TOPICS

　The ecosystem anomalies observed in Chilean coastal waters in recent years, especially outbreaks or harmful algae bloom (HAB). The HAB are currently a threat to the Chilean aquaculture industry, as well as to the marine ecosystem of a larger area. Episodes of large-scale fish mortality caused by HAB occurred in the Los Lagos region during March and May 2016, where the accumulation of paralyzing toxin in filtered seafood from natural and farmed shallows caused by a HAB was almost observed, damaging both to artisanal fishing and aquaculture, generating public health alert. In this way, it is urgent to carry out detailed investigations to counteract these damages, particularly those related to […]

   On the first half of January 2020, we held a two-week summer course of genomic informatics entitled “Introduction to Microbial Genomic and Metagenomic Analyses” at University of La Frontera (UFRO). Prof. Andrés Ávila (UFRO) and Dr. Mikihiko Kawai (Kyoto University) of this project collaborated to create a program and organized the course. Lecturers were Prof. Ávila, Assistant Professor So Fujiyoshi (Kyoto University), Assistant Professor Michel Abanto (UFRO), Dr. Kawai, and Giovanni Larama (UFRO), who in total provided a comprehensive course covering basic topics ranging from biology to informatics as well as practical content of microbial genomics.    This summer course was carried out as a UFRO graduate course subject, […]

　　　On December 9, 2019 the project server for analyses of microbes including harmful algae has finally arrived and installed at UFRO. The opening ceremony was organized at Center for Modeling and Computer Science (CMCC), with the presence of authorities of UFRO, along with the project members and other Japanese research members. The server was presented as “Soroban” (Japanese term for Abacus), Prof. Ávila expressed our gratitude to UFRO authorities (Dr. Hunter, vice rector of UFRO) 　　　This server is financed by SATREPS MACH project and will be maintained and operated by UFRO. The main purpose of this server is to conduct sophisticated DNA analysis of all the samples that have been […]

    　　During November 11th to 13th, 2019, four laboratory assistants of the MACH project participated in a training seminar organized by IFOP-CREAN (Instituto de Fomento Pesquero- El Centro de Estudios de Algas Nocivas) in Puerto Montt city. The main goal of this training was to standardize and improve the knowledge of the assistants on microscopic microalgae identification required for their sampling. Also, this meeting was very important for these assistants to meet together for the first time and to discuss various problems they have encountered during sampling. 　　　To initiate the activities, Dr. Leonardo Guzman and Dr. Oscar Espinoza presented the role of IFOP and their work on HABs (Harmful Algae […]

　　On October 10, we have participated a seminar in Castro city, Los Lagos Region (Chiloé Island) , co-organized by  Technological Institute of Mitilicultura (INTEMIT)  and CETMIS (Centro de Extensionismo Tecnológico para una Mitilicultura Sustentable) for local mussel farming producers. Audiences included local mussel farmers, local National Fisheries Service office (SERNAPESCA), local aquaculture companies and local high school students from Castro, Chonchi and Quemchi, gathering more than 200 people. 　　This seminar is held every October by INTEMIT for Los Lagos mussel farmers, aiming to promote information sharing among researchers and local industries with the latest information on mussel culture and this year marks 5th event.   As a result, there was a […]

     On September 4, we have co-organized a public seminar at Temuco city, Araucanía Region with Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO). Audiences included local regional Araucanía government, Temuco Municipality staff, researchers and students and staff from UFRO. Main objective of this public seminar was to inform to citizens and public sectors of Temuco city and surrounding area a progress of ongoing project and its potential benefit to their community.     First, Professor Milko Jorquera, director of MACH project, overviewed the ongoing progress in its second year of 5-years project: monitoring and sampling through all part of Chile (link:), that is, Antofagasta, Puerto Saavedra, Bahía Mansa, Puerto Montt, Calbuco, Cucao, Quellón, […]

   On September 5, we held the 2nd Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of project MACH at University of La Frontera (UFRO) at Temuco together with all associated members.  A JCC is organized annually to share all the scientific and management progress on MACH project and discuss various issues related to 5 years project of implementation such as equipment procurement, scientific data sharing, and confirmation of technical visit to Japan and so on. A day before JCC meeting on September 4th, members from all the scientific institution of both Chile and Japan have internal meeting to prepare for the JCC meeting and shared progress and coming research plan.     In this […]

On Sep. 9th, 2019, Prof. Maruyama, Dr. Fujiyoshi and Mr. Vilugrón , SATREPS lab assistant in IFOP Puerto Montt visited IFOP Magallanes group. The staff in Magallanes group kindly cooperates with us and take samples around Punta Arenas every month. As a part of the special seminar in IFOP, Prof. Maruyama Dr. Fujiyoshi and Mr. Vilugrón gave a talk for the members. Prof. Maruyama firstly expressed his gratitude for the member’s support, and explained the overview of SATREPS-MACH project. He emphasized that this MACH project focuses on “holobiome: the interaction between HAB (Harmful Algae Bloom) and other microorganisms” as well as physicochemical factors. So far, HAB research is only focused […]

        On 26th september 2019, Dr. So Fujiyoshi gave a talk “Bioinformatics in Microbiome Analysis” on the workshop of “Konünwenu 2019” (link) held at University of La Frontera (UFRO).          The workshop was held by Centro de Excelencia de Modelación y Computación Científica (CEMCC), University of La Frontera. The title of the workshop “Konünwenu” means “Entrance to Cosmos” of Mapudungun (the language of the Mapuche people). CEMCC invited the speakers from broad areas of background of academic and companies, to facilitate audiences to learn about trends of each area of data science and informatics. Talks ranged from astronomy, cyber security, and data science of different research […]

    At the beginning of September 2019, we invited three professors to Chile, Dr. Yoshihiro Ito (associate professor of Kyoto University, Disaster Prevention Research Institute; link), Dr. Kei Yoshimura (professor of the University of Tokyo, Institute of Industrial Science; link), and Dr. Shinji Nakaoka (lecturer of Hokkaido University, Graduate School of Life Sciences; link), to present lectures to Chilean communities. Dr. Ito is the Japanese leader of the earthquake research project that is proceeding in Mexico (link) on the same framework as our MACH project, the SATREPS International Science and Technology Cooperation Program. Dr. Yoshimura and Dr. Nakaoka are collaborating with our project (link).     On September 3, […]