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Annual Meeting
MBSJ Code of Ethics
Guidelines relating to presentation of research results
April 2024
Son Goku (Sun Wukong), a god in monkey form, was brandishing a Nyoi-bo representing the TBXT gene. However, an AluY-marked dagger hit the Nyoi-bo and broke it off. Xia et al. showed that the loss of tails in hominoids, including humans and apes, was due in part to changes in splicing patterns caused by the insertion of an AluY element into the ancestral TBXT gene (Xia et al. (2024) Nature 626:1042-1048, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07095-8). Son Goku cannot hide the look of impatience on his face as his tail begins to disappear, having impaired the function of the Nyoi-bo, which is necessary to maintain his tail, the source of Son Goku's magical power.
March 2024
This is an ornamental tool called an 'inro' used to carry medicines in the Edo period. On the surface of this inro, the structure of N1-methyl-pseudouridine (N1mΨ), the key to the development of the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19, is schematically depicted with plum buds (oxygen atoms) and branches, using the maki-e lacquer decoration technique. Coronavirus particles are depicted on the toggle ('netsuke') used to secure the inro to the obi of the kimono. Perhaps one day, wherever we travel, we will enjoy our journey without fear of unknown viruses by swallowing a pill taken from our portable pill case like this inro.
