The 5th International Symposium on Frontiers in Molecular Science
The 5th International Symposium on Frontiers in Molecular Science
Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms of Biological Function and Drug Discovery based on Protein Structure/Function Analysis
Part of the International Symposium on Frontiers in Molecular Science series
15th April 2025
15th May 2025
15th June 2025
1st July 2025
26th August 2025
Protein Structure and Function, Multidomain Proteins, Drug Design and Drug Resistance, Enzymes, Molecular Biology of Galectins, Glycobiophysics, NMR Spectroscopy, Specific Sensory Systems, Brain and Systemic Function
Welcome from the Chairs
Dear Colleagues,
We cordially invite you to participate in the 5th International Symposium on Frontiers in Molecular Sciences (ISFMS2025)—Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms of Biological Function and Drug Discovery based on Protein Structure/Function Analysis, to be held in Kyoto, Japan, from August 26 to 29, 2025. The symposium will present outstanding research results that elucidate the molecular mechanisms of biological function and regulation, and it will also facilitate drug design based on molecular biology, biophysical characterization, in vivo environmental homeostasis, organ interactions based on sensory systems, physiome, and AI-assisted analysis of protein structures and functions.
The venue will be the Inamori Hall, Liberal Arts and Science Building and the Kyoto Institute, Library and Archives (Rekisaikan), both affiliated with Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and the Kyoto Prefectural Government, located in Kyoto City. The venue is conveniently located approximately 20 minutes by subway or car from Japan Railway (JR) Kyoto Station, which is also easily accessible from Kansai International Airport (KIX) by JR (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes) or limousine bus (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes).
Kyoto, the ancient capital of the millennium, has a fascinating historical heritage and features numerous World Cultural Heritage sites, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Nijo-jo Castle, Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, Saiho-ji (Koke-dera) Temple and the Kozan-ji Temple, among others. These sites will be of great interest to visitors. Gion is another renowned location in Kyoto, showcasing the city's rich heritage and traditional Japanese culture. You can immerse yourselves in the authentic Japanese dances and music performed by Geiko and Maiko artists.
We look forward to welcoming you to Kyoto, Japan.
Conference Chairs，
Prof. Dr. Yoshinori Marunaka
Prof. Dr. Masayuki Takahashi
Prof. Dr. Yusaku Iwasaki
Prof. Dr. Akiyuki Taruno
Prof. Dr. Atsushi Shiozaki
For any inquiry, please contact Conference Secretariat: isfms@mdpi.com
Event Chairs
1.Kyoto Industrial Health Association, Japan;
2.Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan;
3.Ritsumeikan University, Japan
Prof. Yoshinori Marunaka, M.D, Ph.D., is currently President & Representative Director, Kyoto Industrial Health Association, General Incorporated Foundation, Japan; Professor, Ritsumeikan University, Japan; Professor Emeritus, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan. He received his M.D. (1979) and Ph.D. (1985) from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan, as well as his National License of Physicians and Surgeons, Japan (1979). He was a professor and chairperson of the departments of Molecular Cell Physiology, Bio-Ionomics, and Respiratory Medicine, the Dean for Student Affairs, and Director of Library at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine. Additionally, he has acted as an associate professor (Principal Investigator and Laboratory Head) at the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Canada, and he has also been an assistant professor at Emory University, USA. He was awarded the “Vebleo Nanomedicine Scientist Award” (Sweden), “Marco Polo della Scienza Italiana” (Italy), Premier's Research Excellence Award (Canada), Scholar Award (Medical Research Council of Canada), and Research Award from the National Kidney Foundation (USA). He serves as president of the Physiological Society of Japan; president of the International Society for Proton Dynamics in Cancer, president of the International Society for Cancer Metabolism, and he has been the editor-in-chief, chief editor, advisory board member, or editorial board member of more than 30 international scientific journals. He is interested in molecular mechanisms involved in regulating ion transports and body ionic environments, and he has obtained more than 60 research grants, published 278 peer reviewed articles, and provided more than 30 invited plenary lectures at international research conferences. H-index 50, i10-index 197, Citation 8388. Home Page, https://marunaka-y.com/english/
Masayuki Takahashi is a biochemist studying protein/DNA interactions in vitro, with a research focus on understanding RecA- and Rad51-promoted DNA strand exchange reactions in homologous recombination. His current interest is investigating the mechanism of DNA sequence recognition by complementary oligonucleotides, the basics of homologous recombination, CRISPR Cas9, and RNA interference technologies. He was born in Japan but immigrated to France at age 20. He entered Toulouse University and obtained a Ph.D. in biochemistry. He studied the transcription regulation of the cAMP receptor protein (CRP) by analyzing its interaction with DNA, RNA polymerase, and cAMP, and he simulated the regulation in vivo. He received a research position at the French National Research Organization (CNRS) before continuing his studies on transcription regulation of tetracycline resistance and DNA repair systems in a laboratory in Strasbourg. He then moved to the Institut Curie at Orsay and examined the molecular mechanism of RecA and Rad51-promoted DNA strand exchanges by performing kinetic and structural analyses. After moving to Nantes, he developed inhibitors of Rad51 as potential anticancer drugs. He then returned to Japan to work at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He also served as a visiting or invited professor at the Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), Fukuoka Dental University, Kyushu University, the Cancer Institute of Kanazawa University (Japan), and Yeungnam University (South Korea).
Yusaku Iwasaki earned a Ph.D. in Food and Nutritional Sciences from the University of Shizuoka in 2008. After serving as a postdoctoral researcher, assistant professor, and lecturer in the Department of Physiology at Jichi Medical University, he has been in his current position since 2018. His current specialization is in autonomic neuro-metabolism, aiming to develop new technologies to prevent and improve lifestyle-related diseases (overeating, obesity, diabetes, and depression) by targeting the vagal afferent nerves. He has received numerous awards, including the Academic Encouragement Award of Japan Society for the Study of Obesity in 2022, the Yas Kuno Memorial Award of the Physiological Society of Japan in 2020, the Invention and Discovery Encouragement Award of the ANDO Foundation in 2019, the Promotion Award for Young Scientists of the Physiological Society of Japan in 2016, and the Young Investigator Award of the Japan Endocrine Society in 2015.
His lab investigates the neural basis of epithelial chemosensations in the peripheral nervous systems and their processing in the central nervous system by employing an array of techniques, including optical imaging, electrophysiological recording, optogenetic manipulation, single-cell transcriptomics, and behavioral assays. He started his research in gustation as a post-doc at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Physiology in 2010 before moving to the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Cell Physiology as an assistant professor in 2013 (Professor 2018−present). His previous studies have helped identify key components of peripheral taste transduction. They include the molecular mechanisms of how taste cells lacking synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters and how sodium taste is processed within taste cells. These findings have helped establish the existence of a novel chemical synapse (dubbed the channel synapse), which provides a new paradigm to understand the mechanisms of epithelium−neuron chemical communication.
Atsushi Shiozaki, M.D, Ph.D., is Professor, Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. He received his M.D. (1997) and Ph.D. (2007) from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. His research interests are Cellular Physiology and Surgical Oncology. Especially, he investigated clinicopathological and prognostic significances of various membrane transporters in digestive cancers, roles of ion channels in cancer stem cells, and cytocidal effect of hypotonic shock in cancer cells.
Scientific Committee
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Dr. Luigi Vitagliano
Prof. Dr. Hao Lin
Plenary Speakers
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Prof. Dr. Vladimir N. Uversky is a Professor at the Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, with a distinguished academic career marked by a DSc in Biophysics from the Russian Academy of Sciences and a PhD from the Moscow Institute of Technical Physics. His research interests lie in protein folding, misfolding, and non-folding, with a particular emphasis on intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Dr. Uversky has made significant contributions to understanding the role of IDPs in biological processes and their involvement in various diseases. He is a member of several professional societies, including the ASBMB and the Biophysical Society, and has an extensive list of publications that reflect his impact on the field of protein biophysics. His academic philosophy underscores the importance of collaboration, creativity, and interdisciplinary research, preparing students for the collaborative nature of modern scientific endeavors. |
Prof. Dr. Hideki Sakai |
Professor Hideki Sakai is a distinguished researcher and educator at the University of Toyama, specializing in Pharmaceutical Physiology. With a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University (1992), he has made significant contributions to the field of cell physiology, focusing on ion-transporting proteins in epithelial cells. His research employs physiological, biochemical, and pharmacological techniques. Prof. Sakai has an impressive academic record with 2501 citations and an h-index of 25. He has been involved in multiple research projects and has published extensively, with 91 articles and 8 review papers. His expertise spans cell physiology, electrophysiology, and biophysical chemistry. |
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His lab investigates the neural basis of epithelial chemosensations in the peripheral nervous systems and their processing in the central nervous system by employing an array of techniques, including optical imaging, electrophysiological recording, optogenetic manipulation, single-cell transcriptomics, and behavioral assays. He started his research in gustation as a post-doc at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Physiology in 2010 before moving to the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Cell Physiology as an assistant professor in 2013 (Professor 2018−present). His previous studies have helped identify key components of peripheral taste transduction. They include the molecular mechanisms of how taste cells lacking synaptic vesicles release neurotransmitters and how sodium taste is processed within taste cells. These findings have helped establish the existence of a novel chemical synapse (dubbed the channel synapse), which provides a new paradigm for understanding the mechanisms of epithelium−neuron chemical communication. |
Sessions
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S1. Protein Structure and Molecular Dynamics
Session chair
Keynote Speaker
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S2. Enzymes
Session chair
Prof. Dr. Maria Hrmova__________________________________________________________________________________________________
S3. Membrane Proteins
Session chairs
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S4. Antibody & Fusion Protein Engineering
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S5. Drug Design and Solution to Drug Resistance Problem
Session chair
Keynote Speaker
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S6. Physiological Functions of Proteins and Organ Interactions
Session chairs
Prof. Dr. Yusaku Iwasaki
Keynote Speakers
Registration
Contact isfms@mdpi.com for all issues related to the registration.
The registration fee includes attendance of all conference sessions, morning / afternoon coffee breaks and lunches, participation in the conference banquet, conference bag. Participation to the conference is considered final only once the registration fees have been paid. Registered attendees will be invited to contribute a full manuscript to the Special Issue, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS, ISSN: 1422-0067, IF: 4.9) with a 20% discount on the publication fee.
Please note that, in order to finalize the scientific program in due time, at least one registration by anyone of the authors, denoted as Covering Author, is required to cover the presentation and publication of any accepted abstract. Covering Author registration deadline is July 1, 2025.
Please note that abstract submission and conference registration are two separate processes. During registration, please provide us with the same email address you used to submit your abstract(s). Otherwise, leave us a comment in the registration form, providing the email address used during the submission process. In addition, we prefer you to use your institutional email address for both processes.
If you are registering several people under the same registration order, please do not use the same email address for each person, but their individual institutional email addresses. Thank you for your understanding.
Certificate of Attendance: Participants of the event will be able to download an electronic Certificate of Attendance by accessing their dashboards on Sciforum.net once the event is concluded. The certificates will be found under "My Certificates" category.
*Japanese Consumption Tax is included in the price.
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Early Bird Until 15th June 2025 |
Regular Until 26th August 2025 |
Supported documents | |
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| Student | 35000.00 JPY | 40000.00 JPY |
Please upload a valid proof of your student identity, e.g. Certificate of Study, Student ID card. |
| Academic | 60000.00 JPY | 70000.00 JPY | |
| Non-academic | 80000.00 JPY | 90000.00 JPY | |
| Keynote/Invited Speaker | 55000.00 JPY | 55000.00 JPY |
Please upload your invitation email. |
| IJMS Editorial Board Member/Guest Editor/Event Committee Member/Topical Advisory Panel | 55000.00 JPY | 60000.00 JPY |
Active discounts
Group of 3: 5% discount
Note: Group size refers to the number of registered attendees in the same registration order.
Cancellation policy
Participation to the conference is considered final only once the registration fees have been paid. The number of participants is limited, once the number of paid registrations reaches the maximum number of participants, unpaid registrations will be cancelled.
| Cancellation of paid registration is possible under the terms listed below: | |
| ≥ 1 month before the conference | Full refund but 15,000 JPY are retained for administration |
| ≥ 3 weeks before the conference | Refund 50% of the applying fees |
| ≥ 2 weeks before the conference | Refund 25% of the applying fees |
| < 2 weeks before the conference | No refund |
Disclaimer
In the unlikely event that ISFMS 2025 Conference Secretariat shall deem it necessary to cancel the conference, all pre-paid registration fees will be reimbursed. ISFMS 2025 Conference Secretariat shall not be liable for reimbursing the cost of travel or accommodation arrangements made by individual delegates.
Photographs and/or video will be taken during the conference
By taking part in this event you grant the event organisers full rights to use the images resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the conference’s aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in their printed and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications.
Payment methods
Wire transfer, Credit card
Currencies accepted by this event
Swiss francs (CHF) , Euros (EUR) , US dollars (USD) , Pounds sterling (GBP) , Japanese yen (JPY) , Canadian dollars (CAD) and Singapore dollars (SGD)
Instructions for Authors
- Create an account on Sciforum if you do not have one, then click on Submit Abstract at the top of the Conference website.
- Indicate which thematic area is best suited for your research.
- The structure abstract should include the introduction, methods, results, and conclusions sections of about 200–350 words in length.
- The deadline to submit your abstract is April 15, 2025. You will be notified by May 15, 2025 regarding the the acceptance.
- Upon submission, you can select if you wish to be considered for oral presentation or poster presentation. Following assessment by the Chairs, you will be notified in a separate email whether your contribution has been accepted for oral or poster presentation.
- Please note that to finalize the scientific program in due time, at least one registration by any of the authors, denoted as Covering Author, is required to cover the presentation and publication of any accepted abstract.
- All abstracts accepted for presentation will be collected in a book of abstracts, which will be displayed on the website during the conference.
The slot for the oral presentation is 15 mins (Presentation & Q&A). Authors are encouraged to prepare a presentation in PowerPoint or similar software. We will send you the link to upload your slides before the conference.
Each presenter will be provided with a vertical poster board. The poster size is 90 cm x 140 cm. Please print your poster prior to the conference. A plan of the poster session will be circulated later on.
You can use our free template to create your poster. The poster template can be downloaded here.
Publication Opportunities
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International Journal of Molecular Sciences Publication
Participants in this conference are cordially invited to contribute a full manuscript to the Special Issue, published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences （IJMS, ISSN: 1422-0067, IF: 4.9) with a 20% discount on the publication fee. There is no guarantee of the publication in IJMS journal. All submitted papers will undergo MDPI’s standard peer-review procedure. The abstracts should be cited and noted on the first page of the paper.
Please note if you have IOAP/association discounts, conference discounts will be combined with IOAP/association discounts. Conference discounts cannot be combined with reviewer vouchers. -
Proceeding Paper Publication
You are welcome to submit a proceeding paper (4-8 pages) to Biology and Life Sciences Forum journal (ISSN: 2673-9976) after the conference. Publication of the proceedings will be free of charge. The proceeding paper will be open for submissions after the conference and closed on September 6, 2025.
Authors are asked to disclose that it is a proceeding paper of the ISFMS 2025 conference paper in their cover letter. Carefully read the rules outlined in the 'Instructions for Authors' on the journal’s website and ensure that your submission adheres to these guidelines.
Manuscripts for the proceedings issue must be formatted as follows:
- Title.
- Full author names.
- Affiliations (including full postal address) and authors' e-mail addresses.
- Abstract.
- Keywords.
- Introduction.
- Methods.
- Results and Discussion.
- Conclusions.
- Acknowledgements.
- References.
Event Awards
We are excited to announce two prestigious awards in recognition and celebration of the outstanding contributions made by our ISFMS 2025 participants.
Best Oral Presentation Award
Eligibility: Open to all authors who had given an oral presentation.
Criteria: Based on the quality of content, delivery, engagement with the audience, and overall impact.
Best Poster Award
Eligibility: Open to all researchers who have showcased their work through posters.
Criteria: Judged on scientific merit, creativity, and ability to attract attention and engage with viewers.
Each Best Oral Presentation Award and Best Poster Presentation Award winner will be entitled to one publication in the IJMS journal, with the Article Processing Charges (APC) of 2,900CHF waived.
The number of winners available for these awards will be announced at a later date, depending on the status of submissions received.
Organizers
Venue, Travel and Tourism
VENUE
Kyoto Institute, Library and Archives, Rekisaikan
Source: https://rekisaikan.jp/about/ , Kyoto Institute, Lubrary and Archives, Rekisaikan (official website)
Inamori Hall, Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
Source: https://kyoto3univ.jp/ , Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences (official website)
Inamori Hall, Liberal Arts and Science Building and the Kyoto Institute, Library and Archives (Rekisaikan), Kyoto
Inamori Hall was founded by Kyoto Prefecture with a plan for collaborations in liberal arts education among three universities―Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University, and Kyoto Institute of Technology. In response to this plan, Inamori expressed his agreement with this goal and offered to contribute his personal assets, stating, “It is important for the students of these three universities in Kyoto to acquire a broad range of general knowledge, including philosophy and ethics, to elevate their humanity and to interact openly with each other.” As a result, the construction of a center for collaborations in liberal arts education was completed in September 2014 and was named "Inamori Hall." The center has a variety of facilities, including 17 classrooms, laboratories, study halls, and a restaurant. Further, the Inamori Exhibition Room, which introduces Inamori's legacy and philosophy, is open to the public.
Address: 1-5 Shimogamo Hangicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 606-0823
Access: * Accessible through “Kyoto Institute, Library and Archives (Rekisaikan)”
Nearest station: Kitayama Station (Karasuma Subway Line) (6 minute walk from Exit 1)
TRAVEL
By Plane
Kyoto (Japan) is easily accessible by air through Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Kansai International Airport (KIX) serves the western area of Japan, housing the tourist-magnet city of Kyoto and the urban powerhouse of Osaka, along with the deeply spiritual ground of surrounding prefectures Nara and Wakayama
In 2020, Kansai was ranked the tenth-best airport in the world by Skytrax and received its awards for Best Airport Staff in Asia, World's Best Airport Staff, and World's Best Airport for Baggage Delivery.
Upon arriving at Kansai International Airport, attendees can easily access Inamori Hall, Liberal Arts and Science Building through the following transport options.
By Train
⓵ Using the JR HARUKA train, directly from Kansai Airport Station to Kyoto Station.
Transportation time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Price: around JPY 3,500
For more information, please see the following link: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/one_way/haruka/
⓶ After arriving at Kyoto station, change to the Karasuma line (to Kokusaikaikan) and stop at Kitayama Station; take Exit 1
Transportation time: 15 minutes
Price: around JPY 300
⓷ Walk 10 minutes to Inamori Hall, Liberal Arts and Science Building
By Bus
⓵ Using Bus
From Terminal 1: use Airport Shuttle Bus Number 8 to Kyoto Station. Hachijo–guchi
From Terminal 2: use Airport Shuttle Bus Number 2 to Kyoto Station. Hachijo–guchi
Transportation time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Price: around JPY 2,800
For more information, please see the following link: https://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KY
⓶ Walk 10 minutes to Kyoto Station (Bus Platform 2)
Take City bus number 4 （Nishigamo Shako via Shijo Kawaramachi and Kamigamo jinja Shrine）
Stop at Kitanonocho
Transportation time: 45 minutes
Price: around JPY 250
⓷ Walk 7 minutes to Inamori Hall, Liberal Arts and Science Building
By Taxi
Taxis are readily available outside the airport terminals, providing a comfortable and convenient way to reach your accommodation and the conference venue.
The ride will take about 1 hour 35 minutes depending on the traffic. The fare travelling to Inamori Hall, Liberal Arts and Science Building from Kansai airport is quite expensive, around JPY 40,000.
For more information, please see the following link: https://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/taxi
By Private Car
Ride-hailing services such as GO or DIDI provide a popular and convenient transport option. To utilize these services, you may download the applications on your phone. Fares may fluctuate depending on commuter demand or peak hours.
TOURISM
Source: Ninenzaka pedestrian street with pavements and paper umbrellas, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan, early morning
Wikimedia commons:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pedestrian_road_with_pavements_and_paper_umbrellas,_Higashiyama-ku,_Kyoto,_Japan,_early_morning.jpg
Searched through CC search Portal: https://search.creativecommons.org/
Surrounded by rich natural beauty, Kyoto is a city with a unique repertoire of compelling culture that has been refined over the past 1,200 years. Many aspects of Japanese culture originate from Kyoto and are deeply rooted in the lives of residents to this day.
Click on the link below to explore Kyoto: https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kansai/kyoto/
Visa Information
All visitors to Japan must meet the following entry requirements:
• Valid Passort (with a minimum validity of 6 months);
• Onward/return ticket;
• Sufficient funds to stay in Japan;
• Visa for Japan (*if applicable).
* For details on entry visa requirements, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Website.
Request for Visa Application Document(s) - Invitation Letter
If, for visa purposes, you require an invitation letter to allow you to travel to Japan, please email isfms@mdpi.com the following details to the conference secretariat:
• Photocopy of your passport;
• Full Name (as it appears on your passport);
• Date and Place of Birth;
• Nationality;
• Occupation;
• Organization;
• Passport number;
• Place of Issue;
• Date of Issue: dd/mm/yyyy;
• Expiration Date: dd/mm/yyyy;
• Country of departure;
• Mail address.
Kindly ensure that you have completed your registration and made payment before sending in your request for your visa application document(s) to the conference secretariat. The document(s) will be prepared and sent by email. The failure to provide the above information will result in the delay of your invitation letter.
Sponsors and Partners
Media Partners
Conference Secretariat
Ms. Katrina Zhang
Ms. Erena Torizuka
Mr. Benjamin Tay
Ms. Jessie Li
isfms@mdpi.com
