Think globally, Seto Mar Biol Lab, Kyoto Univ

MESSAGE 

    For nearly 100 years, the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory (SMBL) has been a premier institution in Japan for the study of taxonomy, systematics, phylogeny, evolution, ecology, behavior, development, and other natural history sciences pertaining to marine biota. Located on the west coast of the Kii Peninsula at Bansho-zaki (Shirahama-cho), SMBL benefits from its proximity to relatively unpolluted waters, as well as the presence of the warm oceanic current known as Kuroshio, which brings a wealth of marine biota from tropical oceans to the area. The surrounding flora and fauna are exceptionally diverse, with salinities generally resembling those of the open ocean, though there are also a few low-salinity estuarine environments. Organisms from nearly all major groups of marine invertebrates and algae can be obtained from shore and depths up to 200 meters through various collecting techniques. Many of these organisms are of significant importance for research in areas such as taxonomy, phylogeny, and ecology.

Shirahama-cho can be accessed through scheduled air service from Tokyo International Airport at Haneda, as well as scheduled express train and bus services from Osaka or Kyoto. SMBL also manages biological preserves at Hatake-jima in Tanabe Bay, which offer a wide range of protected terrestrial and marine environments for both short- and long-term research projects and educational use. Research at SMBL is conducted year-round by a dedicated staff of resident researchers, as well as graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with a variety of ongoing research programs. Additionally, SMBL serves as a destination for visiting investigators from national and international institutions, having hosted hundreds of distinguished scientists from around the world. Accommodations for up to 50 individuals are also available on-site.

Furthermore, SMBL, as a part of Kyoto University, offers a wide variety of open coursework in marine biology for both undergraduate and graduate students during spring and summer and also host many field courses of marine biology by other universities and high schools throughout the year.

 I extend an invitation to visit SMBL, engage in discussions on collaborative research or consider enrollment in the graduate course (M.S. and Ph.D., Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University) for marine biology at our laboratory.

      Thanks,

          Akira Asakura

　　　　Specially Appointed Professor, Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, Kyoto University