Usa Marine Biological Institute

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Usa Marine Biological Institute (Japanese: 高知大学 海洋生物教育研究センター)

Established: 1953, August 1
Type: Public
President: Izumi Kinoshita
Faculty: 4
Undergraduates: 30
Postgraduates: 7
Location: Usa, Kochi, Japan
Website: [1]


Usa Marine Biological Institute  pier
Usa Marine Biological Institute pier


The Usa Marine Biological Institute (UMBI) (sometimes referred to as MBI-Japan, Japanese Marine Biological Institute, Usa Kaiyo Center or just Usa) in Usa cho, is one of the oldest and largest centers for Phycology and Marine Biology research, graduate training, and public service in Japan. UMBI is located in the village of Usa_cho, Kochi Prefecture, Japan and is devoted to scientific research leading to MS and PhD degrees in Phycology, Marine Biology and related fields. It grants degrees jointly with Kochi University.

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[edit] History

The Usa Marine Biological Station was founded in 1953 as an "independent research institute" by the Japanese Government. In 1978, its name changed into "Usa Marine Biological Institute".

Under the directorship of Professor Masao Ohno, the institute has established a JICA training program in Marine Biology and since then a large number of foreign researchers come to the instutute to pursue short term research projects. At present, the current director Professor Izumi Kinoshita supervises and coordinate JICA training program.

Usa Marine Biological Institute researchers at sea, 1963
Usa Marine Biological Institute researchers at sea, 1963

Since 2004, UMBI has started a new graduate program Kuroshio Sciences jointly with Kochi University to study Kuroshio Current in an interdisciplinary perspective. UMBI graduate students are supported by various financial aid schemes, especially Monbukagakusho MEXT International PhD Program.

[edit] Vessels

Captain Yano posing on board UMBI Coastal Survey Boat R/V Hamayu
Captain Yano posing on board UMBI Coastal Survey Boat R/V Hamayu

UMBI operates several manned research vessels and vehicles, owned by the Kochi University or the Japanese Government

  • R/VYutaka Hata Maru)
  • R/V Neptune
  • R/V Hamayu
  • R/V Triton

[edit] Faculty and Research

[edit] Laboratories

UMBI Current and past directors
UMBI Current and past directors

Early life-history of fishes

PhD Student

  • Mr Nunobe, Early life history of Ayu

Zooplankton Ecology

Crustacean Ecology

Marine Phycology

PhD Students

[edit] Phycological Research

Ulva prolifera Scale-up photobioreactors installed at Muroto facility.
Ulva prolifera Scale-up photobioreactors installed at Muroto facility.
Mr Ooki, a seaweed farmer cultivating Monostroma latissimum in the Shimanto estuary
Mr Ooki, a seaweed farmer cultivating Monostroma latissimum in the Shimanto estuary

Usa Marine Biological Institute is long renowned for marine Phycological research. Emeritus Professor Masao Ohno is the first person in Japan to incorporate artificial seeding method for the commercial cultivation of green algae. The institute is one of the pioneer research institutes in the world for the study of Ulvophycean algae and has state-of-art facilities for the marine Phycological research.


Contemporary Marine Phycology research in the UMBI focuses on culture studies to establish life-histories of Ulvophycean algae (Ulva and Monostroma), tank cultivation of Ulva using Deep Seawater (Conducted conjointly with Deep Seawater Research Center, Muroto, Japan) and Ecology of Ecklonia and Sargasm species in Pacific Ocean.

[edit] Notable Alumni

  • Masao Ohno
  • Professor Nakauchi
  • Professor Yamaoka

[edit] See also

[edit] External links