Presidential Lecture by Prof. Reiko Kuroda

Left and right in nature. Does it matter?

Left and right asymmetry (chirality) is ubiquitous in nature, from molecules and crystals to living organisms. This seminar will cover the key insights gained from studies of chirality in the solid and solution states, as well as from molecular/developmental biology studies of freshwater snails, e.g., unique molecular behaviors in the solid state, and entire body-chirality determination by a single gene. These challenging topics have led to advances in measuring the chiroptical properties of materials in the solid state, and in CRISPR genome-editing in mollusks that are currently being applied to control schistosomiasis, a snail-borne neglected tropical disease (WHO).

Prof. Reiko Kuroda

Prof. Kuroda received her PhD in Chemistry from The University of Tokyo, and is currently a Distinguished Professor at Chubu University. Prior to this role, she held positions at King’s College London, the University of Tokyo (now Professor Emerita), and the Tokyo University of Science. 

As a scientist, she is known for her seminal contributions to left-right asymmetry (chirality) in crystallography, spectroscopy, and molecular/developmental biology, having published over 350 papers and given numerous invited lectures around the world. She is a Laureate of the L’Oréal UNESCO Women in Science Award and a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

As an activist, she has focused on science policy, education, women in science, science communication, and the environment, serving as Scientific Advisory Board member to the UN Secretary General on SDGs, Vice President of the International Council for Science (ICSU), a member of the Club of Rome, and a member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC).

For inquiries contact: oist_president@oist.jp

Check out recordings of the past Presidential Lectures at OIST here: https://www.oist.jp/about/president/lectures

You can also watch these on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxZHT0nOVpvx89gm0x95r-kkcu9AxD2ta