Dr. Kazuo Shinozaki is a distinguished molecular biologist and internationally recognized leader in plant genomics research. He currently serves as Senior Advisor of RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science and Group Director of Gene Discovery Research Group. After earning his biology degree from Osaka University, he completed his PhD in molecular biology at Nagoya University in 1977 with a thesis on Discontinuous DNA replication of T7 phage. He began his research career at the National Institute of Genetics in Mishima in 1978, where he studied molecular cloning of tobacco chloroplast genes. His career trajectory included significant leadership roles including Director of RIKENs Plant Science Center from 2005 and Director of the Center for Sustainable Resource Science from 2013 until 2020.
Dr. Shinozaki pioneered the determination of the complete tobacco chloroplast genome sequence in 1986, establishing a foundational resource for plant molecular biology. In 1999, he launched a landmark Arabidopsis functional genomics project that systematically collected full-length cDNAs and mutant lines with tagged genes, creating an invaluable resource for the global plant science community. His research group identified novel stress-responsive genes and elucidated cross talk between different stress response pathways in plants. These genomic resources were made publicly accessible through the RIKEN BioResource Center, significantly accelerating plant molecular research worldwide. More recently, his laboratory has advanced omics research through innovative phenotyping systems like RIPPS for data-driven prediction of optimal growth conditions and genotypes.
Dr. Shinozaki served as president of the Japan Society of Plant Physiologists from 2010 to 2011, demonstrating his leadership within the plant science community. His collaborative approach has fostered extensive scientific partnerships, most notably with his frequent collaborator and spouse, Kazuko Yamaguchi. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Person of Merit for the Contribution to Culture and Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2016 and elected as an international member of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States in 2020. His current research continues to focus on integrating multi-omics approaches to address sustainable agriculture challenges through advanced data science methodologies. As a mentor and scientific leader, Dr. Shinozaki's work continues to shape the future of plant molecular biology and sustainable resource science globally.
