard life on earth. Genesis 2023; e23555. I acknowledge the editors, Anna Di Gregorio and Marie Nydam, and Izumi Oda for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

We are recruiting a technical staff starting 2024. Please find more detail in ‘Joining us’ section.

An interdisciplinary PhD studentship (3 years) for a female student will be available from Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under the supervision of Prof. Atsuko Sato, Department of Biology, Ochanomizu University. Ochanomizu University, established in 1875 (https://www.ocha.ac.jp/en/), is one of the oldest universities for women’s higher education in Japan. The University is located in central Tokyo, and offers unique opportunities to support education and career development for women. Please see ‘Joining us’ section for more detail.