Dr. Arata Honda from Jichi Medical University visited our laboratory for collaborative research using rat embryos.

The 182nd RIKEN BRC Seminar was held at the RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Moriwaki Kazuo Hall and Zoom hybrid. Dr. Takaya TOTSUKA The Laboratory of Chromosome Dynamics and Evolution, National Institute of Health (NIH) Title: Mechanic diversity in the egg spindle positioning across mammalian species

Dr. Takaya Totsuka (The Laboratory of Chromosome Dynamics and Evolution, NIH) visited our laboratory from April 14 to 24 for training in intracytoplasmic sperm injection using spermatocyte.

To provide training in RIKEN BRC’s embryo and oocyte cryopreservation methods, Dr. Morita from our laboratory visited the Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Maine, USA) together with Dr. Uchida from the Jackson Laboratory Japan. The trainees were highly impressed by the high survival rates of embryos and oocytes after thawing, making the business trip a great success!

Dr. Uchida, a former member of our group (now with Jackson Laboratory Japan), visited our lab. She will present the RIKEN BRC’s methods for cryopreservation of fertilized and unfertilized eggs at the Jackson Laboratory in the United States. She is scheduled to travel to the US with Dr. Morita on 9–10 April to demonstrate and explain the cryopreservation methods. We look forward to your continued support.

The BRC Retreat was held on March 17–18 at the “Uno-misaki” National Guest House (Hitachi City, Ibaraki Pref.). Each principal investigator (PI) selected a topic to present, and we held group discussions. Once the discussions began, everyone launched into heated debates, so the sessions ran over schedule on both days; however, it was a valuable opportunity to delve deeply into each topic. From our laboratory, Director Inoue and Dr. Ogura participated and gave presentations.

On March 12-13, the JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) “Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING)” and “Broadening Opportunities for Outstanding young researchers and doctoral students in STrategic areas(BOOST)” Research Presentation Meeting (Univ. of Tsukuba) was held at Tsukuba International Congress Center (Tsukuba, Ibaraki). Mr. Syun TOKITA and Mr. Takaki TATEBE from our lab gave poster presentations. *Poster Presentation* Syun TOKITA: Overexpression of placenta-specific noncanonical imprinted genes causes placental enlargement in intersubspecific hybrid mice Takaki TATEBE: Analysis of Autophagy Degradation Systems in SCNT Embryos

The 6th Sexual Reproduction Research Meeting was held at Nagoya University South Building of Science Hirata-Sakata Memorial Hall on 23th-24th Feb. Title: “The Diversity and Commonality of Sexual Reproduction” Dr. Kimiko INOUE gave an invited lecture, and Ms. Michiko HIROSE gave a poster presentation. *Invited Lecture* Kimiko INOUE: RNA splicing abnormalities observed in somatic cell nuclear transfer cloned embryos *Poster Presentation* Michiko HIROSE: The advantages and applications of the hamster as a laboratory animal

The 19th Rat Resource and Research Meeting was held at Inamori Hall, Shiran Kaikan Main Building, Kyoto University on 13th Feb. Dr. Kohtaro Morita gave a lecture. Title: Highly efficient production of transgenic rats using piggyBac transposase mRNA and piezo-assisted microinjection

Mr. Hung Duong Lac, PhD student from Mizuno-sensei’s lab (Laboratory Animal Science, Tsukuba University), visited our lab. He took an internship in Experimental Animal Division, and on the final day, Mr. Pham Dinh Quoc introduced him our lab.