Peer Reviewed Papers
Book Publications
- Mana Masui 2021 “MYXOVERSE — The World of Slime Molds” Shueisha
Publisher's Page
"I want to convey the real essence of the MYXOVERSE, the world where slime molds live." Fifty small stories created by a 20-year-old.
"Such a versatile and ever-changing creature is right here, so close to us. The marvelous world presented by the author termed as a modern-day Kumagusu." - Dr. Juichi Yamagiwa (Primatologist & Anthropologist / Director-General of Research Institute for Humanity and Nature)
"The author has gained fame for his intimate connection with slime molds since the age of 5. This book, created when he turned 20, is a collection of his thoughts on slime molds, expressed through photographs and words. Unlike field guides or scientific research papers, it is a portrayal of his empathy towards these organisms in words. The reader can sense his persistent efforts to understand how slime molds live and feel through their coexistence and continuous observation. Within the concise and poetic prose, there are words that awaken a sense of awe towards life, leaving a profound impression. While I have read various books about slime molds, this is the first encounter with one written from such a unique perspective. It is reassuring to know that someone can direct such a familiar gaze at these enigmatic creatures we cohabit the Earth with. The exquisite and beautiful photographs by him add to the book's allure." - Dr. Masayuki Shimura (Comparative Cultural Historian / Executive Committee Member of the Minakata Kumagusu Society / Board Member of the Minakata Kumagusu Archives / Part-time Lecturer at Keio University)
- Mana Masui 2017 “The World Is Filled With Slime Mold” Asahi Press [in Japanese]
Details in English
"This well-crafted introductory book presents these bizarre yet incredibly adorable organisms. Many of the book's charms lie in the author's encounter with slime molds at a young age and his literary style and composition. It is, without a doubt, a well-executed book. The attention to detail is fascinating." - Natsuki Ikezawa (Novelist) Weekly Bun-shun, March 8, 2018
Earned a FIVE-STAR rating. "The Adventures of a 16-Year-Old Scientist.” "It is an enjoyable photo essay and, at the same time, a substantial scientific research book, in short, a book worth reading." - Kaoru Takeuchi (Science Writer) The Nikkei, January 25, 2018, Evening Edition
"The natural science book 'The World is Full of Slime Molds' by Mana Masui (17) is experiencing extraordinary popularity." - The Yomiuri Shimbun, August 10, 2018, Evening Edition
1st place in the "Biology" category on Amazon.co.jp. Amazon
The book has been nominated by numerous public libraries, school libraries, and library promotion organizations, and has been a subject book in several reading impressionistic contests. were assigned to write book reports for a writing competition.
Presentations in International Conference
- 28-31 August 2023. ICSEM 11: The International Congress on the Systematics and Ecology of Myxomycetes 11 (Tartu, Estonia) Aural Presentation. Mana Masui, Philip Yamamotoaki, Nobuaki Kono. “Elucidating the significance of the SELF — NON-SELF recognition system of Myxomycetes”
- 19-20 August 2017. ICSEM 9: 9th International Congress on the Systematics and Ecology of Myxomycetes (Tanabe, Japan) Poster Presentation in English. Mana Masui “Plasmodium of Myxomycetes has the unique ability to recognize self and non-self”
Presentations in Domestic Conference
- 8 December 2023. The 46th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan (MBSJ2023) (Kobe Convention Center, Hyogo) Poster Presentation. Mana MASUI, Philip YAMAMOTO, Nobuaki KONO. "Spatial Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Mechanisms of Allorecognition in Plasmodium of Myxomycetes."
- 17-21 March 2023. The 70th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of Japan (ESJ70). Online Poster Presentation. Mana MASUI, Philip YAMAMOTO, Nobuaki KONO. "Evaluation of behavioral response to Search for Molecules Related to Allorecognition in Myxomycetes"
- 30 November 2022. The 45th Annual Meeting of the Molecular Biology Society of Japan (MBSJ2022) (Makuhari Messe, Chiba) Poster Presentation. Mana MASUI, Philip YAMAMOTO, Masaru TOMITA, Nobuaki KONO. "Myxomycete plasmodium genome analysis and evaluation of behavioral response to identify self-other recognition (allorecognition) related substances."
- 5 August 2022. Society for Evolutionary Studies, Japan (SESJ) The 24th Annual Meeting at Numazu. Aural Presentation. Mana MASUI, Philip YAMAMOTO, Nobuaki KONO, Masaru TOMITA. ”Inter-Species Allorecognition Behavior Evaluation in Plasmodium of Myxomycetes”
- 17-21 March 2021. The 68th Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of Japan (ESJ68). Online Poster Presentation. Mana MASUI, Nobuaki KONO, Masaru TOMITA, Kazuharu ARAKAWA. "Allorecognition behavior of slime mold plasmodium"
- 20-21 June 2020. The 64th Annual Meeting of the Mycological Society of Japan. (Osaka Museum of Natural History). Poster Presentation. *Cancelled due to COVID-19 outbreak, but certified as participating. Mana Masui, Tetsuya Mizutani, Ryo Imai, Yukie Katayama. "Allorecognition behavior of slime mold plasmodium"
- 16 May 2019. The 67th Annual Conference on Mass Spectrometry, Japan. (Tsukuba International Congress Center, Ibaraki) Oral Presentation. Shunsuke IZUMI (Presenter), Yuta IMAMURA, Mana MASUI, Masahiro KOTANI, Takayuki OHMURA. "Exploration of Chemical Repellents in Myxomycetes using the DIUTHAME-SALDI-IMS Method"
At the age of 8, Mana MASUI made their first research presentation at a conference and since then, they have given 15 presentations until high school graduation.
- At the Japan Mycological Society, they presented posters in 2013 and 2014 (at the age of 12 and 13) and received the Best Presentation Award in the high school student category.
- At the Ecological Society of Japan, they presented posters four times and won the Best Presentation Award in the high school student category for four consecutive years starting from 2015 (at the age of 14).
- At the Japan Myxomycetes Research Society, they presented posters nine times, starting from 2009 (at the age of 7).
Awards
- 3 April 2023. SFC STUDENT AWARD 2022 Reason for the Award: "For publishing books, contributing articles, giving lectures, and presenting at conferences, and becoming recognized as a leading expert among domestic researchers in the field of slime molds."
Mana MASUI has received a total of 34 awards in science contests and conferences from 2009 (at the age of 7) until high school graduation. He achieved the top position in Japan during his attendance at elementary school, junior high school, and high school (see details below).
- 8 August 2019 (at the age of 18). Super Science High School Student Research Presentation, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Prize: "Alloecognition Behavior in Plasmodia of Physarum rigidum"
- 24 December 2014 (at the age of 13). Japan Student Science Award, Prime Minister's Prize : "Research on Slime Molds 2008-2014: Discerning 'Self' and 'Others' in Plasmodia"
- 2 February 2013 (at the age of 11). Natural Science Observation Contest, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Prize: "Research on Slime Molds 2008-2012: Discerning 'Self' and 'Others' in Plasmodia"
Grants/Supports
- Masason Foundation since 2018 Mana Masui Profile [in English]
- GIYSE: Global Innovation program for Young Scientists and Engineers, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (GSC: Global Science Campus, The Japan Science and Technology Agency) 2018-2019, at the age of 17-18
- GFEST: Global Future Expert in Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba (GSC: Global Science Campus, The Japan Science and Technology Agency) 2015-2017, at the age of 14-16
- Super Science League, University of Tsukuba 2012-2014, at the age of 11-13
Peer-reviewed Research Report
- Bulletin of Ibaraki Nature Museum No. 25 December, 2022. Peer-reviewed research report. Mana Masui, Masaru Tomita. "Myxomycetes Found in Summer Dead Wood at Ibaraki Nature Museum" download PDF
Unrefereed Papers
Every year one or two papers were published in the research journal by Japanese Society of Myxomycetology Vol.27-36, 2009-2019, at the ages of 8-18.
Appearance on TV/Radio
- 16 February 2022. Radio Program. InterFM897 "The Dave Fromm Show": Unraveling the Mystery of Slime Molds' Self-nonself Recognition: Featuring Mana Masui! (Live) YouTube movie (45 min)
- 5 June 2021. TV Program. NHK-E (Education Channel). "The 'Narikiri' (Pretending to be someone else) Moo-nyan Creature School": Learn more! Become Slime Molds, the Mysterious Creature!
- 12 March, 12 April 2021. TV Program. WOWOW "The 30th anniversary of the station's opening: Genius FUTURE: Sing Songs of Future #2
- 21 November 2020. TV Program. NHK-E (Education Channel). "The 'Narikiri' (Pretending to be someone else) Moo-nyan Creature School": Mysterious Creatures of the Forest Series #2 What on earth are they? Become Slime Molds!
- 21 Febryary 2020. Radio Program. InterFM897 The Dave Fromm Show: "The Road": Unraveling the 21st Century's Greatest Mystery? Slime Molds' Self-nonself Recognition, Featuring Mana Masui YouTube movie (29 min)
- 19 June 2019. TV Program. NHK-E (Education Channel). "Naoki Matayoshi's Heureka!: Should Not Underestimate Single Cells?"
- 5 January 2019. Radio Program. TBS Radio. "Hiroshi Kume's Radio": "Slime molds are full of wonders! High school student, Mana Masui, whose research paper was published in a world-renowned academic journal." (Live)
- 23 August 2014. TV Program. NHK "New Species Discovered! Microcosm of Creatures - Snails & Sime Molds"
- 6 August 2014. TV Program. NHK "Darwin's Amazing Animals. The New Legend of Living Things": Miracle Species - Let's Go! The Great Adventure of Discovering New Species
- 31 May 2014. TV Program. NHK. "I want to know the whole story from A to Z! Interesting and mysterious! Advanced Research in Japan"
- 28 January 2013. NHK "Hello, Metropolis and 6 Prefectures": "Nurture! The Scientists of the Future"
- 15 July 2010. TV Program. NHK "Colorful! - Slime Molds are My Friends" Colorful! blog
Media Coverage: Newspaper
Articles appeared 28 times between 2011 and 2023, the ages of 10-22. Some typical ones are listed below.
- 18 October 2023, Shonen Shashin Shimbunsha "Library Education News" "Mysterious 'self' of slime molds." contributed by Mana Masui
- 13 August 2023, Asahi Chuu-Kousei (highschool) Shimbun "Diary of the Extraordinary, Then: Slime molds also have 'SELF'." contributed by Mana Masui Article in Japanese
- 17 Jun 2023. Yamagata Shimbun an article introducing Mana Masui's research findings: "AI and Slime Molds - Thinking about the Future in the Rainy Season Forest" by Yoshiya Sato, a editorial board member.
- 2 Mar 2022. Yamagata Shimbun a review article of my book in the cultural section: "Myxoverse — Poetry and Photographs of the Life of Small Creatures" by Shinichi Kawakami.
- 1 May 2019. Asahi Shogakusei (elementary school) Shimbun "Diary of the Extraordinary 2, Entry 5: With Slime Molds, Now and Forever" contributed by Mana Masui Article in Japanese
- 17 Feb 2018. The Asahi Shimbun [in English] Tokyo teen an international sensation in slime mold study Article (Tokyo Daily News)
- 30 January 2018. The Asahi Shimbun "People" "Mana Masui, who has been culturing and researching slime molds for 10 years."
- 20 January 2015. The Yomiuri Shimbun "Masui-kun receives the Prime Minister's Prize at the National Science Student Awards Central Review"
- 23 January 2013. The Mainichi "Masui-kun awarded the top prize at the Natural Science Observation Contest: 'The Movements of Slime Molds' - A 5-year Endeavor"
Media Coverage: Books
The research results on allorecognition in plasmodia were cited in a comprehensive literature on studies related to slime molds. See below.
Interviews or articles mentioning research appeared in 10 books between 2011 and 2021, the ages of 10-20. Some typical ones are listed below.
- Takeshi Naganuma 2020 "How Should We Evolve? The Impact of the Galapagos Islands, the Holy Land" Sakurasha.
Mention of Mana Masui's research in the "Afterword"
- Joe Takano 2018 "Beautiful myxomycetes" PIE International.
Introduction Article on Research Outcome by Mana Masui: "Slime Molds are Distinguishing Self and Others!"
- 2016 "Asia Color Trend Book 2017-2018" DIC Color Design.
Research History Introduction Article with Slime Mold Photographs contributed by Mana Masui (Japanese, Chinese, and English): "The Beauty of Myxomycetes"
Media Coverage: Magazines/Web
Interviews or articles mentioning research appeared 14 times between 2010 and 2022, the ages of 9-21. Some typical ones are listed below.
- 28 April 2022. Magazine. "Eureka: Poetry and Criticism, May 2022 — Special Feature = The World of Fungi" (Seidosha)
Essay: "From the "self" of the slime molds to the "self" of the future" contributed by Mana Masui Information / Table of Contents
- 2 March 2022. Web Magazine. "Media for Reimagining the Future — Less is More. What is the self? from MYXOVERSE — the living world of slime molds. Interview with Mana Masui. Article
- 15 December 2019. "The BIG ISSUE Japan vol.373 — Special Feature = find odd moments of leisure in one's busy life” (Big Issue Japan)
Essay: "I am 'tranquility in the busy world'" contributed by Mana Masui
- 1 April 2018. "The BIG ISSUE Japan vol.332 — Special Feature = Hello! "Slime Molds"
Interview Article: "Mana Masui's Life with Slime Molds"
- December 2012. Web News. “Europhysics News” Vol.49 No.5-6, European Physical Society, EDP Sciences,
Introduction article for peer-reviewed paper "HIGHLIGHTS: Self-extension model of slime mold’s allorecognition behaviour”
- May 2017. Magazine. ”KoKa (Science for Children), June 2017 (Seibundo Shinkosha Publishing)
Interview Article "16-Year-Old Researcher, Masui-kun, on the Appeal of Mysterious Living Things, Slime Molds."
- March 2015. Magazine. "kotoba (word/language) vol.19 — Special Feature = The Whole Picture of Minakata Kumagusu, the Giant of Knowledge" (Shueisha)
Interview Article "Special Column: Mana Masui, a Junior High School Student Tackling the Mystery of Slime Molds"
Lectures/Workshops/Exhibitions
Lectures, workshops and exhibits were held 50 times between 2013 and 2023, the ages of 12-22. Some typical ones are listed below.
- 19 November 2022. Lecture. Kyoto Girls' Junior and Senior High School, 86th Educational Meeting. "Living on Earth, the Great Seniors — Enigmatic and Adorable Slime Molds"
- 19 March 2022. Symposium Panelist. "How to Live in the Coming Era? Exploring Life Inspired by Kumagusu" (tanabe en+, Tanabe, Wakayama) Information
- 14 February 2021. Virtual Reality Lecture. "Dokodemo-HakubutsuFes! ZERO (Natural History Festival Anywhere)": "Mana Masui: The World of Slime Molds"
- 25 October, 1 & 8 November 2020. Seminars Presenter. NHK Culture Center, Online Courses: "The Slime Molds Beside You"
- 2 August 2020. Lecture. Tottori Prefectural Museum. Exhibition: "Hello Slime Molds! They're Extraordinary Mysterious Creatures." Talk Live: "The World is Full of Slime Molds — Tales of Enigmatic and Adorable Slime Molds"
- 17 February 2018. Lectures by Three Speakers. Ibaraki Nature Museum. Exhibition. "Slime Molds — Mysterious? Cute! Forest Fairies", Opening Event: "Premium Talk on Slime Molds" Dr. Hiromitsu Hagiwara, Dr. Toshiyuki Nakagaki, Mana Masui.
- 22 November 2017. Lecture. Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals (now: Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Research) Symposium: "Exploring Slime Molds" "The World of Slime Molds: Their Ecology and Remarkable Self-nonself Recognition Abilities"
- 12 November 2017. Lecture. A Biological Festival "IKIMONIA" (Kyoto) "Enigmatic and Adorable Slime Molds" *Approximately 300 attendees.
- 6 March 2014. Lecture. Hiroshima University Graduate School of Science Symposium "Research on the Movement and Perception of Slime Mold Plasmodia: Discerning 'Self' and 'Others' in Plasmodia" *At the age of 13, my first invited lecture.
Book Fair
- 2018: Book fair commemorating the publication of "The World is Full of Slime Molds" - "Mana Masui's Bookshelf" - Introducing 18 books influenced by Mana Masui.
(Locations: Junkudo Bookstore Ikebukuro Main Store, Kinokuniya Bookstore Umeda Main Store, Maruzen & Junkudo Bookstore Sapporo Store, Parco Book Center Kichijoji Store, Shinsaibashi Asence)
- 2018: "Books that encourage learning - A book fair that is deeply and enjoyably guided by three researchers - Linguistics and AI, the world of slime molds, ethology and mind evolution" - Introducing a selection of books by Professor Kazuo Okanoya (Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo), Professor Ai Kawazoe (Linguist), and Mana Masui.
(Various Locations: Sanseido Bookstore Jimbocho Main Store, Aoyama Book Center Main Store, Junkudo Bookstore Kyoto Store / Shiga Shiga Store / Fujisawa Store, Maruzen Nagoya Main Store, Tokyo-do Bookstore Kanda Jimbocho Store, The University of Tokyo Cooperative Honjo Book Department, Waseda University Cooperative Toyan Store, and other approximately 20 bookstores nationwide)
Materials Provision and Production Cooperation
So far, I have provided experimental photos for books and newspapers three times, and collaborated with TV programs four times (providing photos and videos, as well as offering guidance on slime mold videography). Additionally, in 2020, I supervised the explanatory text about slime molds for a package of new Japanese traditional sweets product inspired by Minakata Kumagusu.
Others
Every year, I serve as a selector for the "Meicho-Hyakusen (A Plethora of Masterpiece Books)" book fair held at the bookstore, Book First Shinjuku Store.
- 2023 November - 31 December): I recommended Paul Klee "Pädagogisches Skizzenbuch (Pedagogical Sketchbook) (Japanese Edition)"
- 2022 (12 November - 31 December): I recommended Jakob Johann Baron von Uexküll and Georg Kriszat "Streifzüge durch die Umwelten von Tieren und Menschen: Ein Bilderbuch unsichtbarer Welten (Japanese Edition)"
- 2021 (13 November - 31 December): I recommended Jorge Luis Borges and Adolfo Bioy Casares "Cuentos breves y extraordinarios (Extraordinary Tales) (Japanese Edition)"
- 2020 (14 November - 31 December): I recommended Takashi Homma (photographer) "Fun Photos: A Photography Class for Good Kids"
- 2019 (11 November - 31 December):I recommended Bruno Munari "Drawing a Tree (Japanese Edition)"
- 2018 (15 November - 9 December): I recommended Ken Tsuchiya (author) and Gunma Museum of Natural History (supervisor) "History of Life"
Other Activities
- 30 November 2018 - 27 February 2019. "Cryptogam Exhibition" at Usagi no Nedoko Kyoto Exhibit and sell my book and some original goods such as postcards and "Love Myxomycetes" T-shirts. Store Information [in English]
