Nagoya University is pleased to announce that the 9th Tsuneko & Reiji Okazaki Award has been awarded to Professor Masatsugu Toyota (Saitama University, Graduate School of Science and Engineering). Professor Toyota was selected for his research on “mechano/chemosensory signal transduction in plants.”
The award will be presented during the 11th International Symposium on Transformative Bio-Molecules on November 27, 2025.
Established in 2015, the Okazaki Award is awarded annually to young researchers who have made outstanding contributions to the field of biology through innovative approaches or revolutionary techniques. Its purpose is to recognize the recipient’s exceptional accomplishments and encourage their future success. The award is administered by the Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM) at Nagoya University, and the selection committee is comprised of professors mainly from ITbM and the Graduate School of Science.
The award is named in honor of Dr. Tsuneko Okazaki and Dr. Reiji Okazaki, who conducted research at Nagoya University on the mysteries of DNA replication. Their discovery revealed an elegant solution to a biological puzzle that had stumped scientists. They found that during DNA replication, one strand is copied continuously while the other is copied in short segments—pieces that are now called “Okazaki fragments.” Their contributions extend beyond this research; they also dedicated themselves to advancing the field of molecular biology as a whole and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Related links
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules: Tsuneko & Reiji Okazaki Award
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules: List of previous Okazaki Award winners
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules website
- Saitama University, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Toyota Lab website
Contact information
| Administrative contact | Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University | office@itbm.nagoya-u.ac.jp |
| Media contact | International Communications Office, Nagoya University | icomm@t.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp |
