On June 8, 2026, KEPLR hosted a seminar featuring Steven Moussu from the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), The Plant Cell Wall Dynamics and Evolution Group, Toulouse Plant Science, France.

Dr. Moussu delivered a lecture entitled “The Growing Plant Cell Wall: Revisiting the Roles of Extensin Glycoproteins” as part of the 1577th Biological Sciences Seminar. The seminar was held in Room 223 of Building 2, Faculty of Science, the University of Tokyo, with additional participation via Zoom.

During the lecture, Dr. Moussu discussed recent advances in our understanding of plant cell wall growth and development, focusing on the functions of extensin glycoproteins and their roles in cell wall dynamics. The presentation highlighted emerging perspectives on the molecular mechanisms underlying plant cell wall assembly and expansion.

The seminar attracted researchers and students with interests in plant biology, cell biology, and evolutionary biology, and was followed by an engaging discussion among participants.

KEPLR sincerely thanks Dr. Moussu for sharing his research and insights with the community.

Dr. Ueli Grossniklaus, Vice Director of KEPLR, delivered a lecture at the University of Tokyo on May 14, 2026.

Date & Time: May 14, 2026 (Thu), 16:00–17:30
Speaker: Dr. Ueli Grossniklaus (Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, Zurich, Switzerland; Guest Professor, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan)
Title: Epigenetic variation and its possible role in adaptation and plant breeding

In his lecture, Dr. Grossniklaus introduced recent advances in our understanding of epigenetic variation in plants and discussed its potential roles in environmental adaptation and plant breeding. The seminar attracted many researchers and students, leading to active discussions throughout the event.

Following the lecture, a reception was held, providing an excellent opportunity for scientific exchange and international networking among participants.

On Friday, February 20, 2026, I gave a seminar at the Shimizu Group at the University of Zurich.
The seminar was titled:
Toward understanding the evolution of self-compatibility in Japanese Arabidopsis halleri

The 12th research meeting of the International Leading Research project “Key-Molecule Network in Plant Reproduction (KEPLR)” was held under the organization of Prof. Takayuki Kohchi.
The meeting featured invited talks by Professor Ueli Grossniklaus, Vice-Director of KEPLR. A total of 24 participants gathered on-site.

Event Details

• Date & Time: April 15, 2026, 12:50–17:30 (Doors open at 12:40; closing at 17:50)
• Venue: Campus Plaza Kyoto, Lecture Room 4 (6th floor), Kyoto, Japan (Hybrid format)

Program
• 13:00–14:00
Lecture 1: Ueli Grossniklaus (University of Zurich)
Can orphan crops help to mitigate climate change?
• 14:00–14:30
Lecture 2: Dr. Yoko Ikeda (Okayama University)
Switching Epigenetic States: DNA Methylation and Demethylation in Marchantia Reproduction

• Discussion Session

• 16:20–16:50
Lecture 3: Koichi Yamamori (Okayama University), Mitsuki Miwa (Kyoto University)
How does the gametocidal gene induce chromosome breakage in wheat? — Single-pollen RNA-seq analysis and molecular biological analysis in yeast —
• 16:50–17:10
Lecture 4: Takeru Kumagai (Kyoto University)
snRNA-seq and Epigenomic Analysis of Germline Differentiation in the Liverwort Marchantia polymorpha
• 17:10–17:30
Lecture 5: Hanako Shimizu (Kyoto University)
Seasonal enhancers in a perennial plant, Arabidopsis halleri subsp. gemmifera

On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the Kudoh Group organized a seminar at the Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University. Dr. Rie Shimizu-Inatsugi (Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich), from the Shimizu Group, was invited to give a lecture.

The seminar title was:
合成倍数体から探る倍数体エピジェネ進化の方向性
Exploring the Direction of Polyploid Epigenetic Evolution through Analysis of Synthetic Polyploids

https://www.ecology.kyoto-u.ac.jp/seminar.html#ct120