Dr. Koichiro Tamura is a distinguished computational biologist and leading authority in molecular evolution and phylogenetics. He currently serves as Professor and Director of the Research Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics at Tokyo Metropolitan University, where he has held academic positions since 1988. After establishing his research foundation in evolutionary genetics, he was appointed Associate Professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University from 2005 to 2008 before advancing to his current professorship in October 2008. Dr. Tamura has dedicated his career to advancing the theoretical frameworks that underpin modern molecular evolutionary analysis, establishing himself as a pivotal figure in the field through his sustained contributions to evolutionary bioinformatics. His leadership in the Life Sciences Department has significantly shaped the research direction of Tokyo Metropolitan University's biological sciences program.
Dr. Tamura's groundbreaking research focuses on developing sophisticated methods for molecular evolutionary analysis, particularly in divergence time estimation using relaxed molecular clocks and ancestral sequence reconstruction of DNA and proteins. He is the principal developer of the widely acclaimed Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) software, which has become an indispensable tool for researchers worldwide studying evolutionary relationships. His methodological innovations have enabled more accurate predictions of pathogenic mutations and evolutionary rate changes, significantly advancing our understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying adaptation. The MEGA software platform, continuously developed under his leadership, has been cited tens of thousands of times and serves as the standard analytical framework for evolutionary studies across numerous biological disciplines. His theoretical work on evolutionary models has provided critical insights into the molecular mechanisms driving species diversification and adaptation.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Tamura has been instrumental in cultivating the next generation of evolutionary biologists through his teaching and mentorship at Tokyo Metropolitan University. He has received prestigious recognition including the Kimura Award in 2019 for his exceptional contributions to evolutionary genetics. Dr. Tamura continues to expand the frontiers of molecular evolution through ongoing experimental work on cold tolerance adaptation in Drosophila laboratory populations, bridging theoretical predictions with empirical validation. His collaborative approach has fostered international partnerships that have significantly advanced methodologies in evolutionary genomics and population genetics. His current research integrates theoretical advancements with empirical validation, positioning his laboratory at the forefront of evolutionary genomics as the field increasingly leverages computational approaches to address fundamental biological questions.
