Introduction
The Shimoda Marine Research Center of the University of Tsukuba is a marine biology research and education facility surrounded by the rich coastal environment of the southern Izu Peninsula. The ocean is the source of life on Earth and has given rise to its immense biological diversity. To understand both our planet and humanity, knowledge of marine life is essential. The 21st century is an era of life sciences and environmental awareness. At the Shimoda Marine Research Center, research and education span both fundamental and advanced marine sciences, with the aim of deepening our understanding of the basic principles of life and interactions among organisms. The center is home to seven faculty members who study marine organisms from a wide range of perspectives—from molecules to ecosystems—including molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, developmental biology, taxonomy, animal behavior, and ecology. In addition, many researchers from universities and research institutions in Japan and abroad visit the center to conduct collaborative research. Marine biology plays an important role not only for those pursuing biology but also in fostering talent across a broad range of disciplines. The Shimoda Marine Research Center hosts marine field courses for students from the University of Tsukuba, including the School of Biological Sciences and the Graduate School of Life and Earth Sciences, as well as for students from other universities in Japan and overseas.
