Institute of Freshwater Biology

The Institute of Freshwater Biology, Nagano University is located near the Chikuma River in Ueda City, Nagano prefecture. The University of Nagano officially acquired the 24,000-square-meter facility in July 2021 from the Ministry of Finance Japan. The purpose of the institute is to conduct education, research, and industry-academia-government collaborative research projects in the interdisciplinary fields of ecology, genetics, statistics, and mathematics on the natural and biological resources of the region. The Institute of Freshwater Biology has excellent research facilities: two research buildings, 73 outdoor ponds for experiments using water from the Chikuma River, a waterfront environment with rich natural waterways, indoor experimental breeding facilities (51 FRP tanks) using well water, and a large-scale wet laboratory. The facility is also equipped with advanced research equipment such as a next-generation sequencer (NextSeq 550). The Institute of Freshwater Biology makes full use of its facilities and equipment to undertake three main activities: (1) research on the nature of the Chikuma River basin, (2) the creation of an international and national research and education network, and (3) the promotion of advanced biological research and aquaculture techniques. The organization is led by a director (professor) and consists of 9 other staff members: one associate professor, one visiting associate professor, three research assistants, one administrative and technical assistant, one office manager, one officer, and one clerk.