EPIC Assembly 2026 Symposium:

From Biological Complexity to Evolutionary Principles

March 14-16, 2026

Institute of Industrial Science,
The University of Tokyo, Japan

About the Conference

ASSEMBLING DISCIPLINES

EPIC Assembly project (Emergence of Novel Functional Assembly by Evo-Physico Information Coupling) explores the mechanisms and principles by which advanced and complex biological functions have emerged and been refined in biological history. We specifically focus on the concept of "assemblies", systems composed of heterotypic interacting elements, as a unifying framework that spans molecular to multicellular levels. Assemblies can become combinatorially complex as the number and diversity of constituent elements increase, offering a structural basis for the evolutionary exploration of novel functions.

To tackle this challenging problem, it is essential to integrate insights and techniques from diverse domains, ranging from biology, physics, information science, and mathematics.

In this conference, we ASSEMBLE leading researchers engaged in this cross-disciplinary field to advance the frontiers of integrative science and to explore new avenues for understanding the emergence and evolution of biological functions.

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Day Event
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Speakers
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Participants

Related Co-hosted Events on March 17-19:
[March 17] JST CREST Symposium: Integrating Continuous and Discrete Data and Structures for Biological Applications >>> Link
[March 18-19] Life-Nonlife Transition / Universal Biology Institute 2026 Symposium : Boundaries Between Life and Nonlife >>> Link

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Poster Presentation Guidelines

Poster Session Times

- Mar 14, 16:45–18:30
- Mar 15, 16:45–18:30

Poster size

The poster must fit within 145.6 cm (height) × 103 cm (width); standard sizes such as A0 or B0 are acceptable.

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Tentative Schedule
09:45-10:00
Opening remarks- Tetsuya Kobayashi
10:00-10:35
Invited Talk: Inference and optimization of decision-making processes - Antonio Celani
10:35-11:10
Invited Talk: Signal and Noise in Biodiversity Dynamics- Jeremy Beaulieu
11:10-11:20
Coffee Break
11:20-11:55
Invited Talk: Generative Epigenetic Landscape modelling- Paul François
11:55-12:30
EPIC Member Talk- Takao Suzuki
12:30-14:00
Lunch Break
14:00-14:35
EPIC Member Talk- Nen Saito
14:35-15:10
Invited Talk: Mechanochemical Collective Cellular Intelligence in Spheriods- Jennifer Schwarz
15:10-15:20
Coffee Break
15:20-15:55
EPIC Member Talk- Kaoru Sugimura
15:55-16:30
Invited Talk: Physical model of a crawling cell with mechanosensitive adhesion complexes- Hsuan-Yi Chen
16:30-16:45
Coffee Break
16:45-18:30
Poster Session
10:00-10:35
EPIC Member Talk- Ryo Hanai
10:35-11:10
Invited Talk: Pattern formation in number conserving active systems- Suropriya Saha
11:10-11:20
Coffee Break
11:20-11:55
EPIC Member Talk- Kazufumi Hosoda
11:55-12:30
Invited Talk: Evolution of microbial communities- Wenying Shou
12:30-14:00
Lunch Break
14:00-14:35
Invited Talk: Self-organization and information flow in multicellular systems- David Brueckner
14:35-15:10
EPIC Member Talk- Daiki Umetsu
15:10-15:20
Coffee Break
15:20-15:55
EPIC Member Talk- Satoshi Sawai
15:55-16:30
Invited Talk: Computer simulations of the morphodynamics of dynamic cell assemblies- Tetsuya Hiraiwa
16:30-16:45
Coffee Break
16:45-18:30
Poster Session
10:00-10:35
EPIC Member Talk- Kyogo Kawaguchi
10:35-11:10
Invited Talk: Genetically-encoded RNA condensates and organelles- Lorenzo Di Michele
11:10-11:20
Coffee Break
11:20-11:55
EPIC Member Talk- Masahiro Takinoue
11:55-12:30
Invited Talk: Physical organization of biomolecular condensates- Yongdae Shin
12:30-14:00
Lunch Break
14:00-14:35
EPIC Member Talk- Yasuka Toda
14:35-15:10
Invited Talk: Function and evolution of odorant receptors- Hiroaki Matsunami
15:10-15:20
Coffee Break
15:20-15:55
Invited Talk: Unraveling GPCR Signaling Logic through Quantitative Systems Biology- Ikuo Masuho
15:55-16:30
EPIC Member Talk- Kazuhiro Aoki
16:30-16:35
Closing Remarks- Tetsuya Kobayashi
16:35-17:00
Open Discussion
17:00-
Reception
Conference Registration

Participation is free of charge.

From young scientists to established leaders, all participants will gain valuable insights. Looking back, this gathering may well be remembered as a historic event.

Register now
Venue

Access Information

Odakyu Line / Tokyo Metro-Chiyoda Line
8-min walk from Higashi-Kitazawa Station
12-min walk from Yoyogi Uehara Station

Keio Inokashira Line
10-min walk from Komaba-Todaimae Station
10-min walk from Ikenoue Station

Details

See "Access" page in Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo.

Map

Sponsors
  • JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (A) "EPIC Assembly: Emergence of Novel Functional Assembly by Evo-Physico Information Coupling" https://epic-assembly.crmind.net/
  • Toyota Konpon Research Institute Investigative research project "Principles and Limitations of Frontier Exploration" https://konpon.toyota/exploration/
Co-hosts
  • JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (B) "Life-Nonlife transition" https://life-nonlife.com
  • JST CREST (JPMJCR2011) "Decoding of Information in Multi-Sourced Chemical Mixtures and its Applications"